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.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

OLY--SBD-ESTER LEDECKA

DESCRIPTION: It’s been eight years since Esther Ledecka did what was once thought impossible – winning a gold medal with skis on, then switching to a snowboard and winning another. She will go for a third straight Olympic title.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is playing her fourth Australian Open final in succession and aiming for a third title at Melbourne Park she takes on fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina in a rematch of the 2023 decider.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 6:30 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: After three games without a win in the Premier League, first-place Arsenal travels to in-form Leeds on Saturday. Defending champion Liverpool hosts Newcastle. By James Robson. UPCOMING: 700 words by 1700 GMT with photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

BKC--ARIZONA-ARIZONA STATE

DESCRIPTION: No. 1 Arizona tries to set a school record with its 22nd straight win when the Wildcats play at rival Arizona State. By David Brandt. 300 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 4:50 p.m. EST, Text

___

GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Justin Rose had a four-shot lead over Seamus Power in the Farmers Insurance Open going into a weekend at Torrey Pines that includes Brooks Koepka in his return from Saudi-funded LIV Golf. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 7:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

MMA--UFC 325

DESCRIPTION: Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces second-ranked challenger Diego Lopes in UFC 325. By W.G. Ramirez. 500 words, file photo.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 9:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

BOX--LOPEZ-STEVENSON

DESCRIPTION: Teofimo Lopez defends his 140-pound title against Shakur Stevenson, who tries to win a belt in a fourth weight class.

UPCOMING: By 01/31/2026 11:00 p.m. EST, Text

————————————————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

————————————————————

BKN--NUGGETS-JOKIC

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic returns to lineup against Clippers in 1st game since knee injury on Dec. 29

SUMMARY: man Nikola Jokic is back on the court. Jokic returned to the starting lineup Friday night in a 122-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in his first game since suffering a knee injury Dec. 29. Jokic had 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals in 25 minutes, his second-shortest appearance in a game this season. He made eight of his 11 shots, two of his three 3-pointers and 13 of his 17 free throws. The three-time NBA MVP was on a minutes restriction, coach David Adelman said, as he eases his way back.

WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 1:01 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8321bfffaa19cb7742615f911beba2d&mediaType=text

___

BBC--OBIT-MARQUESS

Former Stanford baseball coach Mark Marquess, who won 2 College World Series titles, dies at 78

SUMMARY: Mark Marquess, a National College Baseball Hall of Famer who coached Stanford to a pair of national titles over 41 years beginning in 1977, has died. He was 78. The school announced that Marquess died but provided no details on the cause. A fixture for more than four decades in the dugout at Sunken Diamond on campus, Marquess guided the Cardinal to consecutive NCAA championships in 1987 and ’88. Long known as “9” for his No. 9 jersey, he retired in 2017 and ranks as the fourth-winningest coach in Division I history with a 1,627-878-7 (.649) career record.

WORDS: 561 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 12:44 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cdf08d2997f2c7cef90a9d93b35b1368&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NETS-DEMIN

Nets guard Egor Demin sets NBA rookie record with a 3-pointer in 34th straight game

SUMMARY: Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin made a 3-pointer in an NBA rookie-record 34th straight game on Friday night against the Utah Jazz. Demin set the record on the first basket for the Nets. He finished 6-of-12 from long distance, scoring 25 points and collecting 10 rebounds in a 109-99 victory for Brooklyn. Demin entered Friday’s game tied with Portland’s Rudy Fernandez (2008-09) and Philadelphia’s Landry Shamet (2018-19).

WORDS: 455 - MOVED: 01/31/2026 12:21 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cd994e4b20396ceb5bd72c2231665dc1&mediaType=text

___

US--NASCAR DRIVER-PLANE CRASH

NASCAR’s Greg Biffle wasn’t flying his plane before crash that killed him and 6 others

SUMMARY: Federal safety officials have concluded that retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was not flying his jet when it crashed last month, killing him and six others. The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on Friday. It states that while an experienced pilot was at the controls, the copilot was not qualified for that role. Biffle, along with retired airline pilot Dennis Dutton and his son Jack noticed gauge malfunctions on the Cessna C550. The crash occurred while the plane was trying to return to Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and children Ryder and Emma, along with his friend Craig Wadsworth, also died in the crash.

