General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 11:57 PM ET

Motorsport Tragedy

NASCAR lost one of its most decorated drivers when Kyle Busch died at 41, the two-time Cup Series champion who won more races across the sport's three series than any driver in history. His representatives had announced earlier Thursday that he had been hospitalized with a severe illness, and he was pulled from Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway before his condition worsened. The shock rippled through the sport, with tributes pouring in from drivers who looked to Busch as a mentor. Nearly three years after selling the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder's former estate hit the market Wednesday for $49.9 million, a quiet footnote in what has been a turbulent chapter for the former franchise owner.

Basketball

OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to level the NBA play-off series against the San Antonio Spurs at 1-1, reinforcing the Thunder's position as favorites to repeat. The franchise has built a culture around player satisfaction that it believes translates to winning, and that formula appeared to hold in Game. Separately, the Indiana Fever received a warning after star Caitlin Clark was omitted from the injury report before being scratched with back soreness shortly before Wednesday's tip-off. Meanwhile, Rueben Chinyelu returned to Florida for his senior season after removing his name from the NBA draft, and the University of Georgia men's basketball program received a $10 million donation from the founder of a major daily fantasy sports company.

Tennis

Jannik Sinner opens his career Grand Slam bid at the French Open against French wild card Clement Tabur, drawing a home crowd favorite he will not have on his side. Britain's Toby Samuel qualified for his first Grand Slam main draw with a French Open qualifying victory, joining Emma Raducanu, who faces Argentine clay specialist Solano Sierra in the first round. Aaron Rai won the US PGA Championship and credited advice from his wife for carrying him through the biggest round of his career. The French Open will not adjust its prize money pool this year despite player complaints, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said Thursday.

Rugby

Ulster received a major boost ahead of Friday's Challenge Cup final as fit-again winger Robert Baloucoune was named to start, while centre James Hume said the squad is embracing the chance to make history. Head coach Richie Murphy urged his players to fight with everything they have got against Montpellier. Earlier, a Wigan Warriors side featuring 10 debutants was thrashed by champions Hull KR in their final tune-up before facing the same opponent on 30 May. Welsh rugby's latest Professional Rugby Agreement remains unsigned by the Ospreys, with chief executive Lance Bradley confirming negotiations are ongoing.

Boxing & MMA

Promoter Eddie Hearn says novice Rico Verhoeven faces a "mountain to climb" against Oleksandr Usyk but described the challenger as "not a normal man." Usyk revealed a "secret plan" for the future that could include acting, noting a defeat 16 years ago fueled his path to greatness. Belfast's Caoimhin Agyarko will challenge Josh Kelly for the IBF light-middleweight title this summer. Former Bellator boss Scott Coker announced plans to launch a new fight league next year targeting global MMA brand status.

Cycling & Darts

Belgium's Alec Segaert claimed his first-ever Grand Tour stage win at the Giro d'Italia, keeping teammate Afonso Eulalio in the overall lead. Stephen Bunting signed off his Premier League campaign with a 6-3 victory over Luke Humphries in Sheffield. Great Britain lost 4-1 to tournament hosts Switzerland at the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championship, hampering their push in the tournament.

Other Sports

Lewis Hamilton has no plans to retire from Formula 1 and insists he will "be here for quite some time." George Russell believes he can put a turbulent start to the season behind him at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix. Joey Chestnut will defend his hot dog title at Nathan's on July 4 while on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor. Former Wales prop Rhys Thomas underwent a life-saving heart transplant in his hometown of Cape Town. England fast bowler Ollie Robinson was recalled for the first Test against New Zealand beginning 4 June, a move Stuart Broad called "surprising." Christiana Balogun made her England debut this spring, four years after being diagnosed with cancer. The Afghanistan women's refugee team will tour England this summer in pursuit of international recognition. British Gymnastics will replace its complaints process following criticism from abuse victims. Kam Mercer, a top-10 high school sophomore, committed to Cincinnati and will reclassify into the 2027 class. Georgia's home-run-hitting baseball team is aiming to run the table, while Kansas built one of the sport's top programs by scouring the junior college ranks. Nneka Ogwumike returns to the Los Angeles Sparks looking to lead them to the playoffs. Three women named Ella — Häkkinen, Lloyd, and Stevens — are progressing through McLaren's Formula 1 development ranks. The all-female Athlos track meet will debut in London later this year. Scott Coker plans to launch a new fight league next year.