General Sports 24-Hour Briefing

Last updated: October 17, 2026, 10:40 PM ET

WNBA Finals

Golden State held court to take a 1-0 lead over the Atlanta Dream, winning 68-64 in Game. Gabby Williams led the way with 26 points and late free throws to hold off the Dream.

College Football

Auburn stunned No. 1 Georgia after a costly Stockton fumble, with QB Byrum Brown's running game driving the upset. Ohio State survived Indiana after a fourth-down misstep by Nick Marsh, while Indiana ended its long run of moral victories. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the Longhorns will evaluate everything after the loss to Florida, which will start Tramell Jones Jr. at quarterback to snap a two-game slide. Ohio State will be without Julian Sayin for several weeks with a shoulder injury. Coastal Carolina's throwback look topped the Week 7 uniform rankings, and Connelly's breakdown highlights Notre Dame's test at BYU. ESPN has reached a handshake agreement to broadcast a 24-team College Football Playoff, though some observers question whether expansion is the right move.

Boxing

Daniel Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Fabio Wardley, their second meeting in five months.

Rugby Union

Munster beat Racing 92 33-25 in their Champions Cup opener, while Connacht stunned Saracens with a seven-try win. Leinster cruised past Clermont 48-23, Glasgow picked up a bonus-point win at Sale, and Ulster secured a bonus point against Zebre. Montpellier beat Bath 32-14, and Stormers beat Bristol 49-12. Scarlets thrashed Newcastle 47-14, though fly-half Sam Costelow was injured, a worry for Wales. Ospreys opened their Challenge Cup campaign with a bonus-point win in Georgia. Tributes were paid to Hyron Andrews before Champions Cup matches.

Rugby League

England crushed Wales 70-6 in the Women's Rugby League World Cup opener, but Brian McDermott says England's men must fix errors after the Tonga loss.

Women's Rugby & Cycling

Australia sent Scotland to an eighth straight defeat with an eight-try win, while Canada ended England's 41-match unbeaten run in Toronto. Britain's Anna Morris completed a hat-trick of golds at the Track Cycling World Championships.

Tennis & Golf

Sonay Kartal beat Jelena Ostapenko to reach the Wuhan Open final. Alexander Zverev said he had overachieved by reaching the Shanghai Masters semi-finals. Eugenio Chacarra extended his lead at the DP World India Championship as Rory McIlroy faded before play was halted. Billy Loughnane became the youngest champion jockey since 1923.

Gymnastics & Soccer

The U.S. women's gymnastics team lost Rivera to an ankle injury ahead of the world championships. Four clubs reached the FA Cup first round for the first time.

Coming Up

Dubois and Wardley's heavyweight rematch takes place Saturday. The WNBA Finals continue with the Valkyries and Dream battling for the title.