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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GLF--LPGA SINGAPORE

DESCRIPTION: First day of the LPGA Singapore tournament and second on the so-called Asian Swing in three weeks. It will be played at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text

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SOC--ENGLISH PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: It has been increasingly apparent to disgruntled Tottenham fans over the last few months and now is suddenly clear for everyone else. Spurs could genuinely be relegated from the Premier League. By Steve Douglas. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 5:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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CAR--F1-SEASON PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Formula 1 is going through one of its biggest ever regulation changes for 2026, shaking up the established order. Lando Norris aims to defend his title while former champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton hope to be contenders again and George Russell tries to lead Mercedes back to the front.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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CAR--INDYCAR-SEASON PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: IndyCar opens its season with a packed schedule and Alex Palou chasing yet another next title. The season starts Sunday on the streets of St. Petersburg with 25 drivers. Palou returns after a dominant run last year with Chip Ganassi Racing. He’s eying a fourth straight championship.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 1:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--NFL COMBINE

DESCRIPTION: Tight ends and defensive backs speak with reporters Thursday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine. By Michael Marot. 700 words, more on merit, with photos. Availability runs from 8 a.m.-noon EsT.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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SOC--EUROPEAN ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: The Europa and Conference Leagues playoffs, 2nd leg.

UPCOMING: By 02/26/2026 5:15 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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HKN--QUENNEVILLE-1000 WINS

Joel Quenneville wins his 1,000th game, joining Scotty Bowman in an elite club for NHL coaches

SUMMARY: Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games when his Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in this exclusive hockey club with a milestone win Wednesday night in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Bowman became the first coach to reach the mark in 1997. The 67-year-old Quenneville has made a successful return to the NHL this season in Anaheim after a four-year absence from the league following his resignation from the Florida Panthers in late 2021 over his inaction during the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse scandal 11 years earlier.

WORDS: 816 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 1:24 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:892916cc93ed8ff9df64e265141d2908&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS-SCHERZER

Max Scherzer and Toronto Blue Jays agree to $3 million, 1-year deal, AP source says

SUMMARY: Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses. Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season, his 18th in the major leagues. He signed a $15.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto in February 2025.

WORDS: 145 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 1:21 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4b4839dba9cdb5cbe32322dabd84ce77&mediaType=text

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HKN--OILERS-DUCKS

Joel Quenneville gets his 1,000th career win in Ducks’ 6-5 comeback victory over Oilers

SUMMARY: Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games with the Anaheim Ducks’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in an exclusive hockey club with a milestone win in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Cutter Gauthier scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:14 to play for the Ducks, who erased a pair of two-goal deficits. Leo Carlsson had a goal and two assists in his first appearance since Jan. 10. Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard scored late in the second period to put the Oilers ahead, but they blew the lead.

WORDS: 350 - MOVED: 02/26/2026 1:12 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:750233130496ea62a1e31ebf7ff207f3&mediaType=text

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SOC--MEXICO-VIOLENCE-WORLD CUP

FIFA’s Infantino has ‘complete confidence’ in Mexico to host World Cup games despite cartel violence

SUMMARY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he has “complete confidence” in Mexico as a World Cup co-host despite days of cartel violence in the country that has left at least 70 people dead. FIFA says Mexico can still safely co-host the World Cup despite deadly cartel violence linked to a top drug lord’s death. On Monday, authorities report at least 70 deaths after cartel members burn cars and block roads in many states. The unrest follows the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” Some local league matches have already been postponed. FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he trusts President Claudia Sheinbaum and Mexico’s authorities.

WORDS: 565 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 11:43 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:57622651ebeb40599f59b999047aa82e&mediaType=text

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HKN--DEVILS-JACK HUGHES

Olympic star Jack Hughes returns to NHL -- missing a few front teeth

SUMMARY: U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes was honored by the New Jersey Devils before their loss to Buffalo on Wednesday night as NHL play resumed following a three-week break. Buffalo won for the seventh time in 10 games, 2-1, on goals from fellow U.S. Olympian Tage Thompson and Peyton Krebs. The Devils showed video of Hughes’ overtime goal in the United States’ 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday in the gold medal game in Milan. The 24-year-old center lost a few teeth in the third period of that game when he was high-sticked by Sam Bennett. Hughes assisted on Timo Meier’s goal late in the third. Hughes also had a turnover that led to the second Buffalo goal.

