General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 16, 2026, 2:53 AM ET

WNBA & NBA Action

A'ja Wilson scored 45 points on 15-of-18 shooting to set a WNBA record with her fifth career 40-point game, powering the Aces past the Sun 101-94 on Friday night. The performance added to a season in which the Aces remain poised to chase a fourth title in five years, a run that has included Wilson collecting her fourth MVP award. Meanwhile, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark found her shooting stroke late, sinking a tie-breaking triple with 3.1 seconds left in regulation after a sluggish first three quarters, though the Fever ultimately fell in overtime. Across the league, fantasy managers are tracking a slate of breakout performers heading into the weekend, with several secondary scorers emerging as weekly lineup staples.

Golf & Cycling

Scottie Scheffler expressed frustration with Aronimink's setup at the PGA Championship, stopping just short of calling the hole locations unfair as he carded a 75 that left him on the edge of the cut. Club professional Michael Block is expected to miss the cut after the same round but remains optimistic about future major appearances. At the same venue, analysts question whether Scheffler can hold favorite status through the weekend given his visible unease with conditions. Shifting to cycling, Jonas Vingegaard claimed stage seven of the Giro d'Italia with a commanding ride, completing a rare set of Grand Tour stage victories across all three major races.

Rugby Union — URC & Premiership

Northampton routed Bristol 94-33 at Franklin's Gardens, scoring 14 tries in a record-breaking performance that secured their semi-final berth. In the United Rugby Championship, Cardiff booked their play-off spot with a bonus-point win over the Stormers, while Connacht eliminated Edinburgh on the road to claim a playoff berth of their own. Ulster, meanwhile, dropped to 26-22 against Glasgow Warriors in their final regular-season match, leaving their fate dependent on results elsewhere. Ulster head coach Richie Murphy described the setback as "bitterly disappointing", acknowledging his side missed a chance at a top-eight finish. Connacht's victory kept the race tight, with Cardiff and Connacht joining Nottingham Forest, who reached the Netball Super League play-offs for the first time with a 76-65 upset of league leaders Loughborough Lightning. Wigan held in-form Leeds Rhinos to a 24-4 win, denying them the top spot in their competition.

MMA & Boxing

Francis Ngannou declared himself the lineal heavyweight champion ahead of his upcoming defense, confident he will remain world number one on Saturday. Ronda Rousey is set to end a 10-year retirement when she faces Gina Carano in Los Angeles, positioning herself as both fighter and promoter in an event she masterminded. Rousey's return caps a broader resurgence in women's MMA, with the former UFC champion aiming to rewrite the ending to her career on her own terms. Meanwhile, Galal Yafai's world title challenge has been postponed after the Briton sustained a training injury, delaying his fight with Ricardo Sandoval.

College Sports & Recruiting

Illinois and coach Brad Underwood agreed to new financial terms on his contract through 2031-32, with performance triggers that could extend the deal through 2035-36 following last season's Final Four run. Michigan added a four-star defensive back when Charles Woodson Jr. committed to the Wolverines, joining the program where his father won the 1997 Heisman Trophy and earned two All-American selections. Purdue landed top-10 junior Isaiah Hill, the highest-ranked prospect to commit to the Boilermakers since ESPN's recruiting database began in 2007. In the Sun Belt, analysts see a wide-open race at the top with James Madison, Old Dominion, and Louisiana among the contenders, while Texas A&M scouted 21 five-star recruits in its latest class, evaluating each player's transition to the next level. Bill Connelly highlighted early favorites and top pitchers to watch as college softball regionals approach in 2026.

NFL & Baseball

Steve Kerr chose to remain with the Warriors, saying the pains of his past convinced him he had everything left to play for rather than retire at a career crossroads. Tarik Skubal tossed a baseball just two weeks after elbow surgery, sparking cautious optimism in Detroit that the team's ace could return ahead of schedule. The NFL signaled openness to more nontraditional games after Wednesday play drew increased ratings, with league officials suggesting holiday scheduling could become permanent. In baseball, Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to designated hitter duties, replacing a struggling Raleigh in the lineup.

Other Sports

A 20-year-old man was arrested in connection with the shooting of Missouri football star Ahmad Hardy at an outdoor concert in Mississippi. Drake referenced LeBron James multiple times on his new album, continuing a public tension between the rapper and the NBA icon. Virat Kohli warned he will skip the 2027 World Cup if forced to prove his worth to the Indian team. Former Abilene Christian player received a permanent NCAA ban for allegedly rigging basketball games for sports bettors. England scrum-half Lucy Packer discussed handling nerves ahead of the Six Nations Grand Slam bid, while Wales recalled Seren Singleton for Sunday's match against Italy and Scotland made two changes for their trip to Ireland. England's young Lions pace picks include Henry Crocombe and Mitchell Stanley ahead of matches against South Africa A, and the new Nations Championship will launch with a six-Test Super Saturday on 4 July. The Diamond League opened its 2026 season in China with Amy Hunt joining Armand Duplantis and Faith Kipyegon. In indoor lacrosse, Toronto and Halifax prepare for the NLL finals, while the PLL and WLL head to the Ocean State for Week 2 action. Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation has been reset as Bobby Marks identified 10 teams monitoring potential suitors. An amputee cornhole professional saw his friendship unravel into a killing in a tragic case now under investigation.