Cade Cunningham had said he likes playing in Madison Square Garden. He wasn’t lying.

Cunningham, the All-Star Detroit Pistons guard who is inserting himself into the conversation for NBA Most Valuable Player, was stellar in a 42-point, 13-assist, 8-rebound Pistons victory Thursday, Feb. 19. And with that 126-111 win, Detroit has won all three of its matchups against the Knicks this season, giving the Pistons a massive edge in potential seeding, should the Eastern Conference tighten up.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 33 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, but New York struggled with its perimeter shots all night long.

Scroll below for a recap and highlights from Detroit’s impressive win over the Knicks Thursday night:

Pistons vs. Knicks highlights

End Q4: Pistons 126, Knicks 111

It was too much Cade Cunningham, too big a deficit on the glass and too few 3-pointers for the New York Knicks.

And with that, the Knicks have been swept in three regular season games by the No. 1-seeded Pistons (41-13), establishing a clear pattern of dominance over New York (35-21).

Cunningham played masterfully, dropping 42 points, 13 assists and 8 rebounds in a complete performance that should elevate his Most Valuable Player candidacy. Cunningham was deliberate and decisive in his movements, as Cunningham went 17-of-34 from the floor, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range.

The Knicks lost the rebounding battle 53-48 and shot just 8-of-35 from beyond the arc.

Jalen Brunson led New York with 33 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

Pistons open biggest lead of game

The Knicks will lose this game if they don’t turn things around — and quickly. Detroit has opened up a 16-point lead, its biggest of the game, early in the fourth, leading to a Mike Brown timeout.

The Pistons have launched a 7-2 run to open the period.

End Q3: Pistons 90, Knicks 79

Cade Cunningham is on an absolute heater.

Cunningham, the Pistons’ All-Star guard and MVP candidate, has 35 points and 9 assists through three quarters, as he’s carrying Detroit to another solid game against the Knicks.

Cunningham has played excellently in his career against the Knicks and in Madison Square Garden and Thursday night has been no different. Cunningham, who dropped 11 points in the third, is in complete control, getting to his spots and not forcing anything. And, when New York sends extra pressure toward him, Cunningham is finding open teammates.

The Knicks, meanwhile, cooled off after a hot start to the period. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 points in the period, but New York has not been able to catch fire from deep. The Knicks are 4-of-25 (16%) from 3-point range.

Knicks cut it to 4 behind KAT attack

Clearly, New York adjusted at the half to get the ball in the hands of Karl-Anthony Towns, who has 8 points through the first two-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter. More importantly for the Knicks, they’ve shaved 6 points off the deficit and trail 62-58.

End Q2: Pistons 58, Knicks 48

The Pistons may be missing their top two centers, All-Star Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (both to suspension), but they’re taking it to the Knicks.

Detroit closed the second quarter on a 7-0 run to open a 10-point lead in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks committed far too many turnovers and continued to struggle with their perimeter shooting in the second; New York has now missed 16 consecutive 3 pointers after it made its first of the game and is shooting just 6.3% from beyond the arc.

Cade Cunningham is continuing to control the offense for Detroit. He’s pushing the ball out in transition, finding his spots and dishing passes to his teammates to the tune of 24 points and 4 assists on 9-of-19 shooting.

New York, meanwhile, will need to scheme ways for Karl-Anthony Towns to become more active and engaged on offense. Towns is just 1-of-3 for 2 points with 5 rebounds. Towns is having a tough time finding his spots and at times has appeared disengaged.

Knicks 3-point shooting woes continue

New York made its first 3 pointer of the game, just seconds into the night. Since then, the Knicks have missed 14 consecutive 3s to shoot just 7.1% from beyond the arc, midway through the second quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns with a quiet quarter

The Knicks big man has faced criticism over the past several weeks for a lack of intensity and intentional play. Towns had just 1 shot attempt in the first quarter, though he did look to distribute with two assists.

Still, for the Knicks to be elite, they will need more offensive production out of Towns.

End Q1: Pistons 28, Knicks 26

The Pistons battled back.

Detroit clamped up its defense and pestered New York into contested shots, which led to chances for Cade Cunningham to operate the offense in open space. Cunningham was the catalyst for Detroit, dropping a game-high 14 points in the first quarter on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

That was the difference in the first quarter, as Detroit was able to hit its open 3s, while the Knicks struggled to find bottom on theirs; the Pistons converted 3 pointers at 40%, while New York went just 1-of-8 (12.5%) in the period.

Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with 9 points.

Late in the first, new acquisition Jeremy Sochan made his Knicks debut, after the team signed him following his buyout with the Spurs.

Knicks vs. Pistons is underway

Jalen Brunson laced his first shot post-All-Star break, a stepback 3, and the Pistons missed their first four shots of the game as we’re underway in the Garden.

Detroit has started just 1-of-8 from the field, as New York has opened an early 9-2 lead just minutes into the game.

Knicks vs. Pistons starting lineups

Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham
Duncan Robinson
Ausar Thompson
Tobias Harris
Paul Reed

New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson
OG Anunoby
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks vs. Pistons injury report

(Updated 5:00 p.m. ET)

Knicks: OG Anunoby (right toenail avulsion; probable), Miles McBride (pelvic, core muscle surgery; out), Pacome Dadiet (G League assignment; questionable), Trey Jemison III (G League – two-way; questionable), Dillon Jones (G League – two-way; questionable), Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League – two-way; questionable)

Pistons: Jalen Duren (league suspension; out), Isaiah Stewart (league suspension; out), Bobi Klintman (G League assignment; out), Wendell Moore Jr. (G League – two-way; out)

How to watch Pistons vs. Knicks: TV channel, live stream

Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
TV Channel: MSG Networks
Live stream: Amazon Prime

Pistons vs. Knicks odds

Spread: Knicks by 4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 222.5 (O/U -110)
Moneyline: Knicks -185

Knicks next five games

Feb. 21 vs. Houston Rockets
Feb. 22 at Chicago Bulls
Feb. 24 at Cleveland Cavaliers
Feb. 27 at Milwaukee Bucks
March 1 vs. San Antonio Spurs

Pistons next five games

Feb. 21 at Chicago Bulls
Feb. 23 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Feb. 25 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb. 27 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
March 1 at Orlando Magic

MILAN — Alysa Liu took her place on the top step of the Olympic podium and threw both hands in the air.

