Category: Sports

LIVIGNO, Italy – Team USA successfully defended their Olympic championship in freestyle skiing mixed team aerials on Saturday, claiming gold for the second consecutive Games while Switzerland earned silver and China settled for bronze.

The American squad bounced back impressively after being shut out of medal contention in both the individual women’s and men’s competitions earlier this week, where Chinese athletes Wang Xindi and Xu Mengtao, a married couple, captured those respective gold medals.

Leading the victorious U.S. effort was Kaila Kuhn, who claimed gold at the 2025 world championships in both women’s and mixed team aerials events, despite placing fifth in Wednesday’s Olympic women’s individual competition.

Joining Kuhn on the winning team were Christopher Lillis and Connor Curran, who had finished eighth and 12th respectively in Friday’s men’s individual final.

Team USA posted a winning score of 325.35 points out of a maximum possible 450. The Swiss squad, featuring men’s individual silver medalist Noe Roth, accumulated 296.91 points, while China finished with 279.68 points.

Competition at the alpine venue took place under challenging overcast skies with falling snow that reduced visibility, creating additional obstacles for the competing athletes.

China’s hopes for a third gold medal were derailed by costly errors from Wang and Li Tianma, the men’s individual bronze medalist, as both athletes failed their landings following high-difficulty aerial maneuvers.

The aerial skiing discipline showcases gravity-defying athleticism and has been featured in Winter Olympic competition since 1994 for individual events, with mixed team competition added in 2022.

Competitors launch themselves from nearly vertical ramps, soaring through the air while executing intricate acrobatic routines at speeds exceeding 65 kilometers per hour.

Scoring is based on factors including height achieved, distance traveled, artistic style, routine difficulty, and landing execution, with each jump receiving a maximum possible score of 150 points.

Mixed team competition features both male and female athletes representing each nation, with three competitors per country contributing their individual scores toward a combined team total.

ANTERSELVA, ITALY – Sweden’s biathlon squad reached their breaking point Friday after another disappointing Winter Olympics showing, pointing fingers at their ski preparation crew following a disastrous men’s mass start competition.

The Swedish team, typically considered medal contenders in biathlon competitions, endured a crushing final men’s race at the Games. Sebastian Samuelsson crossed the finish line in 18th place, while Martin Ponsiluoma landed in 21st and Jesper Nelin finished 26th out of the 30 competitors.

“The skis were the worst I ever had. They were crap,” Samuelsson angrily declared to Swedish television following the competition. “Today the glide from the skis was very bad … I’m here to fight for medals, but today I go without.”

Proper ski waxing represents a crucial aspect of competition preparation for both biathletes and cross-country racers. When technicians select the correct wax mixture for specific snow conditions, temperature, and elevation, athletes can glide effortlessly around the course. However, an incorrect choice can make skiing feel like moving through thick syrup.

Wax selection varies based on whether snow conditions are wet or dry. While many wax types perform best in sub-freezing temperatures, they can become soft and sticky when temperatures climb unexpectedly before or during competition, significantly hampering athlete performance.

Norway’s waxing crew demonstrated perfect preparation as Johannes Dale Skjevdal captured gold after hitting all 20 targets for the first time in his career, while teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid earned silver. France continued their streak of excellent ski preparation, with Quentin Fillon Maillet claiming bronze.

Swedish celebrations were nowhere to be found, as their waxing technicians approached the athletes at the finish area to immediately offer apologies for their error in judgment.

Despite their disappointment, the three Swedish competitors showed understanding toward their support staff.

“You just have to laugh at it,” Ponsiluoma remarked with dry humor.

“When you feel like you don’t have the materials, you feel it would have taken 25 hits to beat Dale-Skjevdal today.”

Since only 20 shooting targets were available, Ponsiluoma’s mathematical frustration highlighted the equipment disadvantage. Meanwhile, Nelin’s 26th-place result, though far from his expectations, at least spared him from a peculiar final sprint to avoid finishing last.

“This kind of thing (with waxing) happens to all nations at some point and we have a very good waxing team, it’s just not going well right now,” Nelin explained.

Two decorated Olympic cross-country skiers have been forced to skip Saturday’s 50-kilometer classic race at the Milano Cortina Games after becoming sick with flu-like symptoms.

Italy’s Federico Pellegrino, 35, announced his withdrawal through a message posted on the Italian ski federation’s website. “The wrist tendinitis was ‘under control’, but since Friday morning I have been in bed with flu-like symptoms, and I am enormously sorry to tell you that today I will not be at the start of the 50 km,” Pellegrino shared with supporters.

The Italian skier has had an impressive career, capturing gold in the individual sprint at the 2017 world championships and earning two silver medals during the Beijing and Pyeongchang Olympics. During the current Milano Cortina Games, he has already secured two bronze medals in both the men’s relay and men’s team sprint events.

Expressing his disappointment, Pellegrino continued: “Not being able to experience those emotions that only the final kilometers of an exhausting race—cheered on by fans and by my whole family—at the biggest sporting event at home, emotions I had hoped to experience, is heartbreaking.”

American skier Ben Ogden, 26, has also been ruled out of the competition. The U.S. athlete has claimed two silver medals at these Games in the men’s classic sprint and men’s team sprint competitions.

A representative for the U.S. men’s cross-country team explained Ogden’s absence: “Ben Ogden woke up sick and will not compete in today’s 50k to rest and recover before the last four weeks of World Cup racing.”

Finland’s Ristomatti Hakola has similarly been scratched from the race due to influenza.

MILAN, Feb 21 – As the Winter Olympics conclude and temporary ice facilities face removal, Milan officials have revealed ambitious plans to construct a lasting ice arena that will preserve the Games’ impact and provide a home base for professional hockey.

Responding to demands from both athletes and local residents, city leaders this week announced their proposal for a new facility featuring 5,000 seats and a regulation 30×60-meter rink. The arena will be constructed within an exhibition center complex on Milan’s periphery over the next three years.

“This is what we had been asking for a long time, and I believe it would truly complete these Olympics, which have been extraordinary,” Andrea Gios, president of the Italian Ice Sports Federation, told Reuters.

During the Olympics, Milan successfully hosted competitions in figure skating, speed skating, short track, and hockey events across three different locations. These venues, including the recently constructed Santagiulia arena that served as the hockey venue, will now be converted for concerts and alternative sporting events.

Officials plan to establish a temporary ice facility by October before transitioning to a permanent structure, with hopes of attracting a professional hockey franchise to compete in the Ice Hockey League against teams from Austria, Slovenia, and Italy.

The unexpected announcement followed widespread criticism from Italian competitors and Milan citizens who expressed disappointment about losing access to permanent ice sports facilities after the Olympics concluded.

Gios revealed conversations with North American investors who have expressed interest in funding a professional Milan hockey team, which would require approximately 5 million euros ($5.9 million) annually to operate.

The proposed facility would also accommodate major figure skating and short-track competitions while serving as a training center for developing athletes.

Italian speed skaters achieved remarkable success at these Games, with Francesca Lollobrigida capturing gold in both the 3,000 and 5,000-meter events and the men’s team pursuit squad also claiming victory. However, these athletes will lose access to domestic indoor training facilities once the Olympics conclude.

While constructing a speed skating facility with a full 400-meter track would be extremely costly and financially uncertain compared to a multipurpose venue, Gios indicated that officials would explore options with private investors who have previously shown interest.

Until permanent facilities are established, Italy’s elite speed skaters will continue training partially overseas at venues like the indoor track in Inzell, Germany.

“I know it’s not easy to keep a facility like ours open, but of course it’s disappointing,” Lollobrigida commented regarding the Olympic venue. “If our results don’t speak for us, there’s nothing more we can do.”

The Netherlands emerged as the dominant force in short track speed skating at the Winter Olympics, while Italy celebrated as hometown hero Arianna Fontana carved her name into Olympic history with a record-breaking medal collection.

Throughout the two-week competition, athletic achievements were woven together with compelling personal narratives, featuring competitors who overcame serious injuries and newcomers to the Olympic stage whose championship aspirations sometimes fell short of expectations.

The 35-year-old Fontana advanced to championship rounds in every single competition, capturing gold for Italy in the mixed relay event and earning silver medals in both the 500-meter race and women’s relay.

With Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni watching from the stands, Fontana’s women’s relay silver medal brought her career total to 14 Olympic medals, breaking the previous Italian record of 13 held by fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti from 1936-60, establishing her as Italy’s most successful Olympian ever.

While the Netherlands has long been considered a dominant nation in traditional speed skating, these Games marked their strongest showing in the more recent short track discipline.

Following an early setback when they failed to qualify for the mixed relay championship race, the Dutch squad gained momentum throughout the competition, ultimately securing seven medals with five of them being gold.

Jens van ‘t Wout captured three gold medals and one bronze, representing a triumphant comeback for the 24-year-old athlete who bears a facial scar from a 2019 skating mishap that nearly ended his competitive career. He announced plans to commemorate his success with an Olympic rings tattoo featuring his medal colors.

His sibling Melle earned an unexpected silver in the 500 meters on his 26th birthday, overcoming a severe knee injury that had hindered his performance in recent seasons.

Fellow Dutch competitor Xandra Velzeboer dominated the women’s events, claiming victory in both the 500 meters after establishing a world record during the semifinal, and the 1,000 meters.

Olympic newcomer Kim Gil-li, age 21, spearheaded South Korea’s effort, earning two gold medals and one bronze as the short track powerhouse nation collected seven total medals — an improvement of two compared to their performance at Beijing 2022.

Canada’s Courtney Sarault returned home with reason for celebration after earning medals in four out of five events she competed in — two silver and two bronze — while teammate Steven Dubois secured his first individual Olympic gold medal in the 500 meters.

However, the Games ended on a disappointing note for Canadian William Dandjinou, the 24-year-old world number one and first-time Olympian recognized for his signature “eagle” celebration, who departed without an individual medal despite qualifying for all three final races.

“I didn’t even know it was possible to finish fourth that many times in one Games,” he said. “You will see me in four years.”

Major League Soccer’s most valuable franchises will square off Saturday night when Inter Miami, led by superstar Lionel Messi, travels to face Son Heung-Min and Los Angeles FC to kick off the season for both clubs.

Both teams appear ready to field their strongest lineups for the highly anticipated matchup, which has been relocated to the larger Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum due to expected high demand.

Messi, who claimed last season’s Golden Boot award and his second consecutive MVP honor, has resumed practice with Miami following a minor hamstring strain that forced the cancellation of their final exhibition match in Puerto Rico.

Speaking in Spanish, Miami manager Javier Mascherano expressed disappointment about the missed opportunity. “It was unfortunate, of course, that we weren’t able to go,” Mascherano said. “Not only because it would’ve given us the opportunity to visit a country we haven’t had the chance to visit in recent years, but also because it would’ve been valuable preparation to face an opponent like Independiente del Valle.”

The defending MLS Cup champions received additional good news this week when newly signed forward German Berterame obtained his work visa and became eligible to play.

Had Berterame remained unavailable, Miami might have inserted 39-year-old Luis Suarez back into the starting lineup after he served as a substitute during last year’s championship run. Alternatively, they could have positioned Messi as the primary striker in a 4-3-3 formation, similar to their playoff configuration.

On the LAFC side, Son missed all preseason games while recovering from an undisclosed minor lower-body ailment. However, the Korean international dispelled any lingering health concerns with an outstanding display in LAFC’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match Tuesday evening.

The 33-year-old forward started the contest, found the net once, and provided three assists during his 61-minute appearance in a dominant 6-1 victory over Real Espana of Honduras in the first leg of their opening round series.

Denis Bouanga capitalized on Son’s playmaking, netting three goals to put LAFC in commanding position ahead of next week’s second leg. This comfortable advantage should allow first-year head coach Marc Dos Santos to give his key players extended playing time against Miami.

Bouanga celebrated his performance after the match, saying: “The feeling is very good. I’m very happy to score three. My team, my teammates helped me for this hat trick. I say thank you for the five (goal lead), and thank you to my team for that.”

England’s Football Association announced Saturday that Manchester United owner Jim Ratcliffe will not face punishment following his controversial statements about immigration in Britain.

The British billionaire had issued an apology last week for his word choice after stating that Britain had been “colonised” by immigrants. His original remarks prompted criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The FA released a short statement explaining their decision: “As background guidance, we have issued Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a reminder of his responsibilities as a Participant in English football when taking part in media interviews. We won’t be taking any further action.”

During a February 11th television interview, Ratcliffe, who founded the chemical company INEOS, argued that high immigration levels and welfare recipients were harming Britain’s economy.

“You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonised – it’s costing too much money,” Ratcliffe stated during his appearance with the broadcaster. “The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick chose not to address the controversy directly on Friday, instead highlighting the team’s commitment to inclusivity and its worldwide fanbase.

“Equality, diversity and respect for each other is something we look to carry through every day,” Carrick said to reporters before their upcoming Premier League match against Everton.

Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League standings with 45 points from 26 matches, Manchester United will take on eighth-place Everton on Monday as they work to secure a top-four position and qualify for Champions League play.

MILAN – A dream matchup is set for Sunday as Canada and the United States prepare to clash in the men’s Olympic hockey championship game in Milan, delivering exactly the showdown North American hockey fans hoped to witness.

The return of NHL players to Olympic competition after a 12-year absence couldn’t have produced a more perfect finale, with hockey’s two dominant nations bringing their star-studded professional rosters to battle for gold.

Canada enters the championship seeking to cement their hockey dominance with a 10th Olympic gold medal, representing the nation that created the sport and considers it sacred. Meanwhile, the United States aims to settle an old score – Canada crushed their gold medal dreams in overtime 16 years ago, and America hasn’t captured Olympic hockey gold in 46 years.

“NHL players have not had the ability to play in the Olympics since 2014, that’s 12 years. Some of these kids were in diapers then,” Canada coach Jon Cooper said, referring to the Sochi Games. “They’ve never been part of this. There is so much pride. The hockey has been so great and so close. That’s why the Olympics are unique. There is nothing like it in the world.”

Both squads dominated their preliminary groups, making their championship meeting seem inevitable from the start. However, the quarterfinals nearly shattered those expectations when each team survived grueling overtime battles that almost ended their gold medal pursuits. Canada fought back from behind against the Czech Republic, while the United States maintained composure after Sweden tied the game with only 91 seconds remaining in regulation.

The semifinals told different stories for each team on Friday. The Americans demolished Slovakia 6-2 in a dominant performance, while Canada struggled more against defending champion Finland, playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby.

Cooper remained uncertain Friday about whether Crosby, who exited their quarterfinal match with an undisclosed injury, would be available for the final.

Regardless of Crosby’s status, Canada possesses exceptional firepower in 29-year-old superstar Connor McDavid – a future Hall of Famer leading the tournament with two goals and 11 assists through five games. They also feature 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini, who has netted five goals, plus NHL leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon.

“It’s everything. It’s the gold medal at an Olympic Games,” said MacKinnon, a forward for the Colorado Avalanche. “We are very lucky to be here and it’s a great opportunity. We have got to be ready.”

The Americans have no intention of watching their northern neighbors claim more Olympic gold, hoping to mirror their women’s team’s success after defeating Canada for gold in Thursday’s thrilling championship.

Defenseman Quinn Hughes leads all tournament defensemen with one goal and six assists, looking to create a family celebration alongside brother Jack, who has recorded three goals and three assists in five games.

“We believe this is the best group in the whole tournament and the best group in the world,” said Jack Hughes, who scored twice in Friday’s 6-2 Slovakia victory. “We are proud Americans, and we are excited to have a chance at the gold medal.”

Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave Friday night’s game against the Lakers early due to discomfort in his left ankle, according to team officials. Leonard exited the contest with 5:10 left on the clock as the Clippers fell to their crosstown rivals 125-122.

Despite the early departure, Leonard put together another impressive offensive showing, scoring 31 points to extend his remarkable streak of 35 straight games with 20 or more points.

The injury adds to Leonard’s ongoing health concerns, as the star forward has battled persistent knee problems throughout his tenure with the Clippers, which began during the 2019-20 campaign. Earlier this season, he was sidelined for 10 contests due to separate ankle and foot ailments.

The seven-time All-Star has been having a career year offensively, posting personal-best averages of 27.8 points per game to go with 6.4 rebounds across 42 appearances this season. Throughout his 14-year NBA career, the two-time champion has maintained averages of 20.5 points and 6.4 rebounds over 775 games, starting in 746 of those contests.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pushed back against critics using the term ‘bottlers’ on Friday, as his team prepares for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur while facing mounting pressure in the title race.

The Gunners have struggled in recent weeks, managing only two victories in their past seven league matches. Their recent stumbles include consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing Manchester City to narrow the gap to just five points while holding a game in hand.

This marks another challenging period for the North London side, which has finished second in the league during each of Arteta’s last three seasons as manager.

When reporters questioned Arteta about the ‘bottlers’ criticism surrounding his team’s latest title race struggles, he firmly rejected the characterization.

“It’s not part of my vocabulary and I don’t see it like this because I don’t think anybody wants to do that as an intention,” Arteta stated during Friday’s press conference.

The Spanish manager acknowledged the disappointment while emphasizing his focus on moving forward.

“That’s individual opinion, perspective. You have to respect that. That’s what I said after in the press conference. You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out, you have to take it on the chin. It’s part of our role,” he explained.

“What I’m very interested in is the next one, what we are made of, what we love about this and how we write our own destiny from here,” Arteta added.

Despite their league struggles, Arsenal remains active across multiple competitions, having advanced to the League Cup final while still competing in both the Champions League and FA Cup round of 16.

Sunday’s opponents Tottenham present their own storyline, currently sitting in 16th place in the Premier League table. The Spurs will be led by recently appointed manager Igor Tudor, who took over the position last week following Thomas Frank’s departure.

Top-ranked tennis player Carlos Alcaraz kept his flawless 2026 season alive Friday, taking down defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6(3) 6-4 in the Qatar Open semifinals. The victory sends the Spanish sensation to his 12th final appearance in his last 13 tournament entries.

Saturday’s championship match will pit Alcaraz against 21-year-old Arthur Fils of France, who secured his spot by defeating Czech player Jakub Mensik 6-4 7-6(4) in the other semifinal contest.

The Russian defender mounted a spirited comeback effort, erasing a 3-0 deficit to even the second set before staving off five match opportunities. However, Alcaraz managed to close out the victory, extending his season win streak to 11 consecutive matches.

“I know what I’m able to do every time that I step on court. For me it’s great. Obviously, the way I’m approaching every match, I’m just really proud about it,” the 22-year-old Alcaraz commented after the match. The young champion has appeared in the final four of the last four Grand Slam tournaments, capturing three titles during that stretch.

“It’s paying off, all the focus and attention. I’m just happy and proud about myself with how I’m getting better and getting mature I guess,” he added.

The opening set saw Rublev struggle with his backhand, committing 14 unforced errors on that wing. Despite this, he managed to match Alcaraz’s aggressive play with pinpoint forehands that caught the baseline, leading to an even exchange of service breaks that forced a tiebreaker.

Alcaraz maintained his composure during the crucial tiebreak, building a 6-3 advantage while a visibly frustrated Rublev repeatedly struck his racket against his knee, eventually snapping a string. The seven-time Grand Slam champion then sealed the set with a deceptive shot, faking a slice before delivering a powerful forehand winner down the line.

The second set appeared to be heading toward a comfortable finish for Alcaraz after he secured two service breaks for a 5-3 lead. However, while serving for the match, the world number one watched Rublev save three match points to break back and level the set.

Alcaraz responded immediately by breaking serve once more in the following game, finally converting his sixth match point opportunity when Rublev’s backhand sailed beyond the baseline.

Meanwhile, Fils earned his fifth career final berth with a dominant performance against 16th-ranked Mensik, wrapping up the victory in just over 90 minutes. The French player, who endured an eight-month layoff due to a lower back stress fracture suffered during last year’s French Open, played error-free tennis while successfully defending seven of eight break point chances and converting two of his five opportunities.

