Mahomes leads KC to AFC title game

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after gaining a first down as Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) watches during the second half of Saturday’s AFC divisional round playoff game in Kansas City, Mo. CHARLIE RIEDEL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. >> Patrick Mahomes threw for 177 yards and a touchdown, most of it going to best buddy Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Houston Texans 23-14 on Saturday to advance to the AFC championship game for the seventh consecutive season.

Kelce had seven catches for 117 yards and a score, helping the Chiefs (16-2) keep alive their dream of winning an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.

The Chiefs are the fourth team in NFL history to follow back-to-back Lombardi Trophies by advancing to the conference title game, and the three previous lost. They will try to change that trend at Arrowhead Stadium next weekend against the Bills or Ravens, who play on Sunday in Buffalo for a shot at dethroning the defending champs.

Cowboys interview Saleh >> The Dallas Cowboys interviewed former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, another step in the search to replace Mike McCarthy.

The in-person interview with Saleh came a day after Dallas held a virtual interview with Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who was franchise quarterback Dak Prescott’s play-caller from 2019-22.

Saleh was fired by the Jets five games into his fourth season. He was 20-36. Saleh also has interviewed for the defensive coordinator opening in San Francisco, the job he had when the Jets hired him in 2021.

Pro basketball

Hornets guard Miller out indefinitely >> Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller, the team’s second-leading scorer, will be sidelined indefinitely because of a torn ligament in his right wrist.

Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, was held out of Charlotte’s 125-123 victory over Chicago on Friday night with what the team initially called a “wrist sprain.” The Hornets announced after the game that Miller, who’s averaging 21 points, has a torn wrist ligament.

Miller underwent an MRI on his wrist after being injured in the Hornets’ win at Utah on Wednesday night.

Tennis

Sinner is into the Fourth round >> Defending champion Jannik Sinner beat 46th-ranked Marcos Giron of the U.S. 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 at the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the fourth time.

Sinner stretched his unbeaten run to 17 matches, dating to last season. He had an eventful 2024, claiming his first two Grand Slam titles, reaching No. 1 in the ATP rankings for the first time — and going through a doping case that is still not quite resolved, because the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed his exoneration.

The 23-year-old Italian’s next opponent in Australia will be No. 13 Holger Rune, who beat Miomir Kecmanovic 6-7 (5), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Soccer

Naeher wins 2024 US female player of the Year >> Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who retired from the U.S. national team late last year after winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, was named the 2024 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Known for her unflappable demeanor, the 36-year-old Naeher is just the second goalkeeper to win the annual award after Hope Solo in 2009.

U.S. defeats Venezuela >> Patrick Agyemang and Matko Miljevic scored in their international debuts, Jack McGlynn got his first national team goal and the United States beat Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly between teams missing their regular starters.