AP National Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving missed the Brooklyn Nets’ game against Golden State because of right calf tightness. Coach Jacque Vaughn said after Irving arrived at the arena Wednesday, he did some shooting and then reported his tightness. The Nets initially listed their point guard as questionable but then scratched him shortly after. Irving

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer RENTON, Wash. (AP) — For the most part, Tariq Woolen’s rookie season in Seattle has gotten one glowing review after another. He has six interceptions, which is tied for the league lead and the most by any rookie. He’s making a case for defensive rookie of the year. And

DOUG PADILLA Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jaylen Clark scored 18 points with 11 rebounds as No. 13 UCLA returned from a productive East Coast trip to earn an 81-54 victory over UC Davis. Tyger Campbell scored 17 points and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 14 as the Bruins distanced themselves from a slow start

BALTIMORE (AP) — Right-handed reliever Mychal Givens and the Baltimore Orioles finalized a $5 million, one-year contract, a deal that includes a mutual option for 2024. Givens began his big league career with the Orioles and was with them from 2015 until he was traded to Colorado during the 2020 season. He pitched for the

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Grant Wahl was remembered for his peripatetic life as a sportswriter, pursuit of social justice and lasting impact on family, friends and people he mentored. Wahl died at age 49 from aortic aneurysm on Dec. 10 while covering a World Cup match in Qatar. A

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Baseball Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Fans of the San Francisco Giants spent a week reveling in the good news: Carlos Correa was coming to the Bay Area, lured by a megadeal worth $350 million over 13 years. And then, just like that, the two-time All-Star was gone, poached by the

FLORENCE, Ala. — Led by KJ Johnson’s 14 points, the North Alabama Lions defeated the Williams Baptist Eagles 83-45 on Wednesday night. The Lions are now 8-5 on the season, while the Eagles fell to 0-4.

Caitlin Bickle scored 17 points, Sarah Andrews missed a triple-double by one point and No. 24 Baylor pulled away from Long Beach State for a 73-52 win. Andrews had career highs of 14 assists and 12 rebounds to go with nine points on 2-of-11 shooting. Je’Mee Asberry and Bella Fontleroy both had 11 points for

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Esmery Martinez scored 13 points and was part of dominating Arizona rebounding performance with nine boards in the No. 18 Wildcats’ 78-59 victory over UT Arlington. Lauren Fields, Shaina Pellington, and Cate Reese scored 10 points apiece for Arizona, which won its third straight game. Maya Nnaji grabbed nine rebounds to

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — It’s unrealistic to think the New York Giants will ever find another Lawrence Taylor. But rookie linebacker and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux looked a little bit like LT last Sunday night at Washington. He had a strip-sack that he recovered for a touchdown and

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer The early signing period for college football opened Wednesday and in many ways it looked the same as usual. There were surprising last-minute flips by blue-chip recruits, pick-a-hat commitment ceremonies held at high schools across the country and Alabama signing the nation’s top-rated class. Hanging over it

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars face Zach Wilson and the New York Jets in Week 16 for the second straight season. Both teams have come a long way since the previous meeting. This year, the Jaguars and Jets are in the middle of a playoff race in

By DANIEL POLITI and HERNÁN ALVAREZ Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s government on Wednesday defended the mammoth parade held to welcome home the World Cup winners even though the event was abruptly cut short amid organizational chaos. After days of high-profile activity, team captain Lionel Messi and most of the other members

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Led by Mason Harrell’s 27 points, the Texas State Bobcats defeated the University of Science & Arts Oklahoma Drovers 87-72 on Wednesday. The Bobcats improved to 7-6.

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy says he hopes Justin Fields breaks the NFL single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Getsy says the Bears won’t take Fields out of a game if he’s closing in on the record. But he also says

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer SAO PAULO (AP) — Doctors say Pelé’s health has worsened during his hospital stay to regulate his cancer medication. The hospital says in a statement that Pelé’s cancer has advanced and that he is under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions.” One of his daughters says the

By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he’d like to add more to a team that’s played .500 ball over the last three seasons. The Pirates have added Carlos Santana, Ji-Man Choi, catcher Austin Hedges, pitcher Vince Velasquez and first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe. Cherington told reporters on

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson didn’t choose Cleveland because of its weather. But along with a $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns, Watson was enticed to join the team after making a strong initial connection with coach Kevin Stefanski, who showed him the possibilities to shine

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will lose a draft pick for getting started too soon on their pursuit of Jalen Brunson. The NBA penalized the Knicks a second-round selection in the 2025 draft on Wednesday after finding that the Knicks began free-agency discussions involving Brunson before the date allowed. Brunson was the

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — On paper, the Peach Bowl matchup between No. 1 Georgia’s defense and No. 4 Ohio State’s offense is a test of strengths in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Georgia ranks second in the nation with its average of 12.8 points allowed. Ohio State ranks second