“Eight months without playing, watching others and staying in bed. It was a long and difficult ordeal. But today, the comeback is all the more sweet. It means a lot to me to be in the final,” Fils reflected on his journey back to competitive tennis.

Undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has announced his fourth return from retirement, planning his first sanctioned professional bout in almost ten years, according to his new promotional company CSI Sports/Fight Sports on Friday. The identity of his opponent remains undetermined.

Prior to his professional comeback, the 48-year-old champion has scheduled an exhibition match against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, though organizers have not revealed the date or location for this event.

“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing – from my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event – than my events,” Mayweather declared in a statement posted on his promotional company’s website.

This announcement represents Mayweather’s fourth attempt at ending retirement, having previously stepped away from professional boxing in 2007, 2015, and 2017. His most recent retirement followed his victory over mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, which preserved his perfect 50-0 professional record. Since then, he has participated in multiple exhibition contests.

Throughout his thirty-year boxing career, Mayweather conquered numerous elite opponents from his generation and starred in the three most financially successful fights in boxing history, facing Manny Pacquiao, Conor McGregor, and Canelo Alvarez.

The Cleveland Cavaliers pushed their season-high winning streak to seven games Friday night, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 118-113 on the road behind outstanding performances from Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen.

Mitchell led the scoring attack with 32 points, while Allen contributed 26 points and dominated the boards with 14 rebounds. Allen was highly efficient, connecting on 11 of his 15 field goal attempts throughout the contest.

James Harden delivered a solid performance in the second half, finishing the night with 18 points and eight assists. Sam Merrill chipped in with 10 points to support Cleveland’s balanced offensive effort.

Cleveland’s success from the charity stripe proved crucial in securing the victory, as the team converted 26 of 28 free throw attempts. Mitchell was particularly effective from the line, making 12 of 13 attempts. The win marks the Cavaliers’ 12th victory in their last 13 contests.

Charlotte received a breakout performance from rookie Kon Knueppel, who connected on seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 33 points. The Hornets also got 18 points each from LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The loss was Charlotte’s third defeat in four games, ending what had been a nine-game winning streak.

Timberwolves 122, Mavericks 111

Anthony Edwards exploded for 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting as Minnesota secured a home victory over Dallas.

Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who captured their third straight victory. Naz Reid provided valuable bench scoring with 21 points.

Dallas was paced by Khris Middleton’s 18 points, while Naji Marshall and Marvin Bagley III each contributed 15 points. The defeat extended the Mavericks’ losing streak to 10 games. Star rookie Cooper Flagg remained unavailable due to a sprained foot injury.

Grizzlies 123, Jazz 114

Olivier-Maxence Prosper tallied 23 points and GG Jackson added 20 as Memphis overcame a significant halftime deficit to defeat Utah at home, snapping a four-game skid.

The Grizzlies received contributions from throughout their roster, with Javon Small adding 16 points and Jaylen Wells scoring 13. Lawson Lovering recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Cam Spencer notched 10 points and 10 assists. Memphis placed eight players in double figures.

Utah was led by Isaiah Collier’s 24 points, with Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey each scoring 20 points. Blake Hinson contributed 13 points in just his second NBA appearance.

Wizards 131, Pacers 118

Alondes Williams achieved career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench as Washington completed a two-game series sweep of Indiana at home.

Sharife Cooper added 18 points for the Wizards, while Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic each scored 14 points. Bilal Coulibaly contributed 13 points as Washington won back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.

Indiana received 22 points from Jay Huff, who shot 8-of-11 from the field including five three-pointers. Quenton Jackson scored 21 points and Micah Potter added 18 for the Pacers.

Thunder 105, Nets 86

Jared McCain scored 21 points off the bench and Chet Holmgren added 15 points and seven rebounds as Oklahoma City defeated Brooklyn despite missing key players.

The Thunder captured their third win in four games while playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal injury and Jalen Williams with a hamstring issue. Brooklyn has now dropped three consecutive games and six of their past eight.

Michael Porter Jr. paced the Nets with 22 points and nine rebounds but struggled from long range, hitting just one of nine three-point attempts. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points in the losing effort.

Heat 128, Hawks 97

Tyler Herro made his return from injury with 24 points, leading Miami to a dominant road victory over Atlanta.

Herro, who had been sidelined for 15 games with fractured ribs, came off the bench and shot 9-of-14 from the field while grabbing four rebounds. Bam Adebayo recorded 17 points and eight rebounds, and Norman Powell added 15 points for Miami.

Jalen Johnson delivered a triple-double for Atlanta with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Hawks also received 22 points from Onyeka Okongwu and 20 points each from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum.

Bucks 139, Pelicans 118

Cam Thomas and Ryan Rollins each scored 27 points while Kevin Porter Jr. added 25, powering Milwaukee to a road victory over New Orleans.

Thomas was efficient in limited minutes, making 11 of 17 shots in just 21 minutes off the bench. Rollins connected on a career-best seven three-pointers and matched Porter by shooting 10-of-15 from the field. The victory was Milwaukee’s third straight and sixth in seven games.

New Orleans got 32 points from Zion Williamson, who scored 14 in the opening quarter and shot 13-of-17 for the game. His interior dominance helped the Pelicans score 84 points in the paint, though it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.

The 18th-ranked Saint Louis Billikens staged an impressive comeback Friday evening, overcoming a substantial early deficit to defeat visiting VCU 88-75 and maintain their position at the top of the Atlantic 10 conference.

Kellen Thames powered the rally with 16 points and five steals, helping the Billikens (25-1, 13-1 A-10) erase a 14-point first-half disadvantage. Saint Louis dominated the second half, outpacing the Rams (21-7, 12-3) by a commanding 55-33 margin to halt VCU’s impressive 10-game victory run.

The turning point came during a decisive 21-2 scoring run, sparked by Thames contributing seven consecutive points that transformed an eight-point deficit into an 11-point advantage for the home team.

Three other Billikens players reached double figures in scoring: Amari McCottry, Ishan Sharma, and Robbie Avila each contributed 13 points, while Quintin Jones added 11. The victory helped Saint Louis recover from their initial conference defeat earlier this week against Rhode Island.

VCU’s offense was paced by Lazar Djokovic with 19 points and Brandon Jennings, who added 18 points in the losing effort.

In other ranked team action, seventh-ranked Purdue dominated Indiana 93-64 at home in West Lafayette. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 20 points, supported by Fletcher Loyer and Omer Mayer who each scored 18.

The Boilermakers controlled the game from start to finish, building leads as large as 34 points while shooting an exceptional 64.7% from the field. Purdue also dominated the rebounding battle 30-15 over the Hoosiers. Braden Smith contributed 15 points and eight assists, while Kaufman-Renn added six rebounds and five assists to even their season series with their in-state rivals.

Indiana was led by Lamar Wilkerson’s 20 points, with Tayton Conerway (12), Tucker DeVries (11) and Reed Bailey (10) also reaching double digits.

Meanwhile, 22nd-ranked Miami of Ohio preserved their perfect season record with a 91-77 victory over Bowling Green in Oxford, Ohio. Luke Skaljac paced the RedHawks with 24 points while Eian Elmer contributed 21.

The duo’s three-point shooting proved crucial, as Skaljac connected on 5 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc while Elmer made 5 of 8, helping Miami hit 13 three-pointers on 30 attempts. Peter Suder managed 10 points and five rebounds despite foul difficulties, and Antwone Woolfolk added 10 points and eight rebounds as the RedHawks moved within four victories of completing an undefeated regular season.

Bowling Green (16-12, 7-8) received a strong performance from Javontae Campbell, who recorded 24 points, six rebounds and six assists before fouling out. Mayar Wol scored 15 points and Josiah Shackelford added 12, with both players making three three-pointers each.

Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz extended his perfect 2025 season record on Friday, securing a spot in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open championship match after defeating defending titleholder Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 6-4 in Doha.

The tournament’s top seed now boasts an impressive 11-0 record this year. The 22-year-old recently made tennis history by completing the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open just three weeks ago.

Friday’s semifinal victory over the fifth-ranked Russian proved challenging for Alcaraz. Rublev managed to break serve twice while Alcaraz was attempting to close out the opening set, and the Spaniard ultimately required six match points across two separate games to finish off his opponent.

France’s Arthur Fils will meet Alcaraz in Saturday’s final after overcoming Czech Republic’s sixth-seeded Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-6 (4). This marks Fils’ first appearance in a tour-level championship match since claiming the Tokyo title in 2024.

At the Delray Beach Open in Florida, fifth-seeded American Tommy Paul earned revenge in a repeat of last year’s final, defeating top-seeded compatriot Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in Friday’s quarterfinals. Paul dominated on serve while capitalizing on three of eleven break opportunities against Fritz, who won the Delray Beach crown in both 2023 and 2024.

Paul’s semifinal opponent will be fourth-seeded Learner Tien, who survived an all-American battle against eighth-seeded Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5.

American Sebastian Korda mounted a comeback against Norway’s second-seeded Casper Ruud, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a semifinal showdown with Italy’s third-seeded Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli advanced by defeating Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2.

In Rio de Janeiro at the Rio Open, Argentina’s eighth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry prevailed over Portugal’s Jaime Faria 7-6 (4), 6-4 in an unusual quarterfinal encounter. The opening set went to a tiebreaker without any service breaks, but the tiebreaker itself saw neither player hold serve until Etcheverry finally did at 5-4, then won the next two points to claim the set.

Etcheverry will meet Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva in the semifinals after Kopriva eliminated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-4, 6-4. Peru’s Ignacio Buse secured the other semifinal berth by overcoming Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, while the final quarterfinal match between Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante and Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo was still in progress Friday evening.

Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter’s season has come to an abrupt end after undergoing surgical repair of a detached retina in his left eye, the team confirmed Friday.

The 28-year-old player suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sacramento’s February 6th matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The incident occurred in just his second appearance wearing a Kings uniform.

Dr. M. Ali Khan performed the procedure Friday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. Team officials expect Hunter to recover completely, with his next medical evaluation scheduled for approximately eight weeks from now.

This latest setback adds to Sacramento’s mounting injury woes. The struggling franchise, currently sitting at the bottom of NBA standings with a 12-45 record and mired in a franchise-record 15-game losing streak, already lost two other key players this week when Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine both underwent season-ending procedures Wednesday.

Three-time All-Star Sabonis required surgery to address a torn meniscus in his left knee. The frontcourt star had just returned to action in mid-January following a 27-game absence.

Two-time All-Star guard LaVine opted for surgery after battling a right hand tendon injury that kept him in and out of the lineup for 10 games.

During his brief stint with Sacramento, Hunter started both contests and contributed 15 points, three rebounds and one assist across 51 total minutes of play.

The Kings acquired Hunter on February 1st through a three-team transaction that brought him from Cleveland. In return, the Cavaliers received guards Dennis Schroeder and Keon Ellis. The deal also involved Sacramento sending Dario Saric and a 2029 second-round draft pick to Chicago, while the Bulls transferred Emanuel Miller to Cleveland for another second-round selection.

This season, Hunter appeared in 45 games with 25 starts, posting averages of 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 26.1 minutes per contest.

Originally selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hunter spent his early career with Atlanta from 2019-20 until Cleveland acquired him in exchange for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang on February 6, 2025.

Throughout his professional career, Hunter has compiled averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 29.6 minutes across 372 regular season appearances with 271 starts. His playoff statistics include 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 30.7 minutes over 24 games with 16 starts.

The Air Force Academy has officially concluded its relationship with basketball coach Joe Scott following his suspension earlier this year, both parties announced Friday through a mutual agreement.

Scott’s coaching position was put on hold January 17th when academy officials began looking into concerns about how he interacted with his players.

Athletic Director Nathan Pine released a statement acknowledging Scott’s contributions while explaining the decision to move forward with new leadership. “Coach Scott’s passion for the game of basketball has long been evident in his competitive and direct coaching style. It was this coaching style that guided Air Force Basketball to some of the program’s most memorable achievements during his initial tenure at the Air Force Academy,” Pine stated. “This is a different day, and now is the right time for a new voice and a new approach to drive the culture and success of the men’s basketball program, aligned with the Air Force Academy’s mission of forging leaders of character developed to lead in our Air Force and Space Force. We thank Coach Scott for his 10 years of service to the Academy and wish him and his family well.”

Since Scott’s suspension, Jon Jordan has stepped in as the temporary head coach. The Falcons currently hold a disappointing 3-23 overall record and remain winless in Mountain West Conference play at 0-15. Under Jordan’s leadership, the team has lost all nine contests, extending their losing streak to 19 games dating back to their November 23rd victory over IU Indianapolis, which ended 98-85.

Scott’s history with Air Force spans two different periods as head coach. During his first tenure, he led the Falcons to remarkable success in the 2003-04 season, achieving a 22-7 record and capturing the Mountain West Conference championship. That season also marked the program’s inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance. His outstanding performance earned him Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year recognition and placed him fourth in the Associated Press Coach of the Year rankings.

Following his initial four-year run at Air Force from 2000-04, Scott moved on to Princeton University, where he coached for three seasons and compiled a 38-45 record with the Tigers.

Scott then spent nearly a decade leading the University of Denver basketball program from 2007-16. His most successful season there came in 2012-13 when he helped the Pioneers claim a share of the Western Athletic Conference regular-season title.

When Scott returned to Colorado Springs in 2020 for his second tenure with Air Force, success proved more elusive. Throughout his recent four-year stint, he never managed to guide the team to a winning season. The program reached its lowest point during the 2024-25 campaign, finishing with just 4 wins against 28 losses and managing only one conference victory in 19 attempts.

The former Princeton player, who competed for the Tigers from 1983-87, concludes his coaching career with an overall record of 281 wins and 369 losses across all his positions.

In his farewell statement, Scott expressed appreciation for his time at the academy. “I thank Nate Pine for his leadership,” Scott said. “The Air Force Academy gave me my first head coaching opportunity and I am forever grateful. We will always be fans of Air Force Basketball.”

The Falcons are scheduled to face UNLV at home this Saturday as they continue their challenging season under interim leadership.

San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui is dealing with a left groin strain that occurred during Thursday’s batting practice, putting his participation in the World Baseball Classic in jeopardy, according to Padres manager Craig Stammen.

The left-handed pitcher was forced to stop throwing after delivering approximately 20 pitches due to groin tightness. As a result, the team has removed him from his planned relief outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers this Sunday during spring training.

The injury raises concerns about Matsui’s ability to represent Japan, the current World Baseball Classic champions, in the upcoming international tournament.

“We’ve got to see how he comes out of this day off, and then how he feels (Saturday),” Stammen told reporters. “Honestly, I think it puts the WBC in question.”

Japan begins tournament play on March 6 when they face Chinese Taipei. Stammen indicated that the final choice regarding World Baseball Classic participation will ultimately rest with the 30-year-old pitcher, who is entering his third campaign with San Diego.

“He has got to make that decision,” Stammen said. “He has got to be able to talk with the coaches and the (general manager of Team Japan) and see if that’s still an option for him. It’s going to be a tough road for him to get healthy enough to be ready to pitch in the WBC. But I’ll let him address that.”

“We’ve had internal conversations about it. Ultimately, it’s up to him. We can’t call Team Japan and say, ‘Hey, Yuki is not pitching.’ Yuki has to make that decision, and I think he’ll come to a pretty good decision on that.”

During the 2023 season, Matsui compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.98 ERA across 61 relief outings. Throughout his San Diego career spanning 125 games, he holds a 7-3 record with a 3.86 ERA, though he has allowed 18 home runs over 126 innings pitched.

New Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso wasted no time making his mark, delivering a crucial two-run home run in his debut appearance that lifted the O’s to a 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Friday’s spring training opener in Sarasota, Florida.

The newly-signed free agent provided all the offense Baltimore needed when he launched a first-pitch curveball from Yankees right-hander Bradley Hanner (0-1) over the left field wall in the sixth inning. Jeremiah Jackson had reached base on a single before Alonso’s blast gave the Orioles their margin of victory.

Alonso, a five-time All-Star first baseman who earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2019, brings considerable power to Baltimore after inking a five-year, $155 million deal. The slugger spent his entire seven-year major league tenure with the New York Mets, where he established a franchise record with 264 home runs before making the move to the American League.

Baltimore’s pitching staff delivered strong performances throughout the contest. Right-hander Jose Espada (1-0) earned the victory with a flawless sixth inning that included two strikeouts, while Trey Gibson secured the save by tossing three shutout frames, allowing just two hits while striking out three batters.

The Yankees managed only three hits and two walks while their hitters went down on strikes 13 times in the defeat.

Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2

Third baseman Nolan Arenado connected against one of his former clubs in his initial at-bat, helping Arizona capture a narrow victory over host Colorado in their Cactus League season opener in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The eight-time All-Star third baseman drove a slider from Colorado right-hander Antonio Senzatela over the left-center field fence on the fourth pitch of his at-bat in the second inning. Arenado joined the Diamondbacks through a January 13 trade from St. Louis, where he spent five seasons after beginning his career in Colorado from 2013-20.

Arizona utilized eight different pitchers, with right-hander Taylor Rashi (1-0) earning the win after a perfect seventh inning. Jose Cabrera collected the save by working two hitless, scoreless innings despite issuing two walks and recording one strikeout. Colorado reliever Patrick Weigel (0-1) surrendered two runs on three hits with one strikeout in one inning of work.

Royals 7, Rangers 3

Salvador Perez and Michael Massey each contributed 2-for-3 performances with home runs and two RBIs apiece as Kansas City defeated host Texas in both teams’ spring training opener in Surprise, Arizona.

Right-hander Stephen Kolek captured the victory for the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings. Kansas City used eight pitchers who combined to give up seven hits, three runs and four walks with seven strikeouts. Perez added one of four doubles for the Royals, while Bobby Witt Jr. contributed a triple.

Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi absorbed the loss after surrendering three hits including both home runs and three runs with two strikeouts in two innings. Seven Rangers pitchers combined to allow seven runs on nine hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

White Sox 8, Cubs 1

Designated hitter Korey Lee collected three hits in four at-bats as Chicago’s White Sox accumulated 12 hits in a dominant victory over the host Cubs in their spring training opener in Mesa, Arizona.

Austin Hays launched a two-out, 428-foot solo home run in the first inning, while teammate Sam Antonacci added a 417-foot two-run blast in the second. Munetaka Murakami drove in two runs with a double in the fourth inning.

White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon (1-0) started and allowed two hits including Seiya Suzuki’s solo homer in the first inning, one run and one walk with three strikeouts in 1⅔ innings. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (0-1) gave up four hits including two home runs, four runs and one walk while striking out one in 1⅔ innings.

Mariners 7, Padres 4

Michael Arroyo and Leo Rivas homered as part of Seattle’s 13-hit offensive display in a victory over San Diego in Peoria, Arizona.

Arroyo also doubled and joined Luke Raley with two hits for the Mariners, who maintained the lead throughout. Seattle used nine pitchers, with right-hander Jason Ruffcorn earning the win despite working just one-third of an inning with the game tied 3-3 in the seventh.

Jose Miranda homered and doubled while Romeo Sanabria also went deep for the Padres, who finished with eight hits. San Diego left-hander Jackson Wolf (0-1), the fifth of seven Padres pitchers, allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with one strikeout over 1⅔ innings.

MESA, Ariz. — Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami almost didn’t make it to his inaugural spring training appearance with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

But after overcoming a highway traffic jam, the 26-year-old slugger delivered an impressive performance at the plate.

Despite arriving just 20 minutes before game time, Murakami collected two hits and drove in two runs during his first Cactus League appearance. The Japanese power hitter is adjusting to Major League Baseball following his $34 million, two-year deal with Chicago signed last December.

Team officials briefly pulled Murakami from the starting roster when he encountered heavy traffic en route to Sloan Park. He managed to arrive in time and grounded out to second base during his initial plate appearance in the opening frame of Chicago’s 8-1 triumph over the Cubs.

