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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BKN--BULLS-GRAHAM’S VISION

DESCRIPTION: Bryson Graham took over the Chicago Bulls when he was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations in May. At his introductory press conference, he mentioned the acronym SLAP — size, length, athleticism, physicality. That vision is beginning to come into focus. By Jay Cohen.

WORDS: 650 — MOVED: 06/24/2026 12:16 p.m. EDT

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HKN--TEXAS EXPANSION EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: The NHL is exploring expanding to south Texas in either Houston or Austin after agreeing to terms with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family on a six-month process to study which possibility makes sense, if at all. Experts say the location makes sense to grow hockey, and there is a good chance the league’s 34th team down the line is also in the southern U.S. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--NHL DRAFT-GRAND CAYMAN-COVER

DESCRIPTION: Jaxon Cover grew up roller-blading in the Bahamas before giving ice hockey a try during a family trip to Toronto. At 18, and four years after playing in his first competitive game, the 6-foot-2, 183-pound forward is projected in being a potential second-round pick in the NHL draft being held this weekend. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT COVERAGE

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: BKN--NBA DRAFT COVERAGE

2. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA draft

3. UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: BKN--NBA DRAFT-BEST AVAILABLE

5. DESCRIPTION: A look at the best available players entering Wednesday’s second round. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: BKN--NBA DRAFT

8. DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK -- The NBA draft resumes with the second round, where NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson was selected and the Denver Nuggets found superstar Nikola Jokic.

9. UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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HKN--BLACKHAWKS-BYRAM

DESCRIPTION: Bowen Byram meets with the media for the first time since he was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Chicago Blackhawks in a blockbuster deal. Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson also talks about the move. By Jay Cohen.

UPCOMING: By 06/24/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BBO--METS-MOVES

Soto’s status is undetermined as Lindor gets ready to rejoin Mets, and Senga shifts to bullpen

SUMMARY: Francisco Lindor is ready to rejoin the New York Mets just as Juan Soto deals with a back injury that may sideline him beyond Wednesday. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he couldn’t rule out a trip to the injured list for Soto, who exited a 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs after the fourth inning Tuesday night because of a tight back. Soto, who was pictured on SNY wearing a wrap around his back in the dugout Tuesday, underwent imaging before Wednesday’s doubleheader. Mendoza also announced beleaguered starter Kodai Senga has been shifted to the bullpen.

WORDS: 590 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 1:31 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:769e2ab6b45f9293732e579e2a4df2e9&mediaType=text

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US--CLIMATE-OLYMPIANS-EPA

In visit to Capitol, Jessie Diggins and other Olympians push for climate change solutions

SUMMARY: Olympian Jessie Diggins visited Capitol Hill with her four medals in hand to advocate for clean air, clean water and a healthy planet. America’s most decorated cross-country skier is part of “Protect Our Winters,” an athlete-driven environmental group that sent a coalition to Washington to meet with lawmakers Tuesday and Wednesday. The group is most concerned with how the Environmental Protection Agency has weakened key climate, water and pollution regulations since President Donald Trump returned to office. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has said the agency will save trillions of dollars in regulatory costs and hidden taxes, to make the cost of living more affordable and reignite domestic manufacturing.

WORDS: 971 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 1:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:446af423a8f1c11658ef0fae4b39653c&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-REAVES

Lakers will re-sign Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $185 million deal, AP source says

SUMMARY: Austin Reaves is re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract extension worth $185 million, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official for Reaves, who cements his status as one of the most successful undrafted players in NBA history with this contract. Reaves is declining his $14.9 million player option for the upcoming season to ink this extension with the team that signed him out of Oklahoma after the draft in 2021. The shifty guard has grown into one of the NBA’s most effective scorers and playmakers.

WORDS: 335 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 12:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d68ddb3b3dcb7bd84456cb4e0bab00cb&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA DRAFT

NBA draft resumes Wednesday night in New York, where some second-round picks are revered

SUMMARY: Some of New York’s biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks. Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped into Game 7 of the NBA Finals to lift the Knicks to their first championship. So when the NBA draft resumes Wednesday night with the Knicks on the clock, every team will have hope of finding someone who can be a key piece of a title team. The Knicks hold the No. 31 pick. The first round, which began with Washington selecting AJ Dybantsa, finished late Tuesday night.