The U.S. figure skater who won her first national title at 13 years old, walked away from the sport at 16, came back at 18, became world champion at 19 was now an Olympic gold medalist at 20, the first American woman to capture individual gold since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

‘I literally can’t process this,’ she said shortly after winning.

Liu, who remains unapologetically herself, took a victory lap around around the Milano Ice Skating Arena, gold medal around her neck and an American flag draped over her shoulders.

She posed for photos, she bit her gold medal, she showed off her smiley frenulum piercing. She had just brought down the house with her electric free skate, the crowd leaping to its feet and the performance rocketing her into first from third place after her beautiful short program two days prior. She skated with pure joy, a wide smile on her face her whole program.

‘The feelings I felt out there were calm, happy, and confident,’ she said after.

When she came off the ice, she looked at the broadcast camera and said, ‘That’s what I’m (expletive) talking about!’

Liu’s teammate Amber Glenn turned in a fantastic free skate of her own to finish in fifth after sitting in 13th following her painful short program, showing herself and everyone what she’s made of. ‘She killed it,’ Liu said of Glenn.

USA TODAY Sports is at Milano Ice Skating Arena to bring you all the live updates, reactions and highlights.

Alysa Liu’s free skate

Alysa Liu absolutely rocked it with her long program performance, scoring a season-best 150.20 to total 226.79 points.

Amber Glenn free skate

Two days after a painful short program, Amber Glenn took the ice again here at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

Glenn, the 26-year-old American at her first Games, said entering the night she wanted to recapture the joy of skating, to truly enjoy and soak up the experience here, something that has been a lifelong dream.

“No matter how the elements go today, I want to remember that I never even thought that I’d get here so that, in itself, is an accomplishment, and doing it as my authentic self and standing for what I believe in,’ Glenn, who was in 13th place after the short program, told NBC before her performance.

She did that in her free skate. She opened with a spectacular with a triple Axel that reached incredible height and was simply a show of industrial strengh. The execution earned her 10.40 points, 0.34 higher than her short program triple Axel. When she finished, she gave her signature fist pump, the crowd showering stuffies onto the ice and cheers onto her. She scored a 147.52 to finish with a total of 214.91.

In the Kiss-and-Cry section while awaiting her scores, she could be heard saying: ‘I’m at the Olympics. I didn’t fall. I didn’t fall at the Olympics.’

Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu on their friendship

USA TODAY Sports’ Jordan Mendoza spoke to Amber Glenn and Alysa Liu on the tight friendship they have formed. Here’s what they said.

What Liu said about Glenn: ‘She’s just such a big sister to me. The idea that we compete against each other, it’s so weird to me. I really just see her as one of my friends and truly one of my teammates. I don’t know, doing things with her is really fun.’

When Glenn said about Liu: ‘It’s been great to have someone that has such a positive outlook on skating and on her career around me. And then on the flip side, I have an extra pair of tights if she rips them and doesn’t have a backup, or I have the schedule ready because she doesn’t have it.’

Women’s figure skating finals Olympics live results

Here are the standings for the women’s figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Games.

Alysa Liu (USA): 226.79 total score, 150.20 free skate score, 76.59 short program score.
Kaori Sakamoto (Japan): 224.90 total score, 147.67 free skate score, 77.23 short program score.
Ami Nakai (Japan): 219.16 total score, 140.45 free skate score, 78.71 short program score.
Mone Chiba (Japan): 217.88 total score, 143.88 free skate score, 74.00 short program score.
Amber Glenn (USA): 214.91 total score, 147.52 free skate score, 67.39 short program score.
Adeliia Petrosian (Neutral Athlete): 214.53 total score, 141.64 free skate score, 72.89 short program score.
Niina Petrokina (Estonia): 210.82 total score, 141.19 free skate score, 69.63 short program score.
Haein Lee (Korea): 210.56 total score, 140.49 free skate score, 70.07 short program score.
Anastasiia Gubanova (Georgia): 209.99 total score, 138.22 free skate score, 71.77 short program score.
Sofia Samodelkina (Kazakhstan): 207.46 total score, 138.99 free skate score, 68.47 short program score.
Jia Shin (Korea): 206.68 total score, 141.02 free skate score, 65.66 short program score.
Isabeau Levito (USA): 202.80 total score, 131.96 free skate score, 70.84 short program score.
Lara Naki Gutmann (Italy): 195.75 total score, 134.19 free skate score, 61.56 short program score.
Loena Hendrickx (Belgium): 199.65 total score, 128.72 free skate score, 70.93 short program score.
Nina Pinzarrone (Belgium): 200.30 total score, 131.33 free skate score, 68.97 short program score.
Iida Karhunen (Finland): 192.79 total score, 127.73 free skate score, 65.06 short program score.
Julia Sauter (Romania): 190.93 total score, 127.80 free skate score, 63.13 short program score.
Olga Mikutina (Austria): 185.59 total score, 123.87 free skate score, 61.72 short program score.
Ruiyang Zhang (China): 178.03 total score, 118.65 free skate score, 59.38, short program score.
Ekaterina Kurakova (Poland): 173.37 total score, 113.23 free skate score, 60.14 short program score.
Livia Kaiser (Switzerland): 171.52 total score, 115.83 free skate score, 55.69 short program score.
Lorine Schild (France): 167.08 total score, 111.45 free skate score, 55.63 short program score.
Kimmy Repond (Switzerland): 159.54 total score, 100.34 free skate score, 59.20 short program score.
Mariia Seniuk (Israel): 152.61 total score, 94.00 free skate score, 58.61 short program score.

