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--WINTER OLYMPICS COVERAGE

FORMATS: LiveVideo, Photo, Video, AP 360, DigitalPlans, Text

WITH: OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS EVENTS COVERAGE

DESCRIPTION: Text coverage of these events/matches is planned:

ALPINE SKIING:

OLY--SKI-Women’s Super-G: Home favorite Sofia Goggia is among the skiers to watch in the women’s super-G at the Milan Cortina Games. Race starts at 11:30 a.m. (1030 GMT; 5:30 ET)

___

BIATHLON: BOBSLED/LUGE/SKELETON:

Coverage of a Ukrainian skeleton athlete who says he will defy an IOC ban on his personalized helmet honoring athletes killed in the war with Russia. By Tim Reynolds. First race 9:30 a.m. local/3:30 a.m. Eastern. Text, photos.

___

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING/SKI MOUNTAINEERING: CURLING: FIGURE SKATING: FREESTYLE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING: SBD—Women’s Halfpipe Final LIVIGNO, Italy — American snowboarder Chloe Kim goes for a third consecutive halfpipe gold medal. By Eddie Pells. 700 words by 2130 gmt, with photos.

___

ICE HOCKEY

OLY--HKO-Men’s Roundup —- The United States plays its first men’s hockey game at the Olympics against Latvia. Favorite Canada faces Czechia, Germany takes on Denmark and Switzerland plays France. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. 700 words, photos. U.S.-Latvia starts at 9:10 p.m. CET/3:10 p.m. EST.

OLY--HKW--The Quarterfinals The eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament are set, but the matchups won’t be until Canada plays Finland to close the preliminary round on Thursday. The game was initially scheduled a week earlier but postponed after the Finns roster was depleted by a stomach virus. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 700 words, photos.

___

SKI JUMPING/NORDIC COMBINED: SPEEDSKATING:

OLY—SPD-Short Track Medals are handed out in the women’s 500 meters and men’s 1,000 meters on Thursday. By Howard Fendrich. 400 words, photos. Breakouts on merit. Starts at 8:15 p.m. local time/2:15 p.m. ET.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 12:00 p.m. EST

___

WITH: OLY--WINTER OLYMPICS FEATURES COVERAGE

DESCRIPTION: AP text features planned today:

GENERAL: OLY--Milan Cortina Mascots The Milan Cortina Olympics mascots are stoats, a weasel-like animal whose coats change color in winter from brown to white to camouflage them with the snow. But they have a problem: their molting is triggered by daylength, not snowfall. In a warmer world, that means stoats are turning white even when the ground remains brown, and leaving them vulnerable to predators. --Text and photos, a.m. OLY--Milan Cortina Volunteers Twenty years after Italy last hosted the Winter Olympics, we profile volunteers who are working for Milan Cortina after their 2006 stints in Turin. --Text and photos, a.m.

___

ALPINE SKIING: OLY—SKI-Piloting Drones – It’s hard to keep up with the downhill skiers at the Winter Games, but a series of remote-piloted drones are chasing them as they go, providing stunning visuals at nearly 100 kph. And it’s not just skiing where fans are getting the close ups. By Steve Douglas and Andrew Dampf.

___

BIATHLON: BOBSLED/LUGE/SKELETON: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING/SKI MOUNTAINEERING: CURLING: FIGURE SKATING: OLY--FIG-Malinin-Quad Axel MILAN — Ilia Malinin keeps teasing fans with a planned quad axel at the Milan Cortina Olympics. So far, the American sensation has yet to try the most difficult quadruple jump in figure skating. Malinin has one more chance in the free skate Friday night. By Dave Skretta 750 words, photos.

___

FREESTYLE SKIING/SNOWBOARDING: OLY--SBD-Scotty James Australia’s Scotty James has spent a lifetime doing snowboarding his way in the halfpipe. He insists he doesn’t need an Olympic gold medal to validate his method, but he might just win one anyway.By Eddie Pells. 700 words. AP Photos.

