Sports

DENVER (AP) — Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was ruled out Wednesday night against the Western Conference-leading Denver Nuggets due to tightness in his lower back. It’s the last game for the Mavericks before the All-Star break. Coach Jason Kidd didn’t elaborate pregame what happened. Kidd thought Irving would participate in the All-Star Game this

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have bought the property that they’ve been sizing up for a new enclosed stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. The Bears announced Wednesday afternoon that they bought the 326-acre property for $197.2 million. The Bears cautioned that the purchase doesn’t mean their plans for a new stadium and

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher talk on a regular basis about a new home for the franchise, and the focus has been on Las Vegas. But Manfred isn’t closing the door on the team remaining in Oakland. He says he thinks

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens have re-signed defensive end Brent Urban and cornerback Daryl Worley. The Ravens announced the moves Wednesday. The 31-year-old Urban played 16 games for Baltimore last season. He finished with one sack. He previously played for the Cowboys, Bears and Titans. He also spent his first four NFL

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have hired Parks Frazier as their passing game coordinator. The 31-year-old Frazier was part of Frank Reich’s staff with the Indianapolis Colts since 2018, where he served as assistant quarterbacks coach. The Panthers also retained special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, offensive line coach James Campden and assistant offensive

LIEVIN, France (AP) — Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma has broken a 25-year-old indoor world record in the 3,000 meters at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais. Girma covered the distance in 7 minutes, 23.81 seconds at the World Athletics event. The previous record of 7:24.90 was set by Kenya’s Daniel Komen in Budapest in 1998. Spain’s Mohamed Katir

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NCAA asked a federal appeals court on Wednesday to reject a legal effort to make colleges treat Division I athletes like employees and start paying them an hourly wage. Lawyers for the student-athletes said that weekly, they often spend 30 hours or more on their sport

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas prosecutor said Wednesday he will dismiss a felony domestic violence case against former Texas basketball coach Chris Beard, in part because of the alleged victim’s wishes not to prosecute. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said after a review of the evidence, and

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Brian Flores interviewed for at least four jobs this offseason including one for head coach. His two sons were adamant that defensive coordinator in Minnesota was the best fit. They’re big fans of Vikings star Justin Jefferson. Flores was hired by the Vikings earlier

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Two-time All-Star Corbin Burnes and Brady Singer have lost in salary arbitration. Burnes will receive $10.01 million from the Milwaukee Brewers rather than his $10.75 million request. Singer will get $2.95 million rather than $3,325,000 from the Kansas City Royals. Teams have a 5-3 lead in decisions. Infielder Gio Urshela

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The New Orleans Saints hired Joe Woods as defensive coordinator and Todd Grantham as defensive line coach Wednesday. Saints coach Dennis Allen also added secondary coach Marcus Robertson, tight ends coach Clancy Barone and assistant offensive line coach Kevin Carberry. Woods spent the past three seasons as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — The state commission that regulates slap fighting — in which opponents take turns striking each other in the face — attempted Wednesday to address a critical question for the budding sport: What constitutes a legal slap? Competitors in the Power Slap League must deliver only

BRUGGE, Belgium (AP) — João Mário scored from the penalty spot and substitute David Neres added a second goal with three minutes left as Benfica took a step toward the Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-0 at Club Brugge in the first leg of their last 16 tie. Benfica players’ superior technical skills were on

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer Canada women’s national soccer team coach Bev Priestman says the dispute between her players and the Canadian federation is weighing on the team as it prepares for its opening match of the SheBelieves Cup against the United States. The Canadian players say there have been drastic cuts to

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. couldn’t wait to get started on his 2023 season. Feeling fully recovered from his 2021 knee injury, Acuña already is taking swings at the Braves’ spring training site in Florida. He is preparing to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have purchased the property that they’ve been sizing up for a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. WFLD-TV reported that the Bears announced Wednesday afternoon that they bought the 326-acre property for $197.2 million. The Bears cautioned, however, that the purchase doesn’t mean their plans for a

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Karim Adeyemi sprinted the length of the field to score the only goal as Borussia Dortmund beat Chelsea 1-0 to leave its big-spending British opponent’s Champions League campaign in jeopardy after the first leg of their last-16 meeting. Chelsea created many of the best chances before a lightning counterattack broke the

By MATTIAS KAREN Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Manchester City has seized the momentum in the Premier League title race after Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland helped secure a 3-1 win at Arsenal in a top-of-the-table match. Grealish and Haaland both scored in the second half as the defending champions extended their recent dominance over

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — IndyCar regular Conor Daly, seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and action sports star Travis Pastrana are among the drivers vying for six open spots in the Daytona 500 this weekend. Thirty-six drivers already are locked into the 40-car field based on NASCAR’s charter system.

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin said Wednesday he never intended to offend anyone for attending the Super Bowl wearing a jacket that critics deemed to feature an offensive depiction of Jesus. “After talking with my parents I understand how my coat could have offended some