WORDS: 252 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 11:09 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:09b7b724cacb091ab777adb63edb7a91&mediaType=text

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SOC--RAVENNA-RONALDINHO

Ronaldinho says ‘let the magic begin’ after signing with Italian Serie C club Ravenna at age 46

SUMMARY: Brazil great Ronaldinho has signed with Italian Serie C club Ravenna at age 46 and more than a decade after retiring. Ronaldinho says “I cannot wait to dance with the ball” and “let the magic begin” The Ravenna club is run by Ignazio Cipriani of the Cipriani restaurant brand. Cipriani says Ronaldinho was his idol as a kid and ”I hope his involvement inspires a new generation of supporters to fall in love with Ravenna.” Ronaldinho last played professionally for Fluminense in 2015. It will mark his second spell in Italy after playing for AC Milan from 2008-11. He won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

WORDS: 143 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 10:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e40e839bcef4d4571c741f524451d66d&mediaType=text

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SOC--CAS-PREGNANT PLAYER

Landmark legal win compensates pregnant soccer player who lost contract

SUMMARY: In a landmark legal win for female soccer players Maja Göthberg has been awarded salary compensation from Lazio Women after the Italian club ended contract talks when it knew she was pregnant. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ordered Lazio to pay Göthberg more than $79,000, says the global soccer players’ union FIFPRO. Former Sweden youth international Göthberg took her appeal to CAS after losing her initial claim at a FIFA tribunal. She helped Lazio win promotion to the top tier in the 2023-24 season. She then discovered she was pregnant and told the club during contract talks.

WORDS: 315 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 7:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f54a1674d6cc4178a03b80867a689bb3&mediaType=text

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BBO--CUBS-COUNSELL-RAINOUT

Cubs manager Craig Counsell perplexed by rainout and irked by ‘terrible rule’

SUMMARY: After his team got rained out two days in a row, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell sounded a little miffed about the second one. Hours later, he was criticizing a major league rule that led to his ejection. Chicago’s series opener Monday night against the Mets in New York was postponed because of poor weather and rescheduled as part of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday at Citi Field. Counsell, however, says it was dry enough to play and the game “did not need to be rained out.” The Cubs also got washed out back home at Wrigley Field on Sunday, when they were supposed to wrap up a series against the Toronto Blue Jays. That game will be made up Aug. 6.

WORDS: 800 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 7:36 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:07b55d92814bb0f9f9b03e6895888b2c&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-ENGLAND-GHANA

England and Ghana play to 0-0 draw at World Cup despite flurry-filled final minutes

SUMMARY: England dominated possession but came up empty on several late scoring opportunities in a 0-0 draw with Ghana at the World Cup. Both teams won their opening matches, with Ghana beating Panama 1-0 and England defeating Croatia 4-2. Now both still have work to do in Group L before securing a spot in the knockout round. England had a chance to take the lead in the 86th minute when Nico O’Reilly’s header hit the crossbar. Harry Kane gathered the rebound but couldn’t get enough on it with his left foot and shot high. England hasn’t lost to an African country at the World Cup in nine meetings.

WORDS: 683 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 6:06 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be912fb8fffd8feabda8179d72ac5216&mediaType=text

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BBO--ATHLETICS-GELOF

Athletics’ Zack Gelof loses hit streak at 24 games after getting spiked on his right hand

SUMMARY: Zack Gelof carried a 24-game hitting streak into the Athletics’ matchup with the Giants. It came to a quick and painful end Tuesday night. Gelof flied to right as the leadoff hitter in the Athletics’ 3-1 loss. Then in the second inning, Matt Chapman hit a liner off the left field wall to bring home Willy Adames. Chapman tried for a double, but the throw from Tyler Soderstrom to Gelof was in time to nail Chapman. But Chapman inadvertently stepped on Gelof’s right hand as Gelof was applying the tag. Gelof quickly left the field in obvious pain. Manager Mark Kotsay said X-rays were negative and Gelof did not need stitches.

WORDS: 377 - MOVED: 06/24/2026 1:46 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9741ab44e1ec60291bf631396f9a3723&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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SOC--WORLD CUP

Coverage of group play in the US, Canada and Mexico.