MILAN – The American men’s hockey team goes into their last preliminary round game of the 2026 Winter Olympics having earned a measure of resilience.

Much as their Group C play so far has been against underdogs – and that won’t change in the final preliminary game on Sunday, Feb. 15, at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena – the Americans’ 2-0 record hasn’t come without challenges. The Danes twice forced the U.S. to play from behind, and kept Saturday’s game close going into the third period before the U.S. pulled away, 6-3. Against Latvia, the Americans had to deal with two called-back goals.

‘I think it can serve us well moving forward,’ U.S. coach Mike Sullivan said after the victory over Denmark. ‘Because when you hit bumps in the road and you’re able to overcome those types of things, I think it says a lot about your group. And I think it galvanizes the group in a lot of ways.

‘It also provides hard evidence that we’re able to overcome anything that comes our way. And that’s an important part of success in this type of a tournament.’

A victory over Germany would put the U.S. in first play in group play, and earn a bye into the quarterfinals.

‘We’ve just got to keep building our game,’ Sullivan said. ‘I think that’s part of the process, is just trying to get better each and every day, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to refine, we’re trying to define and refine, every single day. We’ve just got to keep moving the needle. We want to become a better version of ourselves.’

Jack Eichel described the team as an ‘unfinished product’ when asked what the Americans need to work on as the preliminary round wraps up.

‘I think you want to be good with puck management,’ he said. ‘You want to be good breaking the puck out and transitioning from defense to offense. Some of our D-zone structure, things like that, some of the breakdowns we’ve had, to continue to improve on. We’re going to continue to get better. It’s all part of this.’

The Americans didn’t start well against Denmark, falling behind 2-1 on a fluky goal when Jeremy Swayman didn’t see the puck that Nicholas B. Jensen fired from near his own bench. But in both of their preliminary games the Americans have put on dominant performances in the second period, putting themselves in position to put the games away in the third period.

‘I thought that if we played our game for 60 minutes, things would go our way, and they did,’ Eichel said. ‘I give them credit, they played really hard, they were opportunistic. They got a couple goals. No game is going to be easy, we realized that. I thought it was good of the group to continue to play our game for 60 minutes and find a way to win.’

Eichel set up Brady Tkachuk’s tying goal midway through the game and then scored to make it 3-2. Tkachuk is off to a great start in the tournament, with goals in each game and his usual strong physical presence.

‘He’s a beast,’ Sullivan said. ‘He’s a beast. His energy is contagious. He’s so vocal on the bench in between periods. He’s a positive guy. He drags everybody into the fight, literally and figuratively, and that’s what we love about him.’

From their first line to what masquerades as their fourth line (Jack Hughes is on it) and their defensive pairings and goaltending depth that numbers Swayman, Connor Hellebyck (who started against Latvia) and Jake Oettinger, the Americans are poised to earn a couple days before the quarterfinals if they take care of the Germans like they did the Latvians and Danes.

‘it’s one of those quick tournaments that you kind of have to find it quick,’ Tkachuk said. ‘I think that’s what’s so good about our group, is that we’re just kind of scratching at it right now and it’s going to work out that we’re going to peak at the right time.’

INGLEWOOD, CA — The NBA All-Star Weekend festivities have arrived. Saturday featured a wealth of events, highlighted by the mainstays: the NBA Slam Dunk and 3-Point Contests.

Before the main event of Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, where the U.S. will take on the world in a new round-robin format, the crowd at Intuit Dome was entertained by the high-flying antics of Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat), Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic).

USA TODAY Sports provided updates, highlights and results for the dunk and 3-point contests and the rest of Saturday night’s events:

NBA dunk contest highlights

NBA 3-point contest highlights

Shooting Stars contest highlights

Slam Dunk Contest: Heat forward Keshad Johnson wins

It won’t be one of the memorable Slam Dunk Contests that fans will talk about for years to come, but Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson took the title in his first time competing in the event.

He topped Spurs rookie Carter Bryant with a final round score of 97.4 points. His top dunk of the night was a between-the-legs slam from the right baseline that he lobbed to himself. Johnson nearly hit his head on the backboard and slammed it home. The judges gave him a score of 49.6 for the dunk.

Final round, second dunk: Carter Bryant

It came down to the last dunk of the night. Bryant had to attempt a dunk several times and eventually had to bail. His first try was supposed to be a between-the-legs lob off the backboard that he then wanted to slam with a reverse. He had two attempts rim out, and as time wound down, he switched to a two-handed 360 dunk.

The judges gave him a score of 43.0, for a final round score of 93.0. That gave the Slam Dunk Contest title to Heat forward Keshad Johnson.

Final round, second dunk: Keshad Johnson

Using a long runway from well beyond half court, Johnson didn’t quite take off from the free throw line, but he did thunder it home with a swooping windmill.

The judges gave him a score of 47.8, for a final round total of 97.4.

Final round, first dunk: Carter Bryant

Another impressive dunk, Bryant caught a lob he threw to himself from the top of the key and slammed it home after putting the ball between his legs. He threw it down with power, getting a pop out of the crowd.

The judges gave him a perfect 50.

Final round, first dunk: Keshad Johnson

As he has all night long, Johnson danced his way through his turn. He went back to the dunk he had been trying late in the first round, doing a lobbed dunk underneath the basket that he also looped between his legs.

The judges were impressed, giving him a near-perfect score of 49.6, the highest of the night thus far.

