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
——————————
BKN--KNICKS-CHAMPIONSHIP PARADE
DESCRIPTION: The New York Knicks’ ticker-tape parade will be a first. The new NBA champions have won the title before, in 1970 and ’73. But they weren’t honored then with New York’s signature procession. Why not? There’s no one definitive explanation. But there is some informative context: The ’70s wins came at a time when then-Mayor John Lindsay had reined in the confetti-tossing spectacles.
UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text, Photo
___
BBC--COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: BBC--CWS-NORTH CAROLINA-WEST VIRGINIA
2. DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. -- North Carolina plays West Virginia looking to lock up its first appearance in the College World Series finals since 2007. The Mountaineers would have to win this game and a rematch Thursday to make the finals in their first CWS. By Eric Olson. 500 words. Game starts 2 p.m. ET.
3. UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 2:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: BBC--CWS-OKLAHOMA-GEORGIA
5. DESCRIPTION: OMAHA, Neb. -- Oklahoma, which beat Georgia 4-3 on Monday, needs another win over the Bulldogs to reach the College World Series finals. Georgia must beat OU twice to make the finals. By Eric Olson. 500 words. Game starts 7 p.m. ET.
6. UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT
___
HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-COACHING CHANGE
DESCRIPTION: Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon discusses the decision to not retain John Tortorella and the status of the club’s coaching search.
UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKN--NBA DRAFT-GUARDS
DESCRIPTION: Darryn Peterson looked every bit like a possible top overall NBA draft pick as a Kansas freshman — when he was on the court. He’s headlines the guards in next week’s NBA draft with a list that includes Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
BKN--BULLS-SPLITTER
DESCRIPTION: The Chicago Bulls formally introduce Tiago Splitter as their new coach. Splitter was the interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers this past season. By Jay Cohen.
UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
___
HKW--PWHL DRAFT
DESCRIPTION: Caroline Harvey has the overall skill. Abbey Murphy the tenacity. And Laila Edwards has the size and powerful shot. All three U.S. Olympians lead a deeply talented prospect pool entering the PWHL draft in Detroit on Wednesday. By Hockey Writer John Wawrow. 700 words.
UPCOMING: By 06/17/2026 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI
Lionel Messi ties men’s World Cup goals record with a hat trick as Argentina tops Algeria
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick and matched Miroslav Klose’s career scoring record before thousands of Argentina fans packed into Arrowhead Stadium for a match against Algeria on Tuesday night. The defending champions went on to win 3-0. Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes, the second early in the second half, and the third just before subbing out. The performance came 20 years after his World Cup debut, when Messi also scored. Messi now has 16 goals in six World Cup appearances. The hat trick upstaged stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, each of whom also scored twice in their matches earlier Tuesday.
WORDS: 936 - MOVED: 06/17/2026 1:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6bdb86e04ed24187b4321cdeed542d4c&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-ALGERIA
Messi has his first World Cup hat trick as defending champion Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in opener
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi registered his first World Cup hat trick and moved into a tie for first on the tournament’s career scoring list in a brilliant performance against Algeria on Tuesday night. He led the defending champions to a 3-0 victory in their group-stage opener. Messi scored his first goal in the opening minutes, added a second early in the second half, and completed the hat trick moments before subbing out. The goals came 20 years to the day after his World Cup debut. Meanwhile, Argentina got off to a better start than the last World Cup, where it lost its opener to Saudi Arabia.
WORDS: 707 - MOVED: 06/17/2026 12:09 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8fdb91580a49aa61407a419f7b5207f2&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-TUNISIA-RENARD
Tunisia’s Hervé Renard embraces challenge against Japan in World Cup debut
SUMMARY: Hervé Renard has taken over as Tunisia’s head coach, replacing Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy loss to Sweden. Renard held his first practice with the team on Tuesday. He has just four days to prepare for their Group F match against Japan on Saturday. Renard previously led Saudi Arabia to a surprise victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. He also coached Morocco in 2018. Renard expressed excitement about the challenge and the passion surrounding the World Cup. He aims to guide Tunisia out of the group stage for the first time in their history.
WORDS: 308 - MOVED: 06/17/2026 12:06 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:77768c6110cd95c9bbb4f59d7abb5204&mediaType=text
___
US--WCUP-ARGENTINA-FANS
Argentina is defending its World Cup title, and its fans are more obsessed than ever
SUMMARY: Some Argentina fans shelled out tens of thousands of dollars to follow the World Cup defending champions around the U.S. One group made a 20-hour drive to Tuesday’s opening match in Kansas City against Algeria, living on sandwiches, to save money. But with Lionel Messi possibly playing in his last World Cup, supporters agreed that no drive was too long or ticket too pricey. The fans included Juan Martin who is spending $20,000 to follow the team. He likens the squad and its captain to the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan. Supporters’ obsession was rewarded when Messi scored 3 goals.
