INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points — his career-high 23rd consecutive game w...

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points — his career-high 23rd consecutive game with at least 20 — and the Los Angeles Clippers survived a tight fourth quarter to beat Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-104 on Thursday night.The Clippers have won seven of eight and 14 of 17 as they continue their upward climb from the depths of the Western Conference. Leonard, who missed a stretch when his team had nearly bottomed out in the standings, has a left knee contusion but he didn't sit for long in the fourth.LeBron James scored four points and Doncic hit a 3-pointer to cap a 19-7 run that closed the Lakers within two.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>James Harden answered Doncic's 3 with one of his own as the Clippers ran off 10 in a row to stay in front, 103-91.But the Lakers weren't done yet. James hit a jumper and completed a three-point play in an 11-2 run that drew them within three.Ivica Zubac's reverse dunk and John Collins' 3-pointer extended the Clippers' lead to eight points and they closed it out on Harden's pair of free throws.Luka Doncic had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and James added 23 points. The Lakers fell to 5-6 in their last 11.Harden had 18 points and 10 assists and Zubac added 18 points and 19 rebounds for the Clippers, who had seven players in double figures.Leonard, Harden and Zubac combined to score the Clippers’ first 15 points of the third, extending their lead to 26 points — largest of the game.From there, the Lakers outscored them 19-7 to go into the fourth trailing 86-72. James opened the spurt with a 3-pointer and ended it with a huge dunk off Harden’s turnover after Doncic chipped in 9 points in the quarter.The Clippers dominated the first half, outscoring the Lakers 17-7 — including nine in a row — over the final minutes to go into halftime leading 64-47.Doncic scored just three of his 17 first-half points in the second quarter when Leonard led the bench against Doncic and James. The Clippers shot 59% from the floor while limiting the Lakers to 42%.The Lakers were still without Austin Reaves (calf strain), although coach JJ Redick expects him back soon.Up nextLakers: Visit the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday to open a six-game trip against Doncic’s old team.Clippers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers plays defense during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 22, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

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Kawhi's 24 points help Clippers hold off Lakers

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka overcame several bouts of inconsistent pla...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka overcame several bouts of inconsistent play Friday to beat Anastasia Potapova 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) and advance to the fourth round at the Australian Open.Sabalenka, chasing her third Australian Open title in four years, led 6-5 and 40-0 in the opening set but Potapova saved all three set points to send it to a tiebreaker. Sabalenka led 3-0 in the tiebreaker before Potapova leveled at 3-3.Sabalenka held two more set points and clinched the set when she laced a backhand down the line off Potapova’s second serve.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>After trailing 4-0 in the second set, Potapova rallied to tie it 4-4 and again force a tiebreaker. Potapova had three set points to win the set in the tiebreaker, but Sabalenka rallied when the pressure was on."She played incredible tennis," Sabalenka said of Potapova in her on-court TV interview. "I was always on the back foot. There are days where you just have to fight and . . . it was such a fight."Sabalenka won the Australian Open title in 2023 and 2024 and was the runner-up a year ago to Madison Keys. Sabalenka has also won the U.S. Open twice.On the men's side, 25th-seeded Learner Tien of the U.S., defeated Nuno Borges 7-6 (9), 6-4, 6-2.In later matches on Friday, top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz played Corentin Moutet, Daniil Medvedev faced Fabian Marozsan and third-seeded Coco Gauff played fellow American Hailey Baptiste.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates beating Austria's Anastasia Potapova in their women's singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2026. / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

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Inconsistent Sabalenka advances to 4th round at Australian Open

Forward Trinity Rodman agreed to a three-year contract to remain with the Washington Spirit, endi...