Second dunk: Keshad Johnson

After he twice tried to do an in-between-the-legs dunk off of a lob, Johnson pivoted and did a two-hand, rock-the-cradle dunk from the baseline.

The judges gave him a score of 45.4, giving him a first-round score of 92.8. That moves him into the final, against Carter Bryant.

Second dunk: Carter Bryant

Bryant tossed a lob to himself and then flushed it down with a powerful windmill that showcased his jumping ability. It wasn’t necessarily a flashy dunk, but it was smooth and powerful.

The judges gave him a score of 49.2 to give him a first-round score of 94.8, securing his spot in the final.

Second dunk: Jase Richardson

Richardson used the help of a friend to try to lob the pass off the backboard, but a scary fall made him rethink the dunk. During that attempt, Richardson got caught on the backboard and fell flat on the court, appearing to hit the back of his head on the floor.

He got up and pivoted to a two-handed 360 slam.

The judges gave him a score of 43.4, for a total first-round score of 88.8.

Second dunk: Jaxson Hayes

Sensing that he needed to make up for his score, Hayes stood at the left wing and lobbed a pass and then, as he approached the ball, he tapped it with his right hand to himself before looping it between his legs for the dunk.

The judges gave him a score of 47.2 points on the dunk, for a total first-round score of 91.8.

Fourth up: Jaxson Hayes

Hayes seemed to know that his dunk wasn’t all that.

He took off from well within the backcourt and seemed to want to do a jump from the free throw line, but Hayes was well inside of that when he took off. From there, it was a pretty straightforward attempt, slamming it home.

The judges gave him a score of 44.6.

Third up: Keshad Johnson

Give him style points for coming out of the tunnel with rapper E-40, who wasn’t just a prop. Johnson took off from the right wing and jumped over E-40 — without any assistance or leverage — while posing at the apex with his left hand behind his head. Once he flushed it home, Johnson broke out into a little dance.

The judges gave him a score of 47.4, so far the highest total of the round.

Second up: Jase Richardson

The son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson, Jase lobbed a pass to himself from the wing before grabbing the pass off the bounce for a reverse slam that he pumped once.

The judges gave him a score of 45.4, which was just 0.2 points behind Bryant.

First up: Carter Bryant

Looking loose and relaxed, Spurs forward Carter Bryant came from the left baseline and jumped underneath the basket, doing a 360-windmill, slamming it on his first attempt.

The judges gave him a score of 45.6; Dwight Howard was the judge who gave him the highest score of 48.

Judges

The judges for the Slam Dunk Contest will be Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette, Brent Barry (first Clipper to ever win the Slam Dunk Contest, in 1996) and Julius Erving.

NBA Shooting Stars competition: Team Knicks win

Final round: Team Knicks

Needing to post a big number to win the Shooting Stars competition, Team Knicks won it on the four-point spot, draining four shots from deep. That pushed their score to 47, topping Team Cameron by nine points.

Final round: Team Cameron

Competing against Team Knicks in the Shooting Stars final, Team Cameron (former Duke players Kon Knueppel, Jalen Johnson and former guard Corey Maggette) posted a score of 38. Team Cameron made good use of the four-point shots from near midcourt to pad their score. Team Knicks is up next.

Fourth up: Team Knicks

Posting the highest score of the first round, Team Knicks dropped 31 points, advancing to the final round with Team Cameron. Team Knicks are led by Karl-Anthony Towns, Jalen Brunson and retired Knick Allan Houston. The designated passer is Rick Brunson, who is an assistant on the Knicks staff and Jalen’s father.

Third up: Team Harper

Former NBA guard Ron Harper and his two sons Dylan (Spurs) and Ron Jr. (Maine Celtics) avoided elimination and scored 18. They did eliminate Team All-Star.

Second up: Team Cameron

With actor and comedian Anthony Anderson serving as the designated passer, Team Cameron (Kon Knueppel, Jalen Johnson and former guard Corey Maggette) posted a score of 24, which puts them in good position to move on to the final round. Team Cameron gets its name because all players came from Duke, which plays its home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

First up: Team All-Star

Up first in the Shooting Stars competition, which is a shooting game with three participants and a designated person passing the ball, Team All-Star (former Piston Richard Hamilton, Chet Holmgren and Scottie Barnes) scored 16 points.

3-Point Contest: Damian Lillard ties record with third career championship

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard isn’t playing this season because of a torn Achilles he suffered in the playoffs last season, when he was a member of the Bucks. It didn’t matter.

Lillard combined for 56 points across both rounds of the 3-Point Contest, including a final round score of 29, to win his third career title in the event. He joins Celtics legend Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win the event three times.

‘That’s all I do it for, to keep adding to my legacy,’ Lillard said during an interview in the moments after he claimed his victory.

Final round: Devin Booker

Devin Booker was not playing around. He drained the first nine attempts of his final round to start hot, though he did cool off a touch. He entered the final rack with the chance to win the title, but he had two big misses that prevented him from catching Damian Lillard, who now wins his third career 3-Point Contest.

Final round: Damian Lillard

Lillard hit 4-of-5 shots on his first two racks to set the tone for a very solid 29 points that may be tough to beat. Devin Booker needs 30 or more to win the title.

Final round: Kon Knueppel

Knueppel made 4-of-5 shots in his first rack, but then struggled to sustain that momentum, hitting just four tries over his next two racks. His score of 17 likely won’t be enough to win it all.

