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Warriors Off to Best Start Since 1991 (AP)
 AP - The Golden State Warriors have shed their losing ways, at least for the first month of the season. Jason Richardson scored a season-high 33 points, and Baron Davis added 25 points and 16 assists to lead Golden State past Sacramento 113-106 on Wednesday night for its fourth straight win.
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Bruins Trade All-Star Thornton to Sharks (AP)
 AP - Joe Thornton was the cornerstone of the Boston Bruins for eight years — until he was abruptly shipped off to the West Coast with a dinnertime phone call. The San Jose Sharks acquired the power forward Wednesday night, parting with Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau in a trade between two last-place franchises desperate to shake up their dismal seasons.
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No. 1 Duke Survives Thriller vs. Hoosiers (AP)
 AP - J.J. Redick responded to Indiana's challenge the way he always does — by making big shots. Redick scored 29 points, including six during a decisive late stretch, to lead No. 1 Duke past No. 17 Indiana on Wednesday in one of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge's marquee matchups.
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Ivanisevic Not Included in Davis Draw (AP)
 AP - Goran Ivanisevic was left out of the lineup Thursday for Croatia's Davis Cup final against Slovakia.
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Konerko Staying With Champion White Sox (AP)
 AP - Paul Konerko covered all the bases — on and off the field. The slugging first baseman was an offensive force as the Chicago White Sox won their first World Series title since 1917. After the season, he became a free agent and promised to thoroughly explore all options available to him on the market — and that's what he did.
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Hard Work Finally Paying Off for Polk (AP)
AP - After years of toiling as a backup linebacker and playing on special teams, DaShon Polk is having the best season of his six-year NFL career.
Ferry family's NBA tale continues to grow (USATODAY.com)
USATODAY.com - Danny Ferry, it might be said, was born with a silver basketball in his hands. His father, Bob, played for the Baltimore Bullets. As Ferry grew up, his dad became the team's general manager. Ferry rebounded against Wes Unseld and shot with Elvin Hayes before he was ever out of elementary school.
Bonds agrees to play for US in world tournament (Reuters)
 Reuters - San Francisco Giants
slugger Barry Bonds has agreed in principle to play for the
United States in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March,
his agent said.
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Wigan, Blackburn, Man United Advance (AP)
 AP - Manchester United, Wigan, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Bolton advanced to the final eight of England's League Cup on Wednesday.
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Hockey Today (AP)
AP - Pittsburgh at N.Y. Rangers (7 p.m. EST). The Atlantic Division-leading Rangers have won five straight while the struggling Penguins have lost three in a row.
Stretch drive
The Colts and Seahawks are in good shape, but the other contenders are scrambling for playoff positions.
Rams prez: Martz '05 return unlikely (AP)
St. Louis Rams president John Shaw says he would be shocked if Mike Martz got medical clearance to return to coaching this season. Martz stepped down Oct. 24 on doctors' orders while suffering from endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. Interim coach Joe Vitt has coached the team the last six games, going 3-3 heading into Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, and...
Holmgren admits error in officials flap (AP)
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday he "kind of messed up" when he said the NFL told him there were officiating mistakes made during last Sunday's overtime win over the New York Giants. "I think it's kind of a tempest in a teapot," Holmgren said near the end of news conference. "I kind of messed up.
Jauron picks Lions QB, Bly apologizes (AP)
Interim coach Dick Jauron designated Jeff Garcia to start at quarterback for Detroit at quarterback Sunday against Minnesota. There had been speculation that Harrington, or even rookie Dan Orlovsky, would start Sunday against the Vikings instead of the 35-year-old Garcia because team president Matt Millen said Monday when he fired coach Steve Mariucci that he wanted to get more out of younger...
Deion Sanders defends Irvin, Owens (AP)
Deion Sanders doesn't have an NFL pregame show as a platform anymore, so he used his position as safety for the Baltimore Ravens to jump to the defense of Michael Irvin and Terrell Owens. Irvin was arrested Sunday on an outstanding warrant for an unpaid speeding ticket in Irving, Texas, but was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police found a marijuana pipe in his...
Sen. Specter backs off on T.O. probe (AP)
Sen. Arlen Specter backed off a threat to have a Senate subcommittee investigate whether the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles violated antitrust laws in their handling of Terrell Owens. Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday that he talked to lawyers in the Department of Justice about the issue.
Colts focus on playoffs, not perfection (AP)
Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts would define perfection as winning a Super Bowl title. Anything more would be a bonus. But with five weeks left in the regular season, the Colts' arduous, three-decade quest to return to the Super Bowl now carries an added burden -- trying to join the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only unbeaten teams in NFL history.
