General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 19, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
WNBA Finals
The Finals resumed with Game 2 as Golden State hosts Atlanta, with ESPN courtside for live coverage. Golden State took the opening game 68-64 to move ahead 1-0. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase has drawn attention for her detail-obsessed approach, and her late-night film sessions are central to the team's rise. Gabby Williams arrived in a 49ers jersey for the matchup.
College Football
Miami climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2002, with BYU moving up to No. 2 after an upset-filled Week. Bill Connelly described the Saturday as one of the most chaotic weekends in recent memory. Florida State coach Mike Norvell called a holding penalty that wiped out a touchdown against Miami an "absolute joke". Our projections reassess the playoff race in light of the shake-up, while another analysis weighs how the committee could order the top teams.
At Texas, the staff is expected to expand reps for freshman quarterback KJ Lacey as Arch struggles. Oregon receiver Evan Stewart was arrested early Sunday on a DUI charge. Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson apologized after swatting away a trainer's arm during the UNC game. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham declined to reveal his starting quarterback for the No. 6 Indiana game.
Rankings and Recruiting
Florida was the overwhelming choice as the No. 1 team in the preseason AP Top 25 men's basketball poll, and a team-by-team reaction covers the biggest games and projected lineups. ESPN's power rankings have Miami at the top, with two new teams entering the top. Former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn signed with Kansas amid an ongoing eligibility fight, and ESPN has ranked the 66 freshmen, transfers and international newcomers to watch this season.
NBA and Betting
ESPN's David Purdum breaks down the key betting storylines heading into 2026-27, including superteams, long shots and the MVP race.
Golf and Motorsport
Former Open champion Shane Lowry was traded to Boston Common in TGL's first trade. In NASCAR, Tyler Reddick won in Phoenix while Kyle Larson failed to finish, tightening the playoff title race.
Football and Rugby
The Arizona Cardinals stunned the Los Angeles Rams in Week, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was lost to injury. Charlie Jones and Tre Tucker's catches featured among the week's best plays. In rugby, Wales boss Steve Tandy named his squad for the Nations Championship, while questions persist over Wales' reliance on Tomos Williams before the World Cup. England's new Test cricket coach Stephen Fleming argued the role should go to an Englishman. Glasgow's Jamie Ritchie is finally set for his debut after a long wait, and Ieuan Evans is stepping down as British and Irish Lions chair.
Snooker, Boxing and Cricket
Ronnie O'Sullivan's poor form continued at the NI Open, where the seven-time world champion was beaten. Former world champion Liam Smith has been charged over an alleged attack. Scott Boland's four wickets exposed South Africa's batting frailties against Australia, and a rule change is reshaping one-day cricket. Bradley Wiggins' son Ben signed his first professional contract with Jayco-AlUla.
Coming Up
Golden State and Atlanta meet again in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. Dalton Smith defends his WBC light-welterweight title against Puello. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet at UFC 333 in a trilogy bout.