NASCAR successfully waved the checkered flag on its opening event of the year just before the heavy rains began to drench Los Angeles. That NASCAR crammed the two-day Clash at the Coliseum into a compelling one-day show capped a frenzied week in global motorsports. So many crazy things happened in a one-week span that Lewis Hamilton’s shocking decision to leave …

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, and the team is now preparing for the stretch run of the season without him. Kuznetsov will be away from the team indefinitely while he receives care. Under the terms of the program, he can return to the team for practice and then games …

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here. All Times EST Monday, Feb. 5 NBA Dallas at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. LA Lakers at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Sacramento at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Golden State at Brooklyn, 7:30 …