AP Sports Digest

Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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OLY--SBD-SPINNING FOUR WAYS

DESCRIPTION: Though snowboarding loves to flaunt its massive jumps and daring flips, it’s the ability to spin four ways — riding forward and backward, then spinning either clockwise or counterclockwise from either direction — that’s considered one of the sport’s holy grails. Those technical tricks could make the difference between silver and gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics. By Eddie Pells.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 4:15 a.m. EST, Text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka takes on Elina Svitolina in the first of the women’s semifinals Thursday night at the Australian Open. Jessica Pegula faces 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the second semifinal on Rod Laver Arena.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 5:05 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

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OLY--SAFESPORT-NEW CEO

DESCRIPTION: Benita Fitzgerald Mosley knows her way around Olympic organizations. Her next stop, though, will be unlike any other. The 1984 gold medalist starts her new job at the U.S. Center for SafeSport this weekend.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 11:00 a.m. EST, Text

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OLY--HKW--EDWARDS-GOFUNDME

DESCRIPTION: Thanks to an outpouring of support, that included the NFL’s Kelce brothers, means USA Hockey’s Laila Edwards won’t be alone in making her Olympic debut. A GoFundMe drive has raised more than $59,000 over four weeks that will pay for 14 members of Edwards’ family to join her at the Milan Cortina Games. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--TITANS-SALEH

DESCRIPTION: The Tennessee Titans introduce new head coach Robert Saleh, tasked with turning around one of the NFL’s worst teams this past season. 600 words, photos. News conference begins at 3 p.m. Eastern.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 3:00 p.m. EST, Text

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BKN--MAVERICKS-YEAR AFTER LUKA

DESCRIPTION: The Mavericks are also-rans in the West a year after the shocking trade of Luka Doncic. Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the deal for Dallas, is out with an injury again. Rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is a reason for hope, but a return to contention soon looks murky at best for the Mavs. By Schuyler Dixon. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 3:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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FBN--SUPER BOWL-PATRIOTS

DESCRIPTION: The Patriots return to the practice field to begin preparations for their Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. It will be their first workout since quarterback Drake Maye addressed the state of his shoulder in response to online speculation that he was injured during New England’s 10-7 AFC championship game victory over Denver. By Kyle Hightower. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 3:00 p.m. EST, Text

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MMA--UFC 325 PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces second-ranked challenger Diego Lopes in UFC 325. By Mark Anderson. 500 words, file photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 3:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--BILLS-BRADY

DESCRIPTION: Joe Brady will address reporters for the first time on Thursday since the Buffalo Bills promoted the offensive coordinator to take over as head coach. By John Wawrow. 800 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--RAVENS-MINTER

DESCRIPTION: The Baltimore Ravens hold a news conference introducing new coach Jesse Minter, who takes over for John Harbaugh. By Noah Trister. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Six direct places in the round of 16 are up for grabs while 11 teams remain in contention for the last five spots in the knockout stage in the final round of matches of the league phase in the Europa League.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 5:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Brooks Koepka makes his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf at the Farmers Insurance Open, a field that includes the 2026 debut of two-time major champion Xander Schauffele. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/29/2026 8:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--LAKERS-JAMES-CAVALIERS VIDEO

LeBron James wipes away tears during tribute, says he doesn’t know if he’ll play in Cleveland again

SUMMARY: LeBron James doesn’t know if Wednesday night will end up being his last trip to Cleveland as a player. If James doesn’t return, the Cavaliers and their fans continued to let James know how much he means to them. James teared up during a video tribute played during a timeout in the first quarter. The 41-year-old Akron native wiped his eyes with a towel after the Cavs played highlights of him scoring 25 straight points in the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. The Lakers lost 129-99 to the Cavs, but James appreciated getting to see his son, Bronny James, play in the fourth quarter.

WORDS: 731 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 11:28 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:259f20f7b6eac6e30f82c8b86aee3040&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-ST JOHN’S-PITINO

Rick Pitino honored by St. John’s for reaching 900 career wins

SUMMARY: Rick Pitino has been honored by St. John’s for reaching 900 wins as a Division I head coach. Moments before the 25th-ranked Red Storm beat Butler on Wednesday night, a tribute to Pitino featuring a montage of the Hall of Famer’s highlights played on the large video screens at Madison Square Garden. St. John’s vice president and athletic director Ed Kull then presented Pitino with a framed jersey at center court. The 73-year-old Pitino became the fourth Division I men’s basketball coach to win 900 games when the Johnnies rallied Saturday for an 88-83 victory at Xavier. He got No. 901 against Butler.

