General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 28, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
Women's Basketball: WNBA Finals
The Valkyries hold a 3-2 series lead over the Dream heading into Game, with Golden State looking to close it out espn.com. Atlanta, facing elimination, is looking to rekindle the confidence and swagger espn.com that carried it earlier in the series. Kiah Stokes was the difference in Game, anchoring a 64-55 Valkyries win with defensive presence espn.com at center. The Dream have also criticized the league over the Finals venue, saying concerns went unheeded espn.com when Game 6 was moved to a 12:30 p.m. tip.
College Football
Texas Tech enters the spooky rankings espn.com after a rough Week, though the Red Raiders were far from alone among struggling teams. The Big 12 is still searching for a two-bid path espn.com to the College Football Playoff as the conference weighs its contenders. Ohio State visits USC on Halloween, and analysts see a possible upset brewing espn.com in Los Angeles. Lincoln Riley insisted USC is the right place for him espn.com amid questions about his future with the program. Texas left tackle Trevor Goosby underwent surgery espn.com that was successful, though his future remains undecided.
NFL
Washington believes the NFC East espn.com race is still alive despite a 1-4-1 start, with Jayden Daniels healthy after the bye. Atlanta's offense has been driven by the partnership of Drake London and Bijan Robinson, who work well together espn.com on and off the field. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Seahawks acquired All-Pro guard espn.com Quenton Nelson, while the Colts continue to unload pieces. Jalen Hurts is recovering from a life-threatening blood clot after playing through it bbc.co.uk, a situation that has raised questions across the league. Fantasy managers are reassessing their rosters at the season's midpoint espn.com, while Week 8 matchup rankings espn.com favor Bucky Irving over Caleb Williams.
College Basketball
Duke landed top-10 recruit espn.com Asa Montgomery, beating out UNC and others for the commitment. The Big Ten is limiting school involvement espn.com in outside NIL deals under a new rule. ESPN released its top 100 players espn.com for the coming season, and its season predictions espn.com tip Michigan to repeat. In women's hoops, the early bracket projections now field 76 teams espn.com, and a full season guide espn.com is available. Arkansas freshman Abdou Toure has signed with Rod Wave's agency, with the rapper calling him a highlight reel espn.com. Oregon State's Jesse Legree has gone from unknown to a star espn.com in short order.
WNBA Draft
JuJu Watkins opens at No. 1 espn.com in the projected 2027 mock, with Madison Booker and Hannah Hidalgo rounding out the top three.
Tennis
Novak Djokovic rallied past Ugo Humbert bbc.co.uk in Basel, calling it a big win on his return to the event. Stan Wawrinka retired in Basel bbc.co.uk, closing out a career that brought three Grand Slam titles.
Rugby
Ellie Kildunne returns to the bench bbc.co.uk as England make six changes for the USA clash. Ulster has extended contracts bbc.co.uk for Robert Baloucoune, James McNabney and Joe Hopes until 2029. Bristol Bears have signed Auvaa bbc.co.uk from Saracens, with Pat Lam praising the Saracens' handling of the move. Welsh clubs are pushing for an Anglo-Welsh league bbc.co.uk, though the Premiership and RFU remain cool on the idea. Wales coach Sean Lynn has said no shirt is safe bbc.co.uk ahead of the Japan match. Mikey Lewis insists he earned his spot bbc.co.uk in the England squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. Kane James and Louie Hennessey are eyeing Wales breakthroughs bbc.co.uk. Hyrox has partnered with World Triathlon bbc.co.uk as it pursues Olympic and Paralympic status.
Cricket
Ireland captain Paul Stirling will miss bbc.co.uk the final two matches of the Namibia ODI series. Marnus Labuschagne's form has hit a record low bbc.co.uk, though Australia's new guard offered encouragement.
Football
Fleetwood Town's Conor Haughey scored the winning penalty bbc.co.uk to beat Arsenal, a result he called a surreal moment. Former Derry City striker Liam Coyle says James McClean's exit from the club bbc.co.uk was no real surprise.
Boxing and Other Sports
Canelo Alvarez meets Christian Mbilli in a title fight Saturday, and the numbers behind the bout espn.com reveal what to expect. British light-welterweight Adam Azim returns in December bbc.co.uk against Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela. Raven Chapman thanked her trainer bbc.co.uk after a freak injury, crediting his fast actions. Scotland's men and women both won their first two bbc.co.uk at the European Curling Championships. Judoka Arno Yafunga Botay, a refugee who fled DR Congo, heads to Dakar 2026 bbc.co.uk. Wheelchair rugby league's Finlay O'Neill has adapted to the sport bbc.co.uk. Former Mayo star Jack Carney opens up bbc.co.uk on his career in a GAA Social interview. Para-cyclist James Ball will ride alongside Aaron Pope at the Track World Championships bbc.co.uk. Jody Cundy, at, nears a 20-year unbeaten run bbc.co.uk in the kilo.
Coming Up
The WNBA Finals conclude with Game 6 espn.com, with the Valkyries looking to clinch the title. Canelo Alvarez faces Christian Mbilli espn.com on Saturday. Ohio State visits USC on Halloween espn.com for a marquee matchup.