Eighth up: Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard

Competing as he’s recovering from a torn Achilles rupture, Lillard is still looking to win his record third career 3-Point Contest. Lillard actually started slowly and appeared as though he would be eliminated, but he drained 9 of his last 10 attempts, including four in the moneyball rack to post a score of 27 to move on. He joins Devin Booker (30) and Kon Knueppel (27) as the three finalists.

Seventh up: Suns guard Devin Booker

We now have a new leader. Devin Booker put on a clinic, especially in the moneyball rack that had each attempt worth two points. Leaving the moneyball rack for last, he hit 4-of-5 attempts and posted a score of 30, eliminating Heat guard Norman Powell.

Sixth up: 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey

Unfortunately for Maxey, one of the premier perimeter shooters in the NBA, he had several of his attempts rattle out and just miss. His score of 17 isn’t enough to move on to the second round.

Fifth up: Bucks forward Bobby Portis

Getting a score of only 15, Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. is eliminated. Portis, so far, has the lowest score of the contest.

Fourth up: Heat guard Norman Powell

Norman Powell, competing in front of his previous home fans, avoided elimination on the final rack. His score of 23 puts him in third place, though his spot is in danger. The top three contestants advance, so he’ll need the back half of the field to sputter. Powell eliminated Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.

Third up: Nuggets guard Jamal Murray

It looks like Murray won’t be moving on to the second round — unless he gets considerable help. Murray started slowly and was able to drain a few shots here and there, but he could never catch fire. He finishes with a first-round score of 18, which is nine behind current leader Kon Knueppel.

Second up: Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell

Wearing a Jaylon Tyson jersey to honor his teammate, Donovan Mitchell drained each shot from the first rack, but he cooled off a touch in the middle. His score of 24 is respectable, but he already trails Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel by three.

First up: Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel

First up to get the 3-Point Contest was Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel who didn’t show any nerves at all to begin the competition. He posted an excellent score of 27 after his first round, taking advantage of the moneyball rack.

Energy and buzz building in the Intuit Dome

Fans here are starting to take their seats and trickle into the Intuit Dome as buzz is starting to build in the arena before All-Star Saturday. Queen Latifah took center court to introduce the participants in the 3-Point Contest, and we’re only minutes away from getting underway.

How to watch the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk and 3-Point Contest?

When: Saturday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. ET
Where: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California)
Channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock

Watch NBA All-Star Slam Dunk and 3-Point events on Peacock

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

The game will take place Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET.

Where is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

Los Angeles will serve as host of All-Star weekend and all of its events, including the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the Slam Dunk Contest and the 3-Point Contest. Events will take place at the Intuit Dome, the home venue of the Los Angeles Clippers.

What is the Shooting Stars competition?

Four teams of three players each will compete in two rounds, with the top two advancing to the finals. Teams have 70 seconds to hit a shot from seven different spots on the court. Each player on a team shoots at each spot in a set order.

Seven shooting spots

Right lane layup/dunk (2 points)
18′ right baseline (worth 2 points)
Right elbow (2 points)
Right win 3-pointer (3 points)
top of the key (2 points)
Left corner 3-pointer (3 points)
Long range 3-pointer (4 points)

Shooting Stars Participants

Team Knicks

Jalen Brunson, Allan Houston, and Karl-Anthony Towns

Team Harper

Ron Harper Sr., Dylan Harper, and Ron Harper Jr.

Team All-Star

Richard Hamilton, Scottie Barnes, and Chet Holmgren

Team Cameron

Corey Maggette, Kon Knueppel, and Jalen Johnson

Is there a Skills Competition?

The skills challenge, first introduced in 2003 and testing players’ shooting, ball-handling, and passing in an obstacle-course format, has now been replaced by the Shooting Stars competition, which last appeared at All-Star Weekend in 2015.

What are the rules for the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The full list of rules for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest can be found on the All-Star website.

Four dunkers will compete in the two-round competition. For each dunk, a score from 40 to 50 will be given by each judge. The average of the five judges’ scores will be the individual dunk score. The two players with the highest dunk scores at the end of the first round will advance to the second and final round.

For each scored dunk in both rounds (Dunks #1 and #2 in the First Round and Dunks #1 and #2 in the Final Round), each dunker will have 90 seconds and a maximum of three attempts to complete the dunk. If the player has not completed the dunk at the expiration of the 90 seconds, he will be given a final try to complete the dunk. If the player does not complete the dunk, he will receive a score of 40 points.

Tiebreakers in the first round will be decided by a vote from the judges; the player with the most votes will advance. In the second round, a tiebreaker will be decided by a one-dunk dunk off to determine the champion.

Who won the NBA 3-point contest last year?

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro netted 24 points in the final round of action to take the prize last year. He beat out the likes of sharpshooters Darius Garland and Buddy Hield.

Who won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest last year?

McClung won the dunk contest in 2025, capping off a three-peat for the G League star that began in 2023. Though he won’t be competing in 2026, McClung revealed on Twitter that he plans on sharing the dunks he had been working on after the contest ends.

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest winners

Here are the previous five slam dunk winners:

2025 (San Francisco): Mac McClung (Magic)
2024 (Indianapolis): Mac McClung (Magic)
2023 (Utah): Mac McClung (76ers)
2022 (Cleveland): Obi Toppin (Knicks)
2021 (Atlanta): Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers)

Who is in the NBA 3-Point Contest?