“There was a big, big accident in the highway,” Murakami said through a translator. “I was just concerned the whole time. … To be really, really honest, I wasn’t able to prepare fully, but I made it in time I think.”

Friday marked the opening day of spring exhibitions, featuring several notable debuts. Baltimore’s new first baseman Pete Alonso and Arizona’s fresh third baseman Nolan Arenado both homered for their respective clubs, while Alex Bregman managed no hits in two at-bats during three innings of action in his Cubs debut.

“It was a great to be out here and play in a spring training game with the Cubs,” said Bregman, who inked a $175 million, five-year deal with Chicago during free agency. “It was fun. Obviously super cool to have all that energy in the ballpark.”

Baltimore fans gave Alonso an enthusiastic reception before his first trip to the batter’s box against the Yankees. Although Kenedy Corona’s spectacular diving grab robbed him of a hit in the third inning, Alonso launched Bradley Hanner’s opening curveball over the left field wall for a two-run blast in the sixth frame of the Orioles’ 2-0 Florida victory.

During his final campaign with the New York Mets last season, Alonso connected for 38 home runs. He committed to a $155 million, five-year agreement with Baltimore in December.

Arenado opened the second inning with a solo homer during Arizona’s 3-2 victory over Colorado in Scottsdale. The eight-time All-Star joined the Diamondbacks through a January trade with St. Louis.

Chicago is counting on Murakami to help reverse their fortunes after losing an astounding 324 games across the past three seasons. During eight seasons with Japan’s Central League Yakult Swallows, he compiled a .270 batting average with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs across 892 contests.

Playing first base, Murakami recorded his inaugural hit by driving Connor Schultz’s 91.9 mph sinker up the middle during the third inning. The single with one out registered a 108.3 mph exit velocity.

In the fourth inning with one out and runners on all bases, Murakami sent a Porter Hodge pitch toward center field. Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki lost sight of the ball in the bright sun, allowing it to drop on the warning track’s back edge for a two-run double.

“I’m really happy how it went, without any injuries,” Murakami said. “I had butterflies inside me the first few minutes of it. But after I started fielding and I got an at-bat, I felt a bit more comfortable and felt myself.”

Both Murakami and Suzuki will represent Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and the pair discussed Chicago baseball during the offseason.

“I loved him, but after the popup, I hate him. So I’m not going to support him,” Suzuki joked through a translator.

Murakami watched a called third strike during his final plate appearance in the sixth inning before being substituted defensively prior to the bottom half.

White Sox manager Will Venable commended Murakami’s composure following his pre-game transportation troubles.

“This guy is so committed and such a professional,” Venable said. “We’ve asked him to do some things that he hasn’t necessarily been accustomed to and how he prepares and his adaptability and flexibility to do those things has been awesome. That adjustability gives you confidence that he’s going to be able to go out there and make adjustments throughout the year.”

Major League Baseball’s introduction of automated umpiring technology got its first test run Friday during spring training, with teams winning more than half of their disputes against home plate umpires.

During five games featuring the automated ball-strike system, teams successfully contested 13 out of 23 umpire decisions, resulting in a 56.5% success rate for challenges, according to MLB officials.

The games averaged 4.6 disputes per contest, with an average of 2.6 calls getting reversed by the automated system.

Plate umpire Alex MacKay faced the most scrutiny during Arizona’s narrow 3-2 victory over Colorado, with seven of his calls being questioned. Six of those challenges proved successful, including four out of five contested decisions that went in Arizona’s favor, while Colorado went two-for-two on their disputes.

This marks baseball’s preparation for implementing the controversial “robot umpire” technology during regular season play for the first time. Last year’s spring training trials showed teams achieved a 52.2% success rate, overturning 617 out of 1,182 challenged calls.

Under the current system, each team can dispute up to two calls per game. Teams maintain their challenge opportunity when they win a dispute, similar to existing video replay rules that began with home run calls in 2008 and expanded significantly by 2014. During extra innings, teams receive an additional challenge for each extra frame, even if they’ve used up their original allotments.

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad stands just one victory away from capturing their first Olympic gold medal in nearly five decades, following a commanding 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia on Friday at the Milano Cortina Olympics.

The Americans will now face off against Canada in the championship match, setting up a classic rivalry showdown as they seek to end a gold medal drought that stretches back to their legendary 1980 triumph – the famous “Miracle on Ice” that captivated the nation.

That historic 1980 victory saw a team of amateur and college players shock the heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3, creating one of sports’ most memorable underdog stories on their way to Olympic gold.

Forward Brock Nelson, who has family ties to U.S. Olympic hockey history with a grandfather on the 1960 gold medal team and an uncle on the celebrated 1980 squad, spoke about the significance of facing Canada.

“The rivalry with Canada is obviously a long battle and a long history,” Nelson explained. “(These are) two countries that want to come out on top, have the bragging rights that they’re the best country in the world.”

By advancing to the final, the U.S. team has already secured their first Olympic hockey medal since the 2010 Vancouver Games, where Canada broke American hearts with a 3-2 overtime victory in the gold medal contest.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski revealed he prepared for this opportunity by watching the Netflix documentary “Miracle on Ice: The Boys of ’80” before departing for Milan.

“It definitely motivated me a little bit more,” Werenski shared. “And it’s something not a lot of American hockey players have ever done. I think 36 players have ever won a gold medal for the U.S. in the Olympics, so we’re aware of what’s at stake.”

“We’re going to embrace it, we’re going to enjoy it, and this is why you play the game,” he added.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for this American squad, which features NHL stars competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. The United States hasn’t defeated Canada in an Olympic men’s hockey final since 1960 at Squaw Valley.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who found the net in Friday’s semifinal win, described his anticipation for this moment.

“Not even going to go into how much I’ve thought about it as a kid, but that was just a dream up until the Four Nations, it turned into serious thoughts,” Larkin said, referencing last year’s tournament that Canada won.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk emphasized that a gold medal victory would transcend this single team’s achievement.

“There’s 1980, there’s the ’96 World Cup — those moments grew the game so much and shaped our entire generation,” Tkachuk noted.

“Now we have a chance to do the same, to push the sport forward and make it even better for the next generation.”

Despite suffering a decisive defeat against Team USA in Friday’s Olympic men’s hockey semifinal, Slovakia’s national team is drawing positive momentum from their third-period performance as they prepare for their bronze medal matchup with Finland.

The Americans dominated Slovakia 6-2 in Milan, effectively putting the game away by the second period’s conclusion with a commanding five-goal advantage. However, Slovakia managed to outplay their opponents 2-1 during the final frame, providing a foundation for optimism heading into their next contest.

Team captain Tomas Tatar reflected on the significance of reaching this stage of competition for his nation.

“It’s a privilege to be here and represent your country at a tournament like this and to get this far, to be this close, to be successful,” Tatar stated. “Obviously, for such a small country as we are against these giant hockey countries, we can compete.”

Head coach Vladimir Orszagh emphasized how his team’s locker room discussion sparked their improved play in the game’s closing period.

“Coming to the third period, we talked about it in the locker room that we need to build something,” Orszagh explained. “We need to build what we’ve been building for the whole tournament, but it wasn’t there for two periods for us. So we want to build the chemistry and the way we played in the games before. And we saw some light at the end of the tunnel in the third period. We won the period, so we want to build on it.”

Slovakia’s Olympic journey has been remarkable, beginning with a statement victory over defending champion Finland in their opening match. They subsequently claimed the top spot in their group standings and dispatched Germany convincingly in the quarterfinals before encountering the determined American squad seeking their first Olympic gold since 1980.

The upcoming bronze medal contest presents a different challenge, as Finland has shown significant improvement since their early tournament loss to Slovakia. The Finnish team nearly upset Canada in the other semifinal, holding a two-goal lead before ultimately surrendering the advantage.

Despite the sting of Friday’s semifinal loss, Tatar expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity that lies ahead.

“You know, if you would say before a tournament for us, to play a bronze medal game, we would definitely take it,” Tatar added. “Obviously today hurts, but I’m sure we’re all excited to have that opportunity to play tomorrow for a bronze medal.”

Minnesota Twins star pitcher Pablo Lopez faces a lengthy recovery after the team announced Friday that he will need Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss all of the 2026 baseball season.

The right-handed pitcher is scheduled to undergo the procedure next Wednesday in Dallas to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. This marks the second time Lopez has required this surgery, having previously undergone the same operation in 2013 following his rookie year in the Seattle Mariners organization.

The team showed their support on social media, posting on X: “Twins Territory is with you, Pablo.”

Lopez, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 7th, had been a workhorse for the team in recent years, taking the mound for 32 starts each season from 2022 through 2024. However, the 2025 campaign proved challenging as he was placed on the injured list three different times, limiting him to just 14 starts where he posted a 5-4 record with a 2.74 earned run average across 75 2/3 innings pitched. His season was interrupted by a hamstring problem, a muscle issue in his throwing shoulder, and ultimately a forearm strain.

Throughout his eight-year major league career split between the Miami Marlins from 2018-2022 and the Twins, Lopez has compiled a 59-53 record with a 3.81 ERA across 172 starts. He has recorded 994 strikeouts while issuing 251 walks over 965 innings of work. The 2023 All-Star selection is currently in year three of a four-year contract worth $73.5 million that he signed in 2023.

GASTONIA, N.C. — Investigators have concluded that the December house fire that claimed the life of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin’s father was accidental, though officials say they still cannot determine what sparked the deadly blaze.

According to a report from Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services, the December 28th fire began in a bedroom of the two-story residence, but investigators could not pinpoint the “cause of ignition,” labeling it as “undetermined.”

Despite the unknown ignition source, county spokesperson Adam Gaub confirmed in a Friday email that the investigation concluded the fire was accidental in nature.

Emergency responders discovered Dennis Hamlin, 75, and his wife Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, outside their burning home that evening, both suffering from severe injuries. Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries, while Mary Lou survived the incident.

The residence, situated near Stanley approximately 20 miles northwest of Charlotte, was owned by a business entity that listed Denny Hamlin as its manager, public records show.

The NASCAR driver had previously disclosed that his father was battling a serious illness prior to the fire.

Denny Hamlin ranks among NASCAR’s elite competitors, with 60 Cup Series victories under his belt, including three Daytona 500 triumphs. Along with basketball legend Michael Jordan, Hamlin co-owns the racing team whose driver Tyler Reddick captured this year’s Daytona 500 championship just last weekend.

MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating Slovakia 6-2 in Olympic semifinal action to advance to Sunday’s gold medal contest against Canada.

The Americans dominated from start to finish, building a commanding 5-0 lead before Slovakia managed to find the back of the net. Dylan Larkin opened the scoring, followed by goals from Tage Thompson and Jack Eichel, while Jack Hughes found the net twice in the offensive explosion. Brady Tkachuk also contributed a goal sandwiched between Slovakia’s two late scores.

The contest grew heated in its closing moments when brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk engaged in fisticuffs with Slovakia’s Erik Cernak, resulting in all three players receiving 10-minute penalties and early exits from the game. Brady Tkachuk was assessed an additional two-minute roughing penalty.

“A lot of guys in there, hard to see from the bench,” U.S. forward Brock Nelson commented about the altercation. “But love the fire from my guys for sure.”

With NHL stars back in Olympic competition after a 12-year hiatus, many anticipated this North American rivalry would culminate in a championship showdown. Team USA delivered on those expectations following Canada’s narrow 3-2 semifinal triumph over defending champion Finland.

“I think it’s what everyone wanted, this match-up in the gold medal game, and I’ve thought about it a lot,” Larkin stated.

The bronze medal contest will feature Slovakia against Finland on Saturday at Santagiulia Arena, the same venue that will host Sunday’s title game.

Larkin struck first just five minutes into the opening period, receiving a feed inside the blue line before weaving through Slovak defenders and firing a wrist shot past goaltender Samuel Hlavaj.

Despite two man-advantage opportunities in the first period, Slovakia couldn’t capitalize against the tournament’s only team yet to surrender a short-handed goal.

The Americans needed just 17 seconds on their initial power play chance in the period’s final minute, with Thompson unleashing a one-timer from a sharp angle that found the net’s upper reaches.

Team USA successfully killed off two more penalties early in the middle frame before exploding for two goals within 19 seconds to effectively seal the victory.

Hughes maneuvered around Slovakia captain Tomas Tatar before rifling a shot into the top corner, and before the arena announcer could complete his call, Eichel had wrapped a backhand attempt around the goalie for another score.

Slovakia immediately pulled Hlavaj in favor of Stanislav Skorvanek, but the replacement lasted less than six minutes before Hughes buried his second goal of the evening for a 5-0 advantage.

Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal for Slovakia drew little celebration, and Brady Tkachuk restored the five-goal margin with a breakaway tally before Pavol Regenda added Slovakia’s final score.

The United States continues pursuing their first Olympic gold since the legendary 1980 Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice,” when they upset the heavily favored Soviet Union en route to the championship. The Americans hope to mirror their women’s team, which captured gold by defeating Canada in Thursday’s final.

Professional hockey teammates will transform into Olympic adversaries Sunday when Team USA battles Canada for gold in what promises to be a championship showdown that NHL fans have been dreaming about.

Close to 150 NHL players traveled to Milan to compete in these Winter Games, marking the premier league’s first Olympic participation since 2014. Now 50 players remain in contention for gold as this historic hockey rivalry takes center stage once again.

Canada’s Sam Reinhart, who plays alongside Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk on the Florida Panthers, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “It makes it harder,” Reinhart explained. “You know how competitive they are, you know how nice it is to have them on your team when the games get the tightest.”

Every single NHL franchise had representation among the four semifinal teams, which also featured Finland and Slovakia, creating exactly the type of star-studded tournament the league envisioned when announcing player participation two years ago.

Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading goal scorer, says temporarily setting aside professional loyalties hasn’t been difficult in Milan. The Canadian star will face his Colorado Avalanche teammate Brock Nelson on Sunday.

“You have new teammates right now,” MacKinnon stated. “New teammates, new brothers, in this short amount of time we’ve become really close.”

The NHL entered the Milano Cortina Games with strong momentum, as ESPN and ABC viewership climbed 39% compared to last year during the season’s first four months, helped by marquee players and the television hockey hit “Heated Rivalry.”

Before men’s competition even started, Olympic officials expressed hopes that elite North American league players would become regular Olympic participants in future Games.

This championship matchup between longtime rivals – predicted by both betting experts and casual observers – should elevate excitement even higher, as the Americans pursue their third Olympic gold while Canada seeks their tenth men’s tournament title.

Team USA’s Jack Eichel will see several Vegas Golden Knights teammates wearing Canadian jerseys, including Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore. “We’re all competitors and we want to win,” Eichel said. “We can go back to being teammates after the game.”

Dallas released linebacker Logan Wilson on Friday, ending his brief stint with the team just over three months after acquiring him in a trade with Cincinnati.

The franchise announced that cutting Wilson will free up $6.5 million in available salary cap money.

Wilson had established himself as a consistent defensive presence in Cincinnati, recording at least 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2024. However, his performance failed to meet expectations after Dallas traded a 2026 seventh-round draft pick to obtain him at the trade deadline.

The 29-year-old defender managed only 24 tackles and forced one fumble across seven appearances with Dallas, starting just one game. Wilson was completely inactive during the team’s Week 17 contest against Washington.

Between his time with both Cincinnati and Dallas this season, Wilson accumulated 70 tackles across 15 games with eight starts. Despite serving as a team captain in Cincinnati, he had already lost his starting position before the trade occurred.

Dallas selected Wilson in the third round of the 2020 draft when he joined Cincinnati. He became a crucial defensive player in 2021, contributing to the Bengals’ Super Bowl run that ended in a loss to Los Angeles. Wilson led all postseason players with 39 tackles during that playoff campaign.

That 2021 season saw Wilson record four interceptions, matching his total from another standout year. Throughout his five-year career, he has compiled 11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 5.5 quarterback sacks, and 565 total tackles across 83 games with 66 starts.

Now available as a free agent, Wilson could draw interest from Buffalo. The linebacker played college football at Wyoming alongside Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and Buffalo reportedly showed interest before Cincinnati completed the trade with Dallas.

New Orleans has decided to promote guard-forward Bryce McGowens from his two-way contract to a full three-year NBA deal, according to ESPN reports released Friday.

The financial details of McGowens’ new contract have not been disclosed.

The 23-year-old player has put together solid numbers during his time with the Pelicans this season, posting averages of 7.9 points and 1.9 rebounds across 32 appearances, including 11 as a starter. McGowens has been efficient with his shooting, connecting on 48.0% of his field goal attempts and an impressive 45.3% from beyond the arc.

New Orleans interim head coach James Borrego praised McGowens’ development when discussing the expected contract upgrade last week. “We’ve seen the work every day behind the scenes,” Borrego said. “He’s ready for the moment. I think this is his moment, his time now. He’s one of those guys who can play both sides of the ball.”

McGowens entered the NBA as a second-round selection by Minnesota in the 2022 draft. Throughout his professional career spanning 150 games with 32 starts, he has accumulated averages of 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while suiting up for Charlotte from 2022-24, Portland during the 2024-25 season, and now New Orleans.

The defending Olympic hockey champions from Finland experienced crushing disappointment Friday night in Milan after losing a heartbreaking semifinal matchup against tournament favorite Canada, ending their dreams of repeating as gold medalists.

The Finnish squad had built a commanding two-goal advantage early in the second period, highlighted by Erik Haula’s shorthanded goal. However, the Canadian team mounted a fierce comeback and delivered the decisive blow with just 36 seconds remaining in regulation.

“Sad, upset, a lot of emotions, so I kind of feel flat,” expressed Haula, who competes professionally for the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

“I don’t know how to explain it. It’s hard to feel anything. We lost. They’re going to the gold-medal game and we’re going to the bronze, and I don’t feel anything,” Haula continued, adding, “I feel about as bad as you can feel.”

The statistics revealed Finland’s struggle, managing only three shots on target during the second period when Haula found the net. Canada dominated the shot count 39-17 throughout the full 60 minutes. Despite the lopsided numbers, Haula maintained confidence that his team gave their maximum effort against the tournament’s most favored squad.

“We played the best team in the world, we took it to them,” Haula stated.

“We kept talking about how we can’t just defend them. We were here for gold, and nobody thought we could do it today. And our goal was to prove everyone wrong, and it just came short.”

The Finnish team must now regroup for Saturday’s bronze medal contest, where they’ll meet whichever team loses the other semifinal matchup between the United States and Slovakia.

“It’s not easy, obviously. It’s a tough pill to swallow,” acknowledged team captain Sebastian Aho.

“But yeah, we just kind of flush this one out and wake up tomorrow and come with a good mentality,” Aho explained. “I’m sure that when it’s all said and done, the bronze medal will be an unbelievable accomplishment.”

MILAN – Team USA delivered a dominant performance against Slovakia on Friday, crushing their opponents 6-2 in the Olympic men’s ice hockey semifinals to earn their spot in the gold medal game.

The Americans controlled the game from start to finish, building a commanding five-goal lead before entering the third period. Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, and Jack Eichel each found the net, while Jack Hughes contributed two goals to the offensive explosion. Brady Tkachuk added another score sandwiched between Slovakia’s two consolation tallies.

This marks the return of NHL talent to Olympic competition after a dozen years away from the Games, and many had predicted the powerhouse North American teams would benefit from having their top players available.

Those predictions proved accurate as the Americans easily secured their finals berth following Canada’s nail-biting 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland, the tournament’s defending champions.

The stage is now set for Sunday’s championship showdown between the longtime rivals at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena. Meanwhile, Slovakia and Finland will battle for the bronze medal on Saturday at the same venue.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid expressed little enthusiasm Friday when questioned about possibly reuniting with former star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hill became available after Miami released him Monday following a devastating knee injury. The veteran receiver, who has made eight Pro Bowl appearances, suffered both a torn ACL and knee dislocation during a late September victory over the New York Jets.