Forward Trinity Rodman agreed to a three-year contract to remain with the Washington Spirit, ending months of speculation about the Olympic gold medalist's future in the National Women's Soccer League."I think I've always had a vision and an idea of what I wanted my legacy to be," Rodman said at an event announcing her new deal Thursday in Los Angeles. "And for me, we're doing that and I'm so grateful for that."The speculation over Rodman's future with the Spirit spurred criticism of the NWSL salary cap and whether it hampered the league from attracting and maintaining top players.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 23-year-old Rodman became a free agent at the end of last season after five years with the Spirit. One of the biggest stars in the NWSL, keeping her in the league was considered vitally important as other U.S. national team stars, including Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson, opted to play in Europe.Rodman, who won a gold medal with the United States at the Paris Olympics, had been drawing interest from European teams that don’t have a salary cap."I can't think of the Washington Spirit without her," Spirit owner Michele Kang said. "And I hope she can't think about her career without the Washington Spirit. So this is really monumental and it was really important, not only for the Spirit, especially for our fans who expect to see her. They come to Audi Field and that’s where Rowdy Audi clearly came out."Rodman said she always wanted to stay with the Spirit. "Making my decision, the one question I was asked was: 'Do you feel like you're finished with the Spirit? Can you say that and feel confident leaving?'" she said. "I didn't even need half a second, and I was like, 'No, I'm not. I don't feel ready to make a different decision. That's just, again, getting drafted here and developing and maturing and learning – and failing – at the Spirit, in D.C., it's become so much of my legacy and my story. But on top of that, I still feel like there’s so much more I have to give and so much more that I want to do."The Spirit and Rodman had previously struck a multi-year deal that both parties maintained was in compliance with the salary cap, but it was rejected by the league because it went against the spirit of the rules.The National Women's Soccer League Players Association filed a grievance claiming that the NWSL's rejection of the contract violated Rodman's free agency rights and violated the collective bargaining agreement.To address the salary cap issue, the NWSL in late December adopted a "High Impact Player" mechanism that allowed teams to spend up to $1 million over the cap to sign players that meet certain criteria. Those included metrics like national team minutes, inclusion among the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or or player rankings by outlets like the Guardian or ESPN.The NWSLPA filed a grievance over the rule, claiming it violated the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law because player compensation must be negotiated. The NWSLPA maintains the league had no authority to "unilaterally create a new pay structure."Spirit President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter said the High Impact Player rule figured into the contract Rodman ultimately agreed to. Carter also said the grievances would not alter Rodman’s deal.The financial terms of Rodman's contract were not disclosed, but the Spirit called it "one of the most significant deals in NWSL history."The NWSL's salary cap is $3.5 million for each team for the 2026 season, although it will increase each year until it hits $5.1 million in 2030.Rodman is currently with the national team in their annual January training camp in Carson, California. The team plays a match there against Paraguay on Saturday and then plays Chile on Tuesday in Santa Barbara.Rodman has 47 appearances and 11 goals with the national team, more than any other player on the latest roster. She played in one U.S. match last year, a 2-0 victory over Brazil in April, because of injuries.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 13: Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit reacts during the second half against Kansas City Current at CPKC Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Success and fame came quickly for Kurt Busch.  In hindsight, maybe a littl...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Success and fame came quickly for Kurt Busch.In hindsight, maybe a little too fast for the driver known as "The Outlaw."Busch won his first dwarf car race at age 15 in a small Nevada town, setting him on a meteoric rise. He went on to win the Cup Series championship just 11 years later in 2004 and finished his 23-year professional career with 43 victories across NASCAR's three national series before a concussion ended his time behind the wheel in 2023.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>On Friday night, the 47-year-old Busch will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with fellow drivers Harry Gant and Ray Hendrick, culminating a drama-filled career that had more twists and turns and momentum changes than your typical Sunday stock car race.There were run-ins with NASCAR. Clashes with owners and crew members of his own race teams. Altercations with other drivers and reporters. Suspensions and firings became synonymous with the Busch name.There were highly-publicized relationship issues away from the track, too."There is definitely the knowledge and wisdom thing that youth doesn't have," Busch said with a laugh Thursday when asked if he would do things differently during an interview with The Associated Press. "And so if I could, I would have told my younger self to have more patience and to not get so animated or so excited when things went wrong."It was like I was on too high of highs and too low of lows," Busch went on to say. "If I could have just mellowed it out a little, I think, that would have made for an easier path for me, so to speak."Getting to the Hall of Fame was not an easy journey for Busch, who burned his share of bridges and made plenty of enemies along the way, often bringing unnecessary negative attention upon himself because of his short temper.In 2005, his tumultuous six-year stint with Roush Racing, one that included several on-track flare-ups, came to an end when he was suspended for the final two races of the season by the team after he was detained by police near the Phoenix track on suspicion of drunken driving for being uncooperative and belligerent with officers.During a 2007 race at Dover for Team Penske, Busch recklessly clipped a crew member for Tony Stewart's team on pit road and was parked by NASCAR for the remainder of the race.His time with Penske ended in 2011 following a confrontation with a member of the media. One year later, racing's governing body suspended Busch for another incident in which he threatened another reporter following a race at Dover.Busch was suspended again prior to the 2015 season by NASCAR after a judge said the former champion almost surely choked and beat a former girlfriend and there was a "substantial likelihood" of more domestic violence from him in the future.Busch was never charged in the incident and later reinstated by NASCAR.As Busch aged, he began to mellow some.He drove his Stewart-Haas Racing Ford to his only Daytona 500 victory in 2017 and later helped lay the foundation for 23XI Racing run by Denny Hamlin and former NBA star Michael Jordan, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry and serving as a veteran leader for the team's expansion to a two-car operation.Busch said Thursday that his fast ascent from winning the second competitive race of his life in a dwarf car in Pahrump, Nevada as a teenager to racing in the Cup Series at age 22 — he bypassed what was then known as the Busch Series and went straight to the big leagues because of his talent — never afforded him the time to mature as a person.He called his rise "uncharted territory" at the time."That journey, and how fast it went — that's why I wasn't ready to be a professional," Busch said.Busch, who followed his father Tom into auto racing and paved the way for his highly successful younger brother Kyle, said he was raised with a burning desire to win.And that never went away."My dad, when he raced, he went to the track and he was not there to make friends," Busch said. "He wasn't there for social hour. It was 'We're here for the trophy.' So when you're raised in that mentality, that's the tenacity and that's what pushed me."Busch doesn't look back on his tumultuous career with regret, though.Despite the troubles, despite the ups and downs along his journey to the Hall, Busch said he "wouldn't change a thing.""It was my ride, and I have to be happy with it," Busch said. "I am very complacent with how it all ended up."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Kurt Busch speaks onstage during The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis 39th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner on September 29, 2025 at the New York Hilton Midtown raised millions of dollars to support the pioneering work of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the world’s premier research center targeting spinal cord and brain injury and other neurological disorders and diseases.

