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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CAR--NASCAR-RACING PERFECTION

DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — Michael Jordan calls Denny Hamlin the “mastermind” behind their 23XI NASCAR racing team. Hamlin calls their co-ownership a “perfect partnership.” The team has been nothing shy of perfect behind driver Tyler Reddick so far early in 2026. By Jim Vertuno.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 6:00 a.m. EST, Text

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SOC--WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP

DESCRIPTION: Iran’s national women’s soccer team takes on South Korea in its opening Group A game at the Women’s Asian Cup.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 6:30 a.m. EST, Text, Photo

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BBO--BATTING AVERAGE BLUES

DESCRIPTION: GLENDALE, Ariz. — The significance of batting average has been in decline for years. But its diminished importance was thrown into sharp relief by the free agency of Luis Arraez over the winter. Arraez, a three-time batting champion, waited until right before spring training before agreeing to a $12 million, one-year deal with San Francisco. By Baseball Writer Jay Cohen. UPCOMING: 800 words, file photos, AP graphic.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 10:00 a.m. EST, Text, Graphic

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BKL--UNRIVALED-SEMIFINALS

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — Unrivaled will take its semifinals on the road, playing at Barclays Center in New York on Monday night. Top seeds Phantom BC will face sixth-seeded Vinyl and No. 2 Mist will play No. 5 Breeze. The top two teams earned byes to this round. The title game will be Wednesday at Unrivaled’s home arena in Miami, with a prize pool of $600,000 to be split among players from the championship-winning club. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 11:00 a.m. EST, Text

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BKW--T25-WOMENS POLL

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases its latest AP Top 25 women’s basketball poll.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 12:00 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans, Photo

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BKC--T25-MENS POLL

DESCRIPTION: The Associated Press releases its latest AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 1:00 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans, Photo

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SOC--WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP

DESCRIPTION: Group-stage action continues at the Women’s Asian Cup.

UPCOMING: By 03/02/2026 9:00 p.m. EST, Text, Photo

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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FBC--COLORADO-PONDER DEATH

Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder dies in a single-car crash at age 23, police say

SUMMARY: Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder has died in a single-car crash. He was 23. The Colorado State Patrol says Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail. The car struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment. Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. The Colorado State Patrol says a preliminary investigation “shows that speed is suspected as a factor.” Colorado coach Deion Sanders says Ponder was one of his favorites. He says Ponder was loved and respected.

WORDS: 391 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 9:12 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d95dc40f719e480f75442be153b39583&mediaType=text

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SOC--INFANTINO-VINICIUS

Infantino suggests players could be sent off for covering their mouths in confrontation

SUMMARY: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has raised the prospect of red cards being shown to players who cover their mouths when confronting opponents. The issue has been highlighted in recent weeks after Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior said he was racially insulted by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League match. Prestianni, who denies the allegations, had approached Vinicius while covering his mouth with his jersey during Madrid’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the playoff. He was provisionally suspended for the second leg while an investigation was being carried out.

WORDS: 243 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 8:45 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:fa912724848f80eae2a3c6eb00029a3c&mediaType=text

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CAR--NASCAR-AUSTIN

Tyler Reddick makes NASCAR history at COTA with 3rd straight win to start the season

SUMMARY: Tyler Reddick became the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first three races of the season with a victory Sunday at the Circuit of Americas. Driving a Toyota co-owned by Michael Jordan, Reddick won the season-opening Daytona 500 and a week later at Atlanta, then won from the pole in the first road course race of the year. Reddick held off hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen, the Trackhouse driver and the series’ dominate road driver, over the final 20 laps. Jordan was with Reddick’s 23XI pit crew exchanging high fives as Reddick crossed the finish line. Van Gisbergen lost his bid for a record-tying sixth consecutive road win. Reddick has 11th career victories, also winning at COTA in 2023.

WORDS: 791 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 8:14 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6c0b8d6170bcbf1fc4202e3f8bb7b397&mediaType=text

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SOC--ARGENTINA-US

Lindsey Heaps and Jaedyn Shaw score as USWNT blanks Argentina 2-0 in SheBelieves Cup

SUMMARY: The United States women’s national team has secured its sixth straight shutout victory. Lindsey Heaps had a goal and an assist, and Jaedyn Shaw also scored in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup in Nashville, Tennessee. The U.S. has outscored opponents 27-1 over its past seven games. Coach Emma Hayes’ squad hasn’t lost since falling 2-1 to Portugal in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 23. Lily Reale exited the game after being treated for a right leg injury. During stoppage time, Argentina’s Milagros Martín was assessed a yellow card for shoving Trinity Rodman in the back.