Here are the participants competing in the three-point contest:

Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis
Miami Heat guard Norman Powell

Who is participating in the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs; rookie)
Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers)
Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)
Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic; rookie)

The dunk contest will have a new champion this year after three-time defending champion Mac McClung announced to ESPN through his father he’d be sitting out this year .

This year, the field features two rookies in Bryant and Richardson. Richardson, selected 25th overall by the Magic in last year’s draft, is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson (2002 and 03). Hayes is in his third season with the Lakers and seventh NBA season in total.

While not a starter, he’s thrived in a backup role in LA and and has been the beneficiary of more than a few lobs from LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Johnson is in his second NBA season; his rookie year was split between Miami and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

What time is the 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?

The 2026 NBA All-Star dunk contest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers. The dunk contest will directly follow the 3-point contest and the return of the shooting stars competition.

All-Star Saturday begins at 5:00 p.m. ET.

What time is the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest?

The 3-point contest is one part of the Saturday festivities, which begin at 5 p.m. ET. The 3-point contest will precede the popular slam dunk event.

MILAN – The seeding for the qualifying round and the quarterfinals will be known at the end of the final day of the preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Canada and Slovakia have already won Group A and Group B, respectively, and the Group C title will come down to the USA-Germany game at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network, Peacock) on Sunday, Feb. 15.

The USA clinches Group C if it wins. Germany would clinch it if it beats the Americans in regulation because they would be tied at six points each and the first tiebreaker is head-to-head competition.

That’s important because the top four seeds (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams have to play in the qualifying round, with the four winners advancing to the quarterfinals.

If the USA wins in regulation, the top overall seed would also be in play, with goal differential being the deciding factor. Canada, which plays France, is plus 9 while the USA is plus 7 heading into Sunday’s action.

USA TODAY Sports is covering all the hockey action at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday. Follow along:

Olympic men’s hockey scores and schedule today

All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 7:23 p.m.

6:10 a.m. – Switzerland vs. Czechia, Group A on CNBC, Peacock
10:40 a.m. – Canada vs. France, Group A on USA, Peacock
3:10 p.m. – USA vs. Germany, Group C on USA, Peacock
3:10 p.m. – Denmark vs. Latvia, Group C on CNBC, Peacock

Where to watch Olympic men’s hockey

Watch Olympic men’s hockey on Peacock

How the Olympics men’s hockey tournament works

The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:

Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.

After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:

Higher position in the group
Higher number of points
Better goal difference
Higher number of goals scored for
Better IIHF world ranking

The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.

Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.

The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.

Damian Lillard was a shocking addition to the NBA’s 3-point contest during All-Star weekend, given that the 35-year-old, nine-time All-Star hasn’t played a single minute of NBA basketball this year.

His inclusion in the event was head-scratching to many fans. Still, there’s no denying that Lillard is one of the best shooters in NBA history.

Not only has he shot over 35% from 3 in nine of his last 10 seasons, but he has won the 3-point contest twice already — 2023 and 2024. He was aiming to become just the third player in NBA history to win the event three times, and the first to do so non-consecutively.

Larry Bird won the event every year from 1986 to 1988, while Craig Hodges won the event each year from 1990 to 1992.

Lillard had a chance to make history. So, did he do it? Here are the full results from the 2026 NBA 3-point contest:

2026 NBA 3-point contest results

First round

*-advanced to the final round

Devin Booker* – 30
Damian Lillard* – 27
Kon Knueppel* – 27
Donovan Mitchell – 24
Norman Powell – 23
Jamal Murray – 18
Tyrese Maxey – 17
Bobby Portis Jr. – 15

Finals

Damian Lillard – 29
Devin Booker – 27
Kon Knueppel – 17

Booker missed the final three shots of his last rack, wasting three opportunities to tie and possibly win the event. Lillard’s win makes him the third three-time champion.

What did Damian Lillard score in his prior two wins?

In 2023, Lillard scored 26 points in the finals. His competitors, Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, scored 25 and 17 respectively.

In 2024, Lillard, a model of consistency in this event, scored 26 points yet again, beating Trae Young (24) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22).

Lillard’s 29 points in 2026 mark the most he’s ever scored in a 3-point contest win.

The selection committee for the women’s NCAA Tournament has given fans their first glimpse as to what seeding might look like when March Madness rolls around.

Ahead of the clash between SEC contenders South Carolina and LSU on Feb. 14, the committee unveiled its first of two projections for the top 16 seeds. Members of the committee met in Indianapolis a few days ago to put together a mock bracket.

Undefeated UConn was tabbed as the No. 1 overall seed, followed by UCLA, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. The Commodores defeated Texas 86-70 at home on Thursday, a victory that seemingly pushed Shea Ralph’s team to the one-line. Vanderbilt hasn’t been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since 2002.

Full top 16 projection:

UConn
UCLA
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Texas
Michigan
Louisville
LSU
Ohio State
Duke
Iowa
TCU
Maryland
Michigan State
Ole Miss
Oklahoma

Big Ten, SEC dominant in women’s basketball

The Big Ten and SEC have looked like the deepest and most competitive conferences in women’s college basketball all season and both were rewarded in this first projection with six seeds each in the top 16.