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ZURICH (AP) — The International Ice Hockey Federation will not allow youth teams from Russia and ...

ZURICH (AP) — The International Ice Hockey Federation will not allow youth teams from Russia and Belarus to compete during this upcoming season but will consider reintegrating them at the under-18 level beginning in 2027-28.The IIHF announced the conclusion Thursday following a council meeting Wednesday and what it called a detailed risk assessment.“The current security conditions do not allow the necessary requirements for the organization of tournaments guaranteeing the safety of all,” the IIHF said in a statement.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/ioc-olympics-russia-belarus-35a41e755e813afa67a0fe21be0bb75b">The debate restarted</a> after the International Olympic Committee last month recommended governing bodies let the countries’ teams and athletes compete in international youth events with their full identity of national flag and anthem.“This consideration will remain contingent upon an ongoing assessment of safety and security conditions,” the IIHF said. “If these risks sufficiently reduce over the coming months, the IIHF will work together with the relevant national associations to support a possible reintegration at the youth level.”Russia and Belarus <a href="https://apnews.com/article/iihf-russia-belarus-ban-81c74016f6464fc9d0035e50a9e75ae6">have been banned</a> from IIHF events at every level since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and won’t take part in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2026-milan-olympics-hockey-c7ee9205a9abecf71c29f44650cdceec">the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics</a>.___AP NHL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nhl">https://apnews.com/hub/nhl</a>

Luc Tardif, President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), is seen during the Milan Hockey Finals of the Coppa Italia and Serie A final press conference at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Test Event in Milan, Italy, on January 11, 2026 .

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IIHF not allowing Russia, Belarus back for 2026-27 season

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic dropped a service game for the first time in this Aust...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/novak-djokovic-100-australian-open-001c4abc19707d3b00df65d29bed6388">Novak Djokovic</a> dropped a service game for the first time in this Australian Open and then didn’t lose another point against Francesco Maestrelli, advancing to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win Thursday.It was Djokovic’s 399th win in a Grand Slam singles match, leaving the 24-time major just one more to be the first player ever to reach 400.The break of serve, in the sixth game of the third set, was almost like a rehearsal for later matches. He followed a second serve to the net but then missed the volley to give it up.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It stung the 38-year-old Djokovic, a noted perfectionist. He broke Maestrelli at love in the next game to take a 5-2 lead, smacking the last ball into the net after the Italian, ranked No. 141, hit a groundstroke long.He held at love in an eight-point roll to finish things off. Djokovic is in Australia seeking an 11th title at Melbourne Park and a 25th major overall, which would make him the most decorated tennis player of all time.“I didn’t know much about him until yesterday,” Djokovic said of the 23-year-old Maestrelli, who went through qualifying to make his debut in a Grand Slam main draw. “Nevertheless, respect is always there. I don’t underestimate anyone.“He’s got a big serve. He’s got a big game. He’s lacking experience on the big stage but he’s got the game to go high.”

Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a return to Italy's Francesco Maestrelli during their men's singles match on Day 5 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2026. / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

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Djokovic advances at Aussie Open with 399th Grand Slam match win

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly stopped at Los Ange...

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly stopped at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday when arriving from his home in Korea ahead of the start of spring training next month because of missing paperwork.Lee didn’t have the proper documents to get through customs but everything was sorted out and he is now in the U.S., according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the team didn’t provide specific details of what happened.“Earlier today, Jung Hoo Lee experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue,” the Giants said in a statement. “The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities, and he has since been cleared to continue his travel. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a href="https://apnews.com/article/jung-hoo-lee-contract-giants-2cf9ff98ca0d0ae4888e8dc3f63cb17a">The 27-year-old Lee signed a $113 million, six-year contract</a> with the Giants in December 2023. He missed most of his rookie season in 2024 after dislocating his left shoulder crashing into an outfield wall and needing season-ending surgery.This past year, when the Giants missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and fired manager Bob Melvin, Lee batted .266 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs with 10 stolen bases over 150 games — 144 of those being starts in center field.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mlb">https://apnews.com/mlb</a>

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) stands on second after hitting a hits an RBI double during a MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants on September 28, 2025, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.

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Giants' Lee stopped while entering U.S. due to missing paperwork

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion Madison Keys survived a tough second-set challenge...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Defending champion <a href="https://apnews.com/article/madison-keys-sabalenka-australian-open-5ec7b9be0ea2292beab9bdaea4d10ceb">Madison Keys</a> survived a tough second-set challenge on Thursday but overcame fellow American Ashlyn Krueger 6-1, 7-5 to reach the third round of the Australian Open.After sweeping through the first set, the ninth-seeded Keys fell behind 5-2 in the second set but rallied for the victory at John Cain Arena.In another early match between two American women, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula defeated McCartney Kessler 6-0, 6-2.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“I think I started really well and Ashlyn started a little bit slow,” Keys said. “And then I was fully expecting her to raise her level, which she did. It just kind of got away from me a little quickly.”Keys said she tried to get back to basics, hoping she could at least prepare herself for a deciding third set.Instead, she took the second.“I just wanted to, even if I lost the (second) set, make sure I tried to get back in the set and try to figure out where my game kind of went and be able to get a few more points on the board,” Keys said. “Once I kind of got back momentum I just tried to sink my teeth into the set and do whatever I could to get back into it.”Later fourth-seeded and 10-time Australian Open champion <a href="https://apnews.com/article/novak-djokovic-100-australian-open-001c4abc19707d3b00df65d29bed6388">Novak Djokovic</a> was up against Francesco Maestrelli of Italy.___More AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a>

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Madison Keys of the United States plays a backhand against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States in the Women's Singles Second Round during day five of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.

