Another packed day of competition unfolded Sunday at the Winter Olympics, while major results across college basketball and the NBA added to a bustling mid-February sports calendar — with Major League Baseball spring training also ready to open.
At the Games, Team USA secured its place in the men’s hockey quarterfinals with a convincing 5-1 victory over Germany. Captain Auston Matthews powered the Americans with two goals and an assist as the U.S. finished unbeaten in preliminary play and earned a bye into Wednesday’s quarterfinal round.
Norway continued to dominate the medal standings, led by another historic moment from Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo. Klaebo became the most decorated Winter Olympian ever after Norway captured gold in the men’s 4×7.5-kilometer cross-country relay, giving him the ninth gold medal of his career.
Italy, buoyed by home-country energy, enjoyed one of its strongest Olympic performances in history. Lisa Vittozzi won gold in the women’s 10-kilometer biathlon pursuit, while Federica Brignone — nicknamed the “Snow Tiger” — completed a remarkable comeback from a serious injury suffered last spring to win her second gold medal of these Games in the giant slalom.
Mikaela Shiffrin narrowly missed the podium in the giant slalom after skiing conservatively across both runs, though she remains the favorite heading into the upcoming slalom event.
Elsewhere, Great Britain captured the first-ever mixed skeleton gold, Dutch star Femke Kok broke the Olympic record while winning the women’s 500-meter speed skate, and Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury claimed gold in the men’s dual moguls in what he has said will be his final Olympic appearance.
Off the slopes, college basketball delivered another round of marquee results and upsets. Texas Tech stunned top-ranked Arizona 78-75 in overtime behind a standout 27-point, 12-rebound performance from JT Toppin. Arkansas strengthened its tournament position with an 88-75 win over Auburn, while No. 8 Illinois dominated Indiana 71-51.
Iowa State picked up a key Big 12 victory by defeating Kansas 74-56, and Alabama continued South Carolina’s skid with an 89-75 win. Florida outlasted Vanderbilt 92-83 in a high-scoring SEC matchup. In women’s action, unranked Georgia shocked No. 4 Vanderbilt 76-74.
Sunday night also brought the NBA All-Star Game, featuring a new four-mini-game tournament format that players said created more competitive energy. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was named MVP after totaling 32 points in 26 minutes across the event, helping his USA Stars squad win the finale. Kawhi Leonard thrilled the Los Angeles crowd with a 31-point burst earlier in the night, while Victor Wembanyama also impressed with 33 points and three blocks in two games.
With winter sports in full swing, baseball is also on the horizon. Major League Baseball’s spring training opens this week, marking the start of the long countdown to Opening Day as teams begin preparations for the 2026 season.
Source: ESPN, nba.com, NCAA, Guardian