“I don’t even know if Tyreek is healthy right now to do anything,” Reid stated. “So, I’m sure he’s working hard on that part of it, trying to get that all straightened out.”

“But yeah, listen, we talk about everything. So there’s nothing happening there, but we know what you know – that he’s out there and cranking away, trying to get himself back to where he can play, period,” Reid continued.

During a recent Twitch streaming session, Hill provided an update on his rehabilitation, saying his recovery is “going good” but acknowledged he still needs one additional surgical procedure.

Before his season-ending injury, the soon-to-be 32-year-old receiver (his birthday is March 1) managed 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown across four games this season.

Hill previously played six successful seasons in Kansas City from 2016-21 before joining Miami for four years. During his Chiefs tenure, he earned first-team All-Pro honors three times – twice as a receiver and once as a return specialist – accumulating 479 catches for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns in 91 appearances.

The Chiefs struggled offensively last season, ranking 16th in passing yards, while young receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy have failed to provide reliable production or stay consistently healthy.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Minnesota Twins star pitcher Pablo López will undergo season-ending elbow surgery after doctors confirmed a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced Friday.

The 30-year-old right-hander will have the Tommy John procedure performed next week in Texas by Dr. Keith Meister, who serves as the Texas Rangers’ team physician. López celebrates his 30th birthday early next month.

This marks López’s second Tommy John surgery. He previously underwent the procedure while playing in Seattle’s minor league system, causing him to miss the entire 2014 season.

The injury became apparent when López cut short a bullpen session during Minnesota’s first complete team practice on Monday. New manager Derek Shelton initially expressed optimism that the early exit was merely precautionary, but general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed the UCL damage to media members the following day.

For three consecutive seasons, López has served as the Twins’ opening day starter and had been scheduled to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

The veteran pitcher began his major league career with Miami in 2018, spending five seasons with the Marlins before joining Minnesota through a trade.

His first year with the Twins earned him All-Star recognition, and he played a crucial role in helping the organization break a historic 18-game postseason losing streak that had been the longest in North American professional sports. López posted an impressive 2-0 record with a 0.71 ERA across two playoff starts in 2023.

López is earning $21.75 million this season and remains under contract through next year.

Last season, a shoulder problem restricted him to just 14 starts, a significant drop from the 32 starts he made in each of three straight seasons where he won at least 10 games, including his final year in Miami. In 2025, López compiled a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA, bringing his career totals to 59-53 with a 3.81 ERA.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – The fierce competition between German and American bobsledders delivered thrilling action Friday during the opening day of Olympic two-woman bobsled racing, with teams from both nations claiming every spot in the top five heading into the weekend finale.

Germany’s Laura Nolte, the reigning champion in this event, sits atop the leaderboard at the midway mark alongside her brakewoman Deborah Levi. The duo demonstrated remarkable precision, setting a track record of 56.97 seconds in their opening run before improving to 56.96 on their second attempt.

With just 0.62 seconds separating the leading five sleds, Saturday’s final two runs will determine the medal winners. Notably absent from medal contention will be America’s Elana Meyers Taylor, who captured monobob gold earlier this week but experienced a catastrophic second run that derailed her championship hopes.

Nolte has established herself as the sport’s premier pilot, capturing three consecutive World Cup championships and winning five of seven races this season. Despite her record-setting performance, she acknowledged room for improvement.

“On the first run I messed up corner one and when you lose speed there it’s hard to get it back in the down part,” Nolte explained after her track record run.

Germany’s second sled features Lisa Buckwitz, who earned gold as a brakewoman in 2018 and now competes as a pilot. Partnered with Neele Schuten, Buckwitz trails by just 0.18 seconds after showing impressive form during practice sessions throughout the week.

American veteran Kaillie Humphries, who previously won Olympic gold for Canada in 2010 and 2014 before representing the United States, demonstrated masterful driving skills alongside brakewoman Jasmine Jones. After leading following the first run, they now sit in third place, just five hundredths behind Buckwitz.

Germany’s third entry of Kim Kalicki and newcomer Talea Prepens holds fourth position, while Americans Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill round out the top five.

The most dramatic storyline involves Meyers Taylor, competing in her fifth Olympics at age 41 with four previous medals in this discipline. Teamed with explosive heptathlete Jadin O’Brien, who only began bobsledding months ago, they appeared competitive after their opening run before disaster struck.

During their second attempt, the pair crashed into the wall shortly after entering their sled, sliding sideways and losing crucial momentum. Their time of 57.99 seconds ranked 21st among 25 competitors, dropping them to 12th overall and effectively ending their medal pursuit.

“We came out of the start grooves, hit right. I tried to steer it away from the wall and just could not react in time,” Meyers Taylor said, reflecting on her six Olympic medals across five Games.

“So we hit, skidded up the first curve, and after you do that it’s game over. When you make that kind of mistake, that is a devastating mistake.”

Historical dominance by Germany, the United States, and Canada continues in this event, with these nations claiming 17 of 18 available medals since two-woman bobsled joined the Olympics in 2002. Italy’s single bronze medal at the 2006 Turin Games represents the only exception to this pattern.

Saturday’s conclusion appears likely to extend this streak, with all medal contenders representing these three powerhouse nations.

The Swiss men’s curling team captured Olympic bronze on Friday with a decisive 9-1 triumph over Norway at the Milano Cortina Games in Italy.

Led by Yannick Schwaller, the Swiss squad delivered a commanding performance at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, establishing control early and maintaining their dominance throughout the match.

The Swiss team had entered the bronze medal game after completing a perfect round-robin phase without a single loss. However, their path to gold was blocked when they fell to defending world champions Britain in Thursday’s semifinal round.

Switzerland built their advantage through precise play in the opening ends. Smart tactical moves in the second end positioned Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel to score three points, and the team followed up by stealing another point to establish a commanding 4-0 lead.

Norway managed to put one point on the scoreboard, but Schwarz-van Berkel responded with another strong performance in the eighth end. His skillful runback shot added two more points to Switzerland’s total, extending their lead to 6-1.

The Norwegian team struggled to mount any significant comeback throughout the contest. When Magnus Ramsfjell missed a crucial shot that allowed Switzerland to steal three points in the eighth end, Norwegian skip conceded the match in memorable fashion by performing a complete 360-degree spin while delivering his final stone.

This bronze medal represents Switzerland’s eighth overall medal in Olympic curling competition and marks their first podium finish since claiming men’s bronze at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

The gold medal match is scheduled for Saturday, featuring Canada’s team under Brad Jacobs against Britain’s squad led by Bruce Mouat, who enter as the current world champions.

Nathan MacKinnon delivered a clutch performance in Milan on Friday, scoring the decisive goal with 35.2 seconds remaining to propel Canada past defending Olympic champion Finland 3-2 in men’s hockey semifinal action.

The NHL’s top goal scorer found the back of the net at Santagiulia Arena with just one second left in a power play opportunity, completing Canada’s remarkable rally from a two-goal disadvantage in the second period.

Sam Reinhart ignited Canada’s comeback effort with a crucial goal, while defenseman Shea Theodore delivered the third-period tying score to set up MacKinnon’s heroics.

Canada now awaits the outcome of Friday’s other semifinal matchup between the United States and Slovakia to determine their opponent for Sunday’s championship game. Finland will compete for the bronze medal on Saturday.

Despite entering as heavy favorites with their star-studded NHL roster, Canada has faced significant challenges in recent contests. The team required overtime to eliminate the Czech Republic in Wednesday’s quarterfinal round.

Canada’s situation became more complicated when captain Sidney Crosby sustained an injury in that previous game and was unable to participate Friday, leaving the team without one of their key offensive weapons.

The Canadians struggled early, managing only three shots on goal in the first half of the opening period. Finland capitalized when Sam Bennett received a penalty for goaltender interference.

Mikko Rantanen struck just three seconds into the resulting power play, and Finland extended their advantage early in the second period when Erik Haula converted a short-handed opportunity with a backhand shot.

“The start of the game, everybody’s so excited to play, and so amped up, so much adrenaline, it’s just kind of natural, you get a little bit of a feel out process,” said Canada forward Brad Marchand. “Some of these teams you haven’t played before. It’s kind of chess match.”

Canada began their resurgence during their next power play opportunity, as defenseman Cale Makar fired a shot through traffic that Reinhart redirected past the Finnish goaltender to cut the deficit in half. Theodore evened the score midway through the final period with a powerful slap shot from the point.

MacKinnon’s tournament-saving goal came off an assist from Connor McDavid in the game’s final moments, allowing Canada to avoid overtime. However, tension remained high as officials reviewed a potential offside challenge from Finland’s bench, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

The victory maintains the possibility of a North American championship showdown between two hockey powerhouses, marking the first Olympics since 2014 where NHL players have been permitted to participate in the Games.

Five students from a small Italian town have received tickets to the Winter Olympics closing ceremony after their creative design inspired the beloved mascots for the Milano Cortina Games.

The mascot characters — two stoats called Tina and Milo — have become incredibly popular with fans, leading to plush toy versions being completely sold out at official Olympic merchandise locations.

While the Winter Games took place in northern Italy, the creative spark behind the mascots originated in Taverna, a mountain community of approximately 2,500 residents situated 521 meters high in the Sila mountains of southern Calabria.

“The concept of the stoat came entirely from the students. We worked on it for about a month,” explained Gabriella Rotondaro, the physical education instructor who guided the project development over three years ago.

“It was the idea that won, not the stoat as a character. It conveyed the values of sport and inclusion, and that is why it prevailed,” Rotondaro continued.

The student team and their instructors emerged victorious in a nationwide contest organized by Italy’s Ministry of Education along with the Milano Cortina Foundation, beating approximately 1,600 other submissions from throughout the country.

The five young designers — Sara Godino, Aurora Munizza, Francesco Angotti, Federico Barra and Tommaso Pascuzzi — were approximately 13 years old when they created their winning concept.

Beyond receiving tickets to the closing ceremony in Verona, the students were awarded two mascot figures valued at roughly 35 euros ($41) each, along with flags and Olympic-themed scarves.

Critics in Italy have raised questions about whether the school deserved more substantial financial compensation, particularly given that many southern Italian schools face ongoing infrastructure challenges.

However, Rotondaro chose not to escalate that debate.

“Certainly, funds to improve the school building or its activities would have been appreciated, but what matters most is the recognition these five students deserve for their brilliant ideas,” she stated.

ANTERSELVA, Italy – Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid wrapped up an extraordinary Milano Cortina Olympics on Friday, claiming his fifth medal in what turned out to be one of the most unexpected performances of the Games.

The 29-year-old athlete secured a silver medal in the men’s mass start, the final men’s biathlon competition, capping off two weeks that saw him earn three silver and two bronze medals despite entering the Olympics without a single World Cup podium finish this season.

Laegreid’s Olympic journey was marked by both athletic triumph and personal drama, including a widely-publicized emotional admission of marital infidelity that went viral on social media.

“It was a fighter’s race, tough snow conditions on the track, and also tough wind conditions in the shooting range. So it was the race you needed to be sharp and focused to do well,” Laegreid explained to reporters following Friday’s competition.

“I was fighting (to get) the targets down today and rewarded with the silver medal. So really, really proud of myself today,” he added.

The Norwegian’s medal collection from these Games includes silver finishes in the mass start, pursuit, and relay competitions, along with bronze medals in both the sprint and individual events. This performance came as a surprise given his struggles throughout the World Cup season, though he was previously part of Norway’s gold medal-winning relay team at the Beijing Olympics.

Following his successful but emotionally challenging Olympic experience, Laegreid admitted he’s reluctant to return to regular life.

“It’s been also kind of nice to be here in the bubble, don’t really think about the real life, and really, you know, decide what thoughts I want to have, who I want to be around,” the athlete reflected.

“But yeah, to come home. I guess it’s a time for everything now. It’s time to live the real life again,” he continued.

In Friday’s mass start race, Laegreid was edged out for gold by fellow Norwegian Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, who delivered a flawless shooting performance to claim his first Olympic medal.

“I mean, if there’s one guy who has the level, it’s him,” Laegreid said of his teammate’s victory. “I was also impressed by his shooting in these conditions, it was his first time shooting 20 for 20 and it wasn’t an easy day to do it on, so huge respect and a well-deserved gold medal.”

The Los Angeles Rams have elevated assistant coach Nate Scheelhaase to the role of offensive coordinator, according to a source familiar with the decision who spoke with The Associated Press on Friday.

The source requested anonymity since the Rams have not yet officially announced head coach Sean McVay’s complete coaching staff for the coming season. Scheelhaase steps into the position left vacant when Mike LaFleur departed this month to take over as Arizona Cardinals head coach.

At 35 years old, Scheelhaase has emerged as a highly sought-after coaching talent in NFL circles over the past season. He participated in interviews for no fewer than five head coaching openings during the last two months. For the past two seasons, he served as a key offensive aide under both McVay and LaFleur, earning the pass game coordinator title last year as the Rams posted a 14-6 record and advanced to the NFC championship game.

While McVay continues to handle play-calling duties and oversee offensive design for Los Angeles, Scheelhaase becomes the fifth person to hold the offensive coordinator position during McVay’s decade-long tenure as head coach. Each of the four previous assistants in this role has advanced to become a head coach, as has former Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor.

These five former top Rams assistants — Matt LaFleur, Taylor, Kevin O’Connell, Liam Coen and Mike LaFleur — continue to serve as head coaches today. This number could have been higher, but McVay operated without a designated offensive coordinator for two seasons following Matt LaFleur’s exit.

Scheelhaase, who played quarterback at Illinois during his college career, worked under Matt Campbell at Iowa State from 2018 through 2023. He rose to become the Cyclones’ offensive coordinator in his final year there, orchestrating a significant turnaround that drew McVay’s notice.

During his time in Los Angeles, Scheelhaase handled the detailed task of creating visual diagrams of offensive plays for the team’s weekly game preparations — a meticulous responsibility previously managed by several Rams assistants who later secured prominent positions elsewhere.

Last season, the Rams operated what many considered the NFL’s most effective offense, topping the league in both points scored and total offensive yards during regular season play with AP NFL MVP Matthew Stafford leading the unit. Stafford has confirmed his return for what will be his 18th NFL campaign. The Rams are expected to be among the top contenders for a Super Bowl appearance at their home venue, SoFi Stadium, in February 2027.

LIVIGNO, Italy — Two American-born athletes stand as the leading contenders for Olympic gold in women’s halfpipe skiing, yet neither will be wearing red, white and blue when they compete.

Zoe Atkin represents Great Britain with minimal public attention, while Eileen Gu faces constant criticism for skiing under China’s flag.

Athletes switching national allegiances isn’t uncommon in international competition. But when Olympic medals are at stake and a high-profile competitor like Gu achieves remarkable success, the situation becomes controversial and politically charged.

“So many athletes compete for a different country,” Gu commented following Thursday evening’s qualifying round that positioned her for a potential third medal at these Games. “People only have a problem with me doing it because they kind of lump China into this monolithic entity, and they just hate China. So it’s not really about what they think it’s about.”

Her remarks came after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on Fox News earlier this week that he hoped someone who benefited from an American upbringing would choose to represent the United States.

The 22-year-old California Bay Area native acknowledges she faces harsh criticism not only for representing her mother’s country of origin but also due to her achievements both in competition and commercial endeavors.

Following the Olympics, Gu plans to attend a Milan fashion event.

But first, Saturday brings her opportunity to claim a sixth Olympic medal and potentially achieve a perfect record across two consecutive Games. No athlete has accomplished this feat since big air joined the program four years ago, creating three aerial freestyle skiing disciplines in the snow park.

“Like, if I wasn’t doing well, I think that they probably wouldn’t care as much, and that’s OK for me,” she explained.

Olympic regulations require athletes to be “nationals” of their competing country — terminology similar to citizenship but with distinct legal implications. Athletes holding multiple nationalities must complete a waiting period to switch allegiances, though neither Gu nor Atkin has changed during their Olympic careers.

This situation reflects the nature of freeskiing and snowboarding — lifestyle sports emphasizing personal expression, developed through events like X Games and Dew Tours where national flags rarely appear. Athletes spend most of their time traveling internationally with little focus on countries or national anthems.

“We’re all going to the same place, all traveling together,” explained Nick Goepper, a three-time American medalist competing for his birth country. “There’s 25 guys who do this at a high level across the world and it’s better to hang out and mingle with each other, just like people do.”

Beyond Vance’s statements, recent news reports about a 2025 document indicating the Chinese government provided millions in funding to Gu and another athlete have generated Olympic headlines. Gu rarely discusses financial motivations, instead emphasizing her goal to promote the sport and encourage female participation in China, where the discipline was less established than in America.

“I’ve never received criticism from anybody in the ski industry about any of these decisions,” she told The Associated Press last month. “But that’s because I’m friends with all of them.”

Atkin experiences success without similar controversies. The Massachusetts-born athlete has maintained dual citizenship from birth, with her father being British. (Gu’s citizenship remains a subject of ongoing speculation, which she hasn’t publicly clarified.) Like Gu, Atkin studies at Stanford University.

The 23-year-old world champion has represented Britain throughout her career, explaining that the smaller team structure allows her to train and compete at her preferred pace.

“It also has a lot to do with my family and I guess I don’t really care what anybody else thinks,” she stated. “Obviously, we compete for our nation, but at the end of the day, this is an individual sport and I’m trying to do my best show and my best skiing. To me, that’s all it’s really about.”

Gus Kenworthy represents a middle ground between Gu and Atkin — initially gaining Olympic fame representing America before continuing his career with Britain.

He encountered criticism when switching teams, partly due to the competitive depth of the U.S. squad. This year, America qualified all four male halfpipe skiers for Friday’s final while leaving two top-10 ranked athletes, including two-time gold and silver medalist David Wise, off the team.

“You could be the fifth best person in America, ranked seventh in the world, and still not make the team,” noted Kenworthy, who earned silver in 2014. “It’s great to have all these different countries represented. But sometimes it sucks to be in that position, and I’ve been in that position.”

The dynamics shift dramatically when action sports enter the Olympic spotlight.

As Gu consistently states and reiterated Thursday, “people are entitled to their opinions.”

South Korean golfer Somi Lee fired a personal-best 61 on Friday, establishing a commanding three-shot advantage at the halfway point of the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament with a total of 17-under par.

Behind Lee sits world’s top-ranked player Jeeno Thitikul, who delighted her hometown supporters by shooting a 63 at Pattaya’s Siam Country Club Old Course, putting her at 14-under par.

Friday’s conditions proved favorable for scoring, as golfers consistently posted rounds in the 60s. Both Lee and Thitikul capitalized on these opportunities to separate themselves from the field.

Both golfers played flawless rounds without dropping a shot. Lee’s scorecard featured nine birdies plus an eagle, matching the course record, while Thitikul combined seven birdies with an eagle for her strong showing.

The Thai star celebrated her 23rd birthday in style, with spectators serenading her with “Happy Birthday” songs after her birdie putts. Thitikul noted she’ll cherish the day for both the festivities and her performance.

“For the past two days, I have been in a good position where I just want my ball to be,” she said. “So if we can put the ball where it’s kind of safe, not too risky, should be not a big problem with this golf course.”

Lee expressed satisfaction with her historic round as well.

“My shots went well overall, but even the shots that didn’t go well I was able to save with my putter, so I think that’s what overall went well today,” she said.

The South Korean is pursuing her second LPGA Tour victory, having captured the Dow Championship this past June.

“I had the best score of my life today so I’m emotional,” she said. “But since the competition is not over and there is still two more days left, I just want to celebrate this a little bit.”

Competitors battled sweltering temperatures throughout the day, presenting additional challenges according to Lydia Ko, who shares third place with Japan’s Chizzy Iwai following a flawless 64. Despite the heat, Ko remained focused and felt encouraged by her ball-striking improvements.

