Sports

By HOLLY MEYER Associated Press The religiously wary, the spiritually curious — and anyone inclined to appeal to a higher power on game day — are the target audience for a Super Bowl ad campaign with a simple message: Jesus loves them. A group that includes wealthy Christian boosters is using the biggest megaphone TV

WORCESTER, England (AP) — The Worcester Warriors rugby team is no more. The English club was placed in compulsory liquidation and therefore automatically relegated from the Premiership last year while being pursued for unpaid tax. It was set a deadline of Feb. 14 to provide evidence that it met conditions to compete in the second-tier

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant’s time in Brooklyn ended early Thursday when the Nets agreed to trade him to the Phoenix Suns, a person with knowledge of the details said. The Suns will send Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and additional draft compensation to

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia has been stripped of hosting the 2025 swimming world championships and Singapore has been awarded the event by the governing body of the sport. Russia had originally been chosen in 2019 to host the event in Kazan. The International Olympic Committee has asked the governing bodies of sports not to

SINGAPORE (AP) — Tom McKibbin is a surprise first-round leader of the Singapore Classic after shooting 8-under 64. The 20-year-old Northern Irishman is ranked No. 308, has just one top-10 finish on the European tour and has missed the cut in two of his three events in 2023. Yet he made eight birdies in a

BARWON HEADS, Australia (AP) — Ryan Ruffels has taken a two-shot lead at 11 under in the men’s Vic Open after a course record-equaling 61 in the first round. He had had seven birdies and two eagles at 13th Beach Golf Links. The Florida-based Ruffels has been playing on the Korn Ferry Tour and was

PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns pulled a midnight blockbuster on Wednesday, acquiring 13-time All-Star Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets, according to multiple reports. The outlets, citing unnamed sources, said the Suns added Durant to a starting lineup that already includes an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, along with center Deandre

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard had 33 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers rallied past the Golden State Warriors 125-122. It was just the second triple-double of Lillard’s career, and first this season. Jerami Grant added 22 points for the Blazers, who

LARAMIE, Wyo. — The UNLV Rebels defeated the Wyoming Cowboys 69-59 led by Elijah Harkless’ 33 points. The Rebels improved to 16-8 with the victory and the Cowboys fell to 7-16.

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tyrin Lawrence knocked down a 3-pointer from the right corner at the buzzer as the Vanderbilt Commodores snapped an 11-game skid against its in-state rival by upsetting sixth-ranked Tennessee 66-65 Wednesday night. Students rushed the court and joined the Commodores in celebrating easily the

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer WACO, Texas (AP) — Keyonte George had 23 points and Adam Flagler scored 20 as 14th-ranked Baylor held on to beat Oklahoma 82-72. Flagler scored 14 points in the final 13:11 of the game, the first of those being a jumper that put Baylor back ahead to stay. Langston