___

ICE HOCKEY: OLY--HKW-US-Harvey -- At 19, Caroline Harvey spent a majority of her Olympic debut tied to the U.S. women’s hockey bench at the 2022 Beijing Games. Four years later, Harvey’s seven points are co-leading the Cortina Milano Games, and the defender is playing a valuable role in the tournament-favored Americans’ high-tempo offensive attack. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 700 words, photos.

___

OLY--HKO-Sweden-Finland-20 Years Later The hockey rivalry between Sweden and Finland may be the sport’s best, transcending Canada and the U.S. They meet at the Milan Cortina Olympics 20 years after the legendary gold-medal game not far away in Turin in 2006, when Sweden won and inspired a generation of players to follow. Finland goes into the game coming off a surprising loss to Slovakia. By Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno. 500 words.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 12:00 p.m. EST

___

CAR--NASCAR-DAYTONA-RAM RETURN

DESCRIPTION: Ram makes a splash in its return to NASCAR. By Dan Gelston. UPCOMING. 750 words. By 6 am AP Photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

BBC--UCLA-CHOLOWSKY

DESCRIPTION: He’s been called the best shortstop to come through college baseball in at least two decades. He’s the centerpiece of a loaded UCLA team that is expected to challenge for the national championship. He’s long been projected to be the No. 1 pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. Roch Cholowsky embraces all of it. By Eric Olson. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

US--WASHINGTON MIDAIR COLLISION

DESCRIPTION: The families of the 67 people who died when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter near Washington D.C. last year and key senators are convinced that the advanced aircraft locator systems that experts have been recommending for nearly two decades would have prevented the crash, but it’s not clear if the bill that would require them around busy airports will pass Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing Thursday to discuss all 50 of the recommendations NTSB made to prevent another similar midair collision.By AP Transportation Writer Josh Funk

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 11:30 a.m. EST, LiveVideo, Photo, Video, Text

___

SOC--SPANISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: MADRID -- Atletico Madrid hosts Barcelona in the first leg of the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 5:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

BBO--MLB-ABS-STRATEGY

DESCRIPTION: Major League Baseball is moving ahead with robot umpires. The Automated Ball/Strike System will be introduced this season in the form of a challenge system where a human umpire makes each call, but it can be appealed to the computer. Teams are working on developing strategies to take advantage of the new technology. By Baseball Writer David Brandt. 600 words, photos by 8 p.m. MST.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 10:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

CAR--NASCAR-DAYTONA 500

DESCRIPTION: The starting lineup is set for the Daytona 500 in a pair of Thursday night qualifying races with two spots up for grabs in “The Great American Race.” Those still trying to get in the race are: Anthony Alfredo, Corey LaJoie, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith and J.J. Yeley. Only two will race Sunday. Kyle Busch earned the pole in time trials. By AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer. First race begins at 7 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 02/12/2026 10:30 p.m. EST, Text

————————————————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

————————————————————

BBO--ORIOLES-BASSITT

Orioles add veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt to rotation, AP source says

SUMMARY: The Baltimore Orioles have added Chris Bassitt to their rotation, agreeing to an $18.5 million, one-year contract with the right-hander, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was pending a physical. The deal includes a $3 million signing bonus, and Bassitt can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses if he starts at least 27 games. Bassitt, who turns 37 on Feb. 22, went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA for AL champion Toronto last year. He has made at least 27 starts and pitched at least 157 1/3 innings in each of the last five seasons.

WORDS: 504 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 1:43 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:047967241d874a57e5020dcf169873f2&mediaType=text

___

BKN--SPURS-WARRIORS

Fox and Wembanyama lead the Spurs past the Warriors 126-113 for their 6th straight win

SUMMARY: De’Aaron Fox scored 27 points and Victor Wembanyama added 26 to send the San Antonio Spurs into the All-Star break on a six-game winning streak after beating the Golden State Warriors 126-113. Wembanyama followed up his 40-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night with another strong outing to give the Spurs a 38-16 record at the break. Draymond Green had 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Warriors.

