AP Sports Summary for December 18th, 2024:
Giannis, Bucks use 3-point barrage to beat Thunder 97-81 for NBA Cup title
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3. And the NBA Cup was their prize. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to go along with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points and the Bucks connected on 17 3-pointers on the way to beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the NBA Cup title game on Tuesday night.
Falcons name rookie Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB, benching veteran Kirk Cousins
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons are turning to rookie Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback and benching veteran Kirk Cousins as they fight for their first playoff berth since 2017. Coach Raheem Morris announced the decision in a statement Tuesday night. Morris calls it "a football decision" and says the team is focused on preparing to face the New York Giants on Sunday. The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak with Monday night's ugly 15-9 win at Las Vegas. Cousins passed for 112 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The 36-year-old was signed in the offseason for $100 million guaranteed.
New York Yankees acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger from Cubs for pitcher Cody Poteet
NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Cody Bellinger has been acquired by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Cody Poteet. Chicago will send the Yankees $5 million as part of the trade. The 29-year-old Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World Series titles in 1999 and 2000, could play center field next year as Aaron Judge returns to right following the departure of Juan Soto to the Mets. Bellinger also can play first base, a position that opened when Anthony Rizzo became a free agent.
Michael Vick accepts head coaching job at Norfolk State
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Michael Vick has agreed to become the head coach at Norfolk State in a return to football for the former NFL star, who has never coached at any level. The 44-year-old Vick announced on his Facebook page on Tuesday night that he has accepted the job. Norfolk State did not immediately confirm the hiring of Vick, who grew up in nearby Newport News. Vick starred in college at Virginia Tech and was a four-time Pro Bowler in 13 seasons for Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Jets and Pittsburgh. He served 18 months in federal prison in the prime of his career after pleading guilty to his role in a dogfighting ring.
RFK Stadium site provision included in federal spending bill, a win for the Commanders and NFL
The Washington Commanders are another step closer to the possibility of returning to the franchise's old home in the nation's capital. A provision to transfer the land that is the site of the old RFK Stadium from the federal government to the District of Columbia is included in Congress' short-term spending bill, which is expected to pass. It's a significant victory for the organization and the NFL after controlling owner Josh Harris and Commissioner Roger Goodell lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill on the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act. The Commanders are considering places in the district, Maryland and Virginia to build a new stadium in the coming years.
NBA announces All-Star tournament plan for this season: 4 teams, 3 games, 1 night
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA's All-Star Game is going to be an All-Star tournament this season, with the league announcing that it has finalized plans to use a different format for the upcoming midseason showcase in San Francisco. And scoring is sure to be down — way, way, way down. This season's format announced Tuesday is a four-team, three-game, one-night tournament, three teams of eight All-Stars apiece and the fourth team being the winner of the Rising Stars challenge for first- and second-year players. The winning team in all games will be the first to score 40 points.
From Caitlin Clark and Simone Biles to a new hockey league, women's sports had a pivotal year
Record numbers of basketball fans filled arenas to watch the rookie seasons of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese unfold. Simone Biles captivated the world at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coco Gauff made women's tennis history. It was all part of a pivotal year for women in sports, both financially and culturally, and after a steady rise in popularity and reach over the past few years, the women's game is more valuable than ever. The WNBA had one of its most successful seasons ever, and new leagues and athletes in other sports have been able to capitalize on that momentum.
The group behind a new European soccer competition has resurfaced. Here's what they propose
The group behind a breakaway European soccer competition to rival the Champions League has resurfaced. The Madrid-based A22 Sports Management is back with a new incarnation of the proposed European Super League, which is now being called the Unify League. A22 is seeking to change the face of soccer in its most lucrative market by creating a rival for UEFA's club competitions. It is nearly four years since the initial Super League plan was ambitiously launched and quickly aborted. The rebels have been emboldened by a successful legal challenge last year and now are back with a new name for the competition and a new business model. It remains to be seen who signs up for the project.
MLB study: Velocity, max efforts likely causing pitching injuries; rule changes should be considered
NEW YORK (AP) — A yearlong study by Major League Baseball has concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum effort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries and recommended exploring rules changes to address the problem. The 62-page report says the trends extend to high school and youth baseball because of the incentive to get noticed by professional scouts. The study says there is no evidence linking the pitch clock to injuries. Illustrated with 26 tables of data, the report was based on interviews with more than 200 people that included former players, front office executives and orthopedic surgeons.
Lions have been hit hardest by rash of injuries, though NFL says overall amount has decreased
Patrick Mahomes is battling another ankle injury. Josh Allen has a banged-up shoulder. Geno Smith is dealing with a knee issue. Those are just the quarterbacks who got injured in Week 15. The Detroit Lions keep losing players at an alarming rate. Other teams are dealing with injuries to key players. It's often not the best team that's standing at the end, but the one that was healthiest going into the playoffs.
AP-Scorecard
Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Milwaukee 97 Oklahoma City 81
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final OT Pittsburgh 3 Los Angeles 2
Final Montreal 6 Buffalo 1
Final Tampa Bay 5 Columbus 3
Final Carolina 4 N-Y Islanders 0
Final Nashville 2 N-Y Rangers 0
Final New Jersey 4 St. Louis 1
Final Chicago 3 Washington 2
Final OT Boston 4 Calgary 3
Final Ottawa 3 Seattle 0
Final Winnipeg 4 San Jose 3
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TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Final (25)Memphis 42 West Virginia 37
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TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (1)Tennessee 84 W. Carolina 36
Final (2)Auburn 100 Georgia St. 59
Final (5)Duke 68 George Mason 47
Final (7)Florida 90 North Carolina 84
Final (17)Mississippi 74 Southern U. 61
Final (18)UCLA 111 Prairie View 75
Final (20)Michigan St. 77 Oakland 58
Final (22)Dayton 66 UNLV 65
Final South Carolina 91 (25)Clemson 88
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TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Philadelphia at Detroit 7 p.m.
Toronto at Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Florida at Minnesota 9:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Utah 10 p.m.
Winnipeg at Anaheim 10 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL
California at (24)UNLV 9 p.m.
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TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(6)Alabama at North Dakota 9 p.m.
Butler at (9)Marquette 9 p.m.
Xavier at (11)UConn 7 p.m.
Nicholls at (13)Gonzaga 9 p.m.
(24)Michigan at (14)Oklahoma 9 p.m.
Toledo at (15)Houston 8 p.m.
(21)Memphis at Virginia 7 p.m.
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