If Ole Miss holds on to its spot, it would be a historic seeding for the Rebels. They haven’t been a top-four seed since 1992. Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s team is 20-5 this season and has won six of its last eight games. But the Rebels have a tough schedule coming up with four consecutive games against ranked opponents within the next eight days: Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU and South Carolina.

Michigan State is projected to host opening weekend games for the first time since 2016.

In this projection, the ACC has two top 16 seeds, while the Big 12 and Big East have just one each. Opportunities remain for teams like Baylor, West Virginia and North Carolina to play their way into hosting rights.

The selection committee will unveil a second projection of the top 16 seeds in two weeks, on Sunday, March 1, at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN. The day before Selection Sunday — March 14 — the committee will announce which teams earned top 16 seeds and hosting rights before revealing the full bracket.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn will be headed home soon.

Vonn said in an Instagram post on Saturday, Feb. 14, that her fourth surgery went well and she can finally return to the United States. Once there, she will need another surgery to repair complex tibial fracture in her left leg, suffered in a crash in the Olympic downhill.

‘Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury,’ Vonn wrote.

Vonn also reiterated that she has no regrets, even if her Olympics ended in the horrific crash. Despite a torn ACL, bone bruising and meniscus damage in her left knee from a Jan. 30 crash, Vonn said she felt stronger physically than she often has in the past.

‘Certainly stronger than I was when I ended career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships,’ she wrote. ‘And mentally…. Mentally I was perfect. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive yet completely calm. … I was more ready than I have ever been.’

But that didn’t guarantee her anything, Vonn said. In going all out in trying to win another Olympic gold medal, she was taking a risk. A risk she took willingly, and she doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her because of how it ended.

‘If you don’t try you’ll never know,’ she wrote. ‘So please don’t feel sad (for me). The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night, I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”

Vonn included a video of her last run before the crash in Cortina, one of her favorite places. She made her first World Cup podium in Cortina, and 12 of her 84 wins came here.

‘Thankful I have this memory,’ she said.

Lindsey Vonn Instagram update

What happened to Lindsey Vonn?

Vonn hooked the fourth gate with her right arm, which sent her spinning and hurtling into the hard, packed snow. She tumbled end over end several times before coming to a stop.

‘Things just happen so quick in this sport,’ U.S. teammate Bella Wright said after the race. ‘It looked like Lindsey had incredible speed out of that turn, and she hooked her arm and it’s just over just like that.’

The three-time Olympic medalist remained prone in the snow, and she could be heard wailing in pain. The gasps and groans from fans faded into shocked silence as medics worked on her. Vonn remained on the course for approximately 13 minutes before being loaded into a helicopter.

What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?

In an Instagram post on Feb. 9, Vonn shared the devastating news that she suffered a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated fans on Feb. 11 after a third surgery in Italy and included some gruseome photos of her progress . On Feb. 13, Vonn posted after yet another surgery that she still has more procedures ahead of her.

‘It’s been a quite hard few days here in the hospital here. I’m finally feeling more like myself, but I have a long way to go,’ Vonn said . ‘Tomorrow, I’ll have another surgery and hopefully that goes well. Then I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I’ll need another surgery. Don’t know exactly what that entails until I get some better imaging.

A tibia fracture is a break in the shin bone that is an emergency needing immediate treatment. ‘Your tibias are some of the strongest bones in your body. It usually takes a lot of force to break one,’ according to the Cleveland Clinic. ‘You probably won’t be able to stand, walk or put weight on your leg if you have a broken shin bone.’

A complex fracture involves multiple breaks in a bone and damaged soft tissue, according Yale Medicine. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness and, sometimes, a bone that protrudes through the skin. Treatment involves stabilization and surgery.

Lindsey Vonn crash video

NBC broadcasts the Olympics and posted video of Vonn’s crash .

USA TODAY Sports’ Samantha Cardona-Norberg breaks down Linsdey Vonn’s crash just after it happened.

Fans went silent as soon as Vonn crash, reacting with shock, grief and later support as the helicopter lifted her into the sky. USA TODAY Sports talked to some fans after the crash .

Is Lindsey Vonn OK?

Vonn was in obvious pain after the crash, but she was moving her arms, head and neck.

About 18 minutes after the crash, the helicopter slowly began flying toward Cortina. ‘Let’s let Lindsey Vonn hear us!’ the American announcer said as the chopper flew away with her, and the crowd cheered and applauded.

Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow was at the course today for the downhill and spoke to NBC reporters during their live broadcast:

‘I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay. And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign,’ Kildow said. ‘But she really … She just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay.

‘She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.’

Lindsey Vonn torn ACL

It was second time in as many weeks Vonn left a mountaintop on a chopper. She fully ruptured her left ACL, sustaining meniscus damage and bone bruising , in a downhill crash on Jan. 30, in the final World Cup event prior to the start of the Olympics.

Vonn is also skiing with a partial replacement of her right knee. She had dominated the sport before the crash, making the podium in all five downhill races this season and winning two of them.

Despite the latest injury, Vonn was determined to race at her fifth and final Olympics. She said her knee felt stable and strong, and she had spent the last week doing intense rehab , pool workouts, weight lifting and plyometrics. She skied both training runs, posting the third-fastest time in the second run before it was canceled because of fog and snow.

Lindsey Vonn Olympics history

Vonn is 41 and was skiing in her fifth Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010, 2018, 2026). She has won three Olympic medals (1 gold, 2 bronze).