WORDS: 683 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 11:02 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:03a93354bd16abae45bfb588ee8b77a1&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-FRANCE-SENEGAL
Kylian Mbappé sparks France with 2 goals in 3-1 win over Senegal at the World Cup
SUMMARY: Kylian Mbappé scored twice to move past Pelé with 14 World Cup goals, Bradley Barcola added another and France rebounded from a surprisingly poor first half to beat Senegal 3-1. Mbappé had 14 touches in the scoreless first half, the fewest of any player, then showed his brilliance. He put Les Bleus ahead in the 66th minute and added a goal in stoppage time. Barcola entered in the 80th and scored two minutes later. Ibrahim Mbaye scored on an angled shot for Senegal in stoppage time.
WORDS: 709 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 10:49 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4e7efa9c28339e91437c08334978add9&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-IRAQ-NORWAY
Erling Haaland scores twice in World Cup debut as Norway tops Iraq 4-1
SUMMARY: Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals, including one off a defensive blunder, to propel Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq in Group I. It was the 56th and 57th international goals for the Manchester City striker and came in Norway’s first appearance in the tournament since 1998. Leo Ostigard added the third goal in the 76th minute off a corner kick from Martin Odegaard. An own-goal by Iraq’s Aymen Hussein gave Norway its final tally just before the final whistle. Iraq briefly equalized just nine minutes after Haaland’s first strike on a goal by Hussein.
WORDS: 550 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 9:50 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:000164c7c16cf67dfadbfa812eae3979&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-IRAN
US official says Iran knew team would have to leave the country shortly after World Cup match
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is pushing back on complaints from Iran’s national team that it was forced to leave the U.S. immediately after its first World Cup match instead of having a day to recover in a hotel, saying that was the plan for the team all along. Andrew Giuliani is the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force. He told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the U.S. “was clear this was the process.” Iran winger Mehdi Torabi’s entry visa had also expired after the first game. Team officials and the U.S. State Department confirmed Tuesday afternoon that he had secured a new, multiple-entry visa.
WORDS: 661 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 7:58 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8be2c56639a8ab0c464145710e912a09&mediaType=text
___
US-FLOYD MAYWEATHER THEFT
Floyd Mayweather faces felony charges in Las Vegas
SUMMARY: Boxer Floyd Mayweather faces two felony charges in Las Vegas for theft and the “intent to defraud,” alleging he wrote a bad check to buy a watch at a Las Vegas luxury resale store. Prosecutors claim he wrote a $200,000 check to the store Gold and Beyond, a luxury resale store that sells jewelry and other accessories.
WORDS: 276 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 6:33 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9d21d88b5fff1d609ed6c4199ed7beed&mediaType=text
___
GLF--US OPEN
Scheffler is chasing a career Grand Slam at the US Open. It’s not what motivates him
SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler is on the cusp of a career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. That could be the latest comparison with Tiger Woods. This is Scheffler’s first crack at joining golf’s most elite club. Woods in the only player in the modern era to get the slam on his first try. Standing in Scheffler’s way is a Shinnecock Hills course that is among the toughest tests in America even before the USGA gets involved. Rory McIlroy says the course is gentle at the moment. But with wind in the forecast, that could change in a New York minute.
WORDS: 957 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 6:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:29b83aa0492cd307edcb5a192d23e5b6&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-ENERGIZED US
‘We’re American. We don’t take s---.’ US says Pochettino instilled strong mentality for World Cup
SUMMARY: The U.S. World Cup team says it is prepared for the physical challenge of facing Australia in group play this week. The Americans say coach Mauricio Pochettino is responsible for their tough mindset. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter says the coach has emphasized something important to them: “We’re American. We don’t take (crap).” That mentality was partly forged last October when the U.S. faced Australia in what turned into a scrappy 2-1 friendly victory in Colorado. Pochettino lambasted his team at halftime, imploring the players to stand up for themselves after the Socceroos delivered physical tackles and punishing play.
WORDS: 589 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 4:35 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98d4235b7ca18f675a14a10821752696&mediaType=text
___
HKN--GOLDEN KNIGHTS-TORTORELLA
John Tortorella not returning as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights
SUMMARY: John Tortorella won’t return as coach of the Vegas Golden Knights after guiding them to the Stanley Cup Final on an interim basis. General manager Kelly McCrimmon announced Tuesday that Tortorella wouldn’t be back. McCrimmon hired Tortorella on March 30 when he fired Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the season. The Golden Knights won seven of them and then got through three rounds before losing to Carolina in six games in the final. Vegas could promote Ryan Craig, who has been coach of its top affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League, for the past three seasons.
