General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 8:56 AM ET

Motorsports & Racing

The motorsports world reeled from the death of Kyle Busch, the most accomplished driver in NASCAR history, who passed away at 41 after being hospitalized with a severe illness that forced him to miss Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 Busch dies at 41. Busch won more races across NASCAR's three series than any other driver and was a two-time Cup Series champion whose 41-year life embodied the sport's highs and lows Busch's racing legacy. His passing came just days after Kevin Harvick was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that began under a cloud but matured into a celebrated broadcast tenure Harvick Hall of Fame induction. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis 500 prepared for its 110th running with Caitlin Clark named Grand Marshal, adding the Fever star's profile to an already star-studded Memorial Day weekend that will also feature the viral Wienie 500 on Friday Clark named Grand Marshal.

NBA Playoffs & Roster Moves

The NBA playoffs delivered dramatic turns. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder tied their series against the San Antonio Spurs, erasing an early deficit and showcasing the championship-caliber roster Sam Presti assembled by prioritizing fit over flash — signing Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso as complementary pieces that leveled up the Thunder's depth Presti's fit-over-flash philosophy. The Thunder's culture of optimizing for player happiness has produced a roster that is favored to repeat, a theme ESPN explored in a weeklong look at OKC's basketball utopia Thunder's happy culture. In the East, the Knicks surged 18 points to open a 109-93 victory over Cleveland and seize a 2-0 series lead. Victor Wembanyama continued his historic run, defying conventional wisdom about the importance of playoff experience as the Spurs chase a deep postseason run Wembanyama defying age conventions. Off the court, Caitlin Clark was a late scratch for the Fever with back soreness, prompting a warning from league officials about her omission from the injury report Clark injury report omission. Rueben Chinyelu chose to return to Florida for his senior season after removing his name from the draft Chinyelu returns to Gators, while Kam Mercer, a top-10 sophomore, committed to Cincinnati and plans to reclassify into the 2027 class Mercer commits to Cincy.

College Baseball & the Transfer Portal

College baseball surged into the spotlight as Georgia's Diamond Dogs lean on historic home-run power in their pursuit of a national title, while Kansas has rebuilt itself into a top program by scouring the junior college ranks for overlooked talent Georgia's home-run prowess. The week also saw 18 draft-eligible players weigh stay-or-go decisions, with Chinyelu's return and Morez Johnson Jr. keeping his name in the draft among the moves that could reshape the 2026-27 season Draft withdrawal decisions. At the professional level, LSU welcomed Ed Orgeron back as a special assistant on Lane Kiffin's staff, linking the 2019 national championship coach to the program's defensive recruiting Orgeron returns to LSU, while RJ Luis committed to LSU despite questions around his eligibility after a season spent on two-way contracts Luis commits to LSU. A $10 million donation from the founder of a major daily fantasy sports company will bolster the University of Georgia men's basketball program DFS founder donation, and the Big Ten commissioner defended a 24-team College Football Playoff model while making clear the league has no interest in a smaller field Petitti backs 24-team CFP.

European Cycling & Tennis

The Giro d'Italia produced another stage of surprises as Filippo Ganna dominated the stage 10 time trial with a margin approaching two minutes, while Ecuador's Jhonatan Narvaez claimed stage 11 and Belgian Alec Segaert took his first Grand Tour stage to keep teammate Afonso Eulalio in the overall lead. In tennis, Jannik Sinner opened his career Grand Slam bid at the French Open with a first-round draw against French wildcard Clement Tabur, while Britain's Toby Samuel reached the main draw after defeating David Goffin in qualifying — one win away from his first Grand Slam singles appearance Samuel's qualifying run. Emma Raducanu drew a tricky first-round opponent in Argentine clay specialist Solano Sierra, and players including Novak Djokovic plan to limit pre-tournament media commitments to 15 minutes in protest over prize money, which the French Open declined to adjust for the second consecutive year French Open prize money standoff. Aaron Rai reflected on the advice his wife gave him before the round that won him the US PGA Championship Rai's winning advice.

Rugby & Multi-Sport

Ulster prepared for Friday's Challenge Cup final against Montpellier with fit-again winger Robert Baloucoune in the starting lineup Baloucoune starts final, while head coach Richie Murphy demanded his players "fight with everything they have got" to end a 20-year trophy drought Murphy's final call. James Hume said Ulster's squad is "embracing" the chance to make history Hume embraces silverware, though a quartet of stars including Iain Henderson will miss the match but still contribute from the sidelines Missing Ulster quartet. Former Wales and Lions centre Arthur Lewis, a member of the 1971 Grand Slam team, died at 84 Lewis dies aged 84. In women's rugby, England captain Zoe Stratford and World Cup winner Tatyana Heard will leave