Keshad Johnson won the 2026 NBA slam dunk contest at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Johnson, a second-year player for the Miami Heat, did enough with his two dunk attempts in the final round to beat out San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant.

Bryant produced a perfect score on his first dunk attempt of the final round, but couldn’t complete his initial dunk on his second attempt, which made the difference in the contest.

Johnson showed a level of confidence and showmanship with his dunks and dancing on the court as a representative of the Bay Area.

Keshad Johnson NBA stats

Johnson has averaged 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in 37 games played during his two seasons with the Miami Heat. Johnson has also competed in the G-League.

When was Keshad Johnson drafted?

Johnson went undrafted in 2024. He signed a two-way contract with the Heat on July 1, 2024. His contract was converted from a two-way contract to a regular contract by Miami on Dec. 26, 2024.

Where did Keshad Johnson go to college?

Johnson spent the first four seasons of his college career with San Diego State, from 2019 to 2023. He decided to transfer to Arizona for his final season of eligibility. He started the last 107 games he played in college career.

Keshad Johnson college stats

Johnson averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and one assist per game in 149 games played during his college career.

Where did Keshad Johnson go to high school?

The forward went to San Leandro High School, just south of Oakland, California.

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was an exciting finale to NBA All-Star Saturday Night, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 14.

It was a dunk show featuring San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, and Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson.

A second-year forward out of Arizona, Johnson was crowned champion of the slam dunk Contest. An Oakland native, Johnson represented for the Bay Area from his introduction to every dunk, which was followed by a little dance.

‘First and foremost, thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for allowing me to be here. Everybody’s journey is different,’ Johnson said. ‘So all the kids out there, keep dreaming. Have crazy faith. Crazy faith, not just regular faith. Have crazy faith. Anything can happen.’

Johnson danced his way to victory with showstopping dunks, showing an array of moves and love to California along the way.

‘I just came out here and showed the people who Showtime was. We had all the legends out. I’m from California, brought my own Bay Area swag to L.A. We’re all one. It’s for the whole West Coast right here, baby,’ Johnson said. ‘In the Bay, we do it a little different, you know, we got our own little swag. So I had to bring the legend E-40 out, you know? And do my little thizz, do my little smeeze, put on, you know. And I’m also taking this back to the 305, in Miami too.’

Johnson said it’s a blessing to be in his shoes.

‘I would just say like the blessing that God give me, it’s abundant,’ he said. ‘They keep flooding, they keep flooding, and it’s really beyond, beyond my comprehension. So that’s why I just have to take a second and really thank Him. I’m speechless right now. It’s the Lord. I give it all credit to the Lord, all glory to God.’

Check out the highlights from the 2026 slam dunk contest, including all dunks and scores from the competition.

2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest highlights

The dunk competition order in the first round went as followed:

Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers

Check out some of the dunks and highlights from Saturday’s slam dunk showcase:

NBA Slam Dunk Contest: First Round

Spurs guard and Southern California-native Carter Bryant got things going as he walked on to the floor with ‘Still Dre’ by Dr. Dre playing in the background.

His first dunk was an ode to Vince Carter, as Bryant pulled out a 360-degree windmill jam.

He scored a 45.6 on the first dunk.

Jase Richardson, who is the son of 2002 and 2003 NBA dunk contest winner Jason Richardson, opened with a tribute to his pops.

He served up a self-toss, double-pump reverse windmill jam. He scored a 45.4 on his first attempt.

Take a look at his dad’s dunk over 20 years ago.

Keshad Johnson represented for the Bay Area, the Oakland native bringing out legendary rapper E-40, as they were giggin’ and going dumb to 40 Water’s ‘Tell Me When To Go.’

For his dunk choice, Johnson brought out a rock-the-cradle, Dr. J-esque type dunk as he leaped over E-40, while displaying the hand over the head, Karl ‘Mailman’ Malone style.

To cap his dunk, he gave the fans his best dougie. He scored a 47.4 for the dunk, not the dance.

Lakers center Jaxson Hayes seemed a little nervous and had a less-than-impressive first dunk, but he was saved by Dwight Howard, a judge, who gave a generous 47 score to keep the fellow big man in contention.

Hayes scored a 44.6 overall.

Hayes scored the lowest on his first dunk so he was the first to land a second dunk. For his second choice, he decided to spice things up a bit.

The Lakers’ seventh-year center went with a self-toss, tap to himself before going for an East Bay, between-the-legs funk dunk. He was awarded a 47.2 on the second dunk.

Richardson couldn’t get a clean toss and couldn’t get a great look for a slam. He even fell hard on his back and was down for a split second.

He sprang back up and completed a 360-degree dunk, which earned him a 43.4 for the second dunk.

Bryant, on his second dunk, gave the crowd a self-toss, windmill jam where he nearly saw inside of the rim he was so high. He earned a 49.2 on the dunk. He advanced to the final round.

Johnson, who earned the nickname ‘Flight 305,’ scored a 45.4 on his second dunk, which was a reverse cradle, two-hand slam. He advanced to the final round with the jam.

Johnson ‘squabbled up’ after the dunk, this dance being more LA-inspired, fitting for the site of All-Star weekend.

Final Round: Carter Bryant vs. Keshad Johnson

Johnson opened the final round with a self-toss, between-the-legs reverse dunk. He scored a nearly-perfect, 49.6 score for his first dunk of the final round.

