MATSUSHIMA AIR BASE, Japan (AP) — The Olympic flame arrived in Japan on Friday from Greece in a scaled-down ceremony at an air base in northern Japan. The flame, carried in a special canister, touched down amid growing doubts if the Tokyo Games can open as scheduled on July 24 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Organizers and the International Olympic Committee say it will, but postponement or cancellation is viewed increasingly as a possible option.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton says he has tested positive for the coronavirus, is resting comfortably at home and is making his test result public in hopes he can motivate people to do more to fight the pandemic. Payton told ESPN he has not been admitted to a hospital and does not have a fever or cough.UNDATED (AP) — The number of known coronavirus cases within the NBA doubled to 14 on Thursday, when Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics pleaded with people to take social distancing more seriously. The Los Angeles Lakers said two of their players tested positive as well. The Philadelphia 76ers said three members of their organization tested positive and the Denver Nuggets said someone within their franchise was positive as well.LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams have released Todd Gurley, their superstar running back with a massive contract and a troubling injury history. The Rams made the move Thursday, several minutes before $10.5 million in the three-time Pro Bowl selection's contract became fully guaranteed. The Rams also cut veteran linebacker Clay Matthews after just one season with his hometown club.UNDATED (AP) — Some MLB teams are scheduling surgical procedures now that the baseball season has been put on hold by the virus outbreak. Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale will have Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, an operation that would keep him out the entire 2020 baseball season. And San Francisco Giants right-hander Tyler Beede will undergo Tommy John elbow surgery Friday.

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