Women’s figure skating Olympics winners list

Here is who has medaled in women’s singles figure skating over the last four decades.

2026: Alysa Liu (USA), Kaori Sakamoto (Japan), Ami Nakai (Japan)
2022: ROC’s Anna Shcherbakova (gold), ROC’s Aleksandra Trusova (silver), Japan’s Kaori Sakamoto (bronze)
2018: ROC’s Alina Zagitova (gold), ROC’s Yevgeniya Medvedeva (silver), Canada’s Kaetlyn Osmond (bronze)
2014: Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova (gold), Korea’s Yu-Na Kim (silver), Italy’s Carolina Kostner (bronze)
2010: Korea’s Yu-Na Kim (gold), Japan’s Mao Asada (silver), Canada’s Joannie Rochette (bronze)
2006: Japan’s Shizuka Arakawa (gold), USA’s Sasha Cohen (silver), Russia’s Irina Slutskaya (bronze)
2002: USA’s Sarah Hughes (gold), Russia’s Irina Slutskaya (silver), USA’s Michelle Kwan (bronze)
1998: USA’s Tara Lipinski (gold), USA’s Michelle Kwan (silver), China’s Chen Lu (bronze)
1994: Ukraine’s Oksana Baiul (gold), USA’s Nancy Kerrigan (silver), China’s Chen Lu (bronze)
1992: USA’s Kristi Yamaguchi (gold), Japan’s Midori Ito (silver), USA’s Nancy Kerrigan (bronze)
1988: East Germany’s Katarina Witt (gold), Canada’s Elizabeth Manley (silver), USA’s Debi Thomas (bronze)
1984: East Germany’s Katarina Witt (gold), USA’s Rosalynn Sumners (silver), USSR’s Kira Ivanova (bronze)

How is figure skating scored?

A figure skating routine is made up of two scores: Technical elements score and program components score. The technical elements score is exactly what it sounds like: It’s for the jumps, spins and step sequences in a performance. The program components score is made of up composition, presentation and skating skills.

Figure skating jump types

Toe jump: A skater drives the toe pick of their non-takeoff foot into the ice to launch themselves into the air and generate momentum into the jump.

Toe loop: A skater takes off backward and lands on the same back edge of their blade.
Lutz: A skater moving backward jumps off the back outside edge of their skate and uses the toe-pick of their other skate to catapult into the air in the opposite direction and lands on the back outside edge of the picking leg.
Flip: A skater launches off the back inside edge of one skate and lands on the back outside edge of the other skate.

Edge jump: A skater takes off not with their toe pick but off the edge of their skate.

Salchow: A skater launches off the back inside edge of one skate and lands on the back outside edge of their other skate.
Axel: The only forward-facing jump, a skater lands on the back outside edge of their non-takeoff foot while traveling backward. The axel is the hardest jump because of the extra half-revolution that comes with a forward takeoff and a backward landing.
Loop: The skater jumps off a back outside edge of their skate and lands on the same edge.

MILAN — The U.S. women’s national hockey team is golden once again. 

Team USA has appeared in all but one gold medal match since women’s hockey made its Olympic debut at the 1998 Nagano Games — each time facing off against the Canadians — but the Americans have only walked away with two gold medals. Make that three.

Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 19 to capture gold, marking the Americans’ first Olympic gold medal since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, which they won in a shootout.

This squad, which Hilary Knight dubbed ‘the best U.S. hockey team I’ve ever been a part of,’ went undefeated on its run to the 20026 gold medal, matching the 1998 U.S. Olympic champions.

The Americans trailed much of the contest, before Hilary Knight scored an equalizer with less than three minutes remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. Megan Keller’s sudden-death goal in overtime clinched the win.

‘When Meg (Keller) pulled her move, I knew we had it immediately,’ said Knight.

The Americans shut out the Canadians 5-0 in the preliminary round on Feb. 10, but Thursday’s gold-medal match was a nail biter that seemed destined to end in a Canadian celebration until Knight’s heroics.

‘The greatest rivalry in all sport for that reason, every game is tight,’ said Canadian defender Renata Fast, who assisted on Canada’s lone goal. ‘We knew that coming in every single battle, every single play is so important because the game is that close against this matchup. So this is the exact game we expected today, and obviously we just didn’t come out the way we wanted to.’

Canada’s Laura Stacey added, ‘We were two minutes and 20 something seconds away from being gold medalists, but sports and hockey is not easy, and I think it’s heartbreaking.’

The gold-medal victory caps off Knight’s prolific Olympic career with her second gold and fifth overall medal. Knight now holds the U.S. Olympic hockey record for the most overall medals and gold medals won. She also set the all-time points and goals record. 

Kendall Coyne Schofield called Knight’s game-tying goal ‘poetic.’

USA TODAY Sports is in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics and provided live coverage of the gold medal match. Scroll below for all the highlights:

USA’s Megan Keller ‘lost for words’ after overtime goal

Megan Keller threw her arms in the air and threw her equipment on the ice as teammates mobbed her.