“My ball striking is something that we’ve been trying to dial down, and especially my iron play,” the New Zealand native explained. “I think I had like my worst iron greens in regulation stats these past couple years, so that was something that was really high on my attention list.

“It’s been a while since I hit 16 greens, so definitely nice to come off with a round like that. Yeah, especially with Jeeno playing well today, I felt like the whole group was really able to get in a good momentum and make a lot of birdies out there.”

First-round co-leaders Chanettee Wannasaen of Thailand and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka struggled to maintain their early pace. Wannasaen posted a 71 to fall back to 8-under and a tie for 13th place, while Hataoka’s 72 dropped her to 7-under and tied for 22nd.

Last year’s tournament winner Angel Yin followed her opening 69 with a disappointing 75, leaving her at even par for the championship.

American striker Josh Sargent has completed his highly anticipated transfer to Toronto FC, with the Major League Soccer franchise reportedly shelling out approximately $22 million for his services, multiple sources confirmed Friday.

The United States national team player had been embroiled in a lengthy dispute with Norwich City after he refused to participate in the club’s FA Cup match against Walsall back in January, attempting to push through a move to his preferred destination of Toronto. Following his refusal to play, Norwich relegated Sargent to their reserve squad, where he remained until this transfer was finalized.

This massive transfer fee places the deal among MLS’s most expensive acquisitions ever, trailing only LAFC’s $26.5 million purchase of Son Heung-min and matching Atlanta United’s $22 million investment in Emmanuel Latte Lath, according to The Athletic. Additional performance bonuses could potentially increase the total package to $27 million.

During his tenure with Norwich beginning in 2021, Sargent found the back of the net 56 times across 157 matches, competing in both England’s top-flight Premier League and second-tier Championship. Before being sidelined due to the transfer dispute, he had netted eight goals in 25 appearances across all competitions this campaign.

The 26-year-old striker maintains aspirations of earning a spot on the United States Men’s National Team roster for the upcoming World Cup. While he has earned 29 international appearances for his country, with his most recent call-up occurring in September, Sargent hasn’t scored for the national team since 2019 and faces intense competition for limited roster positions.

International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry delivered strong praise for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday, declaring the multi-city format a resounding success that surpassed all expectations.

Speaking at a press conference in Milan, Coventry emphasized how the Games proved skeptics wrong about hosting events across multiple locations.

“These Games are truly … successful in a new way of doing things, in a sustainable way of doing things, in a way that I think many people thought maybe we couldn’t do, or couldn’t be done well, and it’s been done extremely well, and it’s surpassed everyone’s expectations,” Coventry stated.

This represents the IOC leader’s strongest public support yet for the innovative approach of distributing Olympic events across various Alpine locations instead of centralizing them in a single host city.

Coventry’s positive assessment follows two weeks during which event organizers worked to demonstrate that a geographically scattered Olympics could maintain consistent quality for athletes.

The successful execution comes after numerous years of logistical hurdles and political obstacles, including construction setbacks at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena and disputes over constructing a new sliding facility in Cortina despite IOC recommendations against it.

Event organizers also dealt with sporadic disruptions throughout the Games, including suspected railway sabotage and demonstrations in Milan related to housing and environmental concerns.

Worries about transportation between the spread-out venues were lessened by minimal cross-regional movement among spectators, although some athletes had to walk through heavy snow to reach the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium when weather conditions halted vehicle traffic.

Coventry highlighted that maintaining uniform standards across multiple athlete villages despite the geographic separation between venues from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Livigno and Bormio was key to the Games’ success.

Strong performances by Italian competitors also boosted ticket sales, which reached approximately 1.4 million.

“And the athletes are extremely happy. And they’re happy because the experiences that the MiCo (Milano Cortina) team and my team delivered to them have been the same,” she explained.

However, mixed relay silver medalist Tommaso Giacomel expressed disappointment about the lack of an Olympic village near the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena, noting that competitors were spread across different hotels in the area rather than housed together.

The Games featured dual opening ceremonies – a major event at Milan’s San Siro stadium and a smaller, more personal parade along Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Corso Italia, where athletes and fans could interact closely.

Coventry noted that athlete feedback indicated the more intimate venues sometimes created a better Olympic experience, citing the Cortina opening ceremony as an example.

The Zimbabwean official, leading her first Games as IOC president following 2025 elections, positioned Milano Cortina as a model for future host cities dealing with increasing costs and climate challenges, while recognizing that modifications will be needed.

“It allows us to really look at ourselves and look at the things that we have in place and how we’re then going to make certain adjustments for the future,” she said.

Beyond operational aspects, Coventry emphasized the Games’ broader significance, noting gender balance with women comprising 47% of competitors and worldwide participation as indicators of advancement.

“But it’s been an incredible experience and we’re all very proud to have gender equity playing a big role in the delivery of the Games,” she remarked, describing “tremendous Games” where athletes have “come together and shared in their passion”.

With the closing ceremony in Verona approaching, Coventry indicated attention would soon turn to a comprehensive review process, but stressed the main takeaway was already evident.

“So we look forward to doing that and to learning from all the incredible experiences that I think all of the stakeholders have had across these Games, across these past two weeks,” she concluded.

The stage is set for an exciting women’s curling championship at the Winter Olympics as Sweden secured their spot in the gold medal match with a 6-3 victory over defending world champions Canada on Friday at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy.

Switzerland will face Sweden in Sunday’s final after defeating the United States 7-4 in their semifinal matchup at the Milano Cortina Games.

Canada’s team, led by Rachel Homan, had hoped to mirror their men’s team by reaching the final, but struggled with multiple mistakes throughout their semifinal loss to Anna Hasselborg’s Swedish squad.

This marks Sweden’s third consecutive Olympic Games where they will take home a curling medal, following their gold medal performance in Pyeongchang and bronze medal finish in Beijing during the previous Winter Olympics.

Saturday will feature the bronze medal contest between the United States and Canada, while the curling competition concludes Sunday with the highly anticipated gold medal battle between Sweden and Switzerland.

LIVIGNO, Italy – Freestyle skier Hunter Hess turned presidential criticism into Olympic fuel Friday, delivering a standout halfpipe performance while embracing the harsh words directed at him by President Donald Trump.

After completing his first run at the Winter Olympics, the 27-year-old athlete made his statement clear – forming an ‘L’ with his fingers against his forehead while looking directly into a television camera.

“Apparently I’m a loser,” Hess said to reporters afterward, flashing a smile.

The exchange stems from Trump calling Hess “a real loser” following the athlete’s earlier comments about having mixed emotions while representing the United States. The remarks came amid broader tensions as several American sports figures have voiced concerns about recent immigration enforcement actions, including a deadly incident in Minneapolis where federal agents fatally shot two individuals.

Rather than letting the presidential rebuke derail his Olympic dreams, Hess channeled the controversy into competitive drive during his runs in the Italian Alpine community.

“I worked so hard to be here. I worked my entire life to make this moment happen,” Hess explained. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way.”

The Oregon native credited his family with helping him navigate what he described as “a lot of noise and a lot of hate out there,” while acknowledging that “all those people are super entitled to their opinion, and I respect it.”

His Friday morning performance backed up his determination. Hess executed two solid runs, successfully landing after performing aerial flips and twists above the 7.2-meter halfpipe structure. His efforts earned him fifth place among 25 competitors, securing his spot in the evening’s final round.

The skier also updated his Instagram profile to read “a real loser,” further embracing the presidential criticism.

Hess clarified his patriotic feelings during Friday’s post-competition interviews, addressing the original comments that sparked Trump’s ire. His earlier statement suggested that wearing the American flag didn’t mean endorsing every domestic policy.

“I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough,” Hess emphasized. “My original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently some people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA.”

The Bend, Oregon resident reflected on the unprecedented attention surrounding his Olympic experience.

“I’m just a skier from Bend, Oregon,” he noted. “I’ve been doing the same thing with the same people my entire life, so being seen by the entire world was definitely a unique experience.”

Hess acknowledged that the week leading up to his Olympic competition was unlike anything he had previously encountered, as the political controversy thrust him into the national spotlight.

Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn provided an encouraging health update following her most recent medical procedure, reporting that the complex six-hour operation was successful despite ongoing challenges with pain management.

The 41-year-old athlete underwent her first surgical procedure on American soil after enduring four previous operations at a medical facility in Italy. Her medical journey began after sustaining a severe leg fracture during competition at the Milano Cortina Olympics.

Taking to social media platform X on Friday, Vonn shared her progress with fans. “Just a quick update … my last surgery went well. It took a little over 6 hours,” the skiing star posted.

She continued with an honest assessment of her current condition: “I have been recovering from the surgery but pain has been hard to manage. Making slow progress but I hope I can be out of the hospital soon.”

The decorated athlete, who claimed Olympic gold in 2010 and ranks as the second-most accomplished female competitor in World Cup skiing history, returned to the United States last Sunday. Her transfer came after medical staff at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso cleared her for discharge.

ANTERSELVA, Italy – Norwegian athlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal delivered a flawless performance on the shooting range Friday, hitting every single one of his 20 targets to capture gold in the men’s biathlon 15-kilometer mass start event at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

His victory marked a historic moment for Norway, as the nation now holds 17 gold medals at these Games – breaking their own world record for most golds won by any country at a single Winter Olympics. The previous mark of 16 golds was set by Norway at the Beijing 2022 Games.

Fellow Norwegian Sturla Holm Laegreid claimed silver, finishing 10.5 seconds behind his teammate. France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet secured the bronze medal after overtaking Germany’s Philipp Horn during the final lap.

Among all 30 competitors in the race, Dale-Skjevdal was the sole athlete to achieve perfect shooting accuracy throughout the event. This exceptional marksmanship proved decisive for the 28-year-old, who is known for his talent but has struggled with consistency in the past.

“There’s a lot of feelings. Olympic champion. Damn, it’s sick, it’s a dream … I have no words,” Dale-Skjevdal shared with Norwegian television following his victory.

The competition consisted of five laps around a 3-kilometer course, with athletes required to shoot from both prone and standing positions twice each. Every missed shot resulted in a penalty lap around a 150-meter loop.

Early leaders Emilien Jacquelin of France and Italy’s Tommaso Giacomel both struggled as the race progressed. Giacomel was forced to withdraw completely due to side pain before the third shooting segment.

Weather conditions proved challenging, with heavy snowfall from Thursday and unpredictable winds affecting the competition. However, the experienced Norwegian team managed to take control as the race developed.

Strong, gusty winds created havoc during the third shooting round, but Dale-Skjevdal maintained his perfect accuracy to move ahead of Laegreid. Horn held third place with Fillon Maillet close behind.

After Dale-Skjevdal’s fourth perfect shooting series secured his gold medal and Laegreid maintained his comfortable silver medal position, attention turned to the bronze medal battle.

Fillon Maillet made his decisive move with 1.2 kilometers remaining in the race. Despite Horn’s efforts to respond, the French athlete pulled away during a long downhill section to claim the bronze medal.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Three seasoned Canadian curlers are pursuing another Olympic gold medal, but they’re competing in a sport that has transformed significantly since their earlier triumphs.

Team Canada secured their spot in Saturday’s championship match after defeating Norway 5-4 in Thursday’s semifinal round. They’ll face world champion Britain for the ultimate prize.

Skip Brad Jacobs hasn’t competed in an Olympic final since 2014, while his teammates Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert last reached this stage 16 years ago. Despite their experience, all three acknowledge the sport has evolved considerably.

Reflecting on the differences between now and his 2014 Sochi victory, Jacobs explained his changed perspective: “Back in Sochi, I really felt like we were going to win gold. We had worked our way through that event and got stronger and stronger and stronger. We became very dominant throughout the playoffs. This time, curling has changed, curling is a lot more difficult.”

“The game against Britain is a coin flip, 50-50. Either team could win that game. I’m grateful to have secured a medal and played as well as we have all week. Now we just have one opportunity to leave it all out in the ice and see what happens,” Jacobs added.

Hebert, now 42, captured gold on home soil in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics when he was just 26 years old under skip Kevin Martin’s leadership.

“You go to the Olympics your very first time, you win Olympic gold in your home country undefeated, and you’re just, ‘I can do this every time’,” Hebert recalled.

“That’s not how it went in my career, and that’s not how it goes for anybody … There’s so many good teams and players that want to get here. The game’s changed a lot since 2010. The ice has changed, the way players throw it, how good everybody is …”

“Sometimes it’s tough to teach an old dog new tricks. But I’ve had guys like Brad and Marc come in and push me to new levels to continue to elevate my game, so that I can still be out here at 42,” Hebert said.

Kennedy, 44, stepped away from competitive curling following Canada’s disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2018 Olympics but found his way back to the sport.

“I semi-retired six years ago, so to be back here is pretty incredible, and to be with these guys – really proud of my team,” Kennedy stated.

“We lost the Olympics in 2018, we got fourth place, my hip was a mess, and I was exhausted. I was ready to step away from the game. Then an opportunity came up to play with Brad Jacobs the following year. Working a real job wasn’t as much fun as I thought, so it was time to get back on the ice,” he explained.

Kennedy has also been involved in controversy during these games after responding angrily to accusations of cheating.

LIVIGNO, Italy — After completing a strong qualifying run in Olympic halfpipe competition, American freeskier Hunter Hess made a statement that captured attention worldwide. The 27-year-old athlete positioned himself in front of the camera, formed an ‘L’ shape with his thumb and index finger, placed it against his forehead and gestured toward it with his opposite hand.

“Apparently,” he said afterward, “I’m a loser.”

This bold gesture came after President Donald Trump publicly criticized Hess on social media, calling him a “real Loser” and questioning his place on Team USA. The controversy began during an early Olympic press conference when reporters asked athletes about representing America amid the current administration’s immigration policies.

Hess had responded by saying: “If it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I’m representing it. Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”

Those comments drew Trump’s ire, leading to a post on Truth Social where the president wrote: “Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it.”

The backlash was swift and intense. Hess revealed that his family received threats, and he faced unprecedented criticism during what should have been the highlight of his athletic career.

“I worked so hard to be here. I sacrificed my entire life to make this happen,” Hess explained after his qualifying performance. “I’m not going to let controversy like that get in my way. I love the United States of America. I cannot say that enough. My original statement, I felt like I said that, but apparently people didn’t take it that way. I’m so happy to be here, so happy to represent Team USA.”

Following the initial uproar, the freeski team traveled to Switzerland for training, giving Hess time to process the situation away from the spotlight. He acknowledged the difficulty of that period.

“I had a week that was pretty challenging,” the athlete admitted. “Luckily, my family was there to support me and help me get through it. There was a lot of noise and I’ve never been subject to that kind of criticism. Skiing has saved my life time and time again and it seems to have done so again.”

Despite the personal attacks, Hess maintained respect for his critics, stating: “There’s been a lot of hate out there. All those people are super entitled to their opinion, and I respect it.”

Most importantly, the skier emphasized that he stands behind his original comments, viewing them as patriotic rather than divisive.

“I stand with what I said. I love the United States of America. I cannot reiterate that enough. It means the absolute world to me to be able to represent Team USA here. I worked so, so hard to get here. I stick with what I said,” he declared.

Hess successfully advanced to the 12-person final alongside three other American competitors. The U.S. freestyle skiing and snowboarding teams are still seeking their first gold medal of these Olympics at the Livigno Snow Park, nearly two weeks into competition.

The Nordic combined events wrapped up at the Winter Olympics with an uncertain future hanging over the century-old sport, as officials consider removing it from upcoming Games while female athletes continue to be shut out of competition.

Norway’s athletes delivered a commanding performance, capturing gold medals in all three Nordic combined competitions held in Predazzo, Italy. Finland and Austria split the remaining podium spots, with the traditional powerhouse nations maintaining their stranglehold on the discipline that combines ski jumping with cross-country skiing.

Despite strong attendance figures, with the first two events selling out completely and the final competition reaching 90% capacity, the International Olympic Committee is weighing whether to eliminate Nordic combined from future Winter Games. The sport has been featured in Olympic competition since 1924.

Lasse Ottesen, who directs Nordic combined for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, argued that the robust ticket sales prove the sport meets IOC requirements for broader appeal and coverage. The federation is actively campaigning to preserve the sport’s Olympic status before the IOC’s upcoming summer sessions.

The absence of women competitors drew particular attention, with advocates pushing for gender equality in the sport. American athlete Ben Loomis voiced support for female inclusion, stating: “There’s no reason for them to be excluded from 2030, and it’s been awesome to see their progress and how the sport has progressed in the last four or five years.”

Annika Malacinski, whose brother Niklas competes for Team USA in Nordic combined, attended the events carrying a protest sign reading “MAKE OLYMPICS GENDER EQUAL” to highlight the sport’s exclusion of women due to what officials cite as insufficient spectator interest.

Weather conditions created additional challenges during the competition. Two of the three races dealt with problematic snow conditions – the opening event suffered from warm temperatures that created slushy conditions, while a later race took place during a snowstorm that accumulated on the tracks.

“For my first Games, these have been a very interesting experience as far as conditions go,” commented Niklas Malacinski. “You can’t really control it, but I’m glad to have Games like this under my belt.”

Norway’s Jens Luraas Oftebro emerged as the standout performer, demonstrating his superiority across multiple events. He secured victory in the normal hill competition by overtaking early leaders with a strong finishing effort.

Oftebro maintained his winning streak in the large hill event before partnering with Andreas Skoglund to claim team sprint gold in a thrilling finish against Finland that was decided by mere inches in challenging, slushy conditions.

With these victories, Oftebro may have secured his place in Olympic history as potentially the final champion in a sport that could disappear from the Winter Games program after nearly a century of competition.

MILAN – With the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics wrapping up this weekend, Olympic officials are already setting their sights on Los Angeles 2028, hoping the privately-funded Games will rescue a struggling sponsorship system that has powered the Olympics for more than four decades.

The current Winter Games mark the final chapter for a 41-year-old marketing approach that International Olympic Committee leaders acknowledge desperately requires an overhaul, even though it has generated billions for the Olympic movement.

“Few companies can invest hundreds of millions of dollars and consider it worthwhile just to be able to say ‘my company supports the Olympics’ and use the Olympic Five Rings logo,” IOC member Morinari Watanabe told Reuters during the 2026 Games.

“We need to calmly analyse what our customers, or sponsors, want from the Olympics and conduct strategic marketing activities based on that,” said Watanabe, who serves as World Gymnastics president. “Marketing is about getting people who aren’t interested in sports interested in them. This will increase the value of the Olympics and ultimately increase marketing revenue.”

Olympic leadership views the Los Angeles Games as the debut for a revamped marketing framework designed to protect the organization’s financial stability, similar to how the groundbreaking 1984 Games in the same city transformed Olympic economics.

The IOC plans to expand commercial opportunities for sponsors by opening previously restricted areas within the Games. Athletes’ training zones, scoreboards, and venue naming rights represent new territories where officials believe they can provide enhanced visibility while integrating partners more naturally into Olympic events.

LA28 organizers aim to generate $2.5 billion through domestic sponsorship deals and have already secured partnerships with major California technology companies including Google and Uber.

How LA28 sponsors utilize their partnerships will be closely monitored by the IOC and sports marketing professionals worldwide.

“Just as LA84 transformed the model for the Olympic Games, the upcoming LA28 Games will do the same,” Brian McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management at the University of Michigan, told Reuters.

“LA28 will not only bring together the best athletes, but also showcase the best sport business has to offer through its event operations, fan experience, and sponsor activations surrounding the Games. This model will serve as a strong foundation for the IOC to build on.”

The Olympic Partners sponsorship program has been highly successful for the IOC since its creation following the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Those Games faced serious financial concerns until chief organizer Peter Ueberroth developed a marketing strategy that, combined with controlled operational expenses, transformed the event from potential financial disaster into a template for commercially viable Olympics.

