Sports News Roundup: Kings eke out win over Warriors; Connor McDavid leads Oilers to 15th straight win and more

The German, who led Liverpool to the League Cup final on Wednesday and is hugely popular with the fans, told the club's hierarchy in November that he would end his eight-and-a-half year stay at Anfield after this season. Wizards, under new management, fall to Jazz Lauri Markkanen and John Collins had big nights to help the Utah Jazz snap a three-game losing streak with a 123-108 road win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Alabama amateur Nick Dunlap turns pro, headed to Pebble

Sophomore golfer Nick Dunlap wiped tears with his gray Alabama jacket and went to great lengths to thank family, coaches, teammates and trainers for teeing him up for the opportunity to turn pro starting immediately. "At this time I do want to announce that I am turning professional. I am accepting PGA Tour membership and will debut at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am," Dunlap said Thursday. "A week from today, the first round starts. I'm going to continue to live here, hang out with the guys and at least live out some of my college life the rest of this year."

Bengals promote QB coach Dan Pitcher to fill OC role

Quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher was officially promoted to offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, the same day the Tennessee Titans introduced new head coach Brian Callahan. Callahan had been the coordinator under head coach Zac Taylor in Cincinnati since 2019.

Wizards make coaching change, move Wes Unseld Jr. to front office

Wes Unseld Jr. was moved to the Wizards' front office on Thursday after two-and-a-half seasons as head coach in Washington. Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger labeled the move a "transition" into what the team dubbed a front office advisory position.

NBA roundup: Kings eke out win over Warriors

Harrison Barnes exploded for a career-high 39 points against his old team, then contributed a crucial block in the final seconds as the Sacramento Kings held on for a 134-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday in San Francisco. The thriller capped a 2-2 season series between the Northern California rivals, with the last three games each decided by one point. The Warriors also beat the Kings in a seven-game, first-round playoff series last April.

Tennis-Sinner books Medvedev final as Melbourne Park gears up for new king

The Australian Open will crown a new men's champion after Jannik Sinner shock holder Novak Djokovic to reach the final, where the Italian faces twice runner-up Daniil Medvedev, who came from two sets down to outlast Alexander Zverev on a thrilling Friday. Sinner roared to a 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 win that handed top seed Djokovic his first defeat at Melbourne Park in six years to move into his maiden Grand Slam title clash.

NHL roundup: Connor McDavid leads Oilers to 15th straight win

Connor McDavid scored two goals and had an assist and backup goalie Calvin Pickard stopped 27 shots, including a penalty shot for his first shutout of the season, as the Edmonton Oilers extended their franchise-record win streak to 15 games with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. The 15-game win streak tied the New York Islanders (1981-82) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (2012-13) for the third longest in NHL history. Pittsburgh holds the record with a 17-gamer in 1992-93 while Columbus had a 16-game win streak in 2016-17.

NFL-Chiefs battle red-hot Ravens, Lions visit 49ers on Championship Sunday

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson expects a "heavyweight fight" when Baltimore squares up against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC title fight while the gritty Lions take on the well-rounded 49ers for the NFC belt on Sunday. After an 18-week regular season and two playoff rounds, the league's four best teams are one win away from punching their tickets to the Feb. 11 Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

Soccer-Klopp to leave Liverpool at end of season

Juergen Klopp stunned the world of football on Friday when he announced he would stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of season, saying that after more than eight hugely successful years in charge he was running out of energy. The German, who led Liverpool to the League Cup final on Wednesday and is hugely popular with the fans, told the club's hierarchy in November that he would end his eight-and-a-half year stay at Anfield after this season.

Wizards, under new management, fall to Jazz

Lauri Markkanen and John Collins had big nights to help the Utah Jazz snap a three-game losing streak with a 123-108 road win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. Markkanen scored 29 points, sinking six 3-pointers, and Collins totaled 22 points and 16 rebounds as Utah improved to 1-2 on its six-game road trip.

NFL-Bills' Hamlin named finalist for Comeback Player of the Year

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was named a finalist for the National Football League's Comeback Player of the Year award on Thursday following his return this season after suffering cardiac arrest during a January 2023 game. Hamlin, who had his heartbeat restored on the field, made a remarkable recovery as he was discharged from hospital after nine days and cleared for full football activities three months later.

(With inputs from agencies.)