Irvin reiterates pipe belonged to friend (AP)
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin reiterated Monday that a marijuana pipe found in his car belonged to a longtime friend, not his brother -- and denied any discrepancy between what he told reporters and police. Irvin told The Associated Press late Monday that a police officer apparently took his use of the word "brother" literally when he was arrested Friday after being pulled over...
T.J. more than Chad's sidekick in Cincy (AP)
T.J. Houshmandzadeh beamed as he reached out and accepted the scuffed white cleats with black trim and purple padding. An attendant was delivering the gift he had requested from Deion Sanders. "Deion's my favorite player of all time," the Cincinnati Bengals receiver said. "He started all the flamboyancy in football.
Bengals on a roll heading into key game (AP)
Carson Palmer has beaten Baltimore three times in his short career as a starter. He's beaten Cleveland twice in three tries. The only AFC North team that has him stumped is right down the road and next on the schedule. The Bengals (8-3) held onto first place by beating the Ravens 42-29 on Sunday with an offense that's finding its stride.
The Curry question
A month into the season, the Bulls and Knicks are still seeking answers from the Eddy Curry trade.
Marshall lifts Cavs over Clips in OT (AP)
Donyell Marshall made the biggest play when it mattered, then made two more when it meant the most. Marshall converted a key three-point play in regulation, then hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-105 Wednesday night. "I still didn't shoot well, but made them when it counted," said Marshall, who shot 1-for-7 before scoring nine...
Nuggets' Karl suspended for two games (AP)
George Karl has never been shy about sharing his candid opinions and as a result, he has often found himself lighter in the wallet. This time, he also got suspended without pay. The league came down hard on Karl for publicly criticizing officials after the Nuggets' 101-92 loss to New Jersey. Karl began his two-game suspension with Wednesday night's Nuggets-Hornets game in Denver.
Heat win one on road without Shaq (AP)
Shaquille O'Neal was wearing a suit and tie, Dwyane Wade didn't score in the first or fourth quarters and still the Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks by 22 points Wednesday night. Apparently there's a long way from first to last in the NBA's Southeast Division. In the Heat's first road victory without O'Neal, Jason Williams scored 21 points to help Miami beat Atlanta 96-74.
Hamilton, Pistons use 3 to beat Nets (AP)
Flip Saunders is getting a sense of what motivates his defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons. Richard Hamilton scored 30 points and Detroit tied a team season high with 10 3-pointers in a 93-83 win over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night. "My take is that these guys need challenges," said Saunders, in his first year as Pistons coach.
Nash leads Suns past tired Pacers (AP)
Steve Nash didn't intend to shoot a lot of 3-pointers. They just came naturally in the flow of the game. "I wasn't looking for them, I don't ever focus on them," Nash said after scoring a season-high 31 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers, as the well-rested Phoenix Suns beat the tired Indiana Pacers 109-91 Wednesday night for their fourth straight victory.
Pierce has big night, Celtics top 76ers (AP)
Kendrick Perkins was a surprise weapon for the Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Perkins added career highs with 12 points, 19 rebounds and four assists to lift the Celtics to a 110-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. "I've been playing uptight and the coaches have told me to relax," Perkins said.
Richardson, Warriors cap great month (AP)
The Sacramento Kings didn't have reason to pay much attention to the Golden State Warriors in recent years. While the Kings were focused on topping the Lakers, Spurs and other Western Conference powers, their northern California neighbors were in the midst of a playoff drought that has stretched back more than a decade.
Crawford's 28 help Knicks beat Bulls (AP)
For one night, Larry Brown might be glad to know his players may have ignored him. Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 28 points, and the New York Knicks used a huge advantage at the free-throw line and some strong fourth-quarter defense to beat the Chicago Bulls 109-101 Wednesday night. Crawford and the other Knicks guards constantly went hard to the basket in the second half to turn around the...
Mason's big second half lifts Hornets (AP)
Desmond Mason made the Denver Nuggets pay for their injuries and their insults. Mason scored a season-best 26 points in the New Orleans Hornets' 102-95 win over the Nuggets, who were without their star forward and their leader Wednesday night. Nuggets coach George Karl was suspended two games without pay for publicly criticizing officials after the Nuggets' loss to New Jersey on Monday night.
Power rankings
The Power Rankings wake up to hot streaks from Calgary and Dallas, while San Jose and Boston move perilously close to the basement.
