AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:01 p.m. EST

Column: Six Degrees of Wilks connects dots of NFL racism

The Six Degrees of Steve Wilks is a quick and easy way to connect the dots of racism in the hiring of NFL head coaches. From Kliff Kingsbury to Lovie Smith to Matt Rhule to Jim Caldwell to Jeff Saturday to Frank Reich, it shows just how hard it is for Black coaches to crack the top ranks. The NFL is down to two Black head coaches: Mike Tomlin and Todd Bowles. Even with four openings still to be filled, there’s little reason to be optimistic that much will change. Certainly not after the way things went down with Wilks.

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.

Djokovic, Tsitsipas to meet in Australian Open men’s final

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic will carry a 27-match winning streak at the Australian Open into the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas. That unbeaten run was put on pause a year ago when Djokovic could not participate in the tournament because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. That is just one of several non-tennis matters that have swirled around the 35-year-old from Serbia. He will be seeking a 10th championship at Melbourne Park on Sunday. He also hopes to earn a 22nd Grand Slam title overall to tie Rafael Nadal’s mark for men. Tsitsipas is trying to win his first major trophy. The winner will rise to No. 1 in the ATP rankings.

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.

Djokovic tops Paul; faces Tsitsipas in Australian Open final

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has put aside some shaky early play to beat unseeded American Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 and reach the Australian Open final. Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas for the title on Sunday. The winner will move up to No. 1 in the ATP rankings. Tsitsipas made it to his second Grand Slam final with a 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 semifinal victory over Karen Khachanov. The No. 3-seeded Tsitsipas had been 0-3 in semifinals at Melbourne Park. Djokovic is seeking his 10th Australian Open championship to extend his own men’s record and a 22nd Grand Slam trophy overall to equal Rafael Nadal’s mark.

Djokovic’s dad stays away from Australian Open semifinal

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Tennis Australia says Novak Djokovic’s father decided to stay away from the 21-time Grand Slam champion’s semifinal after getting embroiled in a flap involving spectators who brought banned Russian flags to Melbourne Park. Djokovic wound up beating unseeded American Tommy Paul 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 to earn a berth in the men’s singles final. Tournament organizers said they have spoken with players and their teams about not engaging in any activity that causes distress or disruption. Djokovic’s father was filmed standing with a group of people waving Russian flags outside Rod Laver Arena after the younger Djokovic’s quarterfinal victory over Russian player Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.

College basketball broadcaster Billy Packer dies at 82

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Billy Packer, an Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, has died at 82. Packer’s son, Mark, told The Associated Press on Thursday night that his father had been hospitalized for the past three weeks and had several medical issues, and ultimately succumbed to kidney failure. Packer’s broadcasting career coincided with the growth of college basketball. He worked as analyst or color commentator on every Final Four from 1975 to 2008.

Wilks ‘disappointed, not defeated’ over Panthers snub

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks Tweeted said that he is “disappointed, but not defeated” that he didn’t land the team’s full-time head coaching position. The Panthers announced on Thursday they have agreed to hire Frank Reich as their new head coach. Wilks said “many people aren’t built for this but I know what it means to persevere and see it through.” Wilks’ comments come less than 24 hours after his attorney in a previous lawsuit alleging unfair racial hiring practice against the NFL blasted the Panthers for choosing Reich over Wilks.

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.

Keyontae Johnson at No. 5 K-State to face ex-Gator teammates

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — There are still a handful of players left at Florida who remember watching Keyontae Johnson collapse on the sideline during a game in December 2020. They will share the floor with him again this weekend on opposite sides. The senior forward has an unspecified heart condition. He has helped the Wildcats reach No. 5 in the nation as they prepare to face the Gators in the Big 12-SEC Challenge. Johnson is third in the Big 12 in scoring at 18.3 points per game, third in rebounding at 7.5 per game and is in the league’s top 10 in field-goal percentage.