She had just scored a golden goal. Keller took a pass from Taylor Heise in overtime, dangled around defender Claire Thompson and fired a shot that slipped through the pads of Ann-Renee Desbiens to give USA a 2-1 victory over Canada.

‘I’m lost for words,’ Keller said. ‘This is an incredible feeling. I love these girls so much. This group deserves it. Just the effort and the faith that we kept through this four-year journey is something very special. We worked so hard for the past four years. We love each other in that locker room. Just a really special group and just couldn’t be happier for us.’

Team USA receives their Olympic women’s hockey gold medals

At a medal ceremony that also featured silver medalists Canada and bronze medalists Switzerland, Team USA received their gold medas on the ice at the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.

Watch: Megan Keller’s game-winning overtime goal

Megan Keller broke several ankles of Canada’s defense for a chip shot into the back of the net just over four minutes into overtime inside the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday, Feb. 19 to give the United States the 2-1 gold medal win at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Olympic overtime rules

If the teams are tied after 60 minutes in the gold-medal game, teams play 20-minute 3-on-3 overtime periods, separated by 15-minute intermissions, until someone scores. Teams don’t change sides for the first overtime but do for subsequent overtimes.

USA vs Canada headed to overtime

USA goal: Hilary Knight sets record

Five-time Olympian Hilary Knight kept America’s gold-medal dreams alive with a goal at the 57:56 mark to tie it up, 1-1. With the goal, Knight becomes the U.S. all-time Olympic goals (15) and points leader (33). Laila Edwards and Megan Keller were credited with assists.

Canada power play

Team USA’s Britta Curl-Salemme was called for boarding after Canada’s Erin Ambrose went down hard. Ambrose immediately went back to the locker room after being assisted off the ice. The call was downgraded to a minor penalty after review.

End of 2nd period: Canada 1, USA 0

Team USA is in uncharted territory. The Canadians have a 1-0 lead after Kristin O’Neill scored a shorthanded goal. It marks the first time USA has trailed during the 2026 Winter Olympics. The last time an opponent scored against the Americans was 8:37 into the second period of their Olympic opener vs. Czechia on Feb. 5. Canada has a slight edge with 21 shots on goal, compared to 20 for the U.S.

Brittany Bowe in the building

Sixteen thousand fans packed into the Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena Thursday, Feb. 19 to witness the women’s hockey gold-medal game between longtime rivals USA and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The crowd included U.S. hockey star Hilary Knight’s new fiancée — U.S. speed-skater Brittany Bowe.

Bowe was spotted in a Team USA jersey on the TV broadcast Thursday, one day after Knight got down on one knee and proposed to her following a morning coffee run. The couple announced their engagement on Instagram on Feb. 18. It marked a full circle moment for Knight and Bowe, who first met at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Bowe is set to compete in the women’s speed skating 1500-meter race Friday, Feb. 20.

Canada goal: Kristin O’Neill scores

Kristin O’Neill scored her third goal of the 2026 Olympics to give the Canadians a 1-0 lead over Team USA. The shorthanded goal was assisted by Laura Stacey and Renata Fast at the 20:54 mark. It marks the first time USA has trailed in the entire tournament.

End of 1st period: USA 0, Canada 0

We’re all tied after one period.Team USA entered Thursday’s gold-medal match with 13 total penalties through six games, the second fewest among the field of 10 teams. The Americans are already up to two penalties in the first period, including a call for too many players on the ice that possibly signals some nerves and early game jitters among the 12 first-time Olympians. The U.S. women have been on defense a majority of the first period as a result and were outshot 8-6 by Canada, but Team USA will enter the second period on a power play.

Aerin Frankel has been solid in front of the net. She made Olympic history as the first goalkeeper to record three shutouts following a 5-0 semifinal win over Sweden.

USA power play

Now the Americans have the advantage. Canada’s Ella Shelton was called for hooking, setting up USA’s first power play of the night.

Canada power play

The U.S. women racked up another penalty, this time a tripping call on Joy Dunne. Despite being at a disadvantage, USA’s Hayley Scamurra broke off toward the Canadian goal and nearly got a shot on goal. The Americans killed off the power play once again.

Canada power play

Team USA picked up the first penalty of the night for too many players on the ice, giving the Canadians a power play. Abbey Murphy served the penalty. After the U.S. women killed off the power play, chants of ‘U-S-A!’ rang out. Game remains scoreless in the first period.

Game underway

USA’s Aerin Frankel vs. Canada’s Ann-Renee Desbiens in net.

Two veterans meet in gold-medal match

Five-time Olympian Hilary Knight said she’s looking forward to facing off against fellow veteran Marie-Philip Poulin at the Games one more time after previously announcing her retirement from Olympic competition.

‘You have two great players duelling it out on the world stage. One is from Canada and one is from America,’ said Knight, who recently proposed to girlfriend, U.S. speed skater Brittany Bowe. Poulin added, ‘I have played against (Knight) my whole career. It is always a battle. Both of us are hungry. We want it again.’

Team USA on win streak

Entering Thursday, the U.S. women have won seven consecutive games against Canada, dating back to the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, where the Americans won 4-3 in overtime. Team USA swept Canada in the 2025 Rivalry Series for the first time in tournament history and shut out Canada 5-0 during the preliminary round, marking the first time the Canadian women haven’t got on the score sheet in Olympic history.

What time is USA women’s hockey vs. Canada today?

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Time: 1:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. local)
Location: Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan)

Puck drop between the U.S. women’s hockey team and Canada is set for 1:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 19 from Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan.

Stream the 2026 Winter Olympics on Peacock

Where to watch USA women’s hockey vs Canada gold-medal game

TV channel: USA Network
Streaming options: NBCOlympics.com | NBC Olympic App | Peacock

USA Network will broadcast Thursday’s gold-medal game between U.S. women’s and Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Is there a live stream of the Olympic women’s gold medal game?

