OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — John Harbaugh has been fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach. Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the Super Bowl favorites. Baltimore’s season ended Sunday night when Tyler Loop missed a last-second field-goal attmpt, allowing Pittsburgh to hold on for a 26-24 victory in the game that decided the AFC North title.
A team official says coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both gone from head coach Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders after a 5-12 season. Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season. Quinn and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the staff changes hadn't been announced. Whitt was dismissed. Bobby Johnson is out as Washington’s offensive line coach, too.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Lakers coach JJ Redick compares LeBron James at 41 years old to Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux at the end of his career. Redick says James doesn't always have his best stuff, but usually has enough to win. James scored 30 points in a 111-103 victory in New Orleans on Tuesday night. It was James' second 30-point game in his last three. James missed the first 14 games of this season because of sciatica and says his playing status on the second of back-to-back games should always be considered “to be determined.” But he says he also appreciates every chance to play now more than when he was younger and knew his career still had many years left.
Snowboarding's roots trace back to Christmas Day 1965 when Sherman Poppen created the "snurfer" by strapping two skis together. Jake Burton later refined it, turning snowboarding into a popular sport. Superstars like Shaun White and Chloe Kim have pushed its boundaries with new tricks. The Winter Olympics feature three park events—halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air—and two racing events, snowboardcross and parallel giant slalom. Kim aims for a third straight halfpipe title, while Ayumu Hirano and Scotty James are top contenders.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — LeBron James scored 30 points, Luca Doncic capped his 30-point, 10-assist performance with a pair of off-balance, bail-out 3s as the shot clock wound down, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 111-103. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who won for the fourth time in their past five games while sending the Pelicans to their eighth straight loss. Trey Murphy scored a career-high 41, Zion Williamson scored 15 points and rookie Derik Queen had 10 points and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which led by as many as nine points late in the third quarter. The Lakers opened the fourth quarter on an 18-4 run to take the lead for good.
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have fired first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after they allowed the most points and intercepted the fewest passes in franchise history. It’s the second consecutive season in which Eberflus has been fired. He was let go midseason in 2024, his third year as coach of the Chicago Bears. Eberflus made it to the end of the season in his return to Dallas, where he had been an assistant from 2011-17 before going to Indianapolis as defensive coordinator. But the 55-year-old’s fate appeared sealed before Sunday’s finale. Dallas' 34-17 loss at the New York Giants set a club record as the ninth game of allowing at least 30 points.
PENDLE, England (AP) — A modest, 140-meter-long ski slope lies in the heart of Ribble Valley in northwest England and stands out for its plastic matting and sheep roaming all around. Workers there call it a “unique environment” for skiing and it has produced a World Cup-winning slalom racer who will be a medal contender at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Dave Ryding grew up racing in the quaint surrounds of Pendle Ski Club and is regularly beating rivals from classic winter-sports countries like Sweden, Austria and Norway. He recalls some of his practice sessions and races as a kid being interrupted by sheep idling across the slope. Ryding says “people know my story and they can’t really believe that it was possible.” He's an inspiration to the club's current skiing hopefuls.
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator John Morton. The move Tuesday was expected after the Lions missed the playoffs and coach Dan Campbell took over Morton’s play-calling duties midway through the season. Campbell is now looking for his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Former OC Ben Johnson left the Lions a little more than a year ago to lead the Chicago Bears and helped them win the NFC North. The Lions failed to make the postseason after winning that division the previous two seasons and earning top seeding in the NFC last year.
Freestyle skiing might seem new at the Winter Olympics, but some events started 38 years ago in Calgary. Over the decades, athletes have become household names, and their tricks have grown more creative. The sport includes halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air, where skiers are judged on height and trick difficulty. Moguls focus on form and speed, while aerials involve flips and twists. Eileen Gu is a standout, winning three medals for China in 2018. Slopestyle courses often feature artistic elements, adding a unique flair to the competition.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. Despite his contributions to NASCAR, including expanding its international presence and returning the sport during the COVID-19 shutdown, his resignation comes amid controversy. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Buffalo 5 Vancouver 3
Final Carolina 6 Dallas 3
Final Tampa Bay 4 Colorado 2
Final Philadelphia 5 Anaheim 2
Final N-Y Islanders 9 New Jersey 0
Final Toronto 4 Florida 1
Final OT Vegas 4 Winnipeg 3
Final Edmonton 6 Nashville 2
Final San Jose 5 Columbus 2
Final Seattle 7 Boston 4
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (2)Michigan 74 Penn State 72
Final (6)Duke 84 (20)Louisville 73
Final (7)Houston 69 (14)Texas Tech 65
Final Florida 92 (18)Georgia 77
Final Minnesota 70 (19)Iowa 67
Final (21)Tennessee 85 Texas 71
Final (22)Kansas 104 TCU 100
Final Oklahoma State 87 (25)UCF 76