WORDS: 267 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 8:08 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:350c80a23ac7f73eb34033196a132f9e&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-IRAN

President of Iran’s soccer federation says World Cup participation in US is in doubt

SUMMARY: The president of Iran’s soccer federation says he does not know if the national team can play World Cup matches in the United States following the surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of his country. Mehdi Taj tells sports portal Varzesh3, “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” Taj was speaking as Iran traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by the bombardment. Iran has been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and is scheduled to play two games in Inglewood, California, and another in Seattle.

WORDS: 234 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 8:06 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d21fd7543f416458984e82bdf9a70415&mediaType=text

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BKC--USC-BAKER-MAZARA LEAVES

USC 2nd-leading scorer Chad Baker-Mazara abruptly out of the program with no explanation

SUMMARY: USC says Chad Baker-Mazara is no longer part of its men’s basketball program. The team released a short statement that provided no explanation. Baker-Mazara played Saturday in a loss to No. 12 Nebraska and scored 14 points in the first half. He fell hard near the baseline and didn’t return after playing three minutes in the second half. Coach Eric Musselman says Baker-Mazara told him that he couldn’t go back in. USC was Baker-Mazara’s fifth school in his college career. He helped Auburn reach the Final Four last season. The 26-year-old graduate student is from the Dominican Republic.

WORDS: 417 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 7:03 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3059d963f8ec9a28beb201c29c9cb166&mediaType=text

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HKN--KINGS-HILLER FIRED

LA Kings fire coach Jim Hiller and name D.J. Smith as the interim replacement

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Kings have fired coach Jim Hiller after losing five of their past six games and falling out of playoff position. D.J. Smith was named the interim replacement for the rest of the season on Sunday in the first coaching change by general manager Ken Holland, who kept Hiller behind the bench when he took over the front office last May. Hiller was in just his second full season in the charge of the Kings, who looked lifeless in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

WORDS: 999 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 6:39 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f273777f3c4b3701373732f13a4487d1&mediaType=text

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GLF--COGNIZANT CLASSIC

Nico Echavarria wins the Cognizant Classic with a flawless weekend after Shane Lowry melts down late

SUMMARY: Nico Echavarria has won the Cognizant Classic after a meltdown by Shane Lowry on the closing stretch at PGA National. Echavarria was three shots back with three holes to play but ended up with a two-shot victory over Lowry on Sunday. The 31-year-old from Colombia shot a 5-under 66 to finish at 17-under 267. It was the third PGA Tour victory and first in the United States for Echavarria, who is heading to the Masters for a second time. Lowry hit his tee shot on the par-4 16th hole into the water, leading to double bogey, and did the same thing on the par-3 17th.

WORDS: 868 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 6:35 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6057255d1253009f95f0beedf0e4d491&mediaType=text

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BKN--SPURS STOPPED

Spurs’ poor performance that ends 11-game winning streak leaves Victor Wembanyama surprised

SUMMARY: Victor Wembanyama was surprised. His San Antonio Spurs, who were untouchable in February, were unsteady to start March. San Antonio didn’t respond well to the New York Knicks’ defensive pressure Sunday and had its 11-game winning streak snapped with a 114-89 loss. Wembanyama expected the Spurs to stand up better at Madison Square Garden, but instead never recovered from the Knicks’ 26-2 run in the first half. The Spurs were 11-0 in February. They became the first team in NBA history to go unbeaten and score at least 110 points in every game while playing at least 10 in a month.

WORDS: 497 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 5:14 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf40732396a2212c593f71d6e0c1ce44&mediaType=text

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CAR--INDYCAR-ST. PETE

Mick Schumacher’s IndyCar debut ends in crash at St. Pete Grand Prix

SUMMARY: Will Power and Mick Schumacher had a brutal start to new chapters in IndyCar at the season debut in downtown St. Petersburg. Schumacher crashed out before he completed a lap in his series debut. Sting Ray Robb and Santino Ferrucci collided early, and Schumacher had nowhere to go. Officials gave Robb a 30-second penalty, but the race was over for Schumacher and Ferrucci. Power’s debut for Andretti Global also went wrong on his 45th birthday. He hit the wall on lap 21, then returned several laps down after repairs.

WORDS: 935 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 3:02 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0e52b1ab0c4946938405a82ef5308ca&mediaType=text

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SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Arsenal passes latest test to go 5 points clear at top of Premier League. Man United rises to third

SUMMARY: Arsenal passed the latest test of its Premier League title credentials with a crucial 2-1 win against Chelsea. Manchester United climbed up to third by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 to boost its pursuit of a return to the Champions League. Jurrien Timber’s second-half goal saw Arsenal re-establish a five-point lead over second-place Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s team kept the pressure on at the top by beating Leeds on Saturday. Victory against Chelsea saw Arsenal overcome another of its major rivals and move a step closer to a first league title since 2004. It leaves the visit to City next month as potentially the last major hurdle for Mikel Arteta’s team.

WORDS: 1028 - MOVED: 03/01/2026 2:50 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:52f0d8f2f01ab0666a8e4c9cb11d3c3e&mediaType=text

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