LA84 featured dozens of commercial sponsors contributing services and funding, record-setting television rights agreements, and concluded with nearly $250 million in surplus – equivalent to approximately $780 million in today’s currency.

The IOC remained haunted by the catastrophic financial failure of the 1976 Montreal Olympics, which created debts requiring nearly three decades for the city to resolve and deterred potential future host cities.

Olympic officials adopted Ueberroth’s exclusive product category concept and began capitalizing on commercial opportunities from multinational corporations seeking Olympic association by launching the TOP Programme in 1985.

“Coming out of LA (in 1984) you entered the golden age of bidding (for the Olympics) and buried the ghosts of Montreal,” said former IOC marketing chief Michael Payne, author of “Fast Tracks and Dark Deals,” examining Olympic business practices.

TOP programme revenues grew from $96 million during the 1985-1988 period to $3.04 billion for 2021-24. It represents the IOC’s second-largest income source behind broadcasting rights, which generated $4.706 billion during the same timeframe.

Warning signs for the TOP programme emerged when Japanese corporate giants Toyota, Bridgestone and Panasonic withdrew following the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The IOC did secure Chinese company TCL in 2025 to replace Panasonic – an Olympic sponsor for 37 years – in the audiovisual equipment and home appliances category.

However, financial documents approved during the IOC session in Milan reveal the TOP programme generated $560 million for 2025, representing the lowest annual revenue since the organization recorded $532 million in 2020 after COVID-19 postponed the Tokyo Olympics.

Additional financial setbacks have affected the IOC recently, including the collapse of a 12-year agreement with Saudi Arabia for Olympic Esports Games after just 14 months.

“The marketing world is now changing rapidly and the TOP programme has to evolve in how it engages with the business community, and it is not about sticking logos on the side of the pitch,” Payne said. “LA may be a catalyst on developing the in-venue fan experience. It will be showcased fully in LA.”

IOC President Kirsty Coventry initiated a comprehensive examination of all Olympic elements after her election last year, including host city selection processes, sports programming, and crucially, marketing operations.

Review findings will be presented during the IOC session in June.

“There needs to be an evolution where the packages the IOC offers become more flexible,” Leah Gillooly, Associate Professor of Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University, told Reuters. “LA28 would be a good opportunity for the IOC because of the unique setup. It provides a test for opportunities to test innovative (marketing) aspects. You will not get resistance in the U.S. market.”

After more than two decades at the helm of Major League Soccer, Commissioner Don Garber says he’s never experienced a moment quite like this one facing the league today.

With MLS launching its 31st campaign this Saturday, the organization stands at a unique crossroads where two powerful forces converge: an approaching World Cup on North American soil and the continued excitement surrounding Lionel Messi’s presence since the soccer icon joined the league in 2023.

“This is a massive year for MLS and a seminal moment for soccer, not just in the United States but throughout North America,” Garber told Reuters.

The upcoming World Cup will force MLS into a seven-week hiatus mid-season while players join their national squads, creating what Garber describes as “the biggest sporting event in the history of this country.”

However, Garber emphasizes the tournament’s value extends far beyond the five-and-a-half weeks of competition itself, focusing instead on creating enduring impact for American soccer.

“While everybody is going to be paying attention to what is going to be the biggest sporting event in the history of this country, we hope that some of that drama, some of that appeal, some of that history, could rub off and create a lasting legacy,” Garber said.

“This is about taking the great game, the beautiful game of soccer, and putting a bunch of energy behind it so that we can continue to do our part in helping to lead the game.”

The league’s position differs significantly from the 1994 World Cup held in America. Garber notes that previously, a successful U.S. men’s national team run would have been crucial for domestic soccer growth. Today, with talent from more than 70 nations and multilingual broadcasts, MLS has moved beyond that reliance.

“There’s going to be millions and millions of people that are supporting the U.S. men’s national team, and there’ll be millions of people that are supporting other countries. And they’re all either coming to our country and will go back and hopefully be fans of the game, or they’re living here supporting their own culture, their own nationality,” Garber said.

“And we believe that we’re a league for a new America.”

Despite the league’s growth to 30 franchises with Forbes reporting an average franchise value of $731 million, Garber recognizes ongoing doubts about MLS quality compared to established international competitions.

“Part of that is when people come into the game, they’re coming into it by following the European leagues, or they’re coming into it following the World Cup and following national teams, and they may not be as exposed to their local MLS club as we need to make them be. That falls on us to do that,” said Garber.

“But obviously, the plan has been working. It has been a slow build. It hasn’t happened overnight. You know, we’re entering our 31st year. That’s not an overnight sensation, but certainly not around the 100 years that the other leagues are around.”

Nevertheless, Garber maintains confidence about the league’s trajectory.

“Our best days, our best years, in my opinion, are still ahead,” said Garber. “And I think we’ll earn the trust and respect of the fans of this sport, like we have earned the trust and respect of great players, the best player in the history of the game.”

That final comment referenced Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or champion whose influence on MLS has surpassed even Garber’s ambitious projections.

Following Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, the league’s international recognition has dramatically increased almost immediately.

“If you know football, and almost everybody in the world does, you know Leo Messi, and you know now that he plays in MLS for Inter Miami,” Garber said.

As MLS begins what Garber considers its most crucial season to date, the organization that once fought for credibility now has the opportunity to benefit from an ideal combination of worldwide focus. The real test will be whether this attention creates sustainable expansion in the months ahead.

“It’s not just about the summer. It’s about all the lead up, it’s about the activity during the tournament itself,” said Garber. “And then it’s coming out of the tournament … and riding the wave of a lot of soccer energy.”

MILAN – Women’s ice hockey reached new heights at the Milan Olympics as the United States defeated Canada in a thrilling overtime battle Thursday, showcasing a sport that has transformed dramatically since the last Winter Games.

Megan Keller delivered the game-winning goal in overtime, sending American fans into celebration at Santagiulia arena and marking the seventh time in eight Olympic tournaments that these two hockey powerhouses have met in the final.

The victory caps off what many consider a watershed moment for women’s hockey, arriving just as the sport enjoys unprecedented professional support through the newly established Professional Women’s Hockey League.

A total of 61 Olympic athletes from the PWHL combined to score 65 goals throughout the Milan tournament, demonstrating the elevated level of play that the professional league has fostered since its creation following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Milan Games began with several obstacles, including ice rink dimensions that didn’t meet initial expectations and a venue that organizers rushed to complete before competition began.

Additional challenges emerged when Finland’s team suffered multiple norovirus cases, forcing defending champions Canada to delay their opening match. Canada also faced concerns when star player Marie-Philip Poulin, known as “Captain Clutch,” sustained an injury that threatened to sideline the veteran in what many speculated could be her final Olympic appearance.

Despite these early setbacks, the tournament recovered spectacularly. Poulin returned to action and established a new Olympic scoring record, while Italy successfully completed their arena construction and celebrated their national team’s remarkable achievement.

The host Italian squad, making their first Olympic appearance in two decades, delivered on their promise to “shock the hockey world” by defeating both France and Japan during group play to advance to the quarterfinal round.

Thursday’s medal rounds provided a dramatic conclusion with two consecutive overtime contests. Switzerland captured bronze in their victory over Sweden, setting the stage for the United States to claim their long-awaited revenge against their Canadian rivals.

The tournament’s success in Milan demonstrates how far women’s hockey has progressed, with fans able to continue following their favorite Olympic stars when PWHL play resumes after the Games conclude.

MILAN, Italy – Ukraine’s Paralympic delegation announced Friday they will skip the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Paralympics scheduled for March 6 in Verona, protesting the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.

The controversy stems from the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to grant 10 combined competition spots to athletes from Russia and Belarus, sparking significant political tension surrounding the upcoming Games amid the ongoing four-year conflict in Ukraine.

Russian officials have criticized the mixing of sports and politics, arguing that targeting disabled athletes crosses a line. However, Russia has faced widespread exclusion from international sporting events since launching its invasion of Ukraine.

In an official statement, Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee declared: “The National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine declares that the Ukrainian Paralympic team and the National Paralympic Committee of Ukraine are boycotting the opening ceremony of the 14th Winter Paralympic Games and demand that the Ukrainian flag not be used at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics-2026.”

The boycott decision comes after Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the Winter Games for wearing a helmet honoring athletes who died in the war.

Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi confirmed that while Ukrainian officials will boycott the March 6-15 Paralympics, the country’s athletes will still compete in their events.

Russian competitors received two slots each in Para alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding, while Belarus was granted four positions exclusively in cross-country skiing.

Ukraine’s committee statement emphasized their objection to the selection process: “We draw attention to the fact that neither russia nor belarus went through the qualification process to obtain licences to participate in the Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina.”

The statement continued: “Moreover, this occurred in accordance with the status of the russian and belarusian Paralympic committees that they received as countries that are carrying out a horrific military aggression on the territory of Ukraine.”

Female cross-country skiers are about to achieve a historic Olympic milestone as they compete in their inaugural 50-kilometer classic race on Sunday at the Milano Cortina Games, though the landmark event has generated divided reactions among athletes.

This groundbreaking competition will serve as the closing cross-country skiing event of the Games and presents a significant challenge for competitors who have already completed five other races, leaving many athletes physically drained before tackling the demanding distance.

Adding to the difficulty, numerous skiers must immediately rejoin the World Cup circuit once their Italian competition concludes.

Swedish gold medalist Jonna Sundling, who claimed victory in the women’s team sprint, expressed mixed feelings about the extended distance. “If I would choose I would prefer 30k, but if it’s 50k I can do 50k,” Sundling stated. “In some way I would prefer 30k, like for the audience also.”

Athletes will navigate a challenging hillside course at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, with the race expected to exceed two hours in duration.

Norwegian competitor Therese Johaug previously completed a Cross Country World Cup 50k race during the 2024/2025 season, finishing in two hours, 14 minutes and 40 seconds.

However, several female competitors have embraced the extended challenge with enthusiasm.

Norway’s Astrid Oeyre Slind highlighted the strategic differences of the longer race. “I think a 50k is a good distance. It’s quite different than a 30k,” Slind explained. “When a race is more than two hours, you have to be more aware of energy and tactical stuff and everything. It’s quite a different race, so I think it’s a good thing we have a 50k.”

Many athletes view this development as a crucial advancement for gender parity in Olympic competition, especially following recent debates about women’s exclusion from Nordic combined events.

American skier Jessie Diggins expressed her excitement about achieving distance equality. “I am really excited about having equal distance,” Diggins said. “When I got to the World Cup and was like, ‘Wait a minute, the men get to do 50 and the women are capped at 30. Why?’ And I didn’t understand why.”

“Why do we not get to do these big, epic races that are pretty iconic and pretty legendary in our sport?” she continued.

Cross-country skiing made its Olympic debut at the 1924 Chamonix Games with exclusively male competitions, while women’s events were introduced at the 1952 Oslo Olympics. During the 2022 Beijing Olympics, female athletes competed in a 30km freestyle race, where Diggins earned a silver medal.

“Whether or not you’re an athlete who wants to race the 50k, I think you should have the opportunity to race the 50k,” she concluded.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro could make his long-awaited return to the court as early as Friday night when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks in their first contest following the All-Star break.

The talented scorer has been sidelined for 45 games this season due to a series of different injuries — starting with 17 games from an ankle problem sustained during the offseason, followed by 13 additional games from a toe injury, and most recently 15 games from a rib ailment. Following Thursday’s practice session, Herro declared himself ready to play and is currently listed with a probable status.

“I feel just as good as last year, actually,” Herro stated. “It’s been real, real frustrating. As a competitor, somebody who loves playing the game more than anything, that’s what I do. I love to the game of basketball, and it’s hard for me to just sit out and not be able to play.”

Despite appearing in just 11 contests this season, Herro has maintained impressive numbers with 21.9 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Against Atlanta specifically, he holds career averages of 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 20 matchups.

Miami enters the matchup with a 5-5 record over their last 10 outings and sits in the eighth position in the Eastern Conference standings, just 1.5 games away from securing a spot that would bypass the play-in tournament.

Meanwhile, Atlanta returned to competition Thursday evening with a convincing 117-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on the road, snapping a three-game skid. The Hawks currently occupy ninth place in the East, sitting 2.5 games behind Miami in the standings.

Jalen Johnson led Atlanta’s offensive charge with an impressive 32-point, 10-rebound performance, while CJ McCollum contributed 23 points coming off the bench.

“Wins don’t come easy,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder commented. “I think the way that we played, we put in some time, and I thought our guys were focused. Maybe most important, when we got a little bit of a lead, we didn’t give it back. I thought we stayed connected. We didn’t do everything right, but we made plays.”

During the All-Star break, Miami made a significant roster adjustment by promoting undrafted rookie Myron Gardner from a two-way deal to a three-year standard contract. Gardner has appeared in 26 games for the Heat, posting averages of 4.2 points and 3.0 rebounds while recording a career-best 14 points and six rebounds in the teams’ most recent encounter with Atlanta.

“He’s providing value right now,” Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra explained. “He was given some opportunities because of injuries. Now he makes you raise your eyebrows and watch the film a little more closely, and that’s what you want … make me watch and make me play you and you do it with your actions. I like what he’s done. His energy is contagious. The guys like playing with him.”

The Heat organization has established a strong track record of developing undrafted players into valuable contributors, with notable examples including Udonis Haslem, Duncan Robinson, and Max Strus.

Atlanta also made a roster move Thursday, upgrading Caleb Houstan from a two-day contract to a standard deal. Houstan has logged minutes in 10 games this season, averaging 2.3 points per contest.

Friday’s game represents the third of four scheduled meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals. Miami claimed a 126-111 victory in Atlanta on December 26, while the Hawks responded with a 127-115 win in Miami on February 3. The season series will conclude with an April 12 matchup in Miami.

Cade Cunningham delivered a masterful performance with 42 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, powering the Detroit Pistons to a commanding 126-111 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night, completing a perfect season series sweep.

The Pistons controlled the game’s second half to finish 3-0 against New York this season, outscoring the Knicks by a remarkable 84 points across their three meetings. Detroit has now defeated New York in six consecutive regular season contests, reversing a previous 16-game losing streak against the Knicks.

Cunningham connected on 17 of his 34 field goal attempts, notching his third 40-point performance this season. With Jalen Duren sidelined due to an NBA suspension, Paul Reed stepped up admirably with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. The victory marked Detroit’s ninth win in their last 11 contests.

New York was paced by Jalen Brunson’s 33 points and eight assists, while Karl Anthony-Towns recorded a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. The loss dropped the Knicks to 2-3 over their past five games.

Hawks 117, 76ers 107

Jalen Johnson delivered 32 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to lead Atlanta past Philadelphia, snapping the Hawks’ three-game skid while maintaining their perfect record against the 76ers this season.

The Hawks overcame struggles from the field, shooting just 43.2% overall and connecting on only 10 of 32 three-point attempts (31.2%). CJ McCollum provided valuable bench scoring with 23 points as Atlanta improved to 3-0 versus Philadelphia this year.

Philadelphia got 28 points from Tyrese Maxey on 8-of-23 shooting, while VJ Edgecombe contributed 20 points and nine rebounds. Andre Drummond recorded a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Sixers, who played without Joel Embiid (knee injury) and Paul George (suspension) and suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Cavaliers 112, Nets 84

Donovan Mitchell contributed 17 points and James Harden added 16 points with nine assists as Cleveland overwhelmed Brooklyn, stretching their winning streak to six games while establishing their largest lead of the season.

Jarrett Allen posted 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who controlled the game from start to finish for the second consecutive contest and have captured 11 of their last 12 games. Cleveland’s dominance peaked when Dennis Schroder’s late third-quarter free throws extended their advantage to 102-59, marking their biggest margin this season.

Brooklyn received 14 points from Michael Porter Jr. and 13 points from bench contributor Ochai Agbaji, but managed just 34.5% shooting from the field. Danny Wolf finished with 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Nets.

Rockets 105, Hornets 101

Kevin Durant exploded for 35 points on efficient 14-for-20 shooting, leading Houston past Charlotte in their first contest following the All-Star break.

Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 15 points while both Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard added 13 points apiece for Houston, which capitalized on 16 Charlotte turnovers. The Rockets have now won five straight road games.

Charlotte entered having won 10 of their previous 11 contests, but costly mistakes prevented them from sweeping the season series. Grant Williams paced the Hornets with 20 points, while LaMelo Ball managed 11 points in 31 minutes despite being involved in a car accident the day before, connecting on just one of six three-point attempts.

Spurs 121, Suns 94

Stephon Castle scored 20 points as San Antonio dismantled a depleted Phoenix squad in Austin, Texas, extending their winning streak to seven games.

Victor Wembanyama contributed 17 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and four assists for the Spurs, who held a 12-point halftime advantage before expanding their lead to 29 points in the third quarter.

Phoenix was led by Jalen Green’s 26 points but has now dropped two straight games. The Suns played without Devin Booker in the second half due to right hip soreness, and were also missing Grayson Allen (ankle) and Dillon Brooks (league suspension).

Wizards 112, Pacers 105

Four Washington players – Bub Carrington, Jaden Hardy, Anthony Gill and Kadary Richmond – each scored 13 points as the Wizards defeated visiting Indiana.

Washington featured seven players in double figures while ending a three-game losing streak. The Wizards forced 23 turnovers to secure the first victory in back-to-back meetings with the Pacers.

Indiana was paced by Jarace Walker’s 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, while rookie Taelon Peter achieved a career-high 16 points as the Pacers’ two-game winning streak came to an end.

Raptors 110, Bulls 101

Brandon Ingram scored 31 points to power visiting Toronto past Chicago for their second victory over the Bulls this month.

Ingram also grabbed eight rebounds and dished six assists to help Toronto defeat Chicago. Scottie Barnes added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors, who took advantage of 23 Chicago turnovers to earn their eighth win in 12 games.

Chicago got 20 points from Anfernee Simons and 16 from Isaac Okoro, but their losing streak reached seven games. Tre Jones scored 12 points with six assists and Josh Giddey had five points and five assists in their returns from left hamstring injuries.

Toronto FC completed the acquisition of Hungarian forward Daniel Salloi from Sporting Kansas City on Thursday in a major MLS transaction.

The deal brings Sporting Kansas City $300,000 in general allocation money plus an additional $700,000 in potential bonuses. Kansas City will also receive a percentage of any future transfer fee if Toronto sells Salloi to another team.

“We are very happy to welcome Daniel to Toronto,” stated TFC general manager Jason Hernandez. “As a captain and stalwart for SKC for many years, he will bring a welcome combination of MLS experience and impact to our group. We look forward to integrating him into the team and starting our journey together.”

Sporting Kansas City’s general manager David Lee expressed gratitude toward Salloi while explaining the decision. “This move provides us with additional flexibility, which will help as we continue to build our roster, while also giving Daniel the opportunity to continue his career in MLS as he entered the final year of his contract,” Lee said.

“It is always difficult to part ways with players who have given so much to a club, but we felt this was the right decision for all involved and we wish Daniel nothing but the best in Toronto,” Lee added.

The 29-year-old winger has compiled impressive statistics during his eight-year tenure with Sporting Kansas City since arriving in 2016, netting 54 goals while providing 32 assists across 242 regular-season appearances. Salloi earned MLS All-Star recognition in 2021 and was part of the squad that captured the U.S. Open Cup championship in 2017.

During the previous campaign, Salloi contributed seven goals and four assists over 33 MLS appearances, including 24 starts.

The 2026 MLS regular season kicks off this weekend, with Toronto FC traveling to face FC Dallas while Sporting Kansas City visits the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening.

Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker was forced to exit Thursday’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter after experiencing discomfort in his right hip, according to team officials.

The star guard was pulled from the game with 2 minutes and 35 seconds left in the first half, with Isaiah Livers taking his place on the court. During his brief nine-minute appearance, Booker managed to put up five points while connecting on two of his six field goal attempts.

