AP Sports SummaryBrief at 1:20 p.m. EST

Family of Bills’ Hamlin thanks supporters, asks for prayers

Damar Hamlin’s family is expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support shown toward the Buffalo Bills safety while asking everyone to keep the hospitalized player in their prayers. The 24-year-old Hamlin remains in critical condition in a Cincinnati hospital a day after the Bills said his heart stopped while making a tackle in the opening quarter of a game against the Bengals. Medical staff restored his heartbeat during frantic moments on the field before he was loaded into an ambulance. Hamlin’s family says in a message posted on Twitter that it’s deeply moved by the kind words and donations from around the country, and that the generosity and compassion shown has meant the world to them.

EXPLAINER: What happened to Damar Hamlin?

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during Monday night’s game, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience. The 24-year-old Hamlin was administered CPR on the field, ESPN reported during the broadcast. Teammates surrounded Hamlin, shielding him from public view. Many were weeping and praying while Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel and local paramedics. He was taken by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Teammate Stefon Diggs later went to visit Hamlin at the hospital while fans of both teams gathered outside.

Fans give millions to Damar Hamlin’s toy drive for kids

Damar Hamlin’s goal was simple: He wanted to raise $2,500 online to buy toys for needy kids. It took about two years. Then came Monday, when the Buffalo Bills safety was critically injured and needed his heart restarted on the field in a chilling scene during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He instantly became one of the biggest stories in sports, and thousands of people found his GoFundMe page. The result: Roughly $3.7 million donated in the first 12 hours. And the number is climbing.

Pelé buried at cemetery in Brazilian city he made famous

SANTOS, Brazil (AP) — Pelé was placed in his final resting place as millions of fans in Brazil and around the world mourned the sports legend. Newly inaugurated President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid his respects at Vila Belmiro, the stadium where Pelé played for most of his career. Pelé was buried in the city where he grew up, became famous, and helped make into a global capital of his sport. Mass was held at the Vila Belmiro stadium before the casket is ushered through the streets of Santos. A notable absentee was Jair Bolsonaro, whose term as president ended Dec. 31. A day before, he departed capital Brasilia on a flight to Florida. Bolsonaro is staying in a condominium complex outside Orlando and has been filmed speaking to neighbors.

Mitchell’s masterpiece: Cavs star scores 71 points in win

In a season where big numbers have become the norm, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell put up the biggest numbers of all Monday night. And he matched the second highest-scoring game the NBA has seen in nearly 45 years. He finished with 71 points, tying for eighth-most in league history, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime. The only other players to score at least 71 in a game are Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor.

Nets roll to 12 in a row as Vaughn builds winner in Brooklyn

NEW YORK (AP) — Jacque Vaughn was thought to be just the temporary solution when he started coaching the Brooklyn Nets in November. The Nets were expected to hire Ime Udoka. But Vaughn hasn’t gone anywhere except almost to the top of the NBA. The Nets are on a 12-game winning streak that is the longest this season after a 1-5 start. Brooklyn is within a game of Boston for the best record in the NBA.

Analysis: The Suns are on the brink, and not in a good way

Only 18 months ago, the Phoenix Suns were on the brink. They held a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. They were two wins away from the parade. Chris Paul was finally going to get his ring. Suns in Four was not just a stadium chant but a very real possibility. The Suns are on the brink again now. A very different brink. A team that lost 18 games in the entirety of the 2021-22 regular season lost its 18th game of this regular season on Monday, a 102-83 embarrassment at Madison Square Garden to the New York Knicks. It’s all going wrong in a hurry for the Suns.

Cristiano Ronaldo presented by Al Nassr after Saudi transfer

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo has been presented as Al Nassr’s superstar new signing. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to play in the Saudi Pro League in one of the most surprising transfers in the sport’s history. Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Or awards for the best soccer player in the world and five Champions League titles, will play outside of Europe for the first time in his storied career.

College football adds broader swath of international players

New Zealand sprinter Eddie Osei-Nketia is giving college football a try. He holds his country’s 100-meter record and has some rugby experience. Now he’s signed to play for Hawaii and is among a group of international recruits who will suit up on campuses across the United States. Schools are still looking to Europe: Alabama signed offensive lineman Olaus Alinen of Finland and Michigan plucked defensive end Aymeric Koumba directly from France. But the international base has broadened, too. There’s New Zealand’s Osei-Nketia and Senegal’s Mamadou Cissokho. Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oregon State and Colorado also signed international recruits this cycle.

No. 21 New Mexico lone undefeated team after Purdue’s loss

Purdue had cleared every hurdle in its way, holding the top spot in the AP Top 25 for four straight weeks. Rutgers changed that Monday night with a 65-64 victory that will surely knock the Boilermakers from No. 1. The loss leaves one undefeated team: No. 21 New Mexico. The Lobos were picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West Conference, but have exceeded expectations in Richard Pitino’s second season as coach. New Mexico is off to its best start since the 1967-68 team opened 17-0 and last week moved into the AP poll for the first time in eight years. The Lobos play Fresno State and UNLV this week.