Streaming options for the game include NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Olympic App (with a cable TV or satellite login). You can also stream the game on Peacock, NBC’s subscription streaming service.

Hilary Knight stats

The U.S. hockey captain and five-time Olympian is sitting on the doorstep of breaking two records. Most points by an American at the Olympics and most goals by an American at the Olympics. She is tied with Jenny Potter for most points (32), and in a three-way tie with Natalie Darwitz and Katie King for most goals (14).

Who won the Olympic women’s hockey bronze medal?

U.S. women’s hockey roster for 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

Here is the full U.S. women’s hockey roster for the Milano Cortina Olympics:

Goaltenders: Ava McNaughton; Aerin Frankel; Gwyneth Philips.
Defenders: Lee Stecklein; Cayla Barnes; Caroline Harvey; Megan Keller; Rory Guilday; Haley Winn; Laila Edwards.
Forwards: Kirsten Simms; Kelly Pannek; Grace Zumwinkle; Hayley Scamurra; Britta Curl-Salemme; Hilary Knight; Tessa Janecke; Hannah Bilka; Joy Dunne; Alex Carpenter; Kendall Coyne Schofield; Taylor Heise; Abbey Murphy.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Alysa Liu created U.S. figure skating Olympic history Thursday at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The 20-year-old figure skater followed up her short program performance from earlier in the week with a stunning performance in the free skate on Thursday, Feb. 19 inside the Milano Skating Stadium that helped her become the first U.S. woman to win an individual Olympic medal in figure skating since 2006, and the first U.S. woman to win gold since 2002.

She earned a season-best 150.20 in Thursday’s free skate for a total score of 226.79 in the women’s singles event. She entered the day in third place on the leaderboard.

Watch Alysa Liu win Olympic gold at 2026 Winter Olympics

Watch Alysa Liu Olympics video with Peacock

Alysa Liu Olympics gold medal performance in photos

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

After one of the most successful All-Star breaks in recent memory, the NBA is back to regular season action Thursday night.

Tipping off the home stretch of the season is an Eastern Conference heavyweight matchup: the first-place Detroit Pistons (40-13) head to New York to take on the third-place Knicks (35-20, six games back) at Madison Square Garden.

The Pistons will be without Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who are both serving their suspensions for their roles in last week’s brawl with the Charlotte Hornets. This will be the final game of Duren’s two-game suspension, so he will be available to return for Detroit’s next game against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Stewart, however, still has five more games to go after he was suspended for seven games, the worst punishment from the scuffle because he left the bench and entered the floor to pursue Miles Bridges.

On the other side, the Knicks will have everyone from their 15-man roster available except for OG Anunoby who has been dealing with an avulsion in his right toenail. He’s listed as probable as of the NBA’s latest injury report.

New York also made an addition right before All-Star weekend by signing Jeremy Sochan, who was waived by the San Antonio Spurs. He’s available to make his Knicks debut.

Here’s what you need to know about Thursday night’s game between the Knicks and Pistons:

End Q2: Pistons 58, Knicks 48

The Pistons may be missing their top two centers, All-Star Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (both to suspension), but they’re taking it to the Knicks.

Detroit closed the second quarter on a 7-0 run to open a 10-point lead in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks committed far too many turnovers and continued to struggle with their perimeter shooting in the second; New York has now missed 16 consecutive 3 pointers after it made its first of the game and is shooting just 6.3% from beyond the arc.

Cade Cunningham is continuing to control the offense for Detroit. He’s pushing the ball out in transition, finding his spots and dishing passes to his teammates to the tune of 24 points and 4 assists on 9-of-19 shooting.

New York, meanwhile, will need to scheme ways for Karl-Anthony Towns to become more active and engaged on offense. Towns is just 1-of-3 for 2 points with 5 rebounds. Towns is having a tough time finding his spots and at times has appeared disengaged.

Knicks 3-point shooting woes continue

New York made its first 3 pointer of the game, just seconds into the night. Since then, the Knicks have missed 14 consecutive 3s to shoot just 7.1% from beyond the arc, midway through the second quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns with a quiet quarter

The Knicks big man has faced criticism over the past several weeks for a lack of intensity and intentional play. Towns had just 1 shot attempt in the first quarter, though he did look to distribute with two assists.

Still, for the Knicks to be elite, they will need more offensive production out of Towns.

End Q1: Pistons 28, Knicks 26

The Pistons battled back.

Detroit clamped up its defense and pestered New York into contested shots, which led to chances for Cade Cunningham to operate the offense in open space. Cunningham was the catalyst for Detroit, dropping a game-high 14 points in the first quarter on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

That was the difference in the first quarter, as Detroit was able to hit its open 3s, while the Knicks struggled to find bottom on theirs; the Pistons converted 3 pointers at 40%, while New York went just 1-of-8 (12.5%) in the period.

Jalen Brunson led the way for New York with 9 points.

Late in the first, new acquisition Jeremy Sochan made his Knicks debut, after the team signed him following his buyout with the Spurs.

Knicks vs. Pistons is underway

Jalen Brunson laced his first shot post-All-Star break, a stepback 3, and the Pistons missed their first four shots of the game as we’re underway in the Garden.

Detroit has started just 1-of-8 from the field, as New York has opened an early 9-2 lead just minutes into the game.