WORDS: 852 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 11:12 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15106ae84f272e2a805cf4b15b496ed2&mediaType=text

___

BKN--LAKERS-DONCIC-BIG HALF

Luka Doncic has a triple-double (26 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) before halftime as Lakers roll

SUMMARY: Luka Doncic’s latest triple-double came before the first half even ended. Doncic had 26 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the first two quarters as the Los Angeles Lakers raced out to a 29-point halftime lead over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. He finished with 37 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, and the Lakers won 142-111. Doncic shot 9 of 13 from the field in the first half with five 3-pointers. His 10th rebound came in the waning seconds of the second quarter.

WORDS: 432 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 11:03 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9a0c3278b8414d337b1712857ad63e51&mediaType=text

___

GLF--FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

Justin Rose breaks his 36-hole record at Torrey Pines. Brooks Koepka makes it to the weekend

SUMMARY: Justin Rose broke his own 36-hole record in the Farmers Insurance Open and goes into the weekend at Torrey Pines with a four-shot lead. That weekend will include Brooks Koepka. He made the cut on the number in his return to the PGA Tour after four seasons on Saudi-funded LIV Golf. The weekend surprisingly will not include Xander Schauffele, who had the PGA Tour’s longest active cut streak at 72. Rose shot a 65 on the tough South Course and that was 7.4 shots better than the field average. He was four shots ahead of Seamus Power.

WORDS: 882 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 8:19 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89036e73b1faf7d8cd8503404911100f&mediaType=text

___

US--TRUMP-INDYCAR

Trump announces upcoming IndyCar race through Washington’s streets — including Pennsylvania Avenue

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has announced an IndyCar race will be held through the streets of Washington as part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations. The race is set for August 23, and could feature cars speeding past the White House at nearly 200 mph. Trump signed an executive order creating the event, alongside Roger Penske, owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. Details about the race were sparse, but Trump emphasized its potential economic benefits. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the excitement of racing down Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump said he’d urged organizers to choose the best route through the city, even if it’s challenging to approve.

WORDS: 511 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 7:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9df7398879c960722b88fbc92795f86a&mediaType=text

___

FBN--SEAHAWKS-WALKER

Ahead of potential final game with Seahawks, RB Kenneth Walker III is firing on all cylinders

SUMMARY: Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has surged lately and at optimal timing considering fellow tailback Zach Charbonnet is out with a season-ending knee injury. But Walker is also in the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. As Walker continues to surge, so does his value, which brings uncertainty to his future in Seattle while the Seahawks seek to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

WORDS: 674 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 6:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0c6bac6744444a731eb844134d180d5f&mediaType=text

___

FBN--VIKINGS-GM FIRED

Vikings fire general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after 4 seasons and contract extension last year

SUMMARY: The Minnesota Vikings have fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after mixed results over four seasons and giving him a contract extension last year. The Vikings appointed executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski as the interim replacement through the NFL draft. The search for a new general manager will take place after that. Vikings owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf said they made the decision following their annual end-of-season organizational meetings. The Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs for a second time in Adofo-Mensah’s four years. They didn’t win a postseason game.

WORDS: 782 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 5:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e964f84ad3b056ade31e37a65e769f2&mediaType=text

___

BBO--ATHLETICS-WILSON

Athletics and All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson agree to $70 million, 7-year contract

SUMMARY: The Athletics have reached an agreement with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson on a $70 million, seven-year contract. This deal secures Wilson through the 2032 season with a club option for 2033. By signing him now, the A’s avoid salary arbitration after the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons. Wilson, who was the first fan-elected rookie All-Star starting shortstop, hit .311 with 13 home runs last season. The A’s have also signed several other players through at least 2028, aligning with their plans for a new ballpark in Las Vegas.