Bruins trade Joe Thornton to Sharks (AP)
Joe Thornton was the cornerstone of the Boston Bruins for eight years -- until he was abruptly shipped off to the West Coast with a dinnertime phone call. The San Jose Sharks acquired the power forward Wednesday night, parting with Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau in a trade between two last-place franchises desperate to shake up their dismal seasons.
Wings' Fischer again treated at hospital (AP)
Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer had another abnormal heartbeat this week and returned to the hospital for treatment. He was released Wednesday and is to undergo further testing at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, the team said. While resting at home Monday, Fischer experienced a "brief, abnormal cardiac rhythm," and went back to Detroit Medical Center for tests.
Flyers end 4-game home skid, top Devils (AP)
Patrick Sharp was more impressed with Philadelphia's defense than his own goal. With the way the Flyers played short-handed, he should have been. Mike Knuble and Sharp scored in the second period, when the Flyers came up strong two-men down to beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Wednesday night. The Flyers had lost four consecutive home games after winning nine in a row at the Wachovia Center.
Belfour, Leafs fall 2-1 to Lightning (AP)
Ed Belfour will have to wait a little longer to move past Terry Sawchuk in the record book. Belfour came up short in his first bid to break a tie for second place on the NHL career victory list as Pavel Kubina scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 8:38 left in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.
Stars hand Sharks 10th straight loss (AP)
The slumping San Jose Sharks figured changes were coming -- and they were right. Before the opening faceoff against Dallas on Wednesday night, the Sharks learned they had acquired three-time All-Star center Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins in a four-player trade. Thornton can't arrive soon enough for the Sharks, who went out and lost their 10th game in a row, 4-1 to the Stars.
Canucks halt four-game skid to Avalanche (AP)
Brendan Morrison helped get the Colorado Avalanche out of the Vancouver Canucks' heads. Morrison scored the go-ahead goal on a breakaway late in the second period, sparking the Canucks to a 5-2 win over Colorado on Wednesday night that ended a long stretch of lopsided losses to the Avalanche. Since beating Colorado on Oct.
Balastik's goal gets SO win for Jackets (AP)
When a team is struggling as the Columbus Blue Jackets have been, sometimes it takes a little luck to turn things around. A hard shot can help, too. Jaroslav Balastik's goal in the third round of a shootout Wednesday night lifted Columbus to a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Randy Robitaille, who tied the game with 6:33 remaining in regulation when he redirected a shot with his back to the net,...
Penner helps Ducks past Coyotes, 6-1 (AP)
One thing Anaheim rookie Dustin Penner has is confidence. Penner scored his first two NHL goals on power plays and assisted on another by Teemu Selanne, leading the Mighty Ducks to a 6-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night. "I expect myself to be able to produce at this level," said Penner, a 23-year-old right wing who was called up four games ago from Springfield of the AHL.
Bruins' Girard abandons comeback attempt (AP)
Boston Bruins defenseman Jonathan Girard retired on Wednesday, abandoning his comeback more than two years after he was seriously injured in a car accident. "We were hoping that Jonathan would be successful in his comeback attempt," Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said. "But his doctors have advised him that he is not physically able to compete at the level of professional hockey.
Right time, wrong place
Does NASCAR's road to the championship end at the right track?
NASCAR champion ready to get in shape (AP)
Tony Stewart went on a shopping spree last week that he hopes will lead to a new and improved Nextel Cup champion.
Stewart's slow start turns into championship season (AP)
What started out as a lost season for Tony Stewart wound up as the best time of his life. Few who saw it will...
In NASCAR, 2005 a season of personality (AP)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The season started with Tony Stewart out front, only to fade at the end of the biggest...
Authorities identify four killed in plane crash off Dana Point (AP)
Off-road racer Jason Baldwin was among four people killed last weekend in a plane crash off the California coast, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Divers recovered the bodies Tuesday, three days after the plane sank in about 200 feet of water off Dana Point. Along with the 35-year-old Baldwin, also identified were pilot Daniel M.
NASCAR's championship format was a winner, and closer than it looked (AP)
There was no last-lap drama in this Chase.
Sister: Racer Baldwin aboard crashed plane (AP)
Off-road racer Jason Baldwin was one of four people aboard a small plane that crashed into the Pacific off the Orange County coast. "It was his time to go," his sister, Kelley Renezeder, said Sunday. "We will all learn in our way why he died. He did not die as though he never lived. He lived each day to the fullest." A dive team will arrive Tuesday to retrieve the wreckage of the plane, which crashed...
Gordon claims coveted 11th spot in NASCAR points (AP)
Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has no need for racing's most coveted consolation prize.
Stewart caps second championship with steady final run (AP)
Long before he battled for a second NASCAR championship, Tony Stewart had to fight for his job.
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