AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:41 a.m. EST

Grizzlies, other NBA teams speak out on Tyre Nichols’ death

The outrage, frustration, sadness and anger over the killing of Tyre Nichols was evident around the NBA on Friday. Games were played not long after the video was released showing how Nichols, a 29-year-old father, was killed by five Memphis police officers. Several teams released statements of support for the family, as did the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. And the emotions around the league were palpable, as has been the case so many times after so many other other incidents of violence by police against Black men and women in recent years.

Rybakina meets Sabalenka in Australian Open women’s final

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka figures she’ll feel some jitters when she steps out on court to face Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. Saturday’s contest is Sabalenka’s first title match in singles at a Grand Slam tournament. Rybakina is familiar with this stage: She won Wimbledon a little more than six months ago. Sabalenka is seeded No. 5, Rybakina is No. 22. Sabalenka is a 24-year-old from Belarus, Rybakina is a 23-year-old who was born in Moscow and became a Kazakhstan citizen in 2018 when that country offered to fund her tennis career. Both are among the most powerful players on tour, using big serves and big groundstrokes to overwhelm opponents.

Usain Bolt fires business manager over Jamaica fraud case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt tells reporters he is baffled over how $12.7 million of his money has gone missing from a local private investment firm that authorities are investigating as part of a massive fraud. Bolt also said Friday that he has fired his business manager. The retired star athlete laughed when asked if he was “broke.” He says he isn’t but that the missing money was for his future. He notes he has three children and supports his parents. Bolt’s attorneys have said the athlete’s account with Kingston-based Stocks and Securities Limited dwindled from nearly $12.8 million to some $12,000. They had threatened to take action on Friday.

Rahm 2 back of Ryder at Torrey in bid for 3rd straight win

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jon Rahm made an impressive charge up the leaderboard on his favorite course with a 6-under 66 at Torrey Pines to pull within two shots of leader Sam Ryder after the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Ranked No. 3 in the world, Rahm is one round away from his third win in as many starts and taking over at No. 1 for the first time since March 20. He began Friday at 4 under and tied for 14th, and moved into sole possession of second place after an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole. Ryder shot a steady 72 to remain at 12 under par through 54 holes.

AP Source: Tagovailoa to miss Pro Bowl, still in protocol

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will not participate in the 2023 Pro Bowl, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced officially. Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the 2022 season more than a month ago, after a Dec. 25 loss to Green Bay. He missed Miami’s final three games, including a playoff loss to Buffalo.

Teen Isabeau Levito wins U.S. women’s figure skating title

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Teen star Isabeau Levito needed a near-flawless free skate to capture gold at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships after Bradie Tennell’s beautiful performance minutes earlier. And the 15-year-old accomplished just that, delivering a dazzling 149.55 score for a 223.33 total to win her first women’s national championship. Levito drew a rousing standing ovation from an audience wowed by her poise under pressure on the big nationals stage.

Bold trades keyed offensive jolts for 49ers, Eagles

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers got a jolt offensively when they made the bold decision in October to trade four draft picks to add Christian McCaffrey to an already deep group of playmakers. The Philadelphia Eagles made an aggressive trade of their own to supercharge their offense when they added game-breaking receiver A.J. Brown in a draft-day trade. The two moves by the NFC powerhouses are big reasons why the Niners and Eagles are set to meet in the conference title game in Philadelphia on Sunday with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line.

Chiefs’ Mahomes ready for AFC title game against Bengals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes finished a full week of practice on his ailing right ankle Friday. Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid pronounced his All-Pro quarterback ready to go for Sunday night’s the AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes sustained a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of last week’s divisional-round win over Jacksonville, returning after halftime to polish off the victory. That sent the Chiefs to their fifth consecutive AFC championship game. They will face the AFC North champions on Sunday night in a rematch of last year’s overtime loss to the Bengals.

Shiffrin leads slalom in pursuit of 85th World Cup win

SPINDLERUV MLYN, Czech Republic (AP) — American skier Mikaela Shiffrin has posted the fastest time in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom. She positioned herself for her 85th career victory. A win would move her within one of the World Cup record of 86 wins set by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark in the 1980s. Shiffrin had shared the women’s record of 82 wins with former teammate Lindsey Vonn before triumphing at back-to-back giant slaloms in Italy this week. Shiffrin was 0.29 seconds faster than Lena Dürr and 0.46 faster than Petra Vlhová. The rest of the field was more than a second off the pace.

IMSA takes North American sports cars into hybrid era

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — IMSA is bringing North American sports car racing into the hybrid era starting with Saturday’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. The twice-round-the-clock endurance race will be the first to use new hybrid engines in the top class. It makes IMSA the first North American racing series to use hybrid technology. The change lured new manufacturers to the class as automakers craved the pairing of a motorsports program that is in step with its road car program. Most automakers are shifting toward electric technology. But with the change comes concerns on durability for new cars with new engines in the longest and most prestigious race of the year.