WORDS: 309 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 4:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7b4bf9d770722ab79876f0768f759537&mediaType=text

___

ATH--GRAND SLAM TRACK-BANKRUPTCY

‘Never thought a meet would not pay:’ Grand Slam Track bankruptcy takes a toll on struggling runners

SUMMARY: Grand Slam Track, a running league meant to boost athletes’ finances, has declared bankruptcy, leaving many unpaid. Hurdler Eric Edwards Jr. is owed more than $19,000. It’s money that could come in handy for rent, gas and training. The league, founded by sprinting great Michael Johnson, owes $40 million to more than 300 people and companies. Despite the financial turmoil, the league plans to restart later this year. Edwards, now working a delivery job at Amazon, continues to train while living with family. He dreams of making a living solely from track.

WORDS: 874 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 4:37 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:300e9dc989c162e61300d927749dee1d&mediaType=text

___

BKL--WNBA-CBA

WNBA and the players’ union to resume stalled CBA negotiations on Monday

SUMMARY: The WNBA and the players’ union will meet Monday in New York for the first time in several weeks to try to move the stalled collective bargaining negotiations forward. Kelsey Plum, who is vice president of the players union, mentioned the meeting while she was preparing for a game in Philadelphia with the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled. Plum will be joined at the meeting by other members of the executive council, including Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier, as well as union leadership. The league will have its regular negotiating team, including WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, according to a person familiar with the situation.

WORDS: 603 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 2:42 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a0d962600c0cc1c7b81b612e12d6ef1e&mediaType=text

___

FBN--PATRIOTS-MAYE

Patriots QB Drake Maye misses practice with illness, the latest hiccup to Super Bowl preparations

SUMMARY: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is dealing with an illness and did not practice on Friday, the latest wrinkle in the quarterback’s preparations for the Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. It came a day after Maye was a limited participant in practice with a shoulder injury. Coach Mike Vrabel says both issues kept of him off the field Friday. Maye was at the team facility and able to participate in team meetings. The coach says Maye responded favorable after Thursday’s practice in which he did some throwing and would have practiced Friday if not for the illness.

WORDS: 282 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 2:32 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:814860a508703e17d02c4f62a4691df4&mediaType=text

___

SKI--VONN-CRASH

Vonn crashes in last race before Winter Games and says ‘My Olympic dream is not over’

SUMMARY: Lindsey Vonn has crashed in her final downhill race before the Winter Olympics and injured her left knee. But the 41-year-old U.S. ski star says her “Olympic dream is not over” just a week before the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Vonn lost control when landing a jump in a World Cup race and ended up tangled in the safety nets. She eventually got up after receiving medical attention and walked away gingerly, taking weight off her left knee and using her poles to steady herself. She then clicked her skis back on but stopped to check her left knee. The race was later canceled after three of the first six racers crashed.

WORDS: 916 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 2:26 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:36264674d842aacaf63c908a254e3769&mediaType=text

___

BKN--NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR CHASE

Kon Knueppel is giving former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg a challenge in NBA Rookie of the Year race

SUMMARY: Cooper Flagg entered the season as the favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, but his former college roommate, Kon Knueppel, is making waves. Knueppel is having a standout rookie season with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 18.9 points per game and ranking third in the league for 3-pointers made. On Thursday, Knueppel scored a career-high 34 points against Flagg’s team, leading the Hornets to a dramatic win. Despite Flagg’s impressive 49-point game, Knueppel is closing the gap in the Rookie of the Year race. Both players continue to impress while maintaining a strong friendship.

WORDS: 964 - MOVED: 01/30/2026 2:12 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e7215c08a6a956e017c5836535f97f02&mediaType=text