AP Sports SummaryBrief at 12:32 a.m. EST

Packers defeat Rams 24-12 to keep playoff hopes alive

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A.J. Dillon ran for two scores, Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers kept their playoff hopes afloat with a 24-12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Dillon put Green Bay ahead for good with an 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and also scored from 1 yard out in the third period. He left midway through the second half to be evaluated for a concussion. Rodgers went 22 of 30 for 229 yards with a touchdown and interception to win his ninth straight “Monday Night Football” start.

Murray hits winning free throws, Hawks end Magic’s streak

ATLANTA (AP) — Dejounte Murray hit a pair of decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Young had 37 points and 13 assists, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Orlando Magic 126-125 to snap their six-game winning streak. Orlando went on a 12-0 run over 2:17 late in the fourth quarter to wipe out a 13-point deficit and take a 125-124 lead on Markelle Fultz’s layup with 3.8 seconds remaining. Young inbounded from the sideline, and Murray drew a foul from Paolo Banchero. Murray hit both free throws, and Banchero missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. The Magic were trying for their first seven-game winning streak since January 2011. Before the surge, Orlando had lost nine in a row and 11 of 12.

Messi, Mbappe give Qatar the perfect World Cup ending

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — When it comes to soccer, money can buy the world. It can pay for the World Cup. And the world’s best players. And it can bundle them all up into a perfect package and present it to a global audience of millions. The power of money was on show in all its glory as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties to become world champions for the third time and end Lionel Messi’s pursuit of the one major trophy that had eluded him in his storied career. Not a bad return on Qatar’s estimated $200 billion investment.

Antetokounmpo’s 42 points leads Bucks past Pelicans 128-119

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and 10 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks held off a late New Orleans surge to beat the Pelicans 128-119. Brook Lopez mixed in four 3-pointers with opportunistic play in the paint to score 30 points for the Bucks. Milwaukee led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before the Pelicans rallied and pulled as close as 117-114 on CJ McCollum’s fade away. Former Pelicans star Jrue Holiday responded with a late 3 and Lopez scored soon after to ensure New Orleans’ fourth straight loss on the heels of its seven-game winning streak. Jonas Valanciunas had season highs of 37 points and 18 rebounds for New Orleans.

Harris, Embiid carry 76ers past Raptors 104-101 in overtime

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tobias Harris hit a 3-pointer in overtime that put Philadelphia ahead to stay, and Joel Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as the 76ers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games with a 104-101 win over the struggling Toronto Raptors. Harris put the Sixers ahead with 2:12 left in OT and finished with 21 points, making five of his seven 3-point attempts. James Harden added 14 points for Philadelphia, which has won the first five games of a seven-game homestand. Toronto All-Star forward Pascal Siakam had 38 points, 15 rebounds and six assists as the Raptors dropped their sixth straight game.

AP source: Eagles QB Hurts suffers sprained right shoulder

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A person with knowledge of the matter says Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a sprained right shoulder and his status for Philadelphia’s game at Dallas is uncertain. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the injury. Hurts has led the Eagles to a 13-1 mark and the best record in the NFL. The 24-year-old has morphed into a serious NFL MVP candidate in his second season as a starter.

Willie McGinest Jr arrested in alleged assault in California

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say former NFL linebacker Willie McGinest Jr. was arrested in connection with an assault at a Southern California nightclub. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department statement says the incident occurred Dec. 9 at a West Hollywood club and witnesses identified McGinest as one of the people who were involved. The department says McGinest was arrested for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon after coming to the West Hollywood sheriff’s station on Monday to give a statement about the incident. McGinest posted bond and was released. It’s not immediately known if he has an attorney. McGinest spent 15 years in the NFL with New England and Cleveland after playing college ball at the University of Southern California.

Orlov scores in OT, Caps hand Red Wings 6th straight loss

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nic Dowd scored twice in 11 seconds, Dmitry Orlov had the overtime winner and the Washington Capitals won their second in a row by beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 with Alex Ovechkin still waiting for his next major milestone. Ovechkin, for a third consecutive game, was unable to score his 801st goal and tie Gordie Howe for second on the NHL career list. He remained stuck on 800 with Howe’s sons Mark and Marty in attendance. Even without a goal from Ovechkin, the Capitals will take the victory on Orlov’s goal with 21.3 seconds left in 3-on-3 overtime. The Red Wings have lost six in a row.

Tom Browning, who pitched perfect game for Reds, dies at 62

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tom Browning, an All-Star pitcher who threw the only perfect game in Cincinnati Reds history and helped them win the 1990 World Series title, has died. He was 62. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office announced Browning’s death on Twitter, saying he died Monday at his home in Union, Kentucky. No cause was given. The Sheriff’s Office said foul play is not suspected. The Reds issued a statement mourning Browning after being in contact with a member of his family, team spokesman Rob Butcher said. Known as a colorful character, Browning retired all 27 batters he faced in a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Riverfront Stadium on Sept. 16, 1988. He also won Game 3 of the 1990 World Series in Oakland.

Purdue holds top spot in AP poll as UConn climbs to No. 2

Purdue maintained its grasp on No. 1 in the AP men’s college basketball poll on Monday, receiving 40 of the 60 first-place votes from a national media panel after knocking off Davidson in its only game last week. That allowed the Boilermakers to hold the top spot for a second consecutive week. But after then-No. 2 Virginia lost to Houston, UConn leaped into second place and scooped up the remaining 20 first-place votes. The Huskies were unranked in the preseason. rest of the top five were Houston, Kansas and Arizona. Marquette entered the poll at No. 23 and Arizona State at No. 25.