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Barcelona midfielder Pedri had to be replaced in the second half of Barcelona’s 4-2 win at Slavia...

Barcelona midfielder Pedri had to be replaced in the second half of Barcelona’s 4-2 win at Slavia Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday.The 23-year-old Spain international apparently hurt a muscle in his right leg and was substituted by Dani Olmo in the 61st minute.Pedri went down near midfield during a breakaway by the hosts. He was attended by Barcelona doctors before leaving the field on his own.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The midfielder had an assist in Fermín López’s goal in the first half.Barcelona played without star forward Lamine Yamal because of a yellow card suspension.Barcelona’s next match is against Oviedo on Sunday in the Spanish league.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - JANUARY 21: Pedri of FC Barcelona is challenged by Lukas Provod of SK Slavia Praha during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between SK Slavia Praha and FC Barcelona at Eden Arena on January 21, 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic.

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Barca lose Pedri to injury during UCL win over Slavia Prague

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA will begin its season on May 8, assuming the league and the players’ uni...

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA will begin its season on May 8, assuming the league and the players’ union can come to an agreement on a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cba-negotiations-52a077b664d42bcbcc095a159fc1be5a">new collective bargaining agreement</a>.Teams will play 44 games over a five-month period with a 17-day break for the FIBA World Cup in early September. The league said last year that with the World Cup this season they would keep the schedule at 44 games despite adding two new teams in Portland and Toronto."As we prepare to tip off the WNBA’s historic 30th season, this schedule reflects both how far the league has come and the momentum that continues to drive us forward," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"From welcoming two new organizations in Toronto and Portland, to honoring our history with marquee matchups that connect the league’s first game to today’s stars, the 2026 season will celebrate the WNBA’s past, present, and future. With a record number of games, growing global reach, and unprecedented momentum, this milestone season will help define the next chapter of the WNBA.By putting the schedule out now, teams can start selling ticket packages, book travel for away games - including charter flights - and secure arena dates."Releasing the 2026 schedule is a key step as we prepare for the WNBA’s 30th season and allows teams, partners, broadcasters, and fans to begin the essential planning for the year ahead," a WNBA spokesperson said.All but two teams have at least one back-to-back set of games. Overall, the average of games on consecutive nights is down from 2.4 per team in 2025 to 1.6 this year.The WNBA hopes to expand the number of games teams play in future years, but that would come in a new CBA.Training camp is slated to begin April 19, six days after the college draft. The league will have its sixth annual Commissioner’s Cup games in June with the championship game slated to take place on June 30. The All-Star Game is set for Chicago on July 25 with games to resume three days later.The WNBA will go on break from Aug. 31-Sept. 16 for the World Cup, which will be played in Berlin this year. Teams will have a handful of games after that tournament finishes with the playoffs set to begin on Sept. 27.All of this is still contingent on the league and union coming to an agreement on a new CBA. The last CBA was announced in the middle of January 2020, a month after it had been agreed to. It could easily take two months from when a new CBA is reached to get to the start of free agency.The two sides <a href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-cba-negotiations-52a077b664d42bcbcc095a159fc1be5a">agreed to a moratorium on free agency</a>, which was supposed to begin earlier this month. The moratorium was needed after no new extension was reached on Jan. 9 to negotiate a new CBA. The WNBA and union are now in a "status quo" period where the old CBA is still in effect and the two parties are negotiating on good faith.Besides free agency, the WNBA also still has to hold an expansion draft for Portland and Toronto.Other highlights of the schedule include:<ul>
<li>All 15 teams will play opening weekend, highlighted by a WNBA Finals rematch between Las Vegas and Phoenix as well as a matchup of the last two No. 1 picks with Paige Bueckers and Dallas visiting Indiana and Caitlin Clark.</li>
<li>Los Angeles hosting New York on June 21 on the anniversary of the original matchup between the teams that was the first game in league history.</li>
<li>Toronto will play two games in Montreal and Vancouver.</li>
<li>Connecticut will have two games in Hartford and one game in Boston.</li>
</ul>___AP WNBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball</a>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 30: A view of the WNBA logo before the game between the Seattle Storm and the New York Liberty at Climate Pledge Arena on August 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Right wingback Richard Ledezma has switched allegiance from the United States ...

