AP Sports Digest
Thu, Jan 28, 2021
AP Sports
The highlights of the AP Sports report. An up-to-the minute listing of all stories planned, including games and events, is available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom, http://newsroom.ap.org/coverageplan You can also find a link to Coverage Plan on the left navigation of the Newsroom home page, http://newsroom.ap.org
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The AP's Ralph Russo hosts the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/idhttps-podcasts-apple-com-us-podcast-ap-top-25-college/id1138957862
TOP STORIES
BKN-LAKERS-76ERS
PHILADELPHIA - Joel Embiid tried to dunk on LeBron James and instead his back slammed on the court. James' push of the 76ers big man got him hit with a flagrant 1 and Embiid cried foul. He wanted the King tossed. James stuck around -- long enough to watch Tobias Harris stick it to the Lakers. Harris swished a jumper with 3 seconds left, ending the Lakers' 13-0 run and sending Philadelphia to a 107-106 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night. By Dan Gelston. SENT: 730 words, photos.
FBN-TEXANS-CULLEY
HOUSTON - David Culley has been hired as the coach of the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the hiring hasn't been announced. It will be the first head coaching job for the 65-year-old Culley, who has worked as an assistant for the Baltimore Ravens since 2019. By Kristie Rieken. SENT: 250 words, photo.
OLY-SPORTS FEDERATIONS-TOKYO
ROME - The IOC is adamant that the Tokyo Olympics will be held this year despite the pandemic. So are Japanese organizers. Now hear it from the man who represents all 33 sports in the Summer Games. Francesco Ricci Bitti says "we're positive that the games will be held." The president of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations adds that all of the 33 sports "want the games." By Andrew Dampf. SENT: 700 words; photos.
FBN-SEAHAWKS-WHEELER
SEATTLE - Former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler was charged with first-degree domestic violence assault on Wednesday following his arrest last weekend. Wheeler was additionally charged with domestic violence unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest by King County Prosecutors. Wheeler is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 9. The first-degree domestic violence assault charge is a Class A felony in Washington. The domestic violence unlawful imprisonment charge is a Class C felony. SENT: 550 words, photos.
COMMENTARY
OLY--TIM DAHLBERG-SPORTS VACCINES
The world may yet gather in Tokyo this summer for an Olympics already postponed once because of the pandemic. Listen to Olympic officials, and it's almost a certainty. Thomas Bach made that clear Wednesday when he vowed that the Olympics would be staged in July and that this time there is no back up plan. One other thing the president of the International Olympic Committee claims is certain: They won't be stealing your vaccine shots to make the games happen. By Sports Columnist Tim Dahlberg. SENT: 730 words.
NOTABLE
BBO--METS-BLUE JAYS TRADE
NEW YORK - In a deal between two of baseball's busiest teams this winter, the New York Mets traded left-hander Steven Matz to the Toronto Blue Jays for three young pitchers Wednesday night. New York received reliever Sean Reid-Foley and minor league right-handers Josh Winckowski and Yennsy Diaz in a move that could signal the Mets are pursuing a pricey free agent. By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. SENT: 800 words.
BKL-WNBA FREE AGENCY
Candace Parker is headed home and Kayla McBride is getting a fresh start in Minnesota. WNBA free agents can't officially sign until Monday, but Parker is leaving for Chicago after playing the first 13 years of her professional career with the Los Angeles Sparks according to a person familiar with decision. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because no official announcement is allowed until Feb. 1. By Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg. SENT: 700 words, photo.
FBC-TENNESSEE-HEUPEL
Josh Heupel says he sees potential NCAA sanctions as a minor speed bump for Tennessee. The Volunteers' new football coach also said Wednesday that Tennessee still will have a chance to chase championships. New athletic director Danny White introduced Heupel as Tennessee's 27th head coach overall with a six-year deal worth $4 million a year. Heupel is the Vols' fifth different head coach since the end of the 2008 season. He was 28-8 in three seasons at UCF after being hired by White to replace Scott Frost. White was hired last week to replace Phillip Fulmer, who is retiring. By Teresa M. Walker. SENT: 650 words, photos.
BKN--GRIZZLIES' RESTART
The Memphis Grizzlies finally are back on a basketball court and hoping to get back to playing games. The Grizzlies returned to practice Wednesday night after having their last five games postponed because of contact tracing within the team and the length of time they were unable to practice. They had been allowed to do individual workouts with one coach over the past couple days, and coach Taylor Jenkins said it was great to be back. By Teresa M. Walker. SENT: 490 words, photos.
BKC-BIG TEN THIS WEEK
No. 7 Iowa and No. 19 Illinois will both be playing for the first time in over a week when they face off Friday. No. 4 Michigan leads the Big Ten standings but won't be playing anytime soon Michigan has paused all athletic activities after several positive tests for a new COVID-19 variant that transmits at a higher rate. Michigan State will be playing for the first time in 20 days when it visits Rutgers on Thursday. By Steve Megargee. SENT: 540 words, photos.
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AP Sports Extra: Super Bowl:
A paginated preview of the Super Bowl on Feb. 7 is available by searching "SE" in AP Newsroom under the Graphics tab. Three page sizes are available -- full broadsheet, half broadsheet, tabloid -- with space for local advertising or content. The pages look at the Chiefs-Buccaneers matchup, keys to the game and Super Bowl facts and figures. For questions, contact Barry Bedlan at bbedlan@ap.org
SUPER BOWL 55 PREVIEW: Full-page graphic shows the probable Chiefs and Buccaneers starters, with analysis of offense and defense and key players; team stats for regular and postseason; and statistical QB comparison. 6c x 20 inches. Stand alone or with related Super Bowl stories. UPCOMING: Feb. 3.
SUPER BOWL 55 LOGOS: Super Bowl 55 logo with team helmets, logos. With any Super Bowl stories. SENT.
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Thursday Time Schedule (EST)
NBA
Portland at Houston, 7:30 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Miami, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Detroit, 8 p.m.
Golden State at Phoenix, 10 p.m.
NHL
Calgary at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Florida at Columbus, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Washington, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Boston, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Anaheim at Arizona, 9 p.m.
San Jose at Colorado, 9 p.m.
St. Louis at Vegas, 9 p.m.
Ottawa at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Toronto at Edmonton, 10 p.m.
Top 25 Men's Basketball
No. 1 Gonzaga at San Diego, 9 p.m.
No. 6 Houston at Tulane, 9 p.m.
No. 15 Kansas vs. TCU, 8 p.m.
Top 25 Women's Basketball
No. 1 Louisville vs. North Carolina 8 p.m.
No. 2 NC State at Virginia Tech, 4 p.m.
No. 3 UConn at No. 19 Arkansas, 5 p.m.
No. 4 South Carolina at No. 21 Mississippi St., 7 p.m.
No. 7 Maryland vs. Michigan St., 4 p.m.
No. 8 Texas A&M at Auburn, 8:30 p.m.
No. 14 Ohio St., at No. 16 Indiana, 8 p.m.
No. 15 Kentucky vs. Alabama 6:30 p.m.
No. 18 Gonzaga at Pacific, 10 p.m.
No. 20 Tennessee vs. Mississippi, 7 p.m.
NO. 22 Georgia vs. LSU, 7 p.m.
No. 23 Northwestern at Iowa, 6 p.m.
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