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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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS

DESCRIPTION: The 2025 NFL season has been dominated by first-round quarterbacks, with veterans like Matthew Stafford and newcomers like Drake Maye and Caleb Williams leading the way. A record 12 of the 14 playoff teams are starting first-round quarterbacks. This season, 80.5% of games were won by first-round QBs, the highest since the common draft began in 1967. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 1100 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/07/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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FBC--CFP-FIESTA-BOWL-MISSISSIPPI’S-RISE

DESCRIPTION: Mississippi’s football program has thrived over the past few years as college shifts to a pay-for-play model. Athletics director Keith Carter is among those responsible for the Rebels’ rise to elite status and is now working to make sure they can stay there. Ole Miss plays Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. By David Brandt. 900 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/07/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBC--CFP--PEACH BOWL PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: Undefeated Indiana will try to continue its unlikely path to the national championship game when its plays No. 5 seed Oregon, which suffered its only loss to the Hoosiers in the regular season, in the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl semifinal on Thursday night. By Charles Odum. 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 01/07/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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FBN--PRO PICKS-WILD-CARD WEEKEND

DESCRIPTION: Three road teams are favorites, including the only double-digit spread of wild-card weekend. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.

UPCOMING: By 01/07/2026 4:00 p.m. EST, Text

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CAR--DAKAR RALLY

DESCRIPTION: Stage 4 of the Dakar Rally on Wednesday is the first day of the two-day marathon stage outside AlUla.

UPCOMING: By 01/07/2026 9:29 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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BKN--LAKERS-GREAT JAMES

Redick: LeBron James exhibiting ‘a different kind of greatness’ with the Lakers this season

SUMMARY: Lakers coach JJ Redick compares LeBron James at 41 years old to Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux at the end of his career. Redick says James doesn’t always have his best stuff, but usually has enough to win. James scored 30 points in a 111-103 victory in New Orleans on Tuesday night. It was James’ second 30-point game in his last three. James missed the first 14 games of this season because of sciatica and says his playing status on the second of back-to-back games should always be considered “to be determined.” But he says he also appreciates every chance to play now more than when he was younger and knew his career still had many years left.

WORDS: 619 - MOVED: 01/07/2026 12:20 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a694fb9757a71cab266619cc970a194e&mediaType=text

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HKN--JETS-FLEURY

Jets D Fleury alert, moving extremities after taken off ice on stretcher after collision with boards

SUMMARY: Winnipeg Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury was alert and moving his extremities after he was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a violent collision with the boards. Fleury was checked in the chest by Vegas Golden Knights forward Keegan Kolesar in the first period Tuesday night and his back took the brunt of the hit behind the net. Winnipeg’s bench emptied onto the ice in a show of support for Fleury as he was taken in an ambulance to a hospital. Jets coach Scott Arniel told reporters after Vegas’ 4-3 overtime win that Fleury would stay in hospital overnight.

WORDS: 152 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 11:49 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5c51e189de312b293feb86d71f43ed8a&mediaType=text

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HKN--NEW YORK AREA GOALIE CONTRAST

Islanders, Rangers and Devils have vastly different goaltending situations midway through the season

SUMMARY: Starting NHL goaltenders in the New York area are in very different positions early in the New Year. The Rangers lost Igor Shesterkin for at least a week to an apparent left leg injury that is still being evaluated. The Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin was spectacular in his return from injury Tuesday night, shutting out New Jersey. The Devils got another rough showing out of Jacob Markstrom, who allowed goals on three of the first five shots he faced and nine of 24 overall. Just past the midway point of the season, the Islanders are a handful of points up in the standings on their local rivals.

