Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Formula 1
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Mercedes Under Pressure
Russell's form autosport.com hit a low at the United States Grand Prix, and Mercedes is sharing the blame for a car that operates within a narrow performance window.
Hamilton Misses the Podium
Friday practice autosport.com setup errors cost Lewis Hamilton a podium finish in Austin, a result he has explained in detail.
Red Bull's Ongoing Issues
Max Verstappen again secured a podium, but Red Bull has flagged radio and start problems autosport.com that it says will not all be resolved before 2026.
Football/Soccer
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Ballon d'Or
Harry Kane espn.com claimed the men's Ballon d'Or after a remarkable year for Bayern Munich and England, ending a 25-year wait for an English winner. The ceremony in London was chaotic bbc.co.uk, and Alexia Putellas won her third women's award. Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal both missed out espn.com, with Yamal taking the best young player prize for a third straight year. Kane was later greeted with a hero's welcome espn.com on his return to Bayern, and the win is expected to boost the Bundesliga's bbc.co.uk profile. Mbappé has apologised for an ill-judged Mao remark bbc.co.uk that drew backlash in China.
League Cup Shock
Fleetwood Town skysports.com knocked out Premier League champions Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, winning 5-3 on penalties from League Two. Fleetwood's Conor Haughey was the shootout hero espn.com, and the club called it the biggest night bbc.co.uk in its history. Debate continues over whether it is the biggest upset espn.com in League Cup history. The match was halted for eight minutes bbc.co.uk by a drone. Arsenal's 16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off, and Mikel Arteta explained his reaction skysports.com amid criticism.
Manchester United
Michael Carrick stays on as manager bbc.co.uk after a turbulent 48 hours at Old Trafford, with the club's failure to agree on a replacement reportedly skysports.com saving his job. Carrick will remain in charge skysports.com for the trip to Chelsea. Real Madrid beat Barcelona espn.com in a brilliant Clásico, and José Mourinho's side may be back espn.com in the title race.
Serie A and Ligue 1
Napoli will appeal espn.com Massimiliano Allegri's two-match ban for insulting a referee after the Roma draw. Ruben Amorim faces an injury crisis espn.com at AC Milan. Ligue 1 has rescheduled matches espn.com amid public protests in France.
Scotland and Wales
Derek McInnes admits guilt bbc.co.uk over leaving Hearts for Rangers. Motherwell have lost six in a row bbc.co.uk, and Celtic's year since Martin O'Neill's return skysports.com has been scrutinised. The FAW's Noel Mooney has renewed his call bbc.co.uk for Gianni Infantino to step down.
Coming Up
Liverpool face Chelsea espn.com in the Carabao Cup, with Andoni Iraola optimistic espn.com that Florian Wirtz will be fit. The Milan derby is live on BBC Two bbc.co.uk on Saturday 31 October.
NBA Basketball
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Injuries Reshape the Early Season
The Utah Jazz will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. espn.com for six to eight weeks after sources reported a torn MCL, and Lauri Markkanen is dealing with a sprain, leaving the frontcourt thin. In Minnesota, Anthony Edwards espn.com is set for an arthroscopic knee procedure that will sideline him for up to two months. The Oklahoma City Thunder took a blow as well, with Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace espn.com both headed for surgery, and Alex Caruso espn.com suffered a right ankle sprain that further depletes an already-short roster. Toronto will play without Kawhi Leonard espn.com for weeks due to swelling in his left knee.
Standouts and Milestones
Jayson Tatum espn.com scored 40 points, capping the night with a 17-foot jumper at the overtime buzzer to lift Boston past Brooklyn. Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg posted 31 points and 12 rebounds in his fourth game, powering Golden State to its first win of the season. Meleek Thomas contributed 16 points in 19 minutes in his NBA debut, helping Cleveland rally for a 127-125 overtime victory over Minnesota. The New York Knicks snapped a three-game skid with a 111-97 win over Detroit, with Jalen Brunson pointing to his offseason work as the key to his early-season form.
Off the Court
Former Hornets guard Muggsy Bogues espn.com will have his No. 1 jersey retired by Charlotte, a tribute to one of the shortest players to make an impact in league history. Former NBA guard Malik Beasley espn.com agreed to plead guilty in a federal sports betting case. Miami's Bam Adebayo espn.com rejected criticism that he is being made the scapegoat for the Heat's 0-4 start. Longtime league executive Kathy Behrens espn.com, one of the highest-ranking women in the NBA office, is stepping down after 26 years. Jaylen Brown's representative denied a report that he demanded a trade from Boston. The Lakers ownership change drew attention after Mark Walter espn.com reached a deal in a three-day secret negotiation, though questions about the franchise's future remain.
