General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 8, 2026, 3:33 AM ET

WNBA

Caitlin Clark already owns the most 20‑point, 10‑assist games in WNBA history, and her game continues to evolve in Year. In Thursday’s thriller, Chelsea Gray hit two buzzer‑beating 3‑pointers — the first to force overtime, the second to seal the win — after Clark’s uncharacteristic mistakes. Two men were escorted from courtside seats during the third quarter. Meanwhile, the WNBPA released a statement emphasizing inclusion in the transgender athlete debate, saying the organization “will not be used as political pawns.”

College Sports

Dan Hurley warned that coaches using recent court rulings to make late additions to programs are doing more harm than good. A deep dive into college football’s villains profiles the most hated figures for every Power 4 team, while another piece ranks the all‑time villains with Lane Kiffin topping the list. New Purdue AD Tommy McClelland apologized for an attempted one‑liner at Indiana, calling it a mistake “the second it left my mouth.” Offensive lineman Cole Hutson returned to Texas after minicamps with the Browns and Cowboys, regaining a fifth year of eligibility.

MLB

Our panel of insiders graded the biggest blockbusters from the trade deadline, including deals involving Skubal and Rutschman. A separate assessment tracks each club’s readiness since the deadline and for all 30 teams.

NFL

The 2027 NFL draft No. 1 pick could be a quarterback like Dante Moore or Arch Manning, but Dylan Stewart and Jeremiah Smith are also candidates. Jahmyr Gibbs’ $67.5M extension is part of a flurry of deals reshaping the 2026 preseason; Seth Walder ranked the 10 most notable moves. Fantasy managers should consult the full “Do Not Draft” list, with Eric Karabell identifying overvalued players. The story of how Larry Fitzgerald went from fired ball boy to Hall of Famer highlights the Vikings’ rehiring him to work with receivers.

Cricket

Tom Lammonby scored a brilliant ton to keep Somerset’s One‑Day Cup hopes alive with a thumping win over Surrey. Luc Benkenstein smashed 140 for Essex to edge Glamorgan despite Timm van der Gugten’s 118 not out. Rashid Khan took six wickets as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 92 runs in Gary Wilson’s first ODI as head coach. Scotland held on for a nervy nine‑run victory over Canada to reach the World Cup Qualifier. Jos Buttler credited a chat with England batting coach Marcus Trescothick for rediscovering his form and passing the all‑time T20 run‑scoring record. Andrew Flintoff stepped down as England Lions head coach. England opener Emilio Gay injured his shoulder while playing for Durham in the One‑Day Cup.

Soccer & Cycling

Matthias Jaissle will take charge of his first friendly as Newcastle United head coach against Valencia, marking a new era. BBC Sport NI agreed a three‑year broadcast deal with the Irish FA to continue free‑to‑air coverage of international and domestic football. In cycling, Katarzyna Niewiadoma‑Phinney produced a thrilling solo ride to the summit of Mont Ventoux to win a Tour de France Femmes stage and claim the overall lead.

Combat & Other

Conor McGregor reiterated his desire to return to fighting after undergoing knee surgery. Claressa Shields said her fight with Lauren Price is now likely in 2027. The PLL has four games and one WLL contest on tap for Throwback Weekend in Boston. Slippery Stairs remains a classic Ocho event, with a firsthand account of its difficulty. The Mascot Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes Mrs. Met and Goldy. The WSOP final table delivered engaging personalities, but the Hall of Fame process drew criticism for inducting only one player. Hannah French thanked medical staff after recovering from an ACL in time for the Hockey World Cup.