General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: August 25, 2026, 4:31 AM ET

WNBA

Angel Reese set a WNBA record with 26 rebounds in the Dream's 78-71 win over the Sparks on Monday, surpassing the league's single-season mark in the same game. The rookie capped a historic night as Atlanta continues its playoff push.

The Lynx believe this is the year they win Minnesota's first title in nine years, with Napheesa Collier back from multiple injuries and peaking at the right time. Meanwhile, the Mercury and DeWanna Bonner agreed to a contract buyout, allowing the six-time All-Star to sign with a playoff contender once she clears waivers.

The WNBA has ruled Enes Kanter Freedom ineligible to play, though multiple sources say the league hasn't announced arena bans. Ukrainian center Kate Koval is leaving LSU less than two weeks after the Tigers brought in a Russian player, a departure that has stunned the college basketball community.

Cricket

England pace bowler Brydon Carse has been dropped from the squad for the second Test against Pakistan amid an ongoing investigation into a nightclub incident that led to his brief arrest. Michael Vaughan said a punishment to send a shiver down the whole team may be needed after Carse became the latest England cricketer involved in a drinking controversy.

England's World Cup hopes ended after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, eliminating them from contention. The result marks a devastating conclusion to a campaign that promised so much on the global stage.

In other cricket news, former world snooker champion Graeme Dott was found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards children in a case that shocked the sport, with the former champion now facing sentencing.

Tennis

Roger Federer, who won five straight US Open titles during his dominance, is set to play again at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night for the first time since 2019 in an exhibition. The 45-year-old said he looks forward to walking on the court in front of the New York crowd.

Alex Eala made her US Open debut with little expectation, but now she returns as a top-20 contender with expectations of a deep run. Bianca Andreescu is back after seven years, fighting through hard-fought setbacks to earn her spot in the main draw.

In qualifying, Heather Watson advanced in the first round of US Open qualifying as she bids for a first New York main-draw appearance in five years. Williams pledged to show a different version of herself this year.

College Football

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel named true freshman Faizon Brandon as the Volunteers' starting quarterback after he beat out George Mac Intyre for the job. The decision caps a hotly contested competition throughout fall camp.

The NCAA's well-intentioned "five for five" decision made going from the NFL back to college inevitable, writes journalist Dave Wetzel, arguing the waiver wire has become the new national signing day in a critique of policy failures. The SEC issued a statement emphasizing that pro athletes who leave and sign should not return, as LSU and other schools face eligibility questions.

Ole Miss' NIL collective executive director said the FBI searched the Rebels football office for recording devices after Lane Kiffin left for rival LSU, in a bug-sweep investigation that has raised security concerns across the league.

Rugby League & Football

Eamonn McManus says the NRL and Super League need to work together, not against each other, in order to grow rugby league globally, insisting Super League is not a dead carcass to be picked at. The St Helens chairman called for unity to strengthen the sport's future.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says it is "particularly pleasing" to name seven uncapped players to the WXV Global Series squad who impressed in the Women's Championship. The new players will have their first taste of high-level international rugby.

South Africa have dropped Feinberg-Mngomezulu to the bench for the All Blacks rematch, after an indifferent showing in the series opener, as the fly-half faces a test of character. The decision caps a huge comeback for the Springboks' coaching staff.

Football (Soccer)

David Healy was backed by Linfield chairman Roy McGivern, who said the manager was "absolutely right" to call out the "personal" and "vile" abuse directed toward him in recent weeks. The chairman's statement came after Healy stood his ground against what he called a relentless attack.

Olympic Sports

Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy told BBC Scotland he advocates for systematic prostate cancer screening, saying the onus to encourage men to get tested for prostate cancer should not fall solely on high-profile figures like him. His plea highlights a gap in the healthcare system.

Golf

Club golfer Allan Harrison, former foursomes partner of Tommy Fleetwood, defied astronomical birdie odds to card eight birdies across just nine holes, a statistically estimated one in 322 billion chance. Meanwhile, LIV Golf's 2026 season wrapped up in Indianapolis, with the future of the league still unclear as new financing plans are being workshopped.

Boxing

Four arrests have been made over the murder of two-time world champion Zolani Tete, with one suspect due in court on Monday on murder charges. The case alleges a coordinated attack.

All the key details for the Moses Itauma v Filip Hrgovic and Mikaela Mayer v Chantelle Cameron contests you need to see ahead of Saturday's fights.

Athletics

Keely Hodgkinson has withdrawn from the women's 800m at Thursday's Zurich Diamond League, saying her "body is not quite ready" for the race. The Olympic medalist will rest with a focus on full recovery.

Cycling

The third stage of the Vuelta a Espana was abandoned due to hail in the Pyrenees, with severe weather forcing organisers to cancel the route. No serious injuries have been announced. The stage would have been a key battleground for the general classification.

Rowing

Olympic champion Imogen Grant faces a new challenge as lightweight rowing has been removed from the 2028 Los Angeles calendar, so instead of cutting weight to compete, she must now gain weight for a new event, as documented by the BBC. The athlete is rebuilding her body entirely for a change of direction.

College Football

Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams had a sophomore slump plagued by drops and fatigue of confidence, but he carries determination to reclaim his freshman form as a key story for the Crimson Tide. Fans hope his resilience will pay off this season.