General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 7, 2026, 2:56 AM ET

WNBA: Aces Survive Fever in Thriller

Chelsea Gray delivered two buzzer-beating 3-pointers after Caitlin Clark's uncharacteristic miscues, the first forcing overtime and the second sealing a dramatic Aces win over the Fever on Thursday night. Two men were escorted from courtside seats at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the third quarter of the contest, adding an unusual subplot to the heated matchup. Clark said Thursday it is up to individuals to "speak when you feel like you want to speak" when addressing political issues, noting she is "trying to navigate life" as a 24-year-old.

USA Basketball's long-awaited youth movement is here as Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Aliyah Boston will make their first major international appearances next month. Seven teams look like WNBA playoff locks while the Mystics, Sparks, Mercury, Sky, Fire or Tempo battle for the No. 8 seed in a crowded race.

MLB Trade Deadline Fallout

Baseball insiders graded the biggest blockbusters and weighed in on which teams had the best deadline, with executives and scouts offering blunt assessments of the Skubal and Rutschman deals. The Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Mets and Phillies all made significant moves in a wild conclusion to trade season, and our analysts break down how each franchise really fared.

College Football Notebook

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick announced Thursday that his son, defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, is on medical leave and out indefinitely. New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland took a dig at rival Indiana, apparently forgetting the Hoosiers won the CFP national championship in January when he said "we are here to win championships." ESPN's schedule evaluation breaks down which teams face the toughest challenges and which have the easiest roads ahead this season. No one fuels fans' ire more than Lane Kiffin these days, but Ryan McGee ranks the biggest pot-stirrers of all time in his Supervillain Power Rankings.

Big Ten Preview

Every Big Ten team's ceiling and floor are examined across all 18 programs, from winning the national title to missing the tournament entirely.

Cricket: Hundred, Tests and Retirements

London Spirit became the first side eliminated from the men's Hundred after a six-wicket defeat by MI London at Lord's. England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum backs Harry Brook as a future Test captain but says Joe Root will do an "amazing job" in his second stint. Hampshire and England fast bowler John Turner has retired from cricket aged 25 after more than a year out injured. Test your cricket knowledge with our latest "Who am I?" Hundred star quiz.

Tennis: Gauff, Alcaraz

Coco Gauff said she supports "fairness in women's sports" but criticized how the WTA's gene testing creates "animosity towards the trans community." Carlos Alcaraz's wrist injury has kept him out for 114 days and counting, with BBC Sport analyzing why wrist injuries are so difficult to manage.

Cycling and Athletics

Kimberley Le Court won a sprint finish to seal victory in stage six of the Tour de France Femmes, as Swiss rider Marlen Reusser holds the overall lead. The European Athletics Championships in Birmingham run from 10-16 August with a full timetable and BBC coverage times available. London submitted its final bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with the London Stadium, built for the 2012 Olympics, as the proposed venue.

Rugby League and Moto GP

Wigan Warriors kicked off the new Super Four format of the Women's Super League with a thumping 44-6 win at St Helens. St Helens will face Hull FC in Dublin as part of a Super League double-header next April, the day after Warrington Wolves take on Wigan Warriors. The British Grand Prix will remain on the Moto GP calendar until at least 2028 as Silverstone extends its partnership with the series.

The Ocho and T-Rex Races

ESPN's 75-hour Ocho tradition showcases obscure competitions from T. rex races and pumpkin tossing to death diving and sign spinning, a decade after a "Dodge Ball" joke started it all. Hundreds of competitors are poised to take the turf at Emerald Downs this year, honoring a tradition that began as a team-bonding experience.

Poker, Curling and Fantasy

Lucas Jumalon, a 22-year-old poker pro from Spokane, Washington, beat Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up to win the 2026 World Series of Poker main event and $10 million, becoming the second-youngest winner ever. Winter Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead has revoked her retirement, saying being Team GB's chef de mission at this year's Games inspired her return after four years away. Eric Karabell's annual "Do Not Draft" list is back, highlighting players going earlier than they should in fantasy drafts this summer.

Soccer

Swansea City chief executive Tom Gorringe says the club is now on track to compete for a return to the Premier League with foundations in place. The Irish Premiership 2026-27 season has arrived after a summer of transfers and preparation, with the big question being who can stop Larne.