WORDS: 351 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 11:25 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e624d6ab2b896971fec9869329c8ed7c&mediaType=text

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OLY--HKW-US-TRUMP

Hilary Knight wants focus on the US women’s Olympic success, not Trump’s ‘distasteful’ joke

SUMMARY: Hilary Knight says the U.S. women’s hockey team is moving past what she called a “distasteful” joke by President Donald Trump. Knight says she is focusing the performance of her team and by American women in general at the Games. Trump drew attention after telling the gold-medal-winning U.S. men’s team he would also have to invite the women to the White House. Knight said the video of Trump’s remark is taking attention away from the respectful relationship between the men’s and women’s teams. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman said the men “should have reacted differently” in the moment.

WORDS: 831 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 11:13 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b65eb29ad211f45d394aea730c7c7834&mediaType=text

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BKC--T25-ST JOHN’S-UCONN

Reed powers No. 6 UConn to 72-40 rout against No. 15 St. John’s

SUMMARY: Tarris Reed Jr. had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and No. 6 UConn held 15th-ranked St. John’s to 20% shooting in a 72-40 blowout that snapped the Red Storm’s 13-game winning streak. Alex Karaban added 14 points and five rebounds for the Huskies, who moved back into first place in the Big East by avenging an 81-72 loss to St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6. St. John’s missed 12 consecutive shots in the first half and then its final 24 field goal attempts of the game as the Huskies romped to their most lopsided victory in series history. It was by far the largest defeat for the Johnnies in three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

WORDS: 462 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 11:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a82c50761596de986c3b94946c8348a&mediaType=text

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HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-OLYMPICS

Golden Knights sit 5 from Olympic gold-medal game in NHL return against Kings

SUMMARY: The Vegas Golden Knights were without five players from the Olympic gold medal-game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL’s return from a three-week break. Having already ruled out center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the champion United States, the Golden Knights traveled without Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore. The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in Milan on Sunday. Eichel, Stone and Marner are Vegas’ top three point producers, Theodore and Hanifin lead Vegas defensemen in ice time and points.

WORDS: 258 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 9:20 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8dcb2f9743440a5011c228d550430cb&mediaType=text

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BKN--CAVALIERS-HARDEN

James Harden out for the Cavaliers against the Bucks after breaking right thumb

SUMMARY: James Harden sat out the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night because of a broken right thumb. Harden was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. Harden will undergo treatment and evaluation. The 17-year veteran was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4. He averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and eight assists in his seven games with the Cavaliers. Cleveland also was without two other starters. Donovan Mitchell is out with a right groin strain and Evan Mobley is inactive due to left calf injury management.

WORDS: 124 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 8:18 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:318781a9963e9b4bbc5a27ed7551ea5b&mediaType=text

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BBO--YANKEES-SABATHIA-NUMBER RETIRED

New York Yankees to retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52 on Sept. 26

SUMMARY: CC Sabathia’s No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia will be the 24th man to have his number retired by the Yankees, the first since Paul O’Neill was honored with the retirement of No. 21 in 2022. Twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 set aside for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. Sabathia will join former teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte with plaques in Monument Park, beyond Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.

WORDS: 364 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 8:04 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8f71a02e8d01051e742de42446d19e34&mediaType=text

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HKN--LIGHTNING-COOPER

Lightning coach Jon Cooper to miss 2 games after his father’s death

SUMMARY: Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper is stepping away for two games after his father Robert died. The team turns to assistant Rob Zettler as acting head coach. Cooper led Canada to a silver medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics. On Wednesday, Zettler ran the bench at home against Toronto. On Thursday, he’ll coach at Carolina. Zettler said Cooper left Wednesday morning to return to Vancouver. The NHL restarted play on Wednesday after a break for the Olympic Games in Milan. Tampa Bay held a six-point lead in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning were tied atop the Eastern Conference.

WORDS: 243 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 7:06 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f2ebf6e511d54d85c85ec1e378cc45da&mediaType=text

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FBC--CINCINNATI-SORSBY LAWSUIT

University of Cincinnati sues ex-QB Brendan Sorsby after his transfer to Texas Tech

SUMMARY: The University of Cincinnati is suing Brendan Sorsby, accusing the former Bearcats quarterback of breaching his contract following his transfer to Texas Tech. The university filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on Wednesday. According to the lawsuit, Sorsby signed a name, image and likeness agreement in July 2025 covering the 2025 and ’26 seasons and that there would be a $1 million buyout if Sorsby transferred, payable within 30 days. Sorsby committed to Texas Tech in January for a reported $5 million. His agent says Sorsby intends to fight the lawsuit.