His dance afterwards, just a little smeeze dance, another ode to the Bay Area.

Bryant, in the final round, answered Johnson’s opening dunk with a jaw-dropping jam of his own. Bryant brought out the self-toss, between-the-legs at the front of the rim.

He was given a perfect 50 for the action.

Johnson, for his final dunk attempt, responded with a one-handed windmill from just inside the free throw line. He got a 47.8 score which put him in position to secure the win.

It was Bryant’s contest to win but multiple misses in the final round as time ticked down led to his demise. He attempted a between-the-legs self-toss, 180-degree reverse two-hand jam. He never made it.

He wouldn’t go without a jam, finishing with a 360-degree slam as the dunk clock wound down. He earned a 43 for it.

Unaware of the rules, Bryant could’ve allowed time to expire and chose one dunk to attempt.

MILAN — For the second game in a row, the USA faced adversity in the first period.

For the second time, a big second period led to a victory as the U.S. men’s hockey team rallied to win 6-3 on Saturday, Feb. 14, and improve to 2-0 at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

In the Latvia game, the USA had two goals disallowed. Against Denmark on Saturday, Feb. 14, the USA trailed 2-1 after one period because of two bad-luck goals.

Denmark’s Nick Olesen scored early after the puck went in off Zach Werenski’s skate. Then Nicholas B. Jensen gave Denmark a 2-1 lead with a shot from center ice that got past USA goalie Jeremy Swayman.

But just like in the Latvia game, the USA’s superior firepower won out. Brady Tkachuk and Jack Eichel scored 57 seconds apart in the second period, both goals coming after faceoffs. Noah Hanifin gave the USA a 4-2 lead.

Though Phillip Bruggisser cut the USA lead to 4-3 on a shot from the point with 2.6 seconds left in the second period, Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes scored in the third period for the 6-3 win.

‘I mean, it’s just battle and adversity and do whatever you have to do to stop the puck, and I’m really proud of this group for staying even keeled,’ Swayman said. ‘The confidence never left the group and that’s a serious trait at this stage in the tournament. And the guys rallied and we got it done.’

The USA will face Germany on Sunday (3:10 p.m. ET, USA Network, Peacock) and can clinch a bye to the quarterfinals with a Group C victory.

What’s next for the USA?

The 2-0 Americans will face Germany on Sunday (3:10 p.m., USA Network, Peacock) in the final preliminary round game. Germany, which features Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle and Moritz Seider, lost to Latvia on Saturday to fall to 1-1. The USA will win Group C and gain a bye to the quarterfinals if it wins. Germany would win the group if it beats the USA in regulation because the first tiebreaker is head-to-head competition. With Connor Hellebuyck rested on Saturday, he likely would be the USA’s starting goalie on Sunday.

Final score: USA 6, Denmark 3

The USA improves to 2-0. If it beats Germany on Sunday, it will gain a bye to the quarterfinals.

Denmark power play

Matt Boldy is called for delay of game after putting the puck over the glass.

USA power play

Christian Weise is called for hooking. Denmark kills penalty. Less than three minutes left.

USA goal: Jack Hughes scores

He takes the puck over the goal line and banks it off goalie Frederik Dichow for a three-goal lead. USA 6, Denmark 3

Denmark goalie change

Frederik Dichow comes in Mads Sogaard, who appears to have been hurt doing the splits on a save.

Denmark power play

Auston Matthews is called for cross-checking. He was retaliating for stickwork by a Denmark player. Denmark gets two shots, but the USA kills the penalty. Less than 10 minutes left.

USA goal: Jake Guentzel restores two-goal lead

The USA pressures and Auston Matthews feeds Jake Guentzel in the slot. His goal restores the USA’s two-goal lead. Zach Werenski gets the second assist. USA 5, Denmark 3

Matthew Tkachuk chance

Matthew Tkachuk is alone in the slot, but his shot is stopped by Mads Sogaard.

Third period underway

4-3 USA.

Jeremy Swayman statistics

He has given up three goals on 11 shots through two periods.

End of second period: USA 4, Denmark 3

Denmark goalie Mads Sogaard did his best to keep the Americans at bay as they piled up the shots. The Americans scored an equalizer midway through the second period, off a face-off, with Brady Tkachuk netting his second goal of the Olympics. The U.S. scored again off a draw at 10:23, with Jack Eichel ripping a shot from the right circle to make it 3-2.

The U.S. moved ahead, 4-2 with 2:37 to go when Noah Hanifin scored on a rebound, the puck clipping the post on its way into Denmark’s net. That was part of a 15-4 advantage in shots for the Americans just in the second period. The Danes scored with 2.6 seconds on the clock to make it 4-3, with Phillip Bruggisser firing a shot from the blue line.

Denmark goal: Denmark scores in final seconds of period

Phillip Bruggisser’s point shot beats Jeremy Swayman with 2.6 seconds left in the second period to cut the USA’s lead to one. USA 4, Denmark 3

USA goal: Noah Hanifin adds to USA lead

Noah Hanifin’s shot squeezes through Mads Sogaard for a two-goal lead. USA 4, Denmark 2.