Coming Up
Adebayo's status and the Heat's rotation will be tested as they try to climb out of an 0-4 hole. Beasley is scheduled to change his plea at a December 9 hearing in Brooklyn, per ESPN espn.com. The Hornets will honor Bogues with his jersey retirement on February 11, per ESPN espn.com.
NFL Football
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Trades & Roster Moves
The Colts continue to reshape their roster, sending All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson espn.com to the Seahawks, a deal that follows the departure of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner espn.com to the 49ers. Analysts see the moves as a clear signal of an organization in rebuild mode, with the broader picture espn.com laid out in the reporting on both veterans heading to contending clubs.
Injuries & Roster Updates
Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons espn.com may be nearing a return to practice, with coach Matt LaFleur saying Green Bay is "sure hope so." In Cincinnati, tight end Erick All was placed on injured reserve espn.com with an injury believed to be a torn ACL. The Giants moved running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. to injured reserve espn.com with a hamstring injury, opening more opportunity for Devin Singletary. Ravens rookie guard Olaivavega Ioane is expected to miss time espn.com after spraining his MCL.
Bears & Raiders
Bears defensive end Montez Sweat returned to the team espn.com after serving a two-game suspension he called "devastating." In Las Vegas, Kirk Cousins will remain the starter espn.com for the Raiders, with coach Klint Kubiak declaring "no controversy" ahead of Sunday's game.
Cowboys & Eagles
Dallas snapped a two-game skid in a win over Philadelphia espn.com, with Javonte Williams producing a career-high 155 rushing yards and a touchdown. Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes and said the NFC East is "right in front of us." espn.com Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was hobbled but efficient espn.com in the loss, saying his hamstring "came out great."
Jets & Giants
Garrett Wilson's sideline outburst during Sunday's game drew a response from Jets coach Aaron Glenn, who called it overblown espn.com but warned that "it's going to get noisy." In New York, Giants coach John Harbaugh and running back Cam Skattebo objected to a helmet penalty espn.com called in the first quarter.
League Notes
Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant is disputing a citation espn.com for assault and is calling for a thorough investigation by the Southlake Police Department. Power rankings were updated espn.com heading into Week, and Josh Allen's goal-line rushing history is drawing attention espn.com as one of the best in league annals.
Coming Up
Week 8 betting odds espn.com have been posted for every game on the slate. Jay-Z is set to headline espn.com the Super Bowl LXI halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
MLB Baseball
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
World Series
The Brewers hold a 3-0 lead in the World Series after an eight-run fifth inning fueled a 10-1 rout in Game, and Milwaukee is one win away espn.com from a championship. The Rays kept their hopes alive espn.com with a stunning 12th-inning rally in Game, avoiding a sweep and forcing a Game. Tampa Bay's walk-off win is recapped in the takeaways espn.com from the night.
The Brewers' lone postseason loss in 21 days came as they were three outs away espn.com from a title, a result players described as hard to swallow. Milwaukee's relief corps was central to the run, as Aaron Ashby set a record espn.com for scoreless innings by a reliever in a single postseason. Their resilience was also on display in Game, where a comeback win espn.com marked their seventh postseason comeback.
Brewers Stars
Jackson Chourio continued his October surge espn.com with four hits in Game, setting a new standard for young players in the postseason. Manager Pat Murphy's unconventional style espn.com has become a clubhouse favorite as the team nears the title.
Ratings and League News
Viewership for the Fall Classic is only down about 6% espn.com through the first two games, easing fears of record-low ratings. In Baltimore, new general manager Jared Banner pledged to build a winner espn.com while acknowledging fan frustration. The Phillies named Peter Fatse, most recently with the Rays, as their new hitting coach espn.com. Meanwhile, Jorge Posada said he does not feel welcome espn.com with the Yankees despite his status as a franchise icon.
Coming Up
Game 5 of the World Series will decide espn.com whether the Rays can extend the series, with the Brewers looking to close it out.
NHL Hockey
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
Devils and Islanders Make Headlines
Connor Hellebuyck espn.com stopped 16 of 17 shots in his New Jersey debut, steering the Devils past the Stars. On Long Island, Matthew Schaefer espn.com became the first skater on record to play all five minutes of an overtime period.
Penguins Update
Forward Ben Kindel espn.com returned to Pittsburgh practice on Tuesday, a week after a medical emergency on a flight.
Wild and Canucks
Quinn Hughes espn.com heard boos at Rogers Arena in his return to Vancouver as a member of the Wild, the former Canucks captain's first visit since leaving the club.
Red Wings and Oilers
Michal Postava espn.com won in his first career NHL start, as the Red Wings beat Connor McDavid and the Oilers in a shootout.
