National Sports - The Morning Sun

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks toward the scoreboard during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LeBron James picked for 21st straight All-Star Game, extending NBA record

LeBron James is extending his All-Star records. The NBA revealed the starters — some of them, anyway — for the revamped All-Star Game on Thursday night, and there wasn’t much in the way of … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 1/23/25

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates following an NFL football AFC divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Bills might be better, but Chiefs are favored for a reason

The Chiefs are slight favorites to beat the Bills on Sunday and get a shot at winning an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl. But that doesn’t mean Kansas City is the better team. One bettor … more

By MARK ANDERSON | 1/23/25

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron, File)

Jaguars are interviewing Bucs OC Liam Coen for their head coaching job after all, AP source says

The Jacksonville Jaguars are interviewing Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen after all. It's the latest turn in a covert operation that included owner Shad Khan moving on from general manager … more

By MARK LONG | 1/23/25

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) motions for a first down during the first quarter of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Welcome to the mobile age: NFL conference title games filled with dual-threat QBs

From Buffalo's Josh Allen facing Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, to Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts going up against Washington's Jayden Daniels, the NFL conference championship games are abundant with … more

By JOHN WAWROW | 1/23/25

FILE - San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar celebrates after hitting a bunt single during the sixth inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Profar agrees to $42M, 3-year contract with Braves, a year after getting $1M deal with Padres

Jurickson Profar agreed to a $42 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, less than a year after the outfielder got a $1 million deal from the San Diego Padres with spring training … more

By CHARLES ODUM | 1/23/25

Newly elected Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ichiro Suzuki, left, Billy Wagner, center, and CC Sabathia pose for photo during a news conference Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

Ichiro Suzuki wants to have a drink with writer who left him off Hall of Fame ballot

Ichiro Suzuki wants to raise a glass with the voter who chose not to check off his name on the Hall of Fame ballot. Speaking through a translator, Suzuki says: “I would like to invite him over to … more

By ALEX RUBINSON | 1/23/25

FILE - Tom Blomqvist, of Britain, drives the Cadillac V-Series R through a turn during a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Jan. 25, 2024, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Meyer Shank Racing returns to Rolex 24 as 61 cars and 235 drivers prep for Daytona endurance race

A new-look Meyer Shank Racing team is back at the Rolex 24 after a one-year hiatus and it is just one of dozens of changes as IMSA heads into the most prestigious endurance race in North America. The … more

By JENNA FRYER | 1/23/25

Left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, center, is joined by his wife Maddie, left, and his son Bo, right, as they pose for photos after an introductory baseball news conference at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Scott's $72 million, 4-year contract finalized by Dodgers, who spent $452 million on 8 players

Reliever Tanner Scott’s $72 million, four-year contract has been finalized by the Los Angeles Dodgers, raising the World Series champions’ offseason spending to $452 million on eight players. … more

1/23/25

FILE - Atlanta Braves' A.J. Minter throws during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Left-hander A.J. Minter and Mets finalize 2-year contract

Left-hander A.J. Minter and the New York Mets have finalized a two-year contract. Minter can opt out after the 2025 World Series and become a free agent again. The 31-year-old is coming off of left … more

1/23/25

Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) reacts to his interception against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

Cornerback Mike Sainristil is the other standout rookie fueling the Commanders' long playoff run

Jayden Daniels is the Washington Commanders rookie everyone is talking about, and with good reason. But he’s not the only member of the 2024 draft class making a major impact. Second-round pick … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 1/23/25

FILE - iger Woods of the US greets the crowd at the end of his second round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, July 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)

British Open to return to St. Andrews in 2027. One last chance for Tiger Woods?

The British Open returns to St. Andrews in 2027 for the 31st time. And that begs the question of whether Tiger Woods will have one last chance to compete at the Old Course. Woods was emotional when … more

By DOUG FERGUSON | 1/23/25

FILE - New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick holds up a UNC branded sleeveless hoodie presented to him during an NCAA college football news conference announcing his hiring, Dec. 12, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)

Bill Belichick and North Carolina have a signed contract for his hiring as football coach

North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and school officials have signed his official employment contract. That formalized last month’s hiring after speculation that the six-time Super … more

By AARON BEARD | 1/23/25

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels talks to the media after an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Plenty of college reps helped Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix make an immediate impact in the NFL

Jayden Daniels threw 1,438 passes in 55 college games over five seasons. He’s been no ordinary rookie because he played plenty of football before coming to the NFL. Same for Bo Nix, who was a … more

By ROB MAADDI | 1/23/25

FILE - Drivers with their F1 cars start for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix race at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyorod, Hungary, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)

F1 drivers could be suspended for swearing or political statements under new rules

Formula 1 drivers could be suspended from racing or lose championship points for swearing or making political statements under new rules. Drivers criticized series governing body the FIA last year … more

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH | 1/23/25

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots over Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores career-high 54 in Thunder's 123-114 win over Jazz

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career-high 54 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Utah Jazz 123-114. Gilgeous-Alexander made 17 of 35 field goals and 17 of 18 free throws to surpass … more

By CLIFF BRUNT | 1/22/25

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, left, and general manager Trent Baalke watch players during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Jaguars GM Trent Baalke is out, clearing a path for Shad Khan to make another run at Liam Coen

General manager Trent Baalke is out in Jacksonville after the Jaguars failed to land second interviews with three of their top coaching candidates. Owner Shad Khan fired Baalke hours after Tampa Bay … more

By MARK LONG | 1/22/25

Ludvig Aberg hits his tee shot on the 8th hole of the North Course at Torrey Pines during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Ludvig Aberg cards an opening-round 63 for a 2-shot lead at the Farmers Insurance Open

Ludvig Aberg shot a 9-under 63 for a two-shot lead over Danny Walker and Hayden Springer in the opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Aberg took a first-round lead on the PGA … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 1/22/25

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) stands on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Heat suspend Jimmy Butler again, this time for 2 games for missing team flight, AP source says

Jimmy Butler will be suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in three weeks, this time for two games. That's according to a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated … more

By TIM REYNOLDS | 1/22/25

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes speaks to the media before the NFL football team's practice Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Patrick Mahomes on whether NFL officials favor the Chiefs: 'The referees are doing their best'

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes does not believe NFL officials are calling games to help his team win. That has been the national discourse following last week's divisional-round matchup with … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 1/22/25

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

'Best rookie year of all time?' Jayden Daniels has the Commanders a win away from the Super Bowl

Jayden Daniels is getting praised around the league after leading the Washington Commanders to the NFC championship game against the odds and expectations. Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator … more

By STEPHEN WHYNO | 1/22/25