None76ers center Joel Embiid sidelined due to swelling in his left knee and will miss two games PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers say center Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee and will miss a second consecutive game Sunday. The Sixers issued a statement on the condition of the 2023 NBA MVP at halftime of Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets, saying the decision to sideline Embiid was made along with the team’s medical staff. Embiid was ruled out prior to Friday’s game against the Nets due to what the team described as left knee injury maintenance. The Sixers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Austin Hays, Kyle Finnegan, Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Romano among 62 new free agents NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Austin Hays, right-hander Kyle Finnegan and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents when their teams failed to offer 2025 contracts. Right-hander Jordan Romano, left-hander Patrick Sandoval and outfielders Michael Tauchman and Ramón Laureano also were among the players cut loose, many of whom would have been eligible for salary arbitration. Washington cut right-hander Tanner Rainey, its last remaining player from the 2019 World Series champions. Finnegan and Hays are former All-Stars. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Las Vegas and Verstappen nips Norris in championship battle LAS VEGAS (AP) — George Russell put Mercedes on the pole for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in an upset over teammate Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was fastest in the first two practice sessions with Russell fastest in Friday night’s third and final session. But come qualifying, Hamilton made two mistakes in the final group and wound up a distant 10th. Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc seemed to sweep the front row until Russell’s late lap pushed Sainz to second. Pierre Gasly slid into third, and Leclerc wound up fourth. Championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull qualified fifth for Saturday night's race. Verstappen needs only to score three points more than challenger Lando Norris to win his fourth straight world championship. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. Chase Elliott named NASCAR's most popular driver for 7th straight season CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott has been named NASCAR's most popular driver for the seventh straight year. He was announced Friday at NASCAR's annual season-ending awards ceremony. It's the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans. Elliott beat out Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, per results released by the National Motorsports Press Association. Bill Elliott, Chase's father who is nicknamed “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” was named NASCAR’s most popular driver a record 16 times before removing his name from the ballot. Either an Elliott or Earnhardt has won NASCAR’s most popular driver award for 34 consecutive years. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” US ski star Shiffrin leads World Cup slalom after 1st run and closes in on career win No. 99 GURGL, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin closed in on what would be the American ski star’s career win No. 99 by setting the pace in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom. Shiffrin wasn’t clean going into the steep of the Kirchenkar course but gained time on all competitors with a near-flawless finish section. Wendy Holdener was fastest at the first two splits and the Swiss racer trailed Shiffrin by 0.13 seconds at the finish. Shiffrin says she was feeling "a little bit funky on some spots.” A victory would give Shiffrin five chances to compete for win No. 100 during a North American sweep of the World Cup starting next week. Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision.

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, December 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — Toledo vs. Pittsburgh at Ford Field (Detroit, MI) 5:30 p.m. ESPN — Kansas State vs. Rutgers at Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ) 9 p.m. ESPN — Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State at Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, AL) ICE HOCKEY 12 p.m. NHLN — Sweden U20 at Slovakia U20 2:30 p.m. NHLN — Germany U20 at USA U20 5 p.m. NHLN — Switzerland U20 at Czech Republic U20 7:30 p.m. NHLN — Canada U20 at Finland U20 NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBA TV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBA TV — Utah at Portland SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City 10 a.m. CBSSN — League One: Blackpool vs. Wrexham USA — Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers 12:45 p.m. CBSSN — Scottish Premiership: Rangers F.C. vs. St. Mirren 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City vs. Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m. TENNIS — Mixed Coverage: Center Court Live The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV . (All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, December 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — Toledo vs. Pittsburgh at Ford Field (Detroit, MI) 5:30 p.m. ESPN — Kansas State vs. Rutgers at Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ) 9 p.m. ESPN — Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State at Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, AL) ICE HOCKEY 12 p.m. NHLN — Sweden U20 at Slovakia U20 2:30 p.m. NHLN — Germany U20 at USA U20 5 p.m. NHLN — Switzerland U20 at Czech Republic U20 7:30 p.m. NHLN — Canada U20 at Finland U20 NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBA TV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBA TV — Utah at Portland SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City 10 a.m. USA — Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers 12:45 p.m. CBSSN — Scottish Premiership: Rangers F.C. vs. St. Mirren 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City vs. Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m.Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), K.V.S.G. Muralikrishna, unfurled the flags of 194 countries recognised by the United Nations at the university on Wednesday. The initiative, titled "Walk with Nations," aimed to unite global diversity. Badam Sundara Rao, an alumnus, took the initiative for the UNO Flags Icon, inspired by Geneva, Switzerland. Muralikrishna highlighted that JNTUK is the sixth university globally, after Geneva, New York, Seoul, Shanghai, and Santo Domingo, to install these iconic flags. Each flag features a QR code, providing details about the country’s population, currency, and other information. Muralikrishna expressed that the installation would become a future tourism spot, allowing visitors and students to take selfies with the flags. The event was attended by University Rector K.V. Ramana, OSD D. Koteswara Rao, and former Vice Chancellors.Senators visit the Kings following Gaudette’s 2-goal performance

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Northwestern women blank Saint Joseph's 5-0 to win second national championship in field hockeyThe Buffalo Bills will face severe winter weather when they host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, with up to 3 feet of snow expected to hit the Buffalo area this weekend. They'll have a key reinforcement for their on-field efforts, however, with star linebacker Matt Milano activated from injured reserve Saturday. Milano's activation comes two weeks after the Pro Bowler was designated to return, and all but confirms Buffalo's plan to play the veteran against the 49ers. Milano was a full participant at Bills practice this week, taking noticeable strides in his recovery from a torn biceps suffered in August. The 30-year-old Milano has been one of the NFL's most productive linebackers when healthy, but he also missed extensive time in 2023, when a leg fracture cost him all but five games. Third-year veteran Terrel Bernard has served as Buffalo's top linebacker in his absence. In 2022, his last healthy season, Milano logged a career-high 72 solo tackles, 11 pass breakups and three interceptions, helping the Bills advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. An All-Pro selection that year, he also posted a career-high 15 tackles for loss the season prior.