Knicks vs. Pistons starting lineups

Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham
Duncan Robinson
Ausar Thompson
Tobias Harris
Paul Reed

New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson
OG Anunoby
Mikal Bridges
Josh Hart
Karl-Anthony Towns

Knicks vs. Pistons injury report

(Updated 5:00 p.m. ET)

Knicks: OG Anunoby (right toenail avulsion; probable), Miles McBride (pelvic, core muscle surgery; out), Pacome Dadiet (G League assignment; questionable), Trey Jemison III (G League – two-way; questionable), Dillon Jones (G League – two-way; questionable), Kevin McCullar Jr. (G League – two-way; questionable)

Pistons: Jalen Duren (league suspension; out), Isaiah Stewart (league suspension; out), Bobi Klintman (G League assignment; out), Wendell Moore Jr. (G League – two-way; out)

How to watch Pistons vs. Knicks: TV channel, live stream

Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
TV Channel: MSG Networks
Live stream: Amazon Prime

Pistons vs. Knicks odds

Spread: Knicks by 4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 222.5 (O/U -110)
Moneyline: Knicks -185

Knicks next five games

Feb. 21 vs. Houston Rockets
Feb. 22 at Chicago Bulls
Feb. 24 at Cleveland Cavaliers
Feb. 27 at Milwaukee Bucks
March 1 vs. San Antonio Spurs

Pistons next five games

Feb. 21 at Chicago Bulls
Feb. 23 vs. San Antonio Spurs
Feb. 25 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb. 27 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
March 1 at Orlando Magic

Before NFL free agency can begin in earnest, teams have some spring cleaning to do with their respective rosters.

By the start of the new league year on March 11, all teams must be compliant with the league’s salary cap. That leaves less than a month for teams to release players no longer in their plans. Though the process is already underway with the Miami Dolphins parting this week with former standouts Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, it should ramp up in the days after the NFL scouting combine. And there could be a significant crop of distinguished names joining the rest of the free agents on the open market.

Here are 20 notable players who could be cut in the coming weeks, with all salary cap information courtesy of Over The Cap:

QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

A January restructure of Cousins’ contract seemed to confirm that the veteran passer wouldn’t be back for a third season in Atlanta. With his artificially inflated 2027 base salary of $67.9 million set to become guaranteed if he is not released by the start of the new league year, all signs point to a separation in the coming weeks. The four-time Pro Bowler still might be an intriguing free agent option for teams looking for a bridge quarterback or at least some competition behind center. The Falcons, meanwhile, can continue to distance themselves from the mistakes of the past two years by owning up to their most costly one.

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

For most teams highlighted on this list, any split is typically spurred by the pursuit of financial flexibility. For the Dolphins, however, pursuing one form of football freedom entails boxing themselves in on their books. Ending Tagovailoa’s run would saddle the team with a record $99.2 million dead cap hit, which would represent nearly a third of the franchise’s spending capacity. Miami could spread that out over two years, but it also might be uniquely positioned to absorb it in one fell swoop as the franchise gears up for a transition season. A trade would be optimal, but finding a taker seems almost impossible given the current terms of the quarterback’s deal.

QB Justin Fields, New York Jets

Not much mystery surrounding this move. Gang Green gambled on Fields by giving him $30 million guaranteed on a two-year deal, and the investment almost immediately went bust. Even with the team’s plans behind center unclear, there’s no real hope of a career reclamation for the quarterback in New York. Cutting Fields would only confer $1 million in cap savings if done with a pre-June 1 designation, but sending him on his way figures to be another step the organization will take to try to put last season behind it.

RB James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray’s potential exit might not be the only change afoot in Arizona’s backfield. Coming off a season-ending ankle injury and set to turn 31 in May, Conner might not be in the plans for a team likely to embrace a youth movement. The bruising back performed admirably for a Cardinals offense that once leaned on its potent ground game. But while losing a team leader might be tough to stomach, carving out a $9.8 million cap hit for an older back with an unclear health outlook would be unreasonable.

RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota’s cap outlook – currently at a league-worst $43 million in the red – necessitates an offseason approach that more closely resembles shearing than pruning. That could put the likes of tight end T.J. Hockenson and center Ryan Kelly in the team’s crosshairs. But the most notable option on offense might be Jones, who carries an untenable $14.55 million cap hit after posting a career-low 4.2 yards per carry in 2025. Set to turn 32 next season, the veteran ball carrier is a far cry from the breakaway threat he was in previous years. It’s probably time for the Vikings to embrace a changing of the guard in the backfield.

RB Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

There was perhaps no bigger injury mystery in the 2025 season than Mixon, who missed the entire season with what general manager Nick Caserio recently called a ‘freak’ foot issue. The two-time Pro Bowler’s outlook remains murky, with the team still seeking intel on his recovery. It’s not as though a Texans ground game that ranked 29th in yards per carry has a bevy of existing competition for him, but the move for Houston should be adding a more dynamic ball carrier either in free agency or the draft. The former option becomes easier if the team cuts Mixon and recoups $8 million in cap space.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are at a crossroads in configuring their receiving corps. Impending free agent Alec Pierce looks poised to cash in on a 1,000-yard receiving season in which he led the NFL with 21.3 yards per catch. Regardless of whether Indianapolis can keep him, it probably can’t trudge forward with Pittman, who is set to carry a cap hit of $29 million. That would rank the sixth-highest figure for any receiver, a sum entirely too rich for a player who looks to serve in more of a complementary role coming off his 784-yard campaign. Restructuring might be a preferable route, but it could be hard to resist the $24 million in space that could be gained by moving on.

WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

With an estimated NFL-high $103.5 million in available cap space, Tennessee doesn’t have to be concerned with financial flexibility as it evaluates its existing roster. But there’s little incentive for general Mike Borgonzi to stand pat with Ridley, who hasn’t come close to living up to the four-year, $92 million deal he signed with the Titans’ previous regime. As he comes off a season in which he played just seven games due to a broken fibula, the 31-year-old pass catcher almost assuredly would have to take a pay cut to remain in place. But Tennessee might be inclined to part with him and ramp up its spending power even more as it tries to surround Cam Ward with a more potent receiving corps.