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Right wingback Richard Ledezma has switched allegiance from the United States and will play for Mexico's national soccer team.The 25-year-old Ledezma, who was born in Phoenix to Mexican parents, played for the United States at the U-20 World Cup in Poland and had one appearance with the senior squad in a friendly match against Panama on Nov. 16, 2020.The Mexican soccer federation made the announcement late Tuesday. The switch is on the FIFA Change of Association platform.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Ledezma was included on Mexico’s 27-man roster that was called up by coach Javier Aguirre last week to play friendly matches against Panama on Thursday and Bolivia on Sunday.After playing six seasons with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, Ledezma signed earlier this year with Mexican team Chivas, where he has started in the first three matches of the Clausura tournament.Ledezma has a realistic chance to make the Mexican team for this year's World Cup because Aguirre has struggled with the right wingback position. The coach has tried a half dozen players in that spot since taking over the team in August 2024.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - OCTOBER 18: Richard Ledezma of Chivas controls the ball during the 13th round match between Chivas and Mazatlan FC as part of the Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX at Akron Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Zapopan, Mexico.

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MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Mohamed Salah is starting again for Liverpool in the Champions League at...

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — Mohamed Salah is starting again for Liverpool in the Champions League at Marseille on Wednesday in his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.The Egypt star had a turbulent month at Liverpool before going to AFCON in Morocco, and did not start a game for Liverpool after a 4-1 loss at home to PSV Eindhoven eight weeks ago.Liverpool is unbeaten in the 12 games since — though not impressing in four straight draws in the Premier League — including four where Salah was on the bench then seven while he was with Egypt. He also did not travel for Liverpool's trip to Inter Milan on Dec. 9.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Salah was involved at the AFCON tournament until the weekend when Egypt lost a third-place game to Nigeria in a penalty shootout.Liverpool manager Arne Slot hinted Tuesday that Salah would go straight into the team, suggesting "let's see the lineup tomorrow if you still think there's an issue."Salah had said in December he felt "thrown under the bus" by the Premier League champion by being dropped after a series of games lost.Speculation was rife that the 33-year-old Salah's stellar career was over and that he could be sold in the January trading window, possibly to the Saudi Arabian league.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Egyptian forward #11 Mohamed Salah warms up prior the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Liverpool FC at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France, on January 21, 2026.

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BOSTON (AP) — Left-hander Ranger Suárez and the Boston Red Sox finalized their $130-million, five...

BOSTON (AP) — Left-hander Ranger Suárez and the Boston Red Sox finalized their $130-million, five-year contract on Wednesday.Suárez gets a $3-million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deal's approval by Major League Baseball, and salaries of $7 million this year, $15 million in 2027, $30 million in each of the following two seasons and $35 million in 2030. The deal includes a $35-million mutual option for 2031 with a $10-million buyout.Also Wednesday, Boston traded infielder Tristan Gray to Minnesota for minor-league catcher Nate Baez, opening a roster spot.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>An All-Star in 2024, Suárez had spent his entire professional career with the Philadelphia Phillies after signing at age 16 in April 2012. The 30-year-old from Venezuela pitched out of the bullpen early on but has been a steady performer and mostly a reliable winner since moving into the rotation exclusively in 2022.The deal was the first for a major-league free agent for the Red Sox this season and came after they were outbid for Alex Bregman by the Chicago Cubs, who gave the incumbent Boston third baseman a $175-million, five-year deal with a no-trade provision the Red Sox wouldn’t offer.Suárez was 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA last season in 26 starts covering a career-high 157 1/3 innings, then became a free agent for the first time. Because he turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from Philadelphia in November, Boston gives up its second- and fifth-highest selections in July's amateur draft and forfeits $1 million in international signing bonus allocation in 2027.Philadelphia gets an extra pick after the fourth round of the draft as compensation.Suárez was 8-5 with a 1.36 ERA and four saves in 12 starts and 27 relief outings in 2021. He finished 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA over 29 starts and 155 1/3 innings the following season, then fell off to 4-6 with a 4.18 ERA across 22 starts in 2023, when he landed on the injured list for a left elbow strain and later for a right hamstring strain. But he bounced right back the next year, going 12-8 with a 3.46 ERA in 27 starts and 150 2/3 innings.Suárez spent time on the IL for lower back spasms, soreness or stiffness three times in the past four seasons.The 29-year-old Gray hit .231 with three homers and nine RBIs in 30 games for Tampa Bay last year and was acquired by Boston in November. Baez, 24, hit .278 with eight homers and 54 RBIs last year for High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita.Minnesota designated Vidal Bruján for assignment to make room for Gray.___AP MLB: <a href="https://apnews.com/mlb">https://apnews.com/mlb</a>