WORDS: 485 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:54 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e47778571873da30a61b6e8aed9fa670&mediaType=text
___
GLF--ON THE FRINGE-US OPEN
What score indicates a tough test in the US Open? The modern standard suggests under par
SUMMARY: Arnold Palmer once said a score of 280 always wins the U.S. Open. That was in 1960 when he made his famous charge at Cherry Hills, and somewhere around even par always felt like the standard. But the level of play in golf has increased mightily over 60 years, just like other sports. What always wins the U.S. Open? Shinnecock Hills should be under the spotlight this week because it’s one of America’s toughest courses and wind is a factor. But some past major champions believe that a winning score from 5 to 10 under is enough to indicate it’s a tough test.
WORDS: 1046 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:40 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:98e3fd5fe3c2f4f245ea18e9c089c28a&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-US-PULISIC
US forward Christian Pulisic practices on his own in calf injury rehab, team says he is ‘day to day’
SUMMARY: Christian Pulisic worked out on his own again during the U.S. team’s World Cup practice session while he rehabilitates his calf injury. A team spokesman described Pulisic as “day to day” after his second straight day doing individual workouts while his teammates practiced at the U.S. training base in Orange County. The Americans’ next game is against Australia in Seattle on Friday. Pulisic was limited to one half of action in the Americans’ World Cup-opening 4-1 victory over Paraguay last Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The AC Milan forward was stellar in the first match of his second World Cup.
WORDS: 270 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:15 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6ec221c5797c9e8c98d21e09841728f6&mediaType=text
___
TEN--WIMBLEDON-WILD CARDS
Serena and Venus Williams to play doubles together at Wimbledon with a combined age of 90
SUMMARY: Serena and Venus Williams are bringing their doubles partnership back at Wimbledon. The All England Club has announced a doubles wild card invitation for the Williams sisters to the tournament which starts in less than two weeks. The move comes after 44-year-old Serena recently returned to competition after nearly four years away from professional tennis. Venus has still been competing sporadically and turns 46 on Wednesday. The Williams sisters have won 14 Grand Slam titles together in doubles including six at Wimbledon. Their last title together at Wimbledon came a decade ago and the first came more than a quarter century ago.
WORDS: 690 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:69539d8d322bb4dea74f997d556a5a92&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-SOUTH KOREA-MEDIA RIFT
Leaked remarks about South Korea star Son Heung-min spark backlash at World Cup camp
SUMMARY: South Korea’s preparations for Thursday’s World Cup match against Mexico have been overshadowed by a rift between the players and the country’s media following disparaging comments about captain Son Heung-min. The spat reportedly led to the resignation of one of the team’s media officers on Tuesday. The national team has yet to confirm the resignation, which has been reported by some of the media covering the South Korean squad in Guadalajara. Access for the media had apparently been cut off after the comments against Son were caught on camera. Players reportedly refrained from speaking to South Korean media outside official World Cup commitments.
WORDS: 402 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:15d483b63befa9d185c00e46538c0718&mediaType=text
___
BBO--WCUP-MLB MARKETS
MLB ballparks are a friendly neighbor to the World Cup, bringing fans and soccer energy to The Show
SUMMARY: World Cup matches being played next door to MLB stadiums are providing unusual off days and split series for some baseball teams. But some MLB players and coaches are also getting the chance to see the international soccer tournament that is played every four years. Of the 16 World Cup sites, 11 overlap in markets that are also home to a combined 13 MLB teams. The Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners all play their home games at stadiums adjacent to NFL stadiums being used for World Cup matches.
WORDS: 839 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 3:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:02b09a1a9f78852dc06ef64f04ea2355&mediaType=text
___
HKN--MAPLE LEAFS-FLYERS TRADE
Flyers acquire goalie Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit in a trade with the Maple Leafs
SUMMARY: The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They sent goalie Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae and a third-round pick in next week’s draft to the Leafs. The swap that was announced Tuesday gives Philadelphia a dependable backup to prospective starter Dan Vladar, who is coming off a career year that included a strong first round of the playoffs to beat Pittsburgh. The move is new Toronto general manager John Chayka’s first change to the roster since taking over in early May.
WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 06/16/2026 1:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d9f449d631a8b9d468b383144dfc4794&mediaType=text
___