TE Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers

Acquired last summer as an added piece in the Jalen Ramsey-Minkah Fitzpatrick trade, the 2024 Pro Bowl tight end figured to help patch up a receiving corps that lacked legitimate threats beyond DK Metcalf. Instead, Smith posted his fewest receiving yards (222) since his rookie campaign, barely making a dent beyond his work as an outlet for Aaron Rodgers. Now, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is out and new head coach – and play-caller – Mike McCarthy is in. Even if Rodgers returns, stomaching a nearly $10.9 million cap hit for a 30-year-old target who only muddles the tight end room shouldn’t be on the table for Pittsburgh. The Steelers should take the $7 million in savings and move on.

C Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay might like to see how the two-time Pro Bowl selection at left guard might fare in a full season at center after his 2025 campaign was cut short by a fractured fibula in Week 10. But with Jenkins carrying a $24.3 cap hit next season, the experiment seems destined to end here. Green Bay can recoup $19.5 million by cutting ties here, a move that might rise to the level of necessity as the team navigates several substantial cap commitments in the coming years. Re-signing Sean Rhyan, who filled in for Jenkins down the stretch, could settle the question at the pivot.

G Mekhi Becton, Los Angeles Chargers

Seems there’s plenty of remorse to go around after Becton joined the Bolts last offseason on a two-year, $20 million deal. The right guard on multiple occasions aired out his frustrations with his new setting, saying after the season that since-fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s scheme ‘was a lot of different things I’m not used to.’ The 6-foot-7, 363-pounder looks ill-suited for offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s wide-zone scheme, and Los Angeles can save $9.7 million of the $12.2 million cap hit it would take on by keeping Becton.

OT Jawaan Taylor, Kansas City Chiefs

Since the Chiefs signed him to a splashy four-year, $80 million contract in 2023, Taylor has had a high profile for all the wrong reasons. The right tackle has long become a lightning rod for his deep alignments and early jumps, earning him penalties that have plagued his career. Freeing up $20 million by parting with Taylor is perhaps the most straightforward remedy for Kansas City to address its financial woes. Jaylon Moore can hold down the right side as his replacement.

DE Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

When Micah Parsons arrived in an unexpected trade just before the season, the Packers’ pass rush seemed bound to benefit from an edge rusher who commands a good deal of attention and resources from opposing offenses. While Parsons proved to be a true force multiplier prior to being lost to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Gary didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. Though he matched his 2024 Pro Bowl season sack total of 7½, his pressure rate ticked downward yet again with a career-low 12.1%, according to Next Gen Stats. When his disruption was sorely needed for a line down the stretch that lost Parsons and Devonte Wyatt, Gary made next to no impact. Justifying his $16 million cap hit would be extremely difficult for a team that has myriad other commitments to its young core.

DE Bryce Huff, San Francisco 49ers

Any notion of Huff recapturing his 10-sack form of 2023 has probably been dispelled by his lackluster showings since that campaign. With Nick Bosa and rookie Mykel Williams sidelined last season, Huff couldn’t provide much of a jolt to San Francisco’s edge rush, tallying just four sacks despite playing a career-high 56% of the team’s defensive snaps. With a cut only opening up $5.4 million in cap savings, a pay cut could be possible.

DT Javon Hargrave, Minnesota Vikings

As they look to reset on several missteps by since-dismissed general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings might have some difficult decisions to make. Not this one, though. Hargrave didn’t make enough of a dent after Minnesota signed him to a two-year, $30 million contract last March. A 33-year-old with diminishing pass-rush production is a luxury for a team facing a cap crunch.

OLB Uchenna Nwosu, Seattle Seahawks

Could the defending champions really send one of the standouts of their Super Bowl run packing? Beyond hauling in the pick-six that punctuated the Seahawks’ romp over the Patriots, Nwosu recorded seven sacks on the season, serving up a reminder of his ability after playing in just six games in each of the last two years. Seattle is hardly hurting for cap space, but Nwosu is currently set to have the third-highest cap hit on the team at just shy of $20 million. Keeping a deep rotation of effective pass rushers isn’t easy, and the Seahawks might have to reflect on how to make the math work. But with fellow edge rusher Boye Maye potentially heading elsewhere in free agency, there’s probably a path forward for a player of whom general manager John Schneider has been highly complimentary.

LB Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears

His four interceptions and overall respectable play at the second level factored into the emergence of an opportunistic Bears defense. But Edmunds has yet to blossom into the consistent difference-maker the Bears pegged him as when they handed him a market-setting four-year, $72 million deal in 2023. Chicago likely will have to find some different solutions at the second level, with the $15 million in cap savings too enticing to pass up.

CB Marshon Lattimore, Washington Commanders

Acquiring Lattimore at the trade deadline in 2024 was one of the earliest signs that Washington’s brain trust would be aggressive in trying to capitalize on a rapid ascension led by Jayden Daniels. It also marked the start of a run of regrettable moves that have prompted a reckoning for the defense. With no guaranteed money remaining, Lattimore can be cut and have his entire $18.5 million cap hit be wiped out. The Commanders can bolster their free-agency spending capacity and try a different route to address a back end that remains a liability.