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 21: Ranger Suárez #55 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a photo with Scott Boras, Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, and Boston Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy during a press conference announcing his contract agreement with the Boston Red Sox on January 21, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, two of the top three women's seeds at...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, two of the top three women's seeds at the Australian Open, both reached the third round Wednesday.And the top-seeded man, <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/carlos-alcaraz">Carlos Alcaraz</a>, joined them.Top-seeded Sabalenka defeated Bai Zhouxuan of China 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena, and No. 3 Gauff won over left-hander Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-2 at Margaret Court Arena.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Alcaraz defeated Germany's Yannick Hanfmann in a tough match for the Spaniard, who prevailed 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2.“I knew he (Hanfmann) was going to play great,” Alcaraz said. “I knew his level. We'd played a few times already. But to be honest, it was tougher than I thought.”“The ball was coming as a bomb — forehand, backhand, so I had to be ready for that,” Alcaraz added of Hanfmann's shot making.Alcaraz, 22, is trying to win his first title at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/australian-open-venus-williams-sabalenka-alcaraz-5ea2949fb303efe36c650ff48823d250">Sabalenka</a> won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 and was the runner-up a year ago against Madison Keys. She is after her fifth Grand Slam title and has two trophies at the U.S. Open.Gauff has never advanced past the semifinals in Australia and has Grand Slam titles from the French Open and U.S. Open.Sabalenka raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set but then needed seven set points at Rod Laver Arena to take the set against the defensive-minded Chinese player, who used clever drop shots to help her stay in the match.Sabalenka will next face Anastasia Popapova, who defeated 28th-seeded and former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 7-6 (3), 6-2.“I was happy to get this win, a tricky opponent,” Sabalenka said. "She really stepped in in the first set.”Sabalenka led 4-0 in the second set and overpowered the smaller Bai. Sabalenka even tried a bit of serve-and-volley in the match, trying to diversify her game.“You saw serve-and-volley today," Sabalenka said. “It didn’t really work well, but I did one.”Bai was making her second appearance in the Australian Open and reached the second round for the first time.In another women's match, 12th-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated Linda Klimovicova of Poland 7-5, 6-1. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/gael-monfils-tennis-australian-open-ff747e5c448f12bb50667cce78dd745f">Gael Monfils</a>, a popular 39-year-old Frenchman and Svitolina's husband, said goodbye at Melbourne Park in his retirement year, losing on Tuesday in a first-round match to qualifier Dane Sweeny.In another women's match, Zeynep Sönmez of Turkey, who was highly praised during her first-round match Sunday for <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sonmez-ballkid-help-heat-australian-open-89b6ca1284fa4dde4ab88d0aa64c3606">assisting an ill ballkid</a>, advanced to the third round after beating Anna Bondar 6-2, 6-4.Sönmez played at one of Melbourne Park’s outside courts and the stands were crammed with members of Melbourne’s Turkish community.“I really appreciated there were many Turkish people, and I felt like I was at home,” she said. “At first I couldn’t even hear my own thoughts. It was very, very loud.”In men's results, 2021 U.S. Open winner and 11th-seeded Daniil Medvedev beat Quentin Halys 6-7 (9), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, 13th-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Jaime Faria 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and 19th-seeded Tommy Paul defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Aryna Sabalenka in action against Zhuoxuan Bai of China in the second round on Day 4 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia

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PARIS (AP) — France's sports minister says her country is not currently thinking about boycotting...

PARIS (AP) — France's sports minister says her country is not currently thinking about boycotting the soccer World Cup in the United States amid growing tensions related to Donald Trump’s quest to control Greenland."At the moment we are speaking, there is no desire from the ministry to boycott this major, much-anticipated competition," sports minister Marina Ferrari told reporters on Tuesday evening. "That said, I am not prejudging what might happen."Ferrari added that she wants to keep sports separate from politics.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The 2026 World Cup is an extremely important moment for all sports lovers," she said.With the tournament kicking off in June in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the U.S. president's ambitions to wrest control of Greenland from NATO ally Denmark has the potential to tear relations with European allies.In France, leftist lawmaker Eric Coquerel said the opportunity of a boycott by France, a two-time winner of the men's World Cup, should be considered."Seriously, can we really imagine going to play the footie World Cup in a country that attacks its 'neighbors,' threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law, wants to torpedo the UN," he asked in a message posted on social media."The question seriously arises, especially since it is still possible to refocus the event on Mexico and Canada," he wrote.France lost to Argentina in the final of the World Cup in 2022.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Portrait in action of Marina Ferrari, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Life, responding to journalists after the 2026 New Year s ceremony for the world of sports, which took place at INSEP in Paris, France, on January 20, 2026.This ceremony took place in the presence of Marina Ferrari, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Community Life, Marina Ferrari, the President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, Amelie Oudea-Castera, the President of the French Paralympic Sports Committee, Marie-Amelie Le Fur, and the President of the Organizing Committee for the 2030 French Alps Olympic and Paralympic Games, Edgar Grospiron.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Bilodeau hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining, and UCLA...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Bilodeau hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining, and UCLA rallied to edge No. 4 Purdue 69-67 on Tuesday night, snapping the Boilermakers’ nine-game winning streak in their first visit to Pauley Pavilion in 26 years.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
IS THIS THE DAGGER?! <a href="https://twitter.com/UCLAMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCLAMBB</a> take the lead with 8.4 seconds to go! <a href="https://t.co/AYlruFCpsL">pic.twitter.com/AYlruFCpsL</a>— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/2013836798997217685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2026</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>C.J. Cox missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer and Xavier Booker grabbed the defensive rebound as time expired. Fans stormed the court and jumped up and down in celebration on a night when the Bruins honored John Wooden, the Indiana native and Purdue alumnus who coached them to a record 10 national championships.Donovan Dent, who assisted on the winning basket, had 23 points and 13 assists to lead the Bruins (13-6, 5-3 Big Ten). Bilodeau finished with 14, and Eric Dailey Jr. added 12 points and seven rebounds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Cox led the Boilermakers (17-2, 7-1) with 16 points and Braden Smith scored 12. Their first loss in league play kept them from taking sole possession of first place over idle Nebraska.Tied at halftime, neither team led by more than six points in the second half.Smith hit a 3-pointer and Trey Kaufman-Renn scored to keep Purdue ahead 67-61.But the Bruins scored the game’s final seven points. Dent made a 3-pointer and Dailey scored on a layup off Trent Perry’s steal before Bilodeau’s game-winner.Purdue blew a 12-point lead in the first half, when the Bruins closed with a 17-5 run — including 11 in a row — to tie it 32-all at the break. Dent had eight points in the spurt while UCLA’s defense forced turnovers and kept the Boilermakers scoreless for over 3 1/2 minutes.It was Purdue’s first loss since <a href="https://apnews.com/article/purdue-iowa-state-score-08a12e2b104053b044d6fbee5ef4c9b0">Dec. 6 against Iowa State</a>.Up nextPurdue: Hosts Illinois on Saturday.UCLA: Hosts Northwestern on Saturday.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Xavier Booker #1, Trent Perry #0 and Donovan Dent #2 of the UCLA Bruins celebrate a 69-67 win over the Purdue Boilermakers at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on January 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NBA star Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Las Vegas over th...

