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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SKI--WCUP-WOMEN’S DOWNHILL

DESCRIPTION: Lindsey Vonn aims for her third win of the Olympic season in a World Cup downhill. 300 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 6:30 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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SKI--WCUP-MEN’S DOWNHILL

DESCRIPTION: Overall World Cup leader Marco Odermatt aims for a win on home snow in the famed Lauberhorn downhill. 300 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 8:30 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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GLF--DUBAI INVITATIONAL

DESCRIPTION: The third round of the Dubai Invitational on the European tour. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are the headline names. 250 words, photos

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 9:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Man United hosts Man City in the Premier League on Saturday. Other games include Liverpool vs. Burnley and Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal. By James Robson. 700 words.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 9:30 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-WHAT TO KNOW

DESCRIPTION: A look at the top storylines heading into the 2026 Australian Open. By Howard Fendrich. 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Alternate Headlines, Text, Photo

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SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: Real Madrid hosts Levante after it lost to a second-division opponent in the Copa del Rey on the debut of new coach Álvaro Arbeloa.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 12:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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FIG--EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

DESCRIPTION: The European figure skating championships are a key final test before the Olympics. The championships conclude with medals awarded in the men’s and ice dance events.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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FBC--CFP-SEASON OF CHAOS

DESCRIPTION: Eligibility lawsuits, the out-of-control transfer portal, bickering over Congressional legislation and the decades-old dilemma over coaches and their salaries were the steady drumbeat behind a college football season where nothing felt quite settled. By Eddie Pells.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 5:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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FBN--49ERS-SEAHAWKS

DESCRIPTION: The 49ers play a the Seahawks in the NFC divisional round. By Andrew Destin. 800 words, photos. Game starts at 8 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 11:30 p.m. EST, Text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

DESCRIPTION: The top-ranked players will have a Sunday night start at the Australian Open, with Aryna Sabalenka starting under lights on Rod Laver Arena before Carlos Alcaraz takes on Adam Walton of Australia. The season-opening major is starting on a Sunday and being contested across 15 days for the third consecutive year.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 8:30 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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HKN--PANTHERS-CAPITALS

DESCRIPTION: The Panthers try to rebound from a 9-1 thrashing at Carolina when the face the Capitals. By Noah Trister.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 11:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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GLF--SONY OPEN

DESCRIPTION: Defending champion Nick Taylor was part of a five-way tie for the lead entering the third round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/17/2026 11:15 p.m. EST, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--TIMBERWOLVES-ROCKETS

Kevin Durant’s season-high 39 points and clutch free throws lift Rockets over Timberwolves

SUMMARY: Kevin Durant scored 39 points and made a season-best six 3-pointers to lead the Houston Rockets to a 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. A 6-2 run by the Timberwolves, with four points from Julius Randle, got them within 105-102 with about 90 seconds to go. Sengun fouled out soon after that and Jaden McDaniels made one of two free throws to get Minnesota within two points. Durant made two free throws with under a minute left before Randle turned the ball over and Durant was fouled again. He made two more free throws with 22.1 seconds left to seal the victory.

WORDS: 325 - MOVED: 01/17/2026 12:43 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e168fa4085453426ba29127bc6a5a171&mediaType=text

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BKN--NBA-EUROPE

EuroLeague CEO criticizes NBA’s ambitious European plan as a ‘bit of a broken record’

SUMMARY: EuroLeague is the top men’s basketball league outside the NBA. It’s not thrilled about the NBA’s plans to create a new competition on the continent. It’s not concerned, either. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas says “We’ve been here for 26 years. We know how Europe functions.” The NBA in partnership with FIBA is eying the creation of a 16-team league with target start of October 2027. Some of those teams might come from the EuroLeague. Motiejunas tells The Associated Press that it is confident in keeping its teams like Real Madrid on board.

WORDS: 830 - MOVED: 01/17/2026 12:10 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7b8cb32e39494e1c5e75be1f4e983e28&mediaType=text

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GLF--SONY OPEN

Riley, defending champ Taylor part of 5-way tie for lead at windy Sony Open

SUMMARY: The wind arrived early and stayed late Friday in the second round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sony Open. Davis Riley thrived in the difficult conditions in the morning, birdieing the par-5 18th for a 64 and a share of the lead. Riley matched defending champion Nick Taylor, Kevin Roy, S.H. Kim and Adrien Dumont de Chassart at 9-under 131 at Waialae Country Club. Taylor faced the stiffest wind of the day in the afternoon a day after shooting a 62 in calmer conditions for a share of the first-round lead with Roy. The Canadian ran in a 25-foot birdie putt on the par-4 15th and a 17-footer on the par-4 16th to take the outright lead, then bogeyed the par-3 17th to slip back.