WORDS: 686 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 11:05 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8e6062ed7f2557232016a40c270a1656&mediaType=text

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BKN--LAKERS-PELICANS

James and Doncic each score 30 to help the Lakers hold off the Pelicans 111-103

SUMMARY: LeBron James scored 30 points, Luca Doncic capped his 30-point, 10-assist performance with a pair of off-balance, bail-out 3s as the shot clock wound down, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 111-103. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who won for the fourth time in their past five games while sending the Pelicans to their eighth straight loss. Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41, Zion Williamson scored 15 points and rookie Derik Queen had 10 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which led by as many as nine points late in the third quarter. The Lakers opened the fourth quarter on an 18-4 run to take the lead for good.

WORDS: 333 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 10:39 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b02a052158ca3b7723fe837f2af271b4&mediaType=text

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FBN--RAVENS-HARBAUGH OUT

John Harbaugh is fired as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach after 18 seasons, including a Super Bowl win

SUMMARY: John Harbaugh has been fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach. Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the Super Bowl favorites. Baltimore’s season ended Sunday night when Tyler Loop missed a last-second field-goal attempt, allowing Pittsburgh to hold on for a 26-24 victory in the game that decided the AFC North title.

WORDS: 924 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 8:08 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e6bcf2eb49477b4ff6239c467e55d68b&mediaType=text

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HKN--FLYERS-BRIERE

Flyers general manager Danny Briere prioritizes future over short-term playoff push

SUMMARY: Danny Briere is focused on the future as the Flyers reach the season’s midpoint in playoff contention. The general manager says the promising record is part of a rebuild, not a sign of its end. He isn’t ready to make moves that could risk the team’s long-term future for a playoff spot. On Tuesday, the Flyers were the first wild card team in the Eastern Conference. They have young talent, including Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras. The Flyers haven’t played a home playoff game since 2018. Recently, they signed Christian Dvorak to a five-year contract extension.

WORDS: 616 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 7:40 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0ad659cf8f434629142838c0bb981b21&mediaType=text

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FBN--LIONS-MORTON FIRED

Lions fire offensive coordinator John Morton after coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties

SUMMARY: The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator John Morton. The move Tuesday was expected after the Lions missed the playoffs and coach Dan Campbell took over Morton’s play-calling duties midway through the season. Campbell is now looking for his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Former OC Ben Johnson left the Lions a little more than a year ago to lead the Chicago Bears and helped them win the NFC North. The Lions failed to make the postseason after winning that division the previous two seasons and earning top seeding in the NFC last year.

WORDS: 169 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 6:02 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:97b4da39ed679291df9933925d37fa7c&mediaType=text

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OLY--SAFESPORT-CEO

SafeSport Center turns to Olympic gold medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley as new CEO

SUMMARY: The U.S. Center for SafeSport announced Benita Fitzgerald Mosley as its new CEO, placing the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in charge of rebooting an agency that has been plagued with problems over most of its nearly nine-year history. Fitzgerald Mosley will start her job Feb. 1, saying in a statement provided to The Associated Press that it is “more than a job opportunity for me, it is a calling.”

WORDS: 496 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 5:22 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fdaef2566df4599c9b92e21523074187&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-PHELPS RESIGNS

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigns after inflammatory texts revealed in trial

SUMMARY: NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. Despite his contributions to NASCAR, including expanding its international presence and returning the sport during the COVID-19 shutdown, his resignation comes amid controversy. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.

WORDS: 1057 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 5:16 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:269f842e90ca62d5caa59ad0c620a08d&mediaType=text

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HKN--RANGERS-FOX AND SHESTERKIN

Rangers’ Adam Fox going on long-term injured reserve and Igor Shesterkin regular IR, AP source says

SUMMARY: New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox is going on long-term injured reserve, a person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press. Fox must miss at least the next 10 games as a condition of going on LTIR. The person said goaltender Igor Shesterkin was going on regular IR after getting hurt and exiting Monday night’s game against Utah. Shesterkin could not put weight on his left leg going off the ice after it bent awkwardly and he received medical attention. It’s unclear when Fox was injured since he played all of regulation against the Mammoth but did not skate a shift in overtime.