WORDS: 630 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 6:36 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0f373dbcf0cd9941fe8e4d0dc3d261c1&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-JGR-GABEHART LAWSUIT

Chris Gabehart: Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit is ‘punishing a former employee for daring to leave’

SUMMARY: Chris Gabehart says Joe Gibbs Racing is suing him to punish him for leaving, not to protect trade secrets. Gabehart filed a declaration admitting he photographed some team files but his own forensic audit shows he never shared them. JGR says its own audit shows searches and folders tied to Spire Motorsports. JGR added Spire to the lawsuit on Tuesday night. Gabehart says his job fell apart after pressure to work with Ty Gibbs. He says Joe Gibbs’ grandson got preferential treatment within the organization. Gabehart says JGR stopped paying him in November. JGR claims more than $8 million in damages.

WORDS: 857 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 6:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c2b26afd0c9ae9bea9ec3160198be80c&mediaType=text

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SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Champions League: Vinicius helps Real Madrid advance, PSG and Atalanta also through

SUMMARY: Vinícius Júnior fittingly had the final say in an emotionally charged rematch with Benfica to guide Real Madrid into the round of 16 of the Champions League. Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also advanced out of the playoffs while Atalanta completed a remarkable comeback with a last-second goal to maintain Italian involvement in the competition. Juventus fell short of completing its own stunning second-leg recovery against Galatasaray, though. Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg against Benfica, Vinícius wrapped up Madrid’s 2-1 win over the Portuguese team and a 3-1 victory on aggregate with his team’s second goal in the 80th minute.

WORDS: 834 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 5:50 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:098c203755b361ccea826e5deba8fca5&mediaType=text

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FBN--INSTANT REPLAY

Vrabel calls for increased staffing at NFL replay center to help cut down on mistakes

SUMMARY: New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel called on the league to increase staffing at the replay command center to make sure that reviews from all games are treated equally in the future. Vrabel spoke at the NFL scouting combine Wednesday and was asked about comments earlier this week made by NFL executive Troy Vincent that there were a handful of mistakes made in replay last season in games played in the early Sunday afternoon window when as many as nine games were played at the same time.

WORDS: 611 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 4:42 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:624215c62e4103605e8f1dd066b2f60f&mediaType=text

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FBN--QB MARKET

NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Cousins and maybe Tagovailoa and Murray, too

SUMMARY: A handful of NFL teams either at a crossroad or committed to starting over at quarterback will find scant options for upgrades. The rookie class thins quickly after expected first-overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza. Finding a new starter through free agency or a trade is always tricky at a position of such scarce quality but not impossible. Kirk Cousins will again be the most certain option on the market. The Atlanta Falcons plan to release him next month. The Miami Dolphins are considering moving Tua Tagovailoa. Kyler Murray could be dealt by the Arizona Cardinals as well.

WORDS: 952 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 3:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bbff7862489c1909306789cba725d2a8&mediaType=text

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HKN--PENGUINS-CROSBY

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby placed on injured reserve after getting hurt at the Olympics

SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to begin their playoff push without Sidney Crosby. The team has placed their longtime captain on injured reserve with a lower-body injury he sustained at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Crosby is expected to miss around four weeks. The 38-year-old Crosby leads the Penguins in points, goals and assists. Pittsburgh begins the post-Olympic break at home against New Jersey. The Penguins are trying to return to the playoffs following a three-year absence.

WORDS: 487 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 3:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a6cdeeb3321d58708085316155e5a52&mediaType=text

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GLF--COGNIZANT CLASSIC-KOEPKA

Brooks Koepka returns to the Cognizant Classic for his first start there since 2022

SUMMARY: Brooks Koepka returns to his hometown PGA event with plenty of comforts, and a few bruises, as he plays the Cognizant Classic. He says his toddler son hit him in the face with a hockey stick at home. Koepka called it painful but says he kept all his teeth. He will play this event for the first time since 2022 after nearly four years with LIV Golf. He says he wants to contend a few times before Augusta. The tournament now plays easier than it used to. Shane Lowry also hopes scoring gets tougher. The field lacks top-ranked stars.

WORDS: 801 - MOVED: 02/25/2026 2:26 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1169658ef23062893ea87934b4da30d4&mediaType=text