This season, the four-time All-Star has been Phoenix’s top performer, averaging 25.2 points along with 6.3 assists per contest across 43 games played.

The 29-year-old guard recently dealt with another injury setback, missing a two-week stretch after spraining his right ankle during a January 23rd contest against Atlanta. Booker made his comeback on February 7th and even participated in last weekend’s All-Star festivities.

A major NASCAR team has launched legal action against a former high-ranking executive, claiming he illegally shared proprietary information with a competitor.

Joe Gibbs Racing filed the $8 million lawsuit Thursday in federal court in North Carolina’s Western District, targeting Chris Gabehart, who previously held the position of competition director with the organization.

Gabehart spent 13 years with JGR, working extensively as crew chief for driver Denny Hamlin before advancing to his leadership role overseeing competitive operations. His annual base compensation reached $1 million last year, not including performance bonuses, according to motorsport.com.

The racing organization announced Gabehart’s exit in late 2024, alleging he conspired to transfer proprietary data to Spire Motorsports, which had extended him an offer to become their chief motorsports officer.

Internal investigators at JGR discovered that Gabehart had created a digital folder on his work computer that was synchronized with his personal cloud account, containing sensitive details about employee compensation and evaluations for drivers, crew chiefs, and pit crew members, motorsport.com reported.

The lawsuit claims Gabehart accessed these confidential files while completing his departure process on the identical date he conducted a meeting with Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson.

The legal filing states: “Until November 10, 2025, Defendant served as one of JGR’s most senior leaders with respect to all competitive aspects of the business. After his demands for additional authority were rebuffed by JGR’s owner, Defendant immediately embarked on a brazen scheme to steal JGR’s most sensitive information and use it for the benefit of a direct competitor in NASCAR — Spire Motorsports.”

Court documents reveal that Gabehart held a meeting with team owner Joe Gibbs on November 6, during which the former NFL head coach declined to grant him complete control over racing operations.

Following this meeting, both parties entered discussions about separation arrangements. According to JGR’s account: “Under those terms, Defendant would have been permitted to work for another NASCAR team, provided that he agreed not to solicit key employees and contractors and that he cooperated in returning JGR equipment and information.”

The racing team further alleges that Gabehart “using his personal cell phone, took at least twenty photos of his laptop screen” displaying confidential data. The suit adds: “Defendant accessed and interacted with the Spire Folder on November 12, 13, 15, 23, 25, 26, 27, and December 2 of 2025 — the same day he met with Jeff Dickerson.”

MILAN – Japanese figure skating star Kaori Sakamoto’s quest for Olympic gold came to a heartbreaking conclusion Thursday evening at Milano Cortina, where a single error cost her the championship she desperately wanted to cap her career.

The 25-year-old three-time world champion stumbled on a jump combination during her free skate routine set to music by Edith Piaf, a mistake that proved decisive in her narrow defeat. Sakamoto earned 224.90 points, falling just 1.89 points short of American winner Alysa Liu’s 226.79 total. Television cameras captured Sakamoto weeping as the final results were announced.

“I thought I might be able to finish with a smile but instead I’m ending it with this sense of frustration,” Sakamoto told reporters through an interpreter. “Still, I’ll try to make this experience valuable for the future.”

“The points I lost on those mistakes were exactly the margin that cost me the gold medal … that’s the most frustrating part — I know I left something out there.”

Sakamoto, who has announced plans to retire following this season, had hoped to complete her impressive career with Olympic gold after previously earning bronze in Beijing two years ago.

“I really wanted to skate perfectly here,” she explained. “Knowing that I couldn’t … was painful. I couldn’t stop the tears.”

Despite her disappointment, the veteran skater reflected on her growth since Beijing, where she also captured a team silver medal at these Games.

“My bronze before felt like a miracle. The fact that I now feel frustrated with a silver medal shows how much I’ve grown,” she noted.

Sakamoto also praised her younger Japanese teammates, particularly 17-year-old Ami Nakai, who claimed the bronze medal, and Mone Chiba, who placed fourth in her Olympic debut.

“For a 17-year-old to skate with that kind of composure and finish third is amazing,” Sakamoto said. “Being able to compete with both of them here is something I’ll always treasure.”

Nakai, who held the lead after the short program thanks to a successful triple Axel, encountered difficulties in her free skate when she downgraded a planned triple-triple jump sequence to a triple-double combination. Nevertheless, she secured bronze with 219.16 points, making her among Japan’s youngest Olympic medalists in women’s singles.

“At first, I didn’t even think I’d be able to compete in the Olympics, and now I’ve won a bronze medal, it still doesn’t feel real,” Nakai said. She finished with 219.16 points, becoming one of Japan’s youngest women’s singles medallists.

“I started skating because I loved the sport … and now I was able to fully express my love for skating on the Olympic stage,” she added.

The young skater expressed empathy for her teammate’s disappointment.

“I’ve seen Kaori’s hard work, so when I saw her performance, I felt very sad … From now on, I want to become a skater like Kaori, with a firm sense that I am carrying the weight of Japan on my shoulders.”

Chiba, competing in her first Olympics, acknowledged her fourth-place finish while looking ahead to future competitions.

“I feel like even though I gave it my all, I still fell short,” she said. “I’ll keep this feeling in mind and carry it forward … with a view to the World Championships.”

Looking toward the future of Japanese figure skating, Sakamoto expressed confidence in the next generation, saying she hopes to eventually return to Olympic competition “as a coach to future gold medallists.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has notified all 30 team general managers that the league will implement new regulations next season designed to prevent teams from deliberately losing games to improve their draft lottery position, according to reports from multiple sports media sources Thursday.

Silver has acknowledged the growing problem, stating during an All-Star weekend press conference that the issue is “worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory.” The NBA’s competition committee also made tanking a primary focus during their January meeting.

Two franchises have already faced financial penalties this month for violating player participation policies. The Utah Jazz received a $500,000 fine while the Indiana Pacers were penalized $100,000 for conduct harmful to the league. Utah specifically benched their top two players, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., for entire fourth quarters in consecutive winnable contests.

According to ESPN and The Athletic, the league is evaluating multiple potential solutions. These include equalizing lottery odds across all non-playoff teams, locking in those odds at the trade deadline or another predetermined date, and preventing franchises from selecting in the top four spots in back-to-back years or following consecutive bottom-three seasons.

Additional possibilities under review include expanding the lottery system to encompass play-in tournament teams (positions 7-10 in both conferences) and calculating lottery odds based on two-year team records, similar to the current WNBA system.

With NBA action resuming Thursday following the All-Star break, no franchise has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. However, five teams – Brooklyn, Indiana, New Orleans, Washington, and Sacramento – currently have winning percentages under .290.

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia criticized the practice on social media earlier Thursday, calling tanking “losing behavior done by losers” and stating it was “much worse than any prop bet scandal.”

The Texas A&M Aggies delivered a stunning road upset against 21st-ranked Tennessee, defeating the Volunteers 82-74 Thursday evening in Knoxville.

Leading the charge for the Aggies were Ny’Ceara Pryor, who tallied 22 points and dished out 10 assists, and Fatmata Janneh, who contributed 17 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. Lemyah Hylton chipped in 12 points for Texas A&M (11-11, 4-9 SEC).

The turning point came in the third quarter when the Aggies exploded with a dominant 16-2 run to open the period, building a commanding 63-44 advantage. Despite jumping out to a 10-0 lead early in the contest, Texas A&M held only a narrow five-point edge at intermission before their decisive third-quarter surge resulted in a 22-9 period advantage.

Tennessee’s Janiah Barker delivered an outstanding individual performance with a career-best 29 points and 10 rebounds. Zee Spearman contributed 14 points while Talaysia Cooper added 11 for the Volunteers (16-9, 8-5), who never managed to take the lead and suffered their third consecutive defeat.

In other Top 25 action, fourth-ranked Texas dominated Arkansas 93-62 behind Madison Booker’s 21 points. The Longhorns built a substantial 20-point halftime advantage and cruised to victory in Fayetteville.

Ninth-ranked Duke defeated NC State 83-65 as Toby Fournier posted 26 points and 12 rebounds. The Blue Devils improved to a perfect 15-0 in ACC play.

Eleventh-ranked Oklahoma edged 24th-ranked Georgia 71-67, with Aaliyah Chavez leading the way with 27 points. The Sooners controlled the game throughout, never surrendering their lead.

Thirteenth-ranked Iowa topped Purdue 83-74 behind Ava Heiden’s 21 points and 13 rebounds, while 22nd-ranked North Carolina needed overtime to defeat Virginia Tech 66-63, with Nyla Harris contributing 15 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

Team Canada’s hockey coach Jon Cooper indicated Thursday that star captain Sidney Crosby could still participate in Friday’s Olympic semifinal, despite the player exiting Wednesday’s contest due to injury.

The Pittsburgh Penguins star departed the ice carefully during the second period of Canada’s overtime victory against the Czech Republic at Milan’s Santagiulia arena, following a collision with Czech defender Radko Gudas.

“Sid is by no means ruled out of the tournament,” Cooper told reporters. “We are not going to put anybody in harm’s way, but if he can play he will, and we will know more in 24 hours. He’s not been ruled out.”

The two-time Olympic gold medalist’s status will be determined before Canada takes on Finland in their semifinal matchup on Friday.

American figure skater Alysa Liu brought home Olympic gold on Thursday with a spectacular performance at the Milano Cortina Games, ending a remarkable 20-year stretch without a medal for U.S. women in the sport.

Liu’s triumph was followed by Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto earning silver, while her 17-year-old compatriot Ami Nakai secured the bronze medal.

The 20-year-old American captivated the packed arena with her disco-inspired routine set to Donna Summer music, executing each jump with precision and bringing spectators to their feet with her confident performance.

“When I was skating, hearing the cheers, I felt so connected with the audience. I want to be out there again,” Liu shared after her victory.

“The way I felt out there was calm, happy and confident. I’ve been having fun. This experience is really cool,” she added.

Liu’s path to Olympic glory includes an extraordinary comeback story. She shocked the figure skating community by stepping away from competition at just 16 years old following the 2022 Beijing Olympics, explaining she was experiencing burnout and wanted to explore different pursuits.

Two years later, the California native returned with renewed passion and greater artistic control, making her own decisions about music selection, choreography, and costume design. This fresh approach led to a revival that included capturing the world championship title in Boston the previous year.

Wearing a sparkling gold costume that matched her achievement, Liu celebrated her perfect routine with a playful hair flip at the conclusion. Her teammate Ilia Malinin could be seen celebrating enthusiastically from the audience as she earned her season-high score of 150.20 in the free skate, totaling 226.79 points.

This marked Liu’s second gold medal from the Milano Games, following the United States’ earlier victory in the team event.

Liu entered Thursday’s competition as America’s final realistic chance for individual gold after teammates Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito, known as the “Blade Angels,” struggled during Tuesday’s short program.

With seven successful triple jumps on Thursday, Liu became the first American woman to earn an individual medal since Sasha Cohen’s silver in 2006 and the first U.S. gold medalist since Sarah Hughes’ victory in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Sakamoto, who was considered a strong contender entering the competition, fell short of her goal to capture her first Olympic gold in what would be her final Games. The three-time world champion and Beijing bronze medalist made a costly error on a jump combination that derailed her medal hopes.

The 25-year-old Japanese skater left the ice with a bleeding knee, her disappointment evident as she broke down in tears upon realizing her gold medal dreams had ended with that single mistake. She finished with a total score of 224.90.

“My goal was to get the gold medal, and now I feel so disappointed,” Sakamoto said through tears that continued even after the medal ceremony.

Nakai had been leading both Sakamoto and Liu going into Thursday’s free skate. While she successfully landed her opening triple Axel, her next element went awry when she mistimed what should have been a triple loop-triple toeloop combination, settling for a triple-double sequence that ultimately cost her the gold.

Despite placing ninth in the free skate, the teenager held onto bronze with a total of 219.16 points.

Nakai expressed surprise at making the Olympic team at all, let alone earning a medal, and acknowledged the responsibility of leading Japan’s figure skating future.

“It’s my first and last time and at the Olympics with her,” Nakai said of Sakamoto.

“I feel sad about that, but I think this means that moving forward, I am carrying the weight of the Japan team, so I’d like to do well for the next Olympics as well.”

Japan’s Mone Chiba placed fourth in her Olympic debut, while American Amber Glenn recovered from her 13th-place position after the short program to finish fifth overall. Russia’s Adeliia Petrosian fell during a quadruple jump attempt and ended up sixth.

All competitors found themselves chasing Liu, who said she felt free from the typical pressure of Olympic competition.

“The most important part of my story is human connection,” she explained.

“That’s all I want in my life, is human connection. And damn now I connect with a hella ton of people. So that’s my dream, and I am glad that I have my creative ideas and can share those as well.

“I think my story is more important than anything (results or medals), and that’s what I will hold dear. And this journey has been incredible.”

The women’s competition concluded the figure skating events at the Milano Cortina Games. Notable attendees included musician Megan Thee Stallion and former tennis champion Maria Sharapova.

The defending world champion British men’s curling team advanced to Saturday’s Olympic gold medal game after a dramatic 8-5 semifinal victory over Switzerland on Thursday in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Team Britain secured their win by scoring two crucial points in the final end, setting up a championship showdown against Canada at the Winter Olympics.

The Swiss team controlled the early portions of the match, but the turning point arrived in the seventh end when British skip Bruce Mouat executed a spectacular takeout shot that removed four stones from play. This forced Switzerland to give up the hammer advantage while scoring only a single point.

Following that pivotal moment, the British squad effectively limited Switzerland’s scoring opportunities. Despite having the final stone of the match, Swiss player Benoit Schwarz-van Berkel couldn’t make the shot he needed to change the outcome.

The loss was particularly disappointing for Switzerland, who had become the first men’s curling team since Canada’s Kevin Martin squad in 2010 to complete the round-robin phase without a defeat. The Swiss team had an outstanding week before falling short in the semifinals.

This marked the second consecutive year these teams met in a major final, with Britain’s Team Mouat capturing a 5-4 victory in last year’s world championship final.

“We weren’t having our best in the first five ends and then really flipped it around in the last five. So just really proud of us for sticking together, supporting each other and believing in each other,” Mouat said.

In the other semifinal match, Canada’s Brad Jacobs guided his squad to a 5-4 victory over Norway in a defensive struggle that required an extra end to decide the winner.

Jacobs, who captured Olympic gold at the 2014 Sochi Games, saw his team advance after the contest went to overtime. Canada had missed an opportunity to win in regulation when Jacobs’ attempted double takeout removed only one stone instead of two. However, when Norway scored two points but surrendered the hammer, Canada easily secured the victory in the extra end.

The Norwegian and Canadian teams had faced each other earlier that same day in their final round-robin meeting, with Magnus Ramsfjell’s Norway winning 8-6. However, Canada didn’t field their complete lineup for that earlier game, resting player Ben Hebert.

“They were tough all day. Magnus made a ton of great shots, starting in that first game. Those guys were virtually lights out,” Jacobs said.

“They gave us everything we could handle. I was just grateful that we had hammer in that game, and we got off to a good start. We were able to manage the scoreboard, because they were not going away easy.

“They played awesome. Just happy to be able to get through them in that semi-final.”

The British and Canadian teams will compete for the gold medal on Saturday, while Switzerland and Norway will battle for the bronze medal on Friday.

Rising Czech tennis talent Jakub Mensik delivered a stunning quarterfinal upset at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday, defeating world No. 2 Jannik Sinner of Italy 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 in Doha.

The sixth-seeded Mensik fired 11 aces throughout the match and controlled the decisive third set with exceptional serving. He won an impressive 14 of his 16 first-serve points in the final set and finished with a 49-of-60 success rate on first serves (81.7%). Mensik also showed tremendous resilience under pressure, successfully defending five of seven break point opportunities.

The defeat marks a significant setback for Sinner, who recently reached the Australian Open semifinals but has now failed to make consecutive finals for the first time since summer 2024.

Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz of Spain now enjoys a more favorable path to the ATP 500 title, though the Spaniard faced his own challenge in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz mounted a comeback victory over seventh-seeded Russian Karen Khachanov, winning 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-3. Despite committing 34 unforced errors, Alcaraz overwhelmed his opponent with 41 winners compared to Khachanov’s 14.

The semifinals will feature Alcaraz against fifth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev, who defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (2). Mensik will face French player Arthur Fils, who scored his own upset by defeating Czech eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3.

Delray Beach Open

Fourth-seeded Learner Tien showcased his serving power with 20 aces among 51 total winners to outlast Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5) in Delray Beach, Florida.

Kecmanovic displayed remarkable fighting spirit, saving four match points during the encounter. He saved one in the 12th game to push the set to a tiebreaker, then rescued three more after falling behind 6-2 in the breaker, but ultimately couldn’t escape a fifth match point. Tien’s quarterfinal matchup will be against eighth-seeded Frances Tiafoe, who also required three sets to overcome qualifier Zachary Svajda 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, successfully defending five of six break points.

Thursday evening’s remaining matches in Florida feature fifth-seeded Tommy Paul taking on Australia’s Adam Walton, while top seed Taylor Fritz faces Spain’s Rafael Jodar.

Rio Open

Portuguese lucky loser Jaime Faria continued his impressive tournament run by defeating Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-6 (1), 6-4 to secure a quarterfinal berth in Rio de Janeiro.

Faria struck 26 winners while overcoming 29 unforced errors to advance. Joining him in the quarterfinals is eighth-seeded Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who posted an identical 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory over Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas.

Rio’s evening schedule includes third-seeded Brazilian Joao Fonseca facing Peru’s Ignacio Buse, while Italian Matteo Berrettini meets Serbian lucky loser Dusan Lajovic.

Olympic gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson of Britain destroyed a world record that had been untouchable for more than two decades, crushing the women’s indoor 800-meter mark Thursday at a track meet in France.

The 23-year-old runner blazed to a time of 1:54.87 at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold competition in Lievin, obliterating the previous record of 1:55.82 by nearly a full second. That former mark was established by Slovenia’s Jolanda Ceplak on March 3, 2002 – remarkably, the same day Hodgkinson was born.

Following her record-breaking performance, Hodgkinson expressed gratitude to the enthusiastic spectators. “Thank you for the amazing crowd,” she said according to the World Athletics website. “I could hear you all the way around.”

The British star has been in exceptional form this season, posting a strong 1:56.33 time at the UK Indoor Championships just last weekend.

Hodgkinson dominated the race from the beginning, hitting the 200-meter split in 26.47 seconds and reaching 400 meters in 55.56 seconds. She maintained her commanding lead through the 600-meter mark at 1:25.06, leaving the rest of the field far behind as she approached the record-breaking finish.

Switzerland’s Audrey Werro crossed the line in a distant second place as Hodgkinson powered through the final stretch to secure her place in track and field history.

The British athlete earned Olympic silver at the Tokyo 2021 Games before capturing gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Los Angeles Lakers are poised to field their complete roster following the All-Star break, a rarity for the injury-plagued team this season.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick announced Thursday that he anticipates having every player ready for Friday’s matchup against their cross-town rivals, the Clippers, including star player Luka Doncic.

Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring with 32.8 points per game, has been sidelined for four contests prior to the break because of a minor hamstring injury. Meanwhile, starting center Deandre Ayton was absent from the team’s final two games before the break due to right knee soreness.

According to Redick, Austin Reaves will no longer face playing time limitations. After missing five weeks with a calf injury, Reaves made his comeback on February 3rd and has been restricted to 20-29 minutes in his initial five games since returning.

As of 4 p.m. Pacific Time, the official injury report for the upcoming game had not been released.

The combination of LeBron James, Doncic, and Reaves has only shared the court for 10 games this season for the Lakers, who hold a 33-21 record and sit in fifth place in the Western Conference as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. All three players have battled various injuries throughout the campaign.

Doncic has appeared in 42 games, contributing 8.6 assists and 7.8 rebounds alongside his league-leading scoring average. Reaves has been limited to just 28 games but ranks second on the team with 25.4 points per game while also adding 6.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds.