WORDS: 552 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 10:35 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3075ecbed228c636c93249754ea27136&mediaType=text

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BKW--T25-XAVIER-UCONN

Ziebell leads UConn to 50th consecutive Big East regular-season victory, beating Xavier 97-39

SUMMARY: Allie Ziebell had a UConn program record-tying 10 3-pointers and a career-high 34 points, and Sarah Strong had 19 of her 25 points in the first half as the top-ranked Huskies won their 38th consecutive game with a 97-39 win over Xavier on Wednesday night despite missing two of its top four scorers. Ashlynn Shade had 12 points, nine steals, six rebounds and six assists for UConn. It was the 50th regular-season win in a row in Big East play. Mariyah Noel had 12 points, and Meri Kanerva added 11 for Xavier.

WORDS: 335 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 10:18 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0db4b9bbd484b5e8a89bc248884507a0&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-CAVALIERS

Cavaliers spoil LeBron James’ return, riding big 3rd quarter to 129-99 romp

SUMMARY: Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points, Jaylon Tyson had 20 and the Cleveland Cavaliers used a big third quarter to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 129-99 and spoil LeBron James’ return to Northeast Ohio. De’Andre Hunter added 19 points, and Jarrett Allen had 17 points and nine rebounds to help Cleveland to its season-best fifth straight victory. James had only 11 points, the first time in 13 trips to Cleveland as an opposing player he has not had at least 20. The 41-year old Akron native was 3 of 10 from the field, including 0 of 3 on 3-pointers, and was 5 of 6 from the line in 27 minutes. It also was James’ worst loss in Cleveland as a visiting player.

WORDS: 353 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 9:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e80b50e004ce1129e673912a7187b622&mediaType=text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-CAMERAS ROLLING

Are tennis players being treated like zoo animals? Iga Swiatek thinks so

SUMMARY: Iga Swiatek is echoing Coco Gauff’s concerns about the constant camera gaze at tennis tournaments. Gauff highlighted the lack of privacy after her racket-smashing frustration at the Australian Open went viral. She believes a conversation is needed about the lack of private spaces for players off the court. After her quarterfinal loss to Elena Rybakina, Swiatek has expressed similar feelings. She questioned whether players are being treated like “animals in the zoo.” Swiatek says she understands the need to keep the public entertained but feels some moments should remain private.

WORDS: 981 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 7:29 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:26e2cefe12e25f2a51f3f4f6c34ad671&mediaType=text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-MEN’S SEMIFINALS

Feeling disrespected, Djokovic plans on ‘creating my own history’ in Australian Open semifinals

WORDS: 837 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 7:23 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0773e5258883e5fe00a6324a80cc9217&mediaType=text

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GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

Brooks Koepka gets a fresh start at a familiar place in Torrey Pines

SUMMARY: Brooks Koepka is used to being the center of attention when he’s winning majors. Now he’s in the spotlight just by playing on the PGA Tour. The five-time major champion becomes a footnote in PGA Tour history as the first member to defect to Saudi-funded LIV Golf and find his way back on tour. It starts Thursday in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Koepka says he has some catching up to do because so much has changed on the tour in the last three-and-a-half years. That includes some of the names of players he is facing.

WORDS: 898 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 7:17 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ddc6a1d470d788629ef0b93275090bdc&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ROUNDUP

Real Madrid dropped by Mourinho’s Benfica into Champions League playoffs round alongside PSG

WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 7:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1cbf3f81621397edcd3866bb6a6aa28d&mediaType=text

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GLF--LIV-REED

Patrick Reed is leaving LIV Golf. He can return to the PGA Tour in September

SUMMARY: Patrick Reed is leaving LIV Golf with an eye on returning to the PGA Tour. Reed is the second major champion to leave LIV. He posted his intentions Wednesday on social media. His decision comes the same week that Brooks Koepka returns to the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines. The PGA Tour has shared the news in a memo to players. Reed is eligible to return to the PGA Tour in September. It will be one year since he last played on LIV in August 2025. The tour season will be over by then but he can play in the fall.