WORDS: 315 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 1:00 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:177468807b5eab43ca3bf85c64749849&mediaType=text

___

OLY--SKE-UKRAINE-HELMET TRIBUTE

Race day arrives for Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych, who says he’ll use banned helmet

SUMMARY: Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych is set to test Olympic rules by racing in a banned helmet that honors Ukrainians killed in the war with Russia. The men’s skeleton event starts on Thursday, and the IOC says the helmet breaks its ban on political statements. Heraskevych still plans to wear it, even though he could face sanctions including disqualification. On Wednesday, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said officials want him to compete and have his moment. The IOC has backed Heraskevych before after his “No war in Ukraine” sign at the 2022 Beijing Games.

WORDS: 290 - MOVED: 02/12/2026 12:01 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9f304e1ff834ddab33af2f4e003f04a8&mediaType=text

___

US--BYU-RAPE CHARGE

BYU standout receiver Parker Kingston charged with first-degree rape in Utah

SUMMARY: Prosecutors in Utah have filed a first-degree felony rape charge against Brigham Young University standout wide receiver Parker Kingston. Washington County prosecutors said Wednesday that Kingston was being held without bail in St. George, a city near Arizona. His initial appearance in court is scheduled for Friday. Prosecutors say a 20-year-old woman told officers at a St. George hospital last February that Kingston assaulted her. It was not clear if Kingston had an attorney. He didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment. A phone message left for his family was not immediately returned.

WORDS: 211 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 11:04 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a6dfbb76e29ea6ad7a9f8c5e61090714&mediaType=text

___

BKN--MAVERICKS-FLAGG INJURY

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg sidelined by left midfoot sprain, out for NBA’s Rising Stars

SUMMARY: Dallas Mavericks rookie teenage standout Cooper Flagg will miss their final game before the All-Star break and not play in the NBA’s Rising Stars game this weekend because of a left midfoot sprain. The Mavericks announced Wednesday than an MRI revealed the injury that occurred in their loss at Phoenix the previous night. The 19-year-old had 27 points in 36 minutes against the Suns. Flagg, the No. 1 overall draft pick last summer, is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his 49 games with Dallas. The Mavericks play at the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

WORDS: 262 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 11:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:42028ae42c8e54c6860655864ebd7743&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR-DAYTONA 500

Kyle Busch grabs Daytona 500 pole, chasing a win that has eluded him for 20 starts

SUMMARY: Kyle Busch has won the pole for the Daytona 500 and has another shot at the win that has eluded him his entire career. Busch topped qualifying with a fast lap in his Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. He enters the race 0 for 20 in the Daytona 500. He also brings a 93-race overall losing streak into the weekend. Chase Briscoe qualified second in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. The final starting order is not set yet. Drivers settle it after two qualifying races on Thursday night. Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier claimed two open spots on speed. Two more spots are still up for grabs.

WORDS: 849 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0409c75e1f5abc9d9d0b584e111ec320&mediaType=text

___

BKC--T25-GATORS ON A ROLL

After a sluggish start, No. 14 Florida now looks like a team capable of a repeat

SUMMARY: The Florida Gators are starting to look a lot like that team from a year ago. You know, the group that won it all. The No. 14 Gators seem to be peeking at just the right time, posting another dominating victory as they led from start to finish to beat Georgia 86-66 on Wednesday night. When Florida lost four times before Christmas — matching the total from its entire championship campaign — the chances of a repeat seemed remote. But the Gators have now won nine of 10, and all but one of those victories has been by double-digit margins.

WORDS: 656 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 10:35 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8ad3b6f6d66310af1897d90e2cfee8e1&mediaType=text

___

US--IOWA BUS CRASH

Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team bus crashes, killing 1 person and injuring 32

SUMMARY: Iowa authorities and media reports say a community college bus carrying the school’s baseball team has crashed and overturned in a ditch. One person has died, and all the other 32 occupants were injured. The state patrol says the crash involved the Iowa Lakes Community College bus and no other vehicles. It occurred Wednesday around 11 a.m. on a highway near Twin Lakes, about 110 miles northwest of Des Moines. Bruce Musgrave is director of Calhoun County emergency services. He says three people were airlifted to trauma hospitals in Des Moines, and others were taken by ambulance to four hospitals in the area. KTIV reports that the college’s baseball team was on board.

