General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 5:53 PM ET

Tragedy in NASCAR

The racing world lost one of its most prolific winners on Thursday when Kyle Busch died at 41, a two-time Cup Series champion who won more races across NASCAR's three top series than any driver in history. The cause of death shocked the paddock: according to a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press, Busch had been coughing up blood and experiencing shortness of breath the day before his death, symptoms his representatives later said had prompted a hospital visit for a severe illness. Tributes poured in from across the sport, with ESPN noting that Busch embodied the greatest compliments in motorsports — whether fans needed a racer, a throwback to a simpler time, or a role model. BBC Sport confirmed the news, reporting that Busch's representatives had disclosed his hospitalization earlier in the day, while a separate piece reflected on what the 41-year-old champion meant to the NASCAR garage.

Boxing: Usyk defends title in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his unified heavyweight title in Egypt on Saturday, weighing a career-heavy 16st 9lb but 25lb lighter than challenger Rico Verhoeven. ESPN's profile framed the fight as one where Usyk has nothing left to prove after standing alone atop the division, raising the question of how long his reign can last. Verhoeven, speaking to BBC Sport, explained how a kickboxing career and friendships with A-list celebrities landed him a shot at Usyk, while another BBC piece detailed the matchup further, noting the physical disparity between the two fighters.

Cycling: Giro drama and Tour Down Under innovation

Italy's Alberto Bettiol won stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia with a decisive acceleration over the final climb in the Italian Lakes, allowing Egan Bernal to retain the pink jersey. Meanwhile, the Tour Down Under is set to become the first World Tour race to host joint men's and women's events on the same course and day over the same distance, marking a significant step for the calendar.

Rugby: Finals and squad moves

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen described Saturday's Champions Cup final against Bordeaux as a "serious challenge" after the French side's remarkable rise from bankruptcy to back-to-back title contention, having gained promotion to France's top flight in 2011. Ulster, meanwhile, aim to end a 20-year trophy drought when they face Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao. In domestic women's rugby, England captain Zoe Stratford and World Cup winner Tatyana Heard will leave Gloucester Hartpury at season's end. Cardiff have refused to make excuses for their URC play-off quarter-final trip to face the Stormers in South Africa.

Tennis: French Open protest and qualifying exit

Leading players including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner limited their media duties to 15 minutes over prize money disputes, cutting press conferences short as the French Open approached. Britain's Felix Gill fell in the final round of qualifying, delaying his Grand Slam singles debut. In snooker, Stephen Bunting signed off his Premier League campaign with a 6-3 win over Luke Humphries, claiming his second nightly title of the year.

NBA: Knicks surge and roster moves

The New York Knicks scored 18 unanswered points in their 109-93 victory over Cleveland, taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference final. Oklahoma City added Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso as the final roster pieces to bolster their championship push, while Victor Wembanyama continues to shatter age-related expectations in the playoffs. ESPN's free agency analysis examined Bobby Marks' offers for the NBA's all-time leading scorer, and Steve Kerr's decision to stay with the Warriors was explored in the context of career crossroads and personal motivation.

Cricket and Hockey

England batter Jacob Bethell will have a finger injury assessed less than two weeks before the first Test against New Zealand, while Paul Stirling was ruled out with a calf injury. Great Britain lost 4-1 to hosts Switzerland at the Ice Hockey World Championship, and former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams coaches Jersey's quest for the T20 World Cup.

Other Sports

Surrey opened their Women's T20 Blast title defence with a six-wicket win over Lancashire. Emma Raducanu rehired coach Andrew Richardson after her US Open triumph, calling the decision "very difficult to say" was a mistake. Team Scotland named three more Olympians for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. ESPN's fantasy baseball guide offered lineup advice for Saturday's MLB slate, while the NCAA opened an investigation into Ole Miss football after Dabo Swinney accused Pete Golding of tampering. The WNBA's Fever received a warning over omitting Caitlin Clark from an injury report, and former Wales prop Rhys Thomas underwent a life-saving heart transplant in Cape Town. Former Commanders owner Dan Snyder put his home back on the market nearly three years after selling the team. Finally, ESPN previewed the 2026 college football season and the Indy 500, while Houston's Astros face three potential paths forward after a difficult season.