USA goal: Jack Eichel gives USA lead

Another USA goal off a faceoff. Jack Eichel picks up a loose puck and beats Mads Sogaard. That’s two USA goals in 57 seconds for the lead. USA 3, Denmark 2

USA goal: Brady Tkachuk ties game

Jack Eichel win a faceoff and the puck goes to Brady Tkachuk, who rips a shot past Mads Sogaard, his Senators teammate, at 9:26. USA 2, Denmark 2

USA power play

Patrick Russell slashes the stick out of Brady Tkachuk’s hand after a USA scoring chance. USA had two power-play goals in the opener against Latvia. Denmark kills the penalty, allowing one U.S. shot.

Second period underway

Denmark leads 2-1.

End of first period: Denmark 2, USA 1

The Danes grabbed momentum early on a goal from Nick Olesen just 1:40 into the game. Matt Boldy answered for the Americans two minutes later, scoring on Mads Sogaard. The Danes moved ahead again at 11:16 on a goal from Nicholas B. Jensen, firing a shot from right in front of the U.S. bench that slipped by Jeremy Swayman. Malte Setkov had an assist on that goal. The Danes kept their game simple, focusing on keeping the puck out of their zone and making sure Sogaard could see the puck. Sogaard made 11 saves in the first period to five by Swayman.

Brady Tkachuk mixes it up

The USA has a little flurry at the end, but Mads Sogaard keeps it 2-1 Denmark. Brady Tkachuk gets involved with a Danish player as the period ends. No penalties.

Denmark goal: Jeremy Swayman lets in long shot

Nicholas B. Jensen scores on a shot from just inside the red line. The puck went past a USA player and goalie Jeremy Swayman wasn’t able to pick it up for a Denmark goal at 11:16. Denmark 2, USA 1

Denmark power play

Dylan Larkin is called for holding. USA kills it off.

USA goal: Matt Boldy ties game

Matt Boldy picks up a rebound of his shot on goalie Mads Sogaard, goes behind the net and scores on a wraparound at 3:35. Quinn Hughes and Jaccob Slavin get the assists. USA 1, Denmark 1

Denmark goal: Denmark scores early

Nick Oleson scores at 1:40 for Denmark after a Zach Werenski turnover. The puck goes in off the skate of Werenski after Jeremy Swayman makes a save on Oleson. Denmark 1, USA 0

Game underway

USA’s Jeremy Swayman vs. Denmark’s Mads Sogaard in net. The Tkachuk line starts for the USA.

Olympic men’s hockey schedule and scores today

All times Eastern

Group B – Sweden 5, Slovakia 3
Group C – Latvia 4, Germany 3
Group B – Finland 11, Italy 0
Group C – USA 6, Denmark 3

Watch Olympic men’s hockey

Watch Olympic men’s hockey on Peacock

Team USA lines vs Denmark

USA vs Denmark predictions

Mike Brehm: USA 4, Denmark 2.
Jace Evans: USA 5, Denmark 2.

Full predictions

Jeremy Swayman helped USA win world championships

Swayman, who’s facing Denmark, didn’t play in the 4 Nations Face-Off. But he did help the USA get a rare gold medal at the 2025 world championships. He went 7-0 with a 1.69 goals-against average and .921 save percentage at the tournament, including a shutout in the championship game against Switzerland.

USA, Denmark, Greenland politics just ‘outside noise’

The political aspect of Denmark and the U.S. meeting in the Olympics stems from U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated demands that Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, should belong to the U.S.

‘We’re not used to being in the news that much,’ said Lars Eller, a forward with the Ottawa Senators who has played 1,116 games in the NHL. ‘But I feel like every week there’s something new, and whatever was in the news last week is forgotten quickly and we move on.

‘I don’t think it’s on any of our minds what’s going on politically in the world. It’s outside noise and in the profession we’re in, you have to be good at tuning out the outside noise.’

Why are there no fights in Olympic hockey?

International Ice Hockey Federation prohibits fighting, and it could lead to an ejection and a suspension.

‘Fighting is not part of international ice hockey’s DNA,’ the organization states in Rule 46 of the IIHF rulebook.

‘Players who willingly, participate in a ‘brawl/fight’ so-called ‘willing combatants,’ shall be penalized accordingly by the referee(s) and may be ejected from the game,’ the rulebook says. ‘Further supplementary discipline may be imposed.’

How long is NHL Olympic break?

The NHL will take a break from Feb. 6-24 for the 2026 Winter Olympics. No trades can take place during the Olympic break.

How the Olympics men’s hockey tournament works

The 12 teams are divided into three groups. They are:

Group A: Canada, Switzerland, Czechia, France
Group B: Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Italy
Group C: USA, Germany, Latvia, Denmark

Teams play one game each against the other three teams in their group. Countries get three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime/shootout loss and zero for a regulation loss.

After the preliminary round is complete, teams are seeded 1 through 12 under the following criteria:

Higher position in the group
Higher number of points
Better goal difference
Higher number of goals scored for
Better IIHF world ranking

The top four teams (group winners and best second-place team) get a bye to the quarterfinals. Teams 5-12 play in a qualifying round, with the winners going to the quarterfinals.

When is the Olympic men’s hockey tournament?

The tournament started Feb. 11 with two games. The USA opened play Feb. 12 against Latvia. All teams will play three games during the round robin, which runs through Feb. 15. The top four teams get byes to the quarterfinals.

Playoff qualification games are on Feb. 17 for teams ranked fifth through 12th, quarterfinals are Feb. 18 and semifinals are Feb. 20.

The bronze medal game is Feb. 21 and the gold medal game is Sunday, Feb. 22.