WORDS: 507 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 11:20 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3389f725dcf4672d504f256d15a0f362&mediaType=text

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TEN--AUSTRALIAN OPEN-VENUS WILLIAMS

Yay for me! Venus Williams set for a record at the Australian Open

SUMMARY: Venus Williams is set to make history at the Australian Open as the oldest player to contest the women’s singles draw. She received a wild-card entry to play in the tournament for the first time in five years. On Sunday, she’ll face Olga Danilovic in the first round. The 45-year-old Williams first competed in the Australian Open in 1998. She recently married Andrea Preti and only months into a comeback to the tour. Despite limited play, she’s optimistic about her performance. If she wins on Sunday, she could face third-seeded Coco Gauff in the second round.

WORDS: 521 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 9:57 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1f40bad4e1f8ab413af16a0dac5fc0e1&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-BICHETTE

Bo Bichette and the New York Mets agree to a $126 million, 3-year contract, AP source says

SUMMARY: Bo Bichette and the New York Mets have agreed to a $126 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Bichette, a two-time All-Star at shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner. Bichette can opt out of the deal after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years, the person said.

WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 8:20 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f379b84d43f9394cd8ccc1ab19d32252&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-MISSISSIPPI-CHAMBLISS

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss sues NCAA for extra year of eligibility

SUMMARY: Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has sued the NCAA in state court for an additional year of eligibility so he can play for the Rebels next season. The suit filed Friday in Lafayette County came a week after the NCAA denied Ole Miss’ request for an extra year, saying the university and Chambliss’ previous school — Ferris State — failed to provide adequate medical documentation to back up the request. The lawsuit filed Friday called the NCAA’s denial in “bad-faith, unreasonable and arbitrary,” and detailed Chambliss’ history of illness and included letters from physicians. The NCAA says its decision aligns with organization rules.

WORDS: 580 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 7:21 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a5839164980e3aed5a802f7e651421f9&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-HOOSIERS RISE

No. 1 Indiana looking for a storybook ending to complete this real-life Hollywood script at Miami

SUMMARY: Long before Angelo Pizzo penned the scripts for two of America’s most iconic sports movies, he and his father would make the one-block walk from their home to Indiana’s football stadium. The strolls home usually seemed to take a bit longer because even then, in 1955, losses were the norm. Eventually, the man who introduced the world to such motivational flicks as “Hoosiers” and “Rudy” accepted the reality that Indiana’s program may be permanently stuck in mediocrity. On Monday night, he plans to be in Miami for what could be the final chapter in this storybook rise when top-ranked Indiana faces the 10th-ranked Hurricanes for the national championship.

WORDS: 1798 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 6:09 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c2944fdc76d752993d9286a4471760ea&mediaType=text

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SOC--US WOMEN-LAVELLE

USWNT’s Rose Lavelle and Lilly Reale earn US Soccer honors as best players of 2025

SUMMARY: National team midfielder Rose Lavelle has been named the 2025 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year. Lavelle returned to the national team in June after recovering from ankle surgery and appeared in six matches with three goals and three assists. Lavelle scored six goals with two assists during the regular season with Gotham of the National Women’s Soccer League. She scored the team’s lone goal in a 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit for the NWSL championship. Gotham teammate Lilly Reale was named U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Player of the Year.

WORDS: 482 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 6:05 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fe5fe7ff1acb78f6e7b93ac4fb964621&mediaType=text

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FBC--DUKE-MENSAH

Duke QB Darian Mensah says he’ll enter transfer portal, reversing plan to return

SUMMARY: Duke quarterback Darian Mensah says he’s entering his name into the transfer portal. That reverses an original announcement that he would return after leading the Blue Devils to the Atlantic Coast Conference title. Mensah announced his plan in a social-media post Friday afternoon hours before the transfer-portal window was set to close. Mensah and the program had announced his return in December before the team’s Sun Bowl win against Arizona State. Mensah is second in the FBS with 3,937 passing yards. He was also tied for second nationally with 34 TD passes.