WORDS: 317 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 4:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:38b1e8b78a5519c6da8f8fc7ff046eac&mediaType=text

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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-2026

Scheffler’s bid for career slam and Koepka’s search for new home among golf topics for 2026

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler goes for the career Grand Slam. Brooks Koepka is searching for a new path now that he’s no longer with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. And the annual question in golf always seems to go back to the future of Tiger Woods. These are among six pressing topics for golf going into 2026. The season is starting a week late because The Sentry at Kapalua was canceled because of water issues. It’s only fitting that on what would have been the start of the first week of the PGA Tour, Maui was under a flood watch.

WORDS: 1169 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 4:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8da2aca28617aeb503d7f61b2becfa8c&mediaType=text

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FBC--T25-CFP PICKS

College Football Playoff picks: Ole Miss is last hope for SEC to reach first title game in 3 years

SUMMARY: Mississippi is the Southeastern Conference’s last hope to play for the national championship. The SEC hasn’t gone three years without a title since the turn of the century. The sixth-seeded Rebels will play for a spot in the national championship game when they meet No. 10 seed Miami at the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Big Ten teams won the last two national titles. That conference is assured of being represented in a third straight title game with No. 1 Indiana matched against No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday.

WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 3:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b003adcd434dd08fa75a2a469b7f651e&mediaType=text

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FBC--CFP-PEACH BOWL-LANNING VS CIGNETTI

Oregon’s Lanning and Indiana’s Cignetti have different styles but the same goal

SUMMARY: Oregon coach Dan Lanning and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti look like exact opposites. Lanning is the flashy budding star who wins by defying conventional wisdom. Cignetti takes a decidedly old-school approach. Now the two former Alabama assistants will find themselves back in SEC country as they chase their goal of reaching the national championship game. The two teams meet Friday night in the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Peach Bowl.

WORDS: 1131 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 3:04 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0187820711b6e73c9f979dbe28ce4e71&mediaType=text

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BBO--BLUE JAYS-OKAMOTO

Kazuma Okamoto’s signing is a ‘significant step’ for the defending AL champion Blue Jays, GM says

SUMMARY: Before he moved from Japan to the big leagues, Kazuma Okamoto put the logos of all 30 MLB teams in front of his daughter and asked which one she liked most. Her choice, just like his, was the Toronto Blue Jays. The defending AL champion Blue Jays introduced their newest signing at a press conference Tuesday, two days after finalizing a four-year, $60 million contract with the 29-year-old corner infielder. Okamoto hit .327 with 15 homers and 49 RBIs in 69 games last year for the Central League’s Yomiuri Giants.

WORDS: 623 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 2:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d4542c52b3c883f618c23b5081bb1f6c&mediaType=text

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FBN--COMMANDERS COORDINATORS FIRED

Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are gone from the Commanders after a 5-12 season, AP source says

SUMMARY: A team official says coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both gone from head coach Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders after a 5-12 season. Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season. Quinn and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the staff changes hadn’t been announced. Whitt was dismissed. Bobby Johnson is out as Washington’s offensive line coach, too.

WORDS: 401 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 2:54 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1454e6a32d18fcfef5207cdfd5042258&mediaType=text

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FBN--ON FOOTBALL-TUESDAY TAKEAWAYS

NFL MVP debate will continue until a winner is announced next month

SUMMARY: The NFL regular season has ended and the MVP debate continues. It could be another close race with no clear front-runner. Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye have the best odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Playoff results won’t matter because it’s a regular-season award. Winners of the AP NFL awards will be revealed at “NFL Honors” on Feb. 5. Stafford had an outstanding season for the Los Angeles Rams, leading them to a 12-5 record and the NFC’s No. 5 seed. Maye led the New England Patriots to a 10-win turnaround and the AFC’s No. 2 seed in just his second season.

WORDS: 765 - MOVED: 01/06/2026 2:05 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:76e3e8e6a865eab5fb9c053edb7be56d&mediaType=text

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