General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: July 18, 2026, 8:31 AM ET

WNBA Action Heats Up

Caitlin Clark with a remarkable 45-point, 10-assist performance, leading the Indiana Fever to a victory over the Seattle Storm. Clark's historic outing saw her become the first player in league history to achieve over 40 points and 10 assists in a single game. Despite this stellar performance, Clark later expressed frustration over a missed call, stating it contributed to her playing with a leg contusion during the Fever's 88-75 loss to the Valkyries. The Indiana Fever, however, are, moving up to No. 4 in the WNBA Power Rankings, fueled by Kelsey Mitchell's sixth consecutive game with 25 points or more. In other WNBA news, NBA commissioner Adam Silver commented that the debate surrounding Caitlin Clark is "not largely about officiating," suggesting it's a more complex issue that goes beyond calls. The WNBA All-Star draft also saw general managers Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper about team competitiveness. A fan was fired for allegedly sending a racist message to Aces guard Chelsea Gray on social media, prompting an investigation.

Golf's Major Championship and Rising Stars

The 154th Open Championship emerge after the first round, with Jackson Suber, who had never been to Europe before, topping the leaderboard at Royal Birkdale. Home favorite Tommy Fleetwood as Robert Mac Intyre quietly moved into contention. Mac Intyre later described his opening round 67 as "exactly" what he wanted, emphasizing patience as a key factor in staying in the hunt for the Open title. Rory McIlroy admitted "too many stupid mistakes" hampered his opening round, resulting in a rollercoaster 72 that left him seven shots off the pace, though he later bounced back with a 3-under 67 in the second round to move to 1 under par overall and make the cut. England's Dan Brown at the Open, but apologized to his mother for smoking during the first round. Jon Rahm received a code-of-conduct warning for throwing his club after a poor tee shot, while Bryson DeChambeau was assessed a two-stroke penalty for an infraction on the fifth hole. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recovered from an errant shot to post a 2-under 68 in his first round. Experts are already with picks and betting advice available for the 2026 Open Championship. Meanwhile, Wales is with no Welsh player competing in the Open Championship for the third consecutive year.

College Football Recruiting and Team Outlooks

The landscape of college football recruiting is being reshaped with an eye on future talent, as rankings are being released for the top 25 college football recruits, including underclassmen. Cooper Flagg, a highly touted prospect, has, with at least one collector believing it could fetch $5 million. In a significant local commitment, WR Monshun Sales, a top-20 overall recruit and five-star receiver in the 2027 cycle, has committed to Indiana, becoming the highest-rated recruit in the program's history. Texas and coach Schaefer have, the No. 13 player and second-ranked post in the 2027 class, to kick off their recruiting efforts. USC's incoming quarterback Darian Mensah cited the success of Cam Ward and Carson Beck as a "huge factor" in his transfer from Duke to Miami to join the Hurricanes. NC State coach CJ Bailey believes his quarterback, CJ Bailey, could be the heading into the 2026 season. The ACC has for its football championship game, aimed at ensuring the two best teams feature in the contest. Coach Bill Belichick expressed optimism about North Carolina's football program, stating they are "way ahead" of where they were a year ago. Lingering questions surround top college football teams regarding new coaches and unproven players that could.

Rugby Union and International Competitions

Ireland has after a six-try defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park, marking their sixth consecutive loss against the All Blacks, France, and South Africa. Scotland flanker Hamish Watson has signed with Castres following his departure from Edinburgh. Wales is preparing to, facing a nation known for its consistent production of international-class players in Durban. Scotland's rugby team, under Gregor Townsend, is ready for another potential "try-fest" against Fiji on Saturday, with 14 changes to the squad remembering Scott Hastings. England will face Argentina with an unchanged starting XV, while fresh caps Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori are on the bench. Former Bristol lock Chris Vui has been left "devastated" by a doping ban that will keep him out until July 2027. Rugby union is reportedly "booming" in Argentina, according to Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi. Scarlets have from the Hurricanes. Wales captain Dewi Lake has recovered from an injury scare to be named for their Nations Championship match against South Africa in Durban. Former Galway All-Ireland winning captain David Burke emphasizes the importance of a "good start" for his team against Limerick if they are to win their first title since 2017. Swansea City midfielder Goncalo Franco faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ankle ligament injury that could keep him out for three months. Rivals Cardiff and Ospreys have agreed to a move for promising fly-half Harri Wilde for the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship season as he transfers to Ospreys.

Other Sports News and Noteworthy Events

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren is set to compete in a wrestling match on Saturday, marking a remarkable recovery a year after he nearly died. The inclusion of an owner's family on the Stanley Cup has been criticized, with the decision described as devaluing the trophy. World Cup winners will now receive championship rings in addition to the traditional trophy and gold medals for their victory. Lionel Messi stated that Argentina's semifinal win over England was most meaningful to their fans, after setting up two goals in the dying minutes to secure a 2-1 victory and a spot in the final against Spain. The World Cricketers' Association has expressed "concern" regarding changes made to the structure of the men's 50-over World Cup format. Female tennis players received 12,000 abusive posts in 2025, according to a new report on online abuse. French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan's ban for match-fixing has been extended to three years following an unsuccessful appeal by the ITIA. Wales' Jak Jones secured his first professional title after a 16-year wait, defeating David Gilbert 3-2 in the Championship League final. Sir Garfield Sobers, who has died aged, is being remembered as arguably the best all-rounder in the history of cricket. New guidelines have been issued to broadcasters on using more respectful camera angles when covering live female athletics events.