Raiders working on deal to hire Klint Kubiak as head coach, AP source says
The Las Vegas Raiders are working toward finalizing an agreement to make Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak their head coach. That's according to a person with knowledge of the discussions who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no contract was in place. The Raiders would not be allowed to announce a deal with Kubiak until after next Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seahawks and New England Patriots. The 38-year-old Kubiak would be the third coach in three seasons for the Raiders and the fifth full-time leader since they moved to Las Vegas in 2020.
Cardinals hire Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as head coach
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals hired Mike LaFleur as head coach, turning to a division rival’s offensive coordinator to try to pull the franchise out of the bottom of the NFC West. The Cardinals made the announcement on Sunday, bringing an end to the nearly four-week process. The 38-year-old Los Angeles Rams assistant replaces Jonathan Gannon, who was fired on Jan. 5 after a 15-36 record over three seasons, including 3-14 this past season. LaFleur — who is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur — has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
Justin Rose sets scoring record and becomes first wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines since 1955
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Justin Rose is the first wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines in 71 years. Rose finished with a 70 to break the tournament scoring record last set by Tiger Woods in 1999. He finished at 23-under 265. The Farmers Insurance Open has some of the best weather ever. What it didn't have was drama. Rose started with a six-shot lead and never let anyone get any closer, winning by seven. Tommy Bolt in 1955 was the last player to win this tournament from start to finish without ties. Rose now moves to No. 3 in the world at age 45. He is not slowing.
LeBron James wasn't thinking about his All-Star streak after being injured to start the season
NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James being an All-Star was almost a certainty for two decades. This season, it was no sure thing. And for James, who just wanted to get healthy enough to play in real games, it wasn’t a priority. James says Sunday he wasn't thinking about the All-Star Game after missing the first 14 games of the season because of sciatica. But he has come on strong since turning 41 on Dec. 30 and was selected as a reserve Sunday. That extends his NBA-record streak to 22 consecutive appearances.
LeBron's All-Star streak at 22 years. Duren, Powell, Johnson, Murray, Holmgren, Avdija 1st-timers
LeBron James is an All-Star again, marking his 22nd consecutive selection. The NBA announced the reserves on Sunday for the game on Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California, including James. He is the All-Star record holder in a number of categories that also include appearances with 20 and points with 434. The reserves from the Eastern Conference are Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Duren, Norman Powell and Jalen Johnson. From the Western Conference, the other reserves are Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deni Avdija. Duren, Powell, Johnson, Murray, Holmgren and Avdija are first-time All-Stars.
Thunder beat Nuggets 121-111 behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points
DENVER (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets 121-111. Cason Wallace added a career-best 27 points for the Thunder, including seven 3s. Oklahoma City sank 19 3-pointers and expanded a seven-point halftime lead to 16 in the third quarter. Peyton Watson paced the Nuggets with 29 points, but they never led. Nikola Jokic scored 16 in his second game back from injury. Jamal Murray had 12 assists but struggled with his shooting. Both teams were missing several starters due to injuries.
Lightning's historic four-goal comeback stuns Bruins in NHL Stadium Series
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored the tying goal in the third period, Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the shootout, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from a four-goal deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in front of 64,617 fans at an NHL Stadium Series game. Kucherov finished with a goal and three assists, Brandon Hagel had a goal and two assists, while Oliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Raddysh and Nick Paul all scored power-play goals after Tampa Bay fell behind 5-1 in the second period. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 29 saves. Morgan Geekie had a pair of goals for the Bruins. Viktor Arvidsson, Alex Steeves and Matthew Poitras also scored for Boston.
Eugenio Suárez and the Reds agree to a $15 million, 1-year contract, AP sources say
Eugenio Suárez and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed on a $15 million, one-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced. Suárez was the top slugger left on the free agent market and the two-time All-Star returns to Cincinnati, where he played seven seasons. He hit 189 home runs for the Reds from 2015 through 2021, including 49 in 2019. The move gives the Reds the proven power hitter they had been seeking throughout the offseason. A third baseman for most of his 12-year major league career, the 34-year-old Suárez is expected to be Cincinnati’s primary designated hitter.
Carlos Alcaraz plans a kangaroo tattoo to remember his Australian Open victory
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz thinks he might get a small kangaroo tattooed on one leg. It would be a lasting memento of his win over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open men’s final Sunday which made him the youngest male player at 22 to complete a career Grand Slam. “I already know it’s going to be a kangaroo. I just don’t know the place,” Alcaraz said. “I’m just thinking about the leg but I don’t know which calf, whether it will be the right or left one.” Alcaraz posed for photographers with the ornate Australian Open trophy, looking casually stylish in black, in loafers and no socks.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. Is a calendar Slam next?
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Now that he's the youngest man to win all four major singles titles, Carlos Alcaraz is fielding questions about his chances for a calendar-year Grand Slam. Alcaraz beat 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final on Sunday to complete a full set. At 22 years and 272 days old, he surpasses the previous record set by Don Budge in 1938. With a new coaching team and his development still a work in progress, the seven-time major winner wants to take each Grand Slam event as it comes. Up next is the French Open at Roland Garros, where he's the two-time defending champion. Djokovic praised Alcaraz's growth and potential, calling him a "legendary tennis player."