WORDS: 129 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 9:42 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b59377fe31aa47d2a5fa41309c3e34b&mediaType=text

___

BKN--PISTONS-HORNETS SUSPENSIONS

Stewart suspended 7 games and 3 other players are penalized for fighting in Pistons-Hornets game

SUMMARY: Detroit center Isaiah Stewart was suspended seven games by the NBA on Wednesday, while three other players were also penalized for their roles in a fight during a game between the Pistons and Charlotte Hornets. Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté were each suspended four games for fighting and escalating the altercation, while Pistons center Jalen Duren got two games for initiating the altercation and fighting, the league announced. But the heaviest penalty went to Stewart, with the league saying it was based in part on his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.” The league said he left the bench area, aggressively entered an on-court altercation, and fought during Monday night’s game.

WORDS: 654 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 6:54 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:37c9677222f6b92db3ddc1c9e2de461e&mediaType=text

___

OLY--FIG-FREE DANCE

French duo Beaudry and Cizeron beat US stars Chock and Bates in controversial Olympic ice dance

SUMMARY: The new French ice dance team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron has claimed Olympic gold at the Milan Cortina games. Beaudry and Cizeron upset the dominant team of the past four years, American stars Madison Chock and Evan Bates. The French duo had to follow a season-best performance by the three-time reigning world champions, and they did it with near perfection. The Canadian team of Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earned the bronze medal. Chock and Bates joined the crowd inside the Milano Ice Skating Arena in applauding the winners after their score was announced.

WORDS: 919 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 6:52 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ba9ffe8591dd9af2f0b721f19e92b273&mediaType=text

___

BKN--ALL-STAR-CHAOTIC CLIPPERS

No longer losers, the Clippers still host NBA All-Star weekend amid a season of vintage team chaos

SUMMARY: This NBA All-Star weekend is supposed to be a triumphant milestone in the Los Angeles Clippers’ transformation from the epitome of pro sports loserdom into a consistent winner with a spectacular arena and the sport’s richest owner. Instead, the Clippers have reached this crowning moment in the middle of a chaotic season that’s evoking memories of the bad old days, featuring wildly inconsistent play, confounding trades, an ugly public breakup with a franchise icon and a league investigation into the team and its biggest star, Kawhi Leonard.

WORDS: 1006 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 6:23 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2789221e422a34022df57c12f3f9fa2c&mediaType=text

___

TEN--HALL OF FAME-FEDERER

Tennis Hall of Fame: Federer induction ceremony, watch party sell out in 2 minutes

SUMMARY: The International Tennis Hall of Fame says Roger Federer’s induction ceremony sold out in two minutes. That’s even though it added an outdoor watch party that will make room for thousands more fans. Federer is the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles. The Hall said it anticipated the excitement for the Aug. 29 induction, which will also include broadcaster Mary Carillo and added a 3,600 seat watch party to the 900 tickets for the ceremony itself. The Tennis Hall is housed in the 19th Century Newport Casino.

WORDS: 179 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 6:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:67ed43ef56b9c8cc4dbd5f7620ce90df&mediaType=text

___

OLY--MILAN CORTINA ROUNDUP

Winter Olympics recap: Franjo von Allmen wins his 3rd gold, Chloe Kim and NHL stars get rolling

SUMMARY: Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland looks like a breakout star of the Milan Cortina Olympics after winning his third gold medal. Jordan Stolz has one gold and is targeting three more. And Chloe Kim and a bunch of NHL stars are just getting started. Von Allmen won the super-G in Bormio on Wednesday to become the third man with three victories in Alpine skiing at one Winter Games. It hadn’t been done since 1968. Stolz won the men’s 1,000-meter speedskating and has three events to go. Kim’s attempt at a three-peat in the halfpipe began promisingly when she finished first in qualifying.