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former NBA star Lamar Odom was arrested on suspicion of DUI in Las Vegas over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.Odom, 46, was pulled over Saturday on Interstate 15 near Harry Reid International Airport, according to Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Haggstrom.He could face charges including DUI, excessive speed and failure to properly maintain a travel lane, Haggstrom said.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Haggstrom didn’t have attorney information for Odom. An email seeking comment from a sports agent for Odom wasn’t immediately returned.Clark County jail records showed that Odom was no longer in custody as of Tuesday.Odom won championships in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks during a 14-year NBA career.His 2013 marriage to Khloe Kardashian was tabloid fodder and the couple appeared together on a reality TV show before divorcing months later. That same year, Odom was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles.In 2015, Odom made headlines after suffering a medical episode during a stay at a legal brothel in Nevada called <a href="https://apnews.com/article/e9d2efcfb3a440538a071f0b7e5db247">Love Ranch</a>.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Lamar Odom attends a basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on October 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

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MADRID (AP) — Vinicius Junior was booed again by some of the Real Madrid fans in the Champions Le...

MADRID (AP) — Vinicius Junior was booed again by some of the Real Madrid fans in the Champions League match against Monaco on Tuesday.Part of the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium jeered the Brazil forward nearly every time he touched the ball early on in the league-phase game in Madrid.The boos were not nearly as loud as they were on Saturday in Madrid's 2-0 win over Levante in the Spanish league, and they got quieter as Madrid dominated the game against Monaco.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Like what happened against Levante, some of the fans jeered when Vinicius' name was announced in the starting lineup.Vinicius has been having a lackluster season and some fans viewed him as one of the reasons why coach Xabi Alonso was replaced last week.Vinicius had spats with Alonso, a former Madrid and Spain great as a player who was replaced as a coach following a tumultuous eight-month stint. Vinicius was reportedly the main player not backing Alonso in the locker room.The boos Tuesday got quieter after Kylian Mbappe scored in the fifth minute to put the hosts ahead. Vinicius then assisted Mbappe's second goal in the 26th.Mbappe went to hug Vinicius after the second goal.Mbappe and new coach Álvaro Arbeloa had come out defending Vinicius recently, with Mbappe saying the crowd shouldn’t single out Vinicius as the one to blame for the team's struggles.Many fans applauded a seventh-minute attempt by Vinicius, who just missed wide from inside the area. When he misplayed a ball in the 40th, some of the fans started to boo again but many more applauded in response.There were no immediate jeers toward club president Florentino Perez like it had happened against Levante.Mbappe appeared to apologize to Monaco fans after scoring. He was a former Monaco player.Madrid had entered the match against Levante coming off a two-game losing streak that included a loss to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia — which prompted Alonso's departure — and an embarrassing elimination against Albacete in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey.There was a moment of silence before the match in honor of the victims of the train crash that killed more than 40 people in southern Spain on Sunday.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, Eric Dier of AS Monaco during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v AS Monaco at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on January 20, 2026 in Madrid Spain

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — American winger Griffin Yow returned to Major League Soccer on Tuesday, ...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — American winger Griffin Yow returned to Major League Soccer on Tuesday, joining the New England Revolution after 3 1/2 seasons with Belgium's Westerlo.New England said the 23-year-old agreed to a 2 1/2-season contract that includes team options for 2028-29 and 2029-30. The Revolution acquired his discovery priority from Vancouver for $125,000 in 2026 general allocation money and the club’s 2027 second-round draft pick.Born in Clifton, Virginia, Yow signed with D.C. United as a homegrown player in March 2019 and made his MLS debut that April 21. He scored three goals in 36 games for D.C. United in all competitions, then transferred to Westerlo in July 2022.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Yow played at the 2019 Under-17 World Cup and in all four U.S. matches at the 2024 Olympics. He scored 18 goals in 86 games in all competitions for Westerlo, including three in 16 league matches this season.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Westerlo's Griffin Yow celebrates after scoring during a soccer match between KRC Genk and KVC Westerlo, Sunday 14 December 2025 in Genk, a game of day 18 of the 2025-2026 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. BELGA PHOTO JOHAN EYCKENS

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Indiana achieved one more first to end its magical season full of firsts: The national champion H...