Rangers and Hurricanes
James Reimer's espn.com Rangers debut ended after one period, when he was pulled after giving up three goals. In Raleigh, the Hurricanes agreed to a one-year, $3M contract espn.com with restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
League Notes
The St. Louis Blues condemned espn.com what they called antisemitic signs displayed by fans at a recent home game. ESPN's daily slate espn.com featured 11 games on Tuesday, headlined by Bruins-Hurricanes.
Coming Up
The Bruins and Hurricanes meet espn.com in the marquee matchup of the night.
General Sports
Last updated: October 28, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
College Football
Lincoln Riley said USC is "right place for me" espn.com and that he is "the right person to be here," pushing back on questions about his future with the program. Oregon's season has unraveled quickly; the Ducks are already in freefall espn.com after entering the year with championship expectations. Dante Moore's absence has been a major factor, with Dan Lanning confirming espn.com the quarterback will not return this season after three missed games with a concussion.
Malachi Toney is gaining ground espn.com in the Heisman race as the Miami receiver picks up steam, while LSU's Sam Leavitt is also closing in. On the playoff front, the bubble picture espn.com is tightening, with the Big 12 questioning whether its two-bid hopes survived Week. Elsewhere, the Group of 6 contenders are chasing a spot espn.com in the College Football Playoff.
NFL
Jalen Hurts played through bbc.co.uk a blood clot, a condition now under scrutiny for what it means for the league. The Seahawks made a late move, trading for Quenton Nelson espn.com two weeks before the deadline, an All-Pro guard acquisition that raises questions about Indianapolis's direction.
WNBA
Kiah Stokes led the Valkyries espn.com to a 3-2 Finals lead with a 64-55 Game 5 win, anchored by Golden State's defense. The Dream, however, are unhappy espn.com with the Finals arrangements, saying concerns about finding an available venue went unheeded and criticizing the move of Game 6 to a 12:30 p.m. start. Atlanta coach Karl Smesko also blasted officials espn.com for missing what he called "ridiculous" contact on Angel Reese. Looking to the future, JuJu Watkins opens espn.com at the top of the projected 2027 draft board.
Men's College Basketball
Predictions for the new season are now out espn.com, with Michigan positioned to repeat as champion. In the women's game, the conference picks espn.com cover all 32 leagues, while the NCAA women's bracket expands to a 76-team field espn.com, with South Carolina and UConn holding top seeds.
Baseball
The Brewers beat the Rays espn.com in Game 3 of the World Series, and the Bucks used the result to take a shot at the Rays and the Heat's 0-4 start in a postgame jab. For historical context, there have been 21 sweeps espn.com in World Series history.
Cricket
Australia fought back bbc.co.uk on the first day against South Africa, edging the opening session to keep Pat Cummins out of trouble. Ireland fell 2-1 behind bbc.co.uk in their five-match ODI series against Namibia. England's hopes of reaching the final of the tri-series ended after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan bbc.co.uk by eight wickets. Stuart Broad criticized Lancashire bbc.co.uk as "pretty disrespectful" in their treatment of James Anderson. Steve Borthwick said England's preparation time bbc.co.uk ahead of the Wallabies has been a challenge, while Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is expected back bbc.co.uk for the Nations Championship next month.
Rugby
Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu made an impact bbc.co.uk on her return to Japan, while Wales have called up Macs Page bbc.co.uk after Rio Dyer was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Freya Bell is out bbc.co.uk of Wales' second WXV Japan Test, and Garry Ringrose is set to miss bbc.co.uk Ireland's November fixtures. Kane James and Louie Hennessey are aiming to make bbc.co.uk an impression with Wales. England's women face a "do or die" bbc.co.uk Rugby League World Cup clash with Samoa.
Other Sport
Venus Williams lost again bbc.co.uk, falling to a player 28 years her junior for her 16th straight defeat. In gymnastics, the U.S. women were edged out espn.com for gold at the world championships, though Skye Blakely and Claire Pease stood out. Glentoran won the Women's Challenge Cup bbc.co.uk on penalties, with Kelly Bailie scoring the winning kick. In motorsport, Formula 1 proposed simpler, cheaper V8 hybrids bbc.co.uk for its next rules, and Alex Dunne completed an IndyCar test bbc.co.uk while still in the F2 title fight. Mitchell Lawrie, is eyeing bbc.co.uk a £501,000 live TV win over Luke Littler.
Coming Up
The Valkyries and Dream meet in Game 6 espn.com, with the Finals now shifted to a 12:30 p.m. start. Ireland continue their ODI series bbc.co.uk against Namibia, trailing 2-1 with the remaining matches still to be played.