CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Breezy Johnson is poised to earn her second gold of the Olympics. The American skier gave the U.S. a narrow edge in the team combined event on Tuesday. The event includes a downhill and a slalom run, with times added together. Johnson finished just ahead of Austria's Ariane Raedler and Italy's Laura Pirovano. Johnson's teammate, star Mikaela Shiffrin, will compete in the slalom run later Tuesday. Shiffrin is seeking vindication after not medaling in Beijing four years ago. There were no major crashes but U.S. skier Bella Wright lost her balance and missed a gate in the same spot where Lindsey Vonn broke her left leg in the women's downhill.
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — The Winter Olympics have become a platform for political debate in the U.S. American athletes face questions about President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed mixed emotions about representing the U.S., prompting criticism from Trump and others. On Monday, fellow athletes like Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu defended Hess, emphasizing unity. The Olympics often intersect with political issues, and recent events in the U.S. have heightened tensions. Athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin and Amber Glenn have spoken out, while others prefer to focus on their sports, avoiding political distractions.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will be allowed to wear a black armband in competition at the Milan Cortina Games. The International Olympic Committee announced the decision on Tuesday. However, they will not allow him to wear a helmet commemorating Ukrainian athletes killed in the war with Russia. The IOC called this decision a compromise. Heraskevych said the IOC informed him on Monday night that the helmet violated rules against political statements. It is unclear if he will wear the armband. The IOC noted they have banned armbands before but are making an exception in this case.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A fight broke out between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter of Monday night’s game, and four players were ejected. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges were tossed, along with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. The Pistons won the game 110-104. Duren had the ball and was driving toward the basket with just over seven minutes left in the third period when he was fouled by Diabate. Duren turned around to get face-to-face with Diabate and the two appeared to butt heads. Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds. Hornets coach Charles Lee was ejected in the fourth quarter and had to be restrained from going after an official.
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool’s season has been far from perfect. Now coach Arne Slot says the remainder of the campaign will have to be near-faultless if the defending Premier League champion is to secure Champions League qualification. It says everything about Liverpool’s ever-worsening title defense that Slot is focusing on a top-four finish with 13 rounds still to play. But Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester City was the Merseysiders’ eighth defeat in the league this season and left Liverpool 17 points adrift of first-place Arsenal.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry will sit out the All-Star Game in Los Angeles because of his troublesome right knee that sidelined the Golden State Warriors star for a fourth straight game against Memphis. Coach Steve Kerr announced before the game that Curry also wouldn’t play Wednesday at home against San Antonio and then would sit out the All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in hopes of a return for the Warriors after the break.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama circuit judge has denied Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the 7-foot center’s collegiate eligibility and his season with the Crimson Tide. County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Pruet cited that Bediako “failed to demonstrate that he is entitled to the injunctive relief that he seeks,” according to court documents. Bediako was playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed the former NBA G League player to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility. NCAA President Charlie Baker said in a statement that he was glad the court “upheld the rules of our members.”
MILAN (AP) — U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin has become the first person to legally land a backflip on Olympic ice. He performed the move on Sunday, marking a significant moment in figure skating history. But he's not the first to do the move. The backflip was first landed by Terry Kubicka at the 1976 Olympics but was banned for being too dangerous. Surya Bonaly famously landed it on one blade at the 1998 Nagano Games, despite losing points. The move was legalized in 2024, allowing Malinin to debut it in competition. While Malinin receives praise, many are highlighting Bonaly's legacy and the racial inequalities she faced.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off top-ranked Arizona 82-78. Less than a month after falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.
NEW YORK (AP) — Rick Pitino has reached another milestone at the expense of his son. But two of his toughest wins lately have come against his own flesh and blood and nothing could make the Hall of Fame coach more proud. Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 points in overtime and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 at Madison Square Garden for its 10th consecutive victory. With his 904th career win on the court, Pitino passed Roy Williams for third place in Division I history. It was Pitino’s second comeback victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. In the previous meeting, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies rallied from 16 down at Xavier.
Finals
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (9)Kansas 82 (1)Arizona 78
Final (17)St. John's 87 Xavier 82
Final (24)Louisville 118 North Carolina State 77