Indiana achieved one more first to end its magical season full of firsts: The national champion Hoosiers are No. 1 in the final Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.After beating Miami in the College Football Playoff title game to cap a 16-0 season that was unprecedented in the modern era, the Hoosiers on Tuesday became the third straight Big Ten team to finish on top of the rankings. Indiana’s championship and No. 1 final ranking followed those of fellow Big Ten teams Ohio State in 2024 and Michigan in 2023.No. 2 Miami (13-3) moved up eight spots and ended with its highest ranking since the 2002 season, when it was second behind Ohio State. The 2003 Miami team had been the most recent to finish in the top 10.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Mississippi (13-2), which lost to Miami in the CFP semifinals after it beat Tulane and Georgia following coach Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU, was No. 3, its highest final ranking since 1962.No. 4 Oregon (13-2) finished in the top 10 for a third straight year and No. 5 Ohio State was in the final top 10 for the 12th straight year. The Big Ten had three teams in the final top five for the second straight year.Georgia (12-2), Texas Tech (12-2), Texas A&amp;M (11-2), Alabama (11-4) and Notre Dame (10-2) rounded out the top 10.The Bulldogs were No. 6 in the final poll for the second straight season and have ended in the top 10 every since since 2017. Texas Tech is a season-ending top-10 team for the first time. Texas A&amp;M hadn’t been ranked in a final poll season since Jimbo Fisher’s 2020 team was No. 4. Alabama, which had ended every season between 2008-23 in the top 10, was back after slipping to No. 17 last year.Notre Dame won 10 straight games following an 0-2 start, was left out of the playoff and opted to not play in a bowl game. The Irish slipped one spot and were ranked in a ninth straight final poll.The Hoosiers were No. 20 in the preseason poll after going 11-2 in Curt Cignetti’s first season. They earned their then-highest ranking ever at No. 3 after they won at Oregon to go 6-0. They moved up to No. 2 the following week and stayed there for seven straight polls. Their 13-10 win over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game pushed them to No. 1 heading into the playoff.<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Record</th>
<th>Previous Rank</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Indiana</td>
<td>16-0</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Miami</td>
<td> 13-3</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Ole Miss</td>
<td> 13-2</td>
<td>6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Oregon</td>
<td> 13-2</td>
<td>5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Ohio State</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Georgia</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>Texas Tech</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Texas A&amp;M</td>
<td> 11-2</td>
<td>7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Alabama</td>
<td> 11-4</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>Notre Dame</td>
<td> 10-2</td>
<td>9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11</td>
<td>BYU</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12</td>
<td>Texas</td>
<td> 10-3</td>
<td>14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13</td>
<td>Oklahoma</td>
<td> 10-3</td>
<td>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14</td>
<td>Utah</td>
<td> 11-2</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>Vanderbilt</td>
<td> 10-3</td>
<td>13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16</td>
<td>Virginia</td>
<td> 11-3</td>
<td>20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17</td>
<td>Iowa</td>
<td> 9-4</td>
<td>N/R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18</td>
<td>Tulane</td>
<td> 11-3</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19</td>
<td>James Madison</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20</td>
<td>USC</td>
<td> 9-4</td>
<td>16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21</td>
<td>Michigan </td>
<td> 9-4</td>
<td>18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>Houston</td>
<td> 10-3</td>
<td>N/R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>Navy</td>
<td> 11-2</td>
<td>22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>North Texas</td>
<td> 12-2</td>
<td>23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25</td>
<td>TCU</td>
<td> 9-4</td>
<td>N/R</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure>Poll points— No. 17 Iowa was ranked for the first time this season after winning three straight, including a bowl win over Vanderbilt. No. 22 Houston beat Baylor and LSU to end the season and was ranked for the first time in four polls. No. 25 TCU, which had been 18 spots out of the Top 25, was ranked for the first time since September after beating Houston, Cincinnati and USC.— Arizona (21), Georgia Tech (24) and Missouri (25) dropped out.— The SEC had seven teams in the final Top 25 for the second straight year. Last season was the first time that had happened since 2013.— No. 15 Vanderbilt has its highest final ranking since the 1948 team was No. 12.— No. 19 James Madison and No. 24 North Texas are in the final poll for the first time.Conference callSEC (7 ranked teams): No. 3 Mississippi, No. 6 Georgia, No. 8 Texas A&amp;M, No. 9 Alabama, No. 12 Texas, No. 13 Oklahoma, No. 15 Vanderbilt.Big Ten (6): No. 1 Indiana, No. 4 Oregon, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 17 Iowa, No. 20 Southern California, No. 21 Michigan.Big 12 (5): No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 11 BYU, No. 14 Utah, No. 22 Houston, No. 25 TCU.American (3): No. 18 Tulane, No. 23 Navy, No. 24 North Texas.ACC (2): No. 2 Miami, No. 16 Virginia.Independent (1): No. 10 Notre Dame.Sun Belt (1): No. 19 James Madison.___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a>

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: QB Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers lifts the National Champsionship trophy following the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.

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