James, who missed the season’s opening games while recovering from sciatica in his right side, has participated in 36 contests and is averaging 22.0 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.8 rebounds.

In his debut season with Los Angeles, Ayton has contributed 13.2 points and leads the team with 8.5 rebounds per game across 46 appearances.

ESPN announced Thursday that it will launch a new prime-time programming block featuring women’s professional sports after losing its long-running baseball broadcast to a competitor network.

The sports network will debut “Women’s Sports Sundays” this summer, featuring live coverage from the WNBA and National Women’s Soccer League along with studio programming. The new format will include 12 live contests and related segments spanning nine weeks.

NBC secured the rights to Sunday evening baseball coverage, ending ESPN’s 36-year run with the weekly broadcast. The agreement between ESPN and Major League Baseball was terminated three years ahead of its original expiration date. NBC has secured broadcasting rights for Sunday baseball through 2028 at minimum.

ESPN executives believe they’re capitalizing on growing interest in women’s professional athletics.

“Women’s sports are experiencing continued momentum, and ‘Women’s Sports Sundays’ is ESPN’s next step in meeting that demand,” stated Rosalyn Durant, the network’s executive vice president of programming and acquisitions.

“This franchise is about more than showcasing games — it’s about building a consistent, high-profile destination that reflects the passion, excellence and cultural impact of women’s sports today, while giving athletes and leagues the stage they deserve,” Durant added.

The network has not yet revealed which specific games will be featured or who will handle broadcast duties.

According to industry reports, ESPN may expand the Sunday evening lineup to include women’s college basketball and other sports properties in upcoming seasons.

The women’s soccer league kicks off its season March 13 and runs through November. The NWSL has grown to 16 teams with new franchises in Boston and Denver joining this year.

Women’s basketball teams are set to begin training camps April 19, with the season scheduled to start May 8. However, ongoing labor negotiations could potentially delay the season’s launch. The players’ union contract expired in January, and discussions over revenue distribution and pay structures have made little headway.

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has launched a fierce attack against NBA teams that intentionally lose games to secure better draft positions, describing the practice as disgraceful and comparing it to deliberately throwing contests.

In a social media statement posted Thursday, Ishbia expressed his disgust with the strategy, responding to a Yahoo Sports report about the league’s ongoing tanking issues. The controversy gained renewed attention after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed the problem during All-Star Weekend, following financial penalties levied against two franchises.

“This is ridiculous! Tanking is losing behavior done by losers,” Ishbia declared on his X platform. “Purposely losing is something nobody should want to be associated with. Embarrassing for the league and for the organizations.”

The Suns owner didn’t stop there, escalating his criticism by questioning those who defend the approach as legitimate team-building.

“And the talk about this as a ‘strategy’ is ridiculous,” he added. “If you are a bad team, you get a good pick. That makes sense. But purposely shutting down players and purposely losing games is a disgrace and impacts the integrity of whole league. This is much worse than any prop bet scandal. This is throwing games strategically.”

Ishbia acquired the Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury from Robert Sarver in February 2023, paying $4 billion for both franchises.

Notably, Phoenix lacks control over its first-round draft selection until 2032 due to previous trades since 2023, eliminating any potential advantage from intentional losses.

“Horrible for fans that pay to watch and cheer on their team. And horrible for all the real teams that are competing for playoff spots,” stated Ishbia, who previously played basketball at Michigan State from 1999-2002, including during their 2000 championship campaign.

Commissioner Silver addressed the issue Saturday during All-Star Weekend in Inglewood, California, noting that teams’ obvious tanking efforts have reached unprecedented levels.

“Which was what led to those fines, and not just those fines but to my statement that we’re going to be looking more closely at the totality of all the circumstances this season in terms of teams’ behavior, and very intentionally wanted teams to be on notice,” Silver explained.

The Utah Jazz received a $500,000 penalty for restricting playing time for two key players, while the Indiana Pacers faced a $100,000 fine for roster decisions that sidelined three regular starters.

Silver indicated the league might implement harsher consequences, potentially including the loss of draft selections entirely.

“I think we’re coming at it in two ways,” Silver noted. “One is, again, focusing on the here and now, the behavior we’re seeing from our teams and doing whatever we can to remind them of what their obligation is to the fans and to their partner teams. But No. 2 … the competition committee started earlier this year re-examining the whole approach to how the draft lottery works.”

In his statement, Ishbia expressed confidence that Silver would address the problem through significant reforms.

“Those of us in a position of influence need to speak out,” Ishbia concluded. “… the only ‘strategy’ is doing right by fans, players, and the NBA community.”

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg was absent from Thursday’s spring training practice session, with first-year manager Craig Albernaz providing few details about when the player might return to action.

“He’s unable to participate right now,” Albernaz told reporters on Thursday. “Getting evaluated by our medical team and also outside people. See what’s going on with Jordan and get him ready to go.”

The 27-year-old player experienced tightness in his right oblique muscle during the early stages of spring training. However, Albernaz declined to confirm whether this muscle issue was the current reason for Westburg’s absence and refused to elaborate on any potential different injuries.

According to Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias, who spoke earlier this month, Westburg’s oblique problem has persisted since January.

The Baltimore Banner reported on Thursday that Westburg underwent elbow imaging, adding another layer of uncertainty to his condition.

“Just physically unable to go,” Albernaz explained. “We want to make sure we do our due diligence. Make sure Jordan has the best chance to play this year.”

Physical setbacks have plagued Westburg throughout his three-year tenure with Baltimore, who selected him as the 30th overall pick in the 2020 draft from Mississippi State University.

During the previous season, he appeared in 85 contests but spent time on the injured list for both a left hamstring problem and an ankle sprain. He also sat out portions of 2025 spring training due to back issues. In 2024, despite earning All-Star recognition and playing 107 games, he missed nearly two months after fracturing his hand.

Across 260 major league appearances, Westburg maintains a .264 batting average alongside 38 home runs and 127 runs batted in.

Canadian women’s hockey captain Marie-Philip Poulin is departing Milan with a knee injury but her head held high, commending her squad for their hard-fought overtime battle that ended in a 2-1 defeat to Team USA in the Olympic championship game.

Holding a 1-0 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in regular play, the Canadians appeared destined for gold until Hilary Knight tied the score for the Americans. The defending Olympic champions ultimately settled for silver following Megan Keller’s game-winning goal in overtime.

“We came out, we wanted to play, we wanted to make it difficult for them and we did. Honestly, we knew it was going to be a battle, it was going to be up and down, and it was,” Poulin explained. The team captain had been sidelined for the tournament’s final two group matches due to her knee problem before making her return during the quarterfinal round.

“Overtime against the US? I don’t think it’s a surprise for anybody,” she added.

The 34-year-old player, nicknamed “Captain Clutch,” has orchestrated many of Canada’s most memorable Olympic achievements since making her international debut in 2010. She scored her first of three Olympic goals at age 18 on Canadian ice, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the national program.

During this Milan tournament, Poulin added another chapter to her storied career by setting a new Olympic record for career goals scored during the semifinal match. For Canadian hockey, imagining a future without her leadership seems nearly impossible, as she has achieved national icon status.

However, the veteran center who has delivered powerful performances across her 16-year Olympic journey skillfully avoided giving a direct answer when pressed about whether this fifth Olympic appearance would mark her final Games, stating her uncertainty about retirement plans.

Rather than focusing on her own future, she chose to highlight her teammates’ accomplishments and encouraged them to value their silver medal achievement.

“Just letting them know that that (loss) does not define them, that I’m proud of them, that they showed up,” she stated. “They can keep their head high because it’s truly an honour to be along their side.”

MILAN – In a storybook finish to an illustrious Olympic career, Team USA women’s hockey captain Hilary Knight delivered when it mattered most, netting a critical late-game goal that pushed Thursday’s championship contest into overtime before her squad defeated Canada to claim the gold medal.

The 36-year-old Knight made history as the first American ice hockey athlete to participate in five Olympic Games, and she now adds a second gold medal to her collection alongside three previous silvers. Her clutch scoring performance also established a new record, making her the top goal scorer among U.S. women at Winter Olympic competitions with 15 career tallies.

“Legends do legendary things, and she deserves every little bit of that,” said teammate Abbey Murphy about Knight’s performance.

“She shines in big moments, and what she’s done for this team, however many years ago she joined the USA Women’s Hockey programme, which is insane,” Murphy continued. “The leader she is on and off the ice, and her actions, she’s the best. You guys have no idea what she does for us.”

Despite the Americans’ earlier 5-0 domination of Canada during group play in Milan, they found themselves behind as the final minutes ticked away. That’s when Knight positioned herself perfectly at the goal mouth to deflect a shot from rookie teammate Leila Edwards, creating a beautiful combination between the experienced veteran and newcomer.

“We had a lot of traffic there, so I just moved to the net, and Hilary’s there, and she’ll take care of it,” Edwards explained. “I’m so honoured, and to learn from her every day. It’s just been a blessing.”

Even in those pressure-packed final moments, Knight maintained complete confidence in her team’s ability to create an opportunity.

“There was no way we were losing this game, simple as that,” Knight declared. “We had some awesome heavy hitters on the ice. I knew we were going to get possession, so I just had to find a place in front of the net.”

Teammate Hayley Scamurra, who experienced the disappointment of losing to Canada in the 2022 championship game alongside Knight, felt this victory seemed destined to happen.

“I think you could have called that from the start, for sure,” Scamurra remarked. “I knew she was going to have a big game today, and she was absolutely incredible. I think having her score that goal really motivated our team to kind of keep going.”

The championship victory capped off an extraordinary few days for Knight personally. Just before the final game, she revealed her engagement to American speedskater Brittany Bowe, who is also competing in her final Olympic Games.

Following the medal presentation ceremony, Knight remained on the ice longer than most of her teammates, gliding slowly around the rink with the American flag across her shoulders, clearly savoring every moment of her Olympic farewell.

“I’ve said this is my last Games and I’ve had a heck of a week personally. So it’s been an incredible ride,” Knight reflected. “I love this group. It’s so special to be able to play at this level. I feel a lot of gratitude. It’s such a magical moment and I’m just trying to soak it all in.”

Team USA celebrated a golden night at the Milan Cortina Olympics, claiming championship titles in both women’s hockey and figure skating on Thursday.

In a dramatic overtime battle, the American women’s hockey squad captured their third Olympic gold medal by defeating Canada 2-1. Megan Keller delivered the winning strike with a backhand shot 4 minutes and 7 seconds into the extra period, capping off another intense showdown between these longtime rivals.

Team captain Hilary Knight sent the game into overtime by deflecting Laila Edwards’ shot from the blue line with just 2:04 left on the clock. That goal marked Knight’s 15th Olympic career goal and 33rd career point, establishing new U.S. records in both statistical categories. The Americans previously claimed Olympic gold in women’s hockey during the inaugural 1998 Nagano Games and again in 2018 at Pyeongchang.

Meanwhile, Alysa Liu brought home Olympic gold in women’s figure skating, breaking a 24-year championship dry spell for American women in the sport. Liu executed an almost perfect free skate performance, earning a personal-best score of 226.79 points to edge out Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai for the title.

Liu had returned to competitive skating after taking time away following the Beijing Olympics. Both Japanese competitors made costly errors during their routines, with Sakamoto earning silver and Nakai taking bronze despite their mistakes. American teammate Amber Glenn joined Liu in celebration and finished fifth overall after recovering from a disappointing short program earlier in the week.

In other Olympic news, the sport of curling continued its marathon run through the Games, with athletes expressing exhaustion from the demanding schedule. A total of 147 curling matches are being packed into 18 days of competition, beginning two days before the Opening Ceremonies and running through the final day of events.

Back in the United States, the Chicago Bears’ potential relocation to Indiana gained momentum as a key legislative committee approved plans for a stadium authority. The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed legislation creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would finance and construct a new venue. The Bears are eyeing property near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, calling the legislative action “the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.”

In college sports developments, South Carolina lawmakers approved legislation to keep athlete compensation deals confidential under Name, Image and Likeness rules. The state joins Arkansas, Utah, Colorado and Kentucky in shielding these financial arrangements from public view, despite criticism from transparency advocates.

NCAA officials announced that any discussions about expanding the March Madness basketball tournaments will wait until after this year’s competitions conclude. Senior vice president Dan Gavitt confirmed the organization won’t consider proposals to grow the field to 72 or 76 teams until the current tournaments wrap up.

In NASCAR news, Joe Gibbs Racing filed a federal lawsuit against former competition director Chris Gabehart, alleging he stole confidential information worth more than $8 million to benefit rival Spire Motorsports. The team claims laptop searches revealed Gabehart accessed sensitive setup data and misled them about his plans to join the competing organization.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is expected to play against the Houston Rockets despite being involved in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday in Charlotte. Ball was reportedly driving his custom camouflage Hummer through an intersection when the crash occurred, but he was not listed on the team’s injury report.

Finally, the University of Georgia football program faces renewed scrutiny over player driving violations after linebackers Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested on reckless driving and speeding charges. Coach Kirby Smart had previously expressed frustration about ongoing driving offenses, with three players leaving the program last season following similar arrests.

MILAN – Team USA’s women’s hockey squad claimed Olympic gold Thursday evening in dramatic fashion, overcoming Canada 2-1 in an overtime battle that delivered payback against their northern rivals at the Milano Cortina Olympics.

Megan Keller delivered the championship-clinching goal in sudden death, toppling the defending titleholders in a heart-stopping contest that sent American supporters into celebration mode at Santagiulia Arena.

The Americans appeared destined for another heartbreak against their longtime adversaries after falling behind late in the final period, reminiscent of their defeat to Canada four years earlier.

However, team captain Hilary Knight stepped up when it mattered most in her fifth Olympic appearance, evening the score to force the championship match into three-on-three overtime play. Keller then maneuvered past defender Claire Thompson and tucked the puck beyond Canada’s netminder to secure America’s third Olympic women’s hockey championship.

The matchup delivered another memorable installment in hockey’s most intense rivalry, with capacity crowds alternating between “Canada!” and “USA!” chants from the opening faceoff.

Despite entering as favorites after blanking Canada 5-0 during preliminary play, the Americans faced early resistance as Canadian goalkeeper Ann-Renee Desbiens delivered an outstanding first-period performance.

Team USA had an excellent opportunity to break through with an early second-period power play advantage. However, Canada capitalized on their defensive stand when Laura Stacey intercepted the puck at center ice, advanced forward and fed Kristin O’Neill, who executed a skillful backhand maneuver for a short-handed score.

Trailing for the first time during the tournament, the United States struggled to solve Desbiens until pulling their goaltender for an additional attacker with roughly two minutes remaining in regulation time.

Knight deflected a shot from Olympic newcomer Laila Edwards to net their crucial equalizer, simultaneously establishing a new U.S. women’s Olympic Winter Games scoring record.

“She’s been a part of every historic moment since she’s been a part of this team. For her to get that goal was obviously most important for our team but also just a huge honour for her to break that record,” said Kelly Pannek, Knight’s teammate on their 2018 gold medal-winning group.

“It’s something we all want for her.”

This marked the third occasion in four recent Olympics where these nations required overtime to decide their championship meeting, with spectators holding their breath until Keller concluded the contest just over four minutes into the extra session.

“Everything happened fast,” Desbiens said of the score that just squeaked over the line. “I’ll see that one for a long time.”

American goaltender Aerin Frankel rose to the occasion as well, ultimately stopping 30 of 31 Canadian attempts.

With coach John Wroblewski shedding tears of happiness on the sideline, the American squad celebrated wildly while their Canadian counterparts watched solemnly before the medal presentation, as supporters danced to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.”

The result extended Canada’s losing streak against the Americans to eight consecutive games.

Canada previously held dominance over the United States with five Olympic championships. However, warning signs emerged before they took the ice in Milan.

Team USA captured last year’s world championship before sweeping Canada in their four-game November and December rivalry series, creating unease among Canadian supporters heading into the Olympics.

As American youth prevailed over Canadian veteran experience Thursday, U.S. supporters can anticipate future success, given several college players on the roster have yet to enter professional competition.

The Americans competed in their seventh Olympic championship contest, missing only one title game since women’s hockey joined the Olympic program in 1998. Switzerland earned bronze earlier Thursday with a 2-1 overtime victory against Sweden.

Washington Wizards point guard Trae Young is taking steps toward his first appearance in a Wizards uniform, with the team reporting Thursday that he’s intensifying his basketball workouts on the court.

The star player has been sidelined with injuries to his right knee and quadriceps muscle. Team officials plan to reassess his condition in seven days.

The organization also provided an injury report on forward Anthony Davis, who similarly has not yet played his inaugural game for Washington. Davis is recovering from ligament injuries in his left hand and continues to show improvement. However, he remains restricted from full basketball participation and will undergo another medical evaluation in two weeks.

Washington obtained Young through a January 7th trade with the Atlanta Hawks, sending veteran guard CJ McCollum and forward Corey Kispert to Atlanta in return.

The 27-year-old Young, who has earned four All-Star selections, participated in only 10 contests this season while with Atlanta. During that limited action, he posted averages of 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game, connecting on 41.5% of his field goal attempts and 30.5% from beyond the three-point arc.

Last season, Young topped the NBA with 11.6 assists per contest. Throughout his eight-year professional career spanning 493 games, all as a starter, he has compiled averages of 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Washington acquired Davis on February 4th in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Many observers believe Davis may not return to action this season.

Davis, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday in March, saw action in 20 games for Dallas this season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks. His career statistics include 24.0 points and 10.7 rebounds across 807 games over 14 seasons with New Orleans (2012-19), the Los Angeles Lakers (2019-25), and Dallas.

The 10-time All-Star was the primary asset in last February’s blockbuster deal that brought Dallas superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. Following his move to Dallas, Davis managed just nine appearances due to various injuries.

The National Basketball Association is pushing ahead with plans to implement fresh regulations next season designed to eliminate teams’ motivation to deliberately lose games, according to two sources familiar with the discussions who spoke Thursday.

During a conference call with team general managers Thursday, Commissioner Adam Silver outlined multiple potential solutions to address the tanking problem, the sources told The Associated Press anonymously since no official announcements have been made. Silver had previously stated during last weekend’s All-Star festivities that “every possible remedy … to stop this behavior” was being considered.

ESPN initially broke the news about Silver’s conversation with the general managers regarding the league’s anti-tanking strategy.

While no final decisions have been reached, one source indicated numerous concepts are under review. One proposal involves establishing fixed lottery odds by a specific calendar date, which would remove any advantage for teams to lose games during the season’s final stretch.

The matter is expected to receive additional attention during next month’s Board of Governors gathering.

The tanking controversy has dominated NBA discussions recently, highlighted by the Utah Jazz receiving a $500,000 penalty for “conduct detrimental to the league.” The fine specifically targeted their decision to bench Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. during fourth quarters of two contests, despite both players being healthy and the games’ outcomes still uncertain.

Additionally, the Indiana Pacers faced a $100,000 fine for breaking the Player Participation Policy by resting key players, including Pascal Siakam, who qualifies as a “star” under league guidelines, during their matchup with Utah this month.

This ongoing issue has prompted repeated league intervention over the years, including modifications to the lottery system, implementation of the Player Participation Policy, and substantial financial penalties. The Dallas Mavericks received a $750,000 fine in 2023 for sitting most starters in a late-season contest while still competing for playoff positioning.

“I think we’re coming at it in two ways. One is, again, focusing on the here and now, the behavior we’re seeing from our teams and doing whatever we can to remind them of what their obligation is to the fans and to their partner teams,” Silver explained during All-Star weekend. “But number two … the competition committee started earlier this year reexamining the whole approach to how the draft lottery works.”

“We want to have fair competition, we want to have fair systems and to keep an eye on the fans, most importantly, and their expectation that we’re going to be putting the best product forward,” he added.