General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: July 1, 2026, 5:31 AM ET

WNBA

The New York Liberty have secured their second consecutive WNBA Commissioner's Cup title, defeating the Las Vegas Aces 93-85 on Tuesday night. Sabrina Ionescu led the Liberty with 26 points, while Breanna Stewart added. The victory makes the Liberty the first team in league history to win the Commissioner's Cup twice. However, the Aces' bid for a repeat was hampered by the absence of star center A'ja Wilson, who was ruled out due to a right leg injury Wilson (ankle) out. In other WNBA news, free agent forward Dean Wade has agreed to a four-year, $39 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers Sixers land Wade.

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas has revealed she has received death threats and racist abuse following an incident with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Thomas stated the abuse has been severe, including threats to her life Thomas got death threats. Meanwhile, fantasy basketball managers should consider adding free agents like Kristine Anigwe and Beatrice Mompremier to their lineups this week Fantasy free agents.

Tennis

Serena Williams made her singles return to Wimbledon after nearly four years, but fell in a three-set thriller to Australia's Maya Joint in the opening round. Williams, lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to the 20-year-old Joint Williams falls short. British hope Katie Swan advanced to the second round, becoming the first Briton to do so this year, while Katie Boulter was eliminated by a qualifier Swan through Boulter falls. Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, overcame a scare in her first-round match, eventually defeating Taylor Townsend in three sets Swiatek overcomes scare.

Marcus Willis, known for his improbable match against Roger Federer a decade ago, is back at Wimbledon, asserting that the experience does not define his career Cult hero back. Elsewhere at Wimbledon, Grigor Dimitrov secured a winning return after a difficult exit last year Dimitrov makes return. Fourth-seeded Ben Shelton was a notable casualty, falling in the first round to Finland's Otto Virtanen Shelton stunned. Arthur Fery also advanced after a controversial moment with his opponent Damir Dzumhur, who accused Fery of dishonesty Fery uses 'dishonesty' row.

Boxing

Briton Moses Itauma has been ordered to begin negotiations for a fight against Cuba's Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF heavyweight title Itauma ordered to talks. In divisional rankings, Jaron Ennis has climbed to the top of the junior middleweight division following his victory over Xander Zayas Ennis claims top spot. Tyson Fury is scheduled to fight Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24 as a warm-up for a potential bout against Anthony Joshua Fury fight Wach.

Soccer

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino described Wednesday's round-of-32 match against Bosnia-Herzegovina as akin to a "World Cup final" for his team Pochettino: WC 'final'. Brazil's veteran squad narrowly avoided a shock by defeating Japan 2-1 to reach the round of 16 in the World Cup Brazil avoid World Cup. The unique cultural impact of the World Cup is evident in Woodburn, Oregon, which has become a significant hub for Mexican soccer Oregon town's soccer stronghold. Ronald Koeman has stepped down as head coach of the Netherlands following their World Cup exit Koeman quits Netherlands.

Other Sports

The Supreme Court has upheld state laws that permit, but do not mandate, the banning of transgender girls and women from participating in school sports based on safety and fairness concerns SCOTUS upholds bans. The ruling follows previous discussions on the implications for transgender athletes FAQ: SCOTUS ruling.

In rugby, the takeover of Exeter Chiefs by the owners of AFC Bournemouth has been completed Exeter's takeover completed. Wales will be without lock Dafydd Jenkins for their summer Tests due to injury Jenkins out for Wales, while former full-back Leigh Halfpenny will join the coaching staff as an interim kicking coach Halfpenny joins coaching. Scarlets have confirmed Nigel Davies as their new head coach on a two-year deal Scarlets confirm Davies.

England is playing their best cricket in years, according to former spinner Alex Hartley, who expressed high confidence in their chances for the T20 World Cup semi-final England playing best cricket. Australia's Ellyse Perry sustained an injury scare during their T20 World Cup semi-final win over the West Indies, though the team ultimately prevailed Perry gives Australia scare.

The legacy of Russian figure skater Artur Dmitriev, the first to win Olympic gold with two different partners, is being remembered following his death at age 58 Russian skater dies. In a nod to daredevils and risk-takers, ESPN's America 250 road trip series continues to explore figures who push boundaries America 250 road trip.