WORDS: 742 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 5:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:61ea37be5fb4f533f225abe5bf75e893&mediaType=text

___

FBN--SUPER BOWL-SEAHAWKS-PARADE

Seahawks enjoy morning beers, praise ‘best team in the world’ as Seattle celebrates Super Bowl title

SUMMARY: Ernest Jones IV dropped a few choice words while praising his defensive teammates, his offensive line, his quarterback and the city of Seattle ahead of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade. Like the rest of the Seahawks, the leader of Seattle’s vaunted “Dark Side” defense had an excuse for using the occasional profanity during a morning trophy presentation at Lumen Field. A keg of Bud Light sat on the stage to provide some refreshment for players, and Jones sipped from a cup of beer as he addressed the crowd. Jones says the Seahawks proved in the Super Bowl that they had “the best team in the world.”

WORDS: 701 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 5:31 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a2d52d5d0e412bf75015e2c34a7c06d9&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR-DAYTONA-HAMLIN

Grieving Denny Hamlin vows to dig deep and chase a first NASCAR Cup title

SUMMARY: Denny Hamlin is leaning on NASCAR fans and his own routine as he grieves his father’s death and tries to chase a first Cup Series title. On Wednesday, Hamlin said his motivation feels lower than in past years, but he still feels too competitive to coast. He settled in at Daytona by joking with reporters, getting fitted in his Toyota and practicing. Hamlin has won the Daytona 500 three times, and he nearly won again last year. He also comes off a major legal fight against NASCAR involving his team, 23XI Racing.

WORDS: 944 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 4:26 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6511858768fecf2e542c30c6862e181b&mediaType=text

___

GLF--PEBBLE BEACH-PREVIEW

Scheffler, Gotterup and how much has changed in a year at Pebble Beach

SUMMARY: Chris Gotterup has come a long way in the last year. He wasn’t eligible for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at No. 206 in the world. Now he’s won three of his last 10 starts on the PGA Tour and has risen to No. 5. Scottie Scheffler? Not much change there. The world’s No. 1 player is on a heater of 17 straight top 10s. Scheffler and Gotterup have combined to win five of the last seven tournaments when both in the field. Pebble Beach also features Rory McIlroy as the defending champion making his first U.S. start on 2026.

WORDS: 882 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:852ca23281ba9093dafd2d21871d1e65&mediaType=text

___

OLY--SKI-VONN’S CRASH

Lindsey Vonn says she had a ‘successful’ 3rd surgery on broken leg following crash at the Olympics

SUMMARY: Lindsey Vonn says she had a “successful” third surgery on her broken left leg following her downhill crash at the Olympics. Vonn posted an update on Instagram that included photos of her giving a thumbs up sign in her hospital bed with a metal frame attached to her leg. She says, “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.” The 41-year-old Vonn crashed a few seconds into her race Sunday and was airlifted off the course by helicopter. She said late Monday she had suffered a “complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”

WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 3:54 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e6ba00bfdb5513a1f95d2deddeafd961&mediaType=text

___

OLY--EPSTEIN-WASSERMAN

LA28 board backs Casey Wasserman after Epstein files stir scrutiny

SUMMARY: Casey Wasserman is keeping his job leading the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after the LA28 board reviewed his past Jeffrey Epstein-linked contacts. The board’s executive committee met Wednesday to discuss his appearance in newly released government files. The Justice Department documents show Wasserman exchanged flirtatious emails in 2003 with Ghislaine Maxwell. The board says he faces no accusations of wrongdoing. LA28 says an outside legal firm helped conduct a review with Wasserman’s full cooperation. The executive committee says his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell does not go beyond what is already public. The board says his leadership remains strong.

WORDS: 450 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 2:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:efcc43b1e45166e6954d3f484ab7d365&mediaType=text

___

BBO--CUBS-REPORT

Ten years after winning World Series, Cubs enter 2026 with similar expectations

SUMMARY: The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 92-win season, return much of a productive and athletic lineup, have a deep group of talented pitchers and signed three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman during the offseason. It’s safe to say elite expectations will be back at Wrigley Field this summer. Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t shy away from that reality before the team’s first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. Sitting at a table and addressing reporters for the first time in Arizona, he said “everybody works really hard to create a team like this.”

WORDS: 748 - MOVED: 02/11/2026 2:28 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:55b13325bd1ec24c79a3a0fb25ce9802&mediaType=text