CB Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens

Something has to give for Baltimore with the four-time Pro Bowler. Humphrey’s nearly $26.3 million cap hit – the third-highest figure for any cornerback – is incongruous with his performance in 2025, when he was one of the league’s leakiest cover men. But without a post-June 1 designation, cutting him would entail a nearly $19 million dead cap hit. That might not be a preferred route for general manager Eric DeCosta and new coach Jesse Minter. But Humphrey’s current price tag is far too exorbitant for a player who has been repeatedly burned in coverage and is set to turn 30 this summer.

CB L’Jarius Sneed, Tennessee Titans

Of all the ill-fated steps in the Titans’ $228 million spending spree in 2024, the trade for Sneed might stand alone as the organization’s worst move. Not only did Tennessee sign the cornerback to a four-year, $76.4 million extension after landing him, it gave up a third-round pick to secure his services. Sneed played in just 12 games over the last two years, and he was woefully ineffective in coverage last year prior to being sidelined. Clearing $11.4 million in cap space isn’t as important as wiping the slate clean.

Team USA star Hilary Knight is ending her Olympic career as the all-time U.S. leader in goals and points by doing what she does best, scoring a clutch goal at a clutch time.

And she is going home a winner after Megan Keller scored in overtime as the USA won gold with a 2-1 victory against archrival Canada in Thursday’s championship game.

Knight made that victory possible with a crucial goal, tipping in a Laila Edwards shot with 2:04 left in the third period to force overtime. It was her 15th career goal and 33rd career point, both U.S. Olympic records.

‘No way,’ she told NBC after the game when informed about the record. ‘I’m just happy about the gold medal. Oh my gosh, this feels amazing.’

The Team USA captain had tied the U.S. mark of 14 shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King when she scored against Finland on Feb. 7. She tied the points record with an assist on Feb. 10 against Canada in the preliminary round. She went two games without a point before scoring in the gold-medal game when it mattered most.

Knight was playing in her fifth and final Olympics. Knight, who first played in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, scored a goal in three of her seven games in Milan to give her three for the 2026 women’s hockey tournament. She had goals in each of the last three Olympic gold-medal games.

Here’s a look at Hilary Knight’s U.S. record and legendary career:

Watch Hilary Knight’s record goal

How many Olympic goals and points does Hilary Knight have?

Knight has 15 goals, breaking the U.S. Olympic record shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. She has 33 points, passing Jenny Potter for most by a U.S. player in Olympic history. Her 18 assists are three behind Potter’s record of 21.

Where does Hilary Knight rank on all-time Olympic goals?

She is five behind Canada’s Marie-Philip Poulin (20), who broke Hayley Wickenheiser’s career record at these Games.

The full list:

Marie-Philip Poulin, Canada, 20 (active)
Hayley Wickenheiser, Canada, 18
Meghan Agosta, Canada, 17
Hilary Knight, USA, 15 (active)
Cherie Piper, Canada, 15
Danielle Goyette, Canada, 15

Where does Hilary Knight rank on all-time Olympic points?

Wickenheiser set what could be an unbreakable record with 51 career points in the Olympics.

The full list:

Hayley Wickenheiser, Canada, 51
Marie-Philip Poulin, Canada, 39 (active)
Hilary Knight, USA, 33 (active)
Jenny Potter, USA, 32
Cherie Piper, Canada, 30
Jayna Hefford, Canada, 30

How many Olympics has Hilary Knight played in?

Milano Cortina is Hilary Knight’s fifth Olympic appearance. She also played in Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022). Her totals for each Olympics:

2010: One goal, eight points
2014: Three goals, six points
2018: Two goals, three points
2022: Six goals, 10 points
2026: Three goals, six points.

How many medals does Hilary Knight have?

She won gold medals in 2018 and 2026 and silver medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022.

Where does Hilary Knight play in the PWHL?

Knight plays for the expansion Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. She played for Boston the previous two seasons.

Who is Hilary Knight engaged to?

Knight proposed to U.S. speed skater Brittany Bowe on Wednesday, Feb. 18, as both athletes compete at the Olympics. It marks a full circle moment for the couple, who first met at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

How old is Hilary Knight?

Knight is 36 years old.

Alysa Liu ended a 24-year streak at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Thursday, Feb. 19, becoming the first American to win women’s singles since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

Liu finished in sixth place in women’s singles at the 2022 Winter Olympics as a 16-year-old before she retired from the sport. She returned in 2024, winning the world championship in 2025 before winning Olympic gold in 2026.

Liu’s excellence on the ice – she also won gold as part of the team event – has brought Hughes’ 2002 performance back in the limelight. Here’s a look back at Hughes’ gold-medal winning skate at the 2002 Winter Olympics on American soil in Salt Lake City:

Sarah Hughes Olympic gold medal performance in 2002

Hughes shocked the world when she won gold in women’s singles at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, moving from fourth after the short program to winning gold after her magnificent free skate performance.

Hughes, an underdog heading into the Games, won bronze at the world championship and at the U.S. Championships in 2001, leading up to the Olympics. She never won a top-tier women’s singles event outside of the Olympics, making the performance even more legendary.

The then-16-year-old beat out fellow American Michelle Kwan, who won silver in the 1998 Winter Olympics and was the three-time reigning world champion at the time.

“I think a lot of people counted me out and didn’t think I could do it,” Hughes said after the win. “I didn’t even think it would be possible.”

Hughes became the first Olympic champion to have never won a national or international title before, in true underdog fashion.

Here’s a look back at her final performance:

Americans to win gold in Olympic women’s singles

Here’s the full list of Americans to win gold in women’s singles at the Olympics:

Alysa Liu (2026)
Sarah Hughes (2002)
Tara Lipinski (1998)
Kristi Yamaguchi (1992)
Dorothy Hamill (1976)
Peggy Fleming (1968)
Carol Heiss (1960)
Tenley Albright (1956)