Italians collect medals on a feel-good first day for the hosts at the Milan Cortina Olympics
MILAN (AP) — The 2026 Winter Games are off to a promising start for host nation Italy with gold, silver and bronze on the first day of medal events. But it was Switzerland’s Franjo Von Allmen who captured the first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday. There were no Americans on the podium though Lindsey Vonn impressed in her second training run ahead of the women’s downhill Sunday. Italian speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida won the host nation’s first gold medal of these Olympics — in the 3,000 meters. Italy had a strong day on the slopes, too, with Alpine skiers Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris taking silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s downhill.
Duke's Scheyer says staff members 'got punched in the face' during court-storming; UNC AD apologizes
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Jon Scheyer said he had staff members “that got punched in the face” as North Carolina fans stormed the court to celebrate a late winning shot in the famed rivalry Saturday night. That prompted UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham to publicly apologize. Cunningham said one person was injured amid the chaos but didn't offer details as to who or how. UNC beat rival Duke 71-68 on Seth Trimble's 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left.
Seth Trimble hits late 3 to lift No. 14 UNC past No. 4 Duke 71-68 in stunning rivalry finish
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Seth Trimble made a corner 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to lift No. 14 North Carolina past No. 4 Duke 71-68 in a stunning finish Saturday night. It included fans storming the court prematurely before having to clear out for the Blue Devils to get one desperate final play. The shot appeared to come at the buzzer but officials reviewed it and put time back on the clock. After fans were eventually cleared from the court, Duke had one last chance but Isaiah Evans couldn't get a clean catch for a desperate shot and the game ended.
How aggressive free agency moves led the Patriots and Seahawks to the Super Bowl
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks have defied the odds by reaching the Super Bowl after aggressive free agency spending. The Patriots spent more than $364 million, securing key players like Milton Williams and Stefon Diggs. General Manager Eliot Wolf emphasized a culture shift and intentional player selection. The Seahawks, spending more than $205 million, signed quarterback Sam Darnold and made strategic draft picks, bolstered by trades. Coach Mike Macdonald praised the balance of the draft and free agency. While free agency fueled success, both teams acknowledge it’s not a guaranteed strategy for future seasons.
Lindsey Vonn going for Olympic downhill gold at 41 with torn ACL in her 'most dramatic' comeback
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Seeing whether Lindsey Vonn can contend for a medal in the Olympic downhill at age 41 with a titanium replacement in her right knee was already going to be one of the highlights of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Add in that she will now be competing in Sunday’s race with a completely ruptured ACL and plenty of people are questioning whether it’s something out of science fiction. Which is just the type of motivation that Vonn thrives on. Vonn says on social media "I came all this way for one final Olympics and I’m going to go and do my best, ACL or no. It’s as simple as that.”
Mikaela Shiffrin arrives at her fourth Olympics hardly burdened by the ghosts of Beijing
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin is leaning into the challenge of her fourth Olympics. The three-time Olympic medalist is four years removed from a disappointing performance in Beijing, where she failed to medal in any of her six races. The 30-year-old is taking a narrower focus this time, focusing on slalom, giant slalom and the team combined. Shiffrin, whose 108 World Cup victories are a record, says she understands there is an outsized level of pressure that comes with being at the Olympics but that it's a privilege to compete against the backdrop of that pressure.
Matsuyama shoots 68 to take 1-shot lead at Phoenix Open with top-ranked Scheffler lurking
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Hideki Matsuyama shot a 3-under 68 despite some missed opportunities down the stretch to take a one-shot lead in the third round of the Phoenix Open. Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is lurking five shots off the lead after shooting 67 in a bunched leaderboard that had four players a shot back. Matsuyama failed to get up-and-down from near the green on the short par-4 17th and left a 15-foot birdie putt on the lip at 18 to finish at 13-under 200 on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. Matsuyama was tied with Ryo Hisatsune after 17 holes, but took the outright lead when his countryman bogeyed 18 to shoot 70. Hisatsune was 12 under with Nicolai Hojgaard, Maverick McNealy and Si Woo Kim.
WNBA's newest offer makes small revenue sharing increases, housing concessions AP sources say
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA’s newest proposal to the players’ union that was delivered Friday made small increases to its revenue sharing offer and concessions on housing according to two people familiar with the negotiations. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Saturday because of the sensitive nature of the discussions. The major sticking point continues to be revenue sharing. Union president Nneka Ogwumike told the AP on Friday — before the league’s proposal was submitted to the union — that the two sides weren’t close on that topic in their effort to strike a new collective bargaining agreement.
Bridges stars as the Hornets beat the Hawks 126-119 for their 9th straight win
ATLANTA (AP) — Miles Bridges scored 26 points, Kon Knueppel had 23 and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-119 for their ninth straight win. LaMelo Ball added 19 points and nine assists as Charlotte improved to 12-3 in its last 15 games. Brandon Miller scored 16 points, and Moussa Diabate finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds. The Hornets’ win streak is the longest active streak in the NBA and the best run for the franchise since it also won nine in a row during the 1998-99 season. Jalen Johnson had 31 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Atlanta, which had won six of eight.
Lakers' Doncic, Warriors' Curry dealing with injuries ahead of All-Star Game
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic is day-to-day for the Los Angeles Lakers because of a mild hamstring strain, putting his availability for the All-Star Game next weekend in question, while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is trending toward missing that contest and the games leading up to it because of a knee injury. The status of the two superstars were addressed ahead of the marquee game between the Warriors and Lakers on Saturday night, with Los Angeles coach JJ Redick indicating the MRI taken after Doncic was hurt in a win over Philadelphia on Thursday showed no significant injury. The Lakers have three more home games prior to the All-Star break after Saturday, and Redick indicated Doncic would like to be available.