WORDS: 254 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 6:03 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3f1132db86b97c18e0330cd749fd2867&mediaType=text

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HKN--RANGERS-GM LETTER

Rangers GM Chris Drury shared letter with fans saying the franchise feels their disappointment

SUMMARY: New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury shared a letter with fans, saying the franchise feels their disappointment. Drury wrote on Friday that he plans to retool by possibly trading established players. Coming off an underachieving this season and missing the playoffs last year, the Rangers are the only team with a losing record in the Eastern Conference past the midway mark of the NHL season. New York has lost a season-high five games, entering its next game Saturday at Philadelphia. The Rangers were booed off the ice at the first intermission of their latest loss, an 8-4 loss to Ottawa that was the team’s 17th setback in 22 games at Madison Square Garden.

WORDS: 169 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 5:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e960b4990e1190f792241b4623db8687&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP CHAMPIONSHIP-ACC

ACC more than survived, it thrived. Miami in the College Football Playoff final is proof

SUMMARY: The Power 4 conference that didn’t get its champion into the College Football Playoff ended up with another team playing for the national title. So much for the demise of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The league that looked most vulnerable a few short years ago when the latest round of realignment hit suddenly is doing just fine. The best proof: Miami, which plays Indiana in the title game Monday — a matchup that, at least for now, left a debacle involving conference champion Duke in the rearview mirror.

WORDS: 739 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 4:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f16c958b881abec3870f7f59d400c0c0&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAMS-CHASING CALEB

Caleb Williams presents an elusive challenge for Jared Verse, Rams’ defense in their playoff meeting

SUMMARY: When Jared Verse begins to elaborate on the methodology of sacking Caleb Williams, it’s obvious the Los Angeles Rams star edge rusher has been thinking about this monumental task quite a bit. Williams’ clutch playmaking has driven the Bears to the NFC North title and homefield advantage in their divisional round visit from the Rams. LA’s success in containing the former Southern California star will be a determining factor in this matchup. Particularly in the fourth quarter, when two quarterbacks known for late comebacks seem likely to be trading big plays in the Chicago cold.

WORDS: 842 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 4:12 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cbcc82c4daea3ab4b7b74a9a53a599f8&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-PLANE CRASH-MEMORIAL

NASCAR community mourns driver Greg Biffle, 6 others killed in plane crash at memorial service

SUMMARY: Hundreds from the NASCAR community gathered at Charlotte’s Bojangles Coliseum for a memorial service honoring former driver Greg Biffle, his family, and others killed in a plane crash last month. Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their children were among the seven victims. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Garrett Mitchell, a close friend, spoke at the service, urging people to “be like Biff” by taking opportunities and helping others. Biffle’s niece, Jordyn, also shared heartfelt memories. The crash left the NASCAR community shaken, adding to a difficult offseason.

WORDS: 842 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 2:59 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:644c7ef0cc92899134694707d6a7f870&mediaType=text

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BBO--PHILLIES-REALMUTO

J.T. Realmuto agrees to $45 million, 3-year deal to stay with Phillies, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that catcher J.T. Realmuto has agreed to a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies. Realmuto can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses. The move comes a month after designated hitter Kyle Schwarber also chose to remain with the Phillies. Realmuto, a three-time All-Star, hit .257 with 12 homers last year. He was in the final season of a $115.5 million, five-year contract. Philadelphia has also reached deals with right-hander Brad Keller and outfielder Adolis García this offseason.

WORDS: 200 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 2:14 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5e03712c63f0b0ad17195a3ff4279d20&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP PICK

CFP championship game prediction: Indiana will complete perfect season with its 1st national title

SUMMARY: Miami plays Indiana in the College Football Playoff championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Monday night. BetMGM Sportsbook lists Indiana as an 8.5-point favorite. The 10th-seeded Hurricanes have beaten Texas A&M, Ohio State and Mississippi on their way to the title game. The top-seeded Hoosiers have beaten Alabama and Oregon and will be playing for their first championship. Associated Press college football writer Eric Olson picks Indiana to win 31-21.

WORDS: 640 - MOVED: 01/16/2026 1:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:926a345ed206acbbd6ada46ab2f68edf&mediaType=text