WORDS: 973 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 5:44 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d9fda5d8a044f40ef0b9f3ae87fd84e0&mediaType=text

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FBN--HALL OF FAME-EXPLAINER

How are the inductees selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

SUMMARY: Bill Belichick’s reported snub from the Pro Football Hall of Fame after winning a record six Super Bowl titles as a head coach has placed scrutiny on the process of picking pro football Hall of Famers. While the specific reasons why Belichick didn’t get into the Hall in his first year of eligibility are unknown, there are some possible explanations.

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 4:56 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0bae4bff8ada7d396a2ffd67488bd828&mediaType=text

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FBN--PATRIOTS-KRAFT-BELICHICK

Patriots’ Robert Kraft says Bill Belichick unequivocally deserves to be first-ballot Hall of Famer

SUMMARY: Count New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft among those shocked that Bill Belichick reportedly will not be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In a statement to The Associated Press, Kraft said he believes Belichick’s accomplishments unequivocally merit election to the Hall on his first ballot. Citing unidentified sources, ESPN reported Tuesday that Belichick didn’t receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers. Tom Brady, who played under Belichick for 20 seasons and won six Super Bowl titles together, called that decision “completely ridiculous.”

WORDS: 472 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 4:15 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e1e483cc065c6180c8c763485170486d&mediaType=text

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SOC--WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS CUP

Brazil’s Corinthians to face England’s Arsenal in the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup final

SUMMARY: Alessia Russo scored a pair of second-half goals in a 10-minute span to cap a 6-0 victiory for Arsenal over Moroccan club ASFAR for a spot in the final of the first Women’s Champions Cup. Arsenal will face Brazilian club Corinthians on Sunday in the title match of the intercontinental championship for club teams. Corinthians defeated Gotham FC 1-0 in Wednesday’s earlier match at Gtech Community Stadium. Forty-year-old Gabi Zanotti’s left-footed shot got past Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger in the 82nd minute for Corinthians in the early match.

WORDS: 492 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 3:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3684db5113e8f622903cf52176ad3f34&mediaType=text

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FBN--BROWNS-MONKEN

Todd Monken, ex-Ravens offensive coordinator, hired as the Cleveland Browns head coach

SUMMARY: The Cleveland Browns hired Todd Monken as the franchise’s 19th full-time head coach, wrapping up a three-week search. He replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on Jan. 5, the day after Cleveland finished a 5-12 season. This is Monken’s first NFL head coaching job after 11 years in the league as an assistant. He spent the previous three seasons as Baltimore’s offensive coordinator. He first interviewed on Jan. 10 and had a second interview on Jan. 20. Monken previously served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019.

WORDS: 1036 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 3:07 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6b9860cf0a113bbb2e37a09db7b5fe02&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-BELICHICK

Bill Belichick’s snub from the Pro Football Hall of Fame is criticized by voters and NFL fans

SUMMARY: Bill Belichick won six Lombardi Trophies as a head coach with the Patriots, two as an assistant with the Giants and has more Super Bowl rings than anyone in NFL history. Yet somehow he’s not a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. Belichick didn’t get the required votes in his first year of eligibility, according to a report from ESPN that cited four unidentified sources. Belichick needed 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers. News of the snub stunned players, coaches, fans and anyone who has watched football. Patrick Mahomes called it “insane.” LeBron James said it’s “impossible, egregious, and quite frankly disrespectful.”

WORDS: 1126 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 2:50 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:af46e26dc1a5e55d27464a97d4c517c5&mediaType=text

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BBO--ROCKIES-YANKEES TRADE

Yankees acquire reliever Angel Chivilli in a trade with the Rockies

SUMMARY: The New York Yankees have added to their bullpen by acquiring right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli in a trade with the Colorado Rockies. They sent minor league infielder T.J. Rumfield to Colorado for Chivilli. The move Wednesday is the Yankees’ latest in an offseason that also included them getting lefty starter Ryan Weathers from Miami in exchange for four prospects. Chivilli had a 7.06 ERA in 43 relief appearances for the Rockies last year. He had a 4.55 ERA in 2024, his first major league season.

WORDS: 297 - MOVED: 01/28/2026 1:53 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6dde74f771f8455b50306a416fd0c096&mediaType=text