General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 15, 2026, 2:35 AM ET

WNBA

The Indiana Fever secured a crucial 98-87 victory over the short-handed Dallas Wings on Friday night, fueled by a spectacular 29-point performance from Caitlin Clark. Her duel with UConn star Paige Bueckers, who also scored 29 points, lived up to the hype. Meanwhile, the WNBA playoff race remains intensely tight, with time running out for several teams to secure their postseason berths. The Fever's win was a significant step, while the overall league standings show a battle for every seed. Coach Stephanie White of the Fever received strong support from her players after facing criticism and boos from fans, highlighting the pressure on coaches.

Golf

Scottie Scheffler continued his dominant performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, firing a 9-under 61 on Friday to tie the course record and take a three-stroke lead. His exceptional play, including birdying the first five holes, sets him up as a strong contender. The tournament, which marks the start of the FedEx Cup playoffs, features a field vying for spots in the Tour Championship. Tee times for the opening rounds have been released, with Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among the notable pairings. LIV Golf, meanwhile, is reportedly set to cancel its season-ending Team Championship, a move that could impact player schedules. Rory McIlroy expressed confidence in maintaining his PGA Tour status despite a limited number of starts.

College Football

As the 2026 college football season approaches, preseason rankings are being released, offering a glimpse into team strengths and potential contenders. Bill Connelly's SP+ rankings provide an analytical outlook, while ESPN's Preseason All-America team highlights top individual talent. The financial aspect of college football is also being examined, with insights into the earnings of Power 4 starters. In personnel news, Alabama running back AK Dear is expected to miss approximately six weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in a scrimmage. The tiered ranking of all 138 FBS teams offers a broad overview of the landscape, and the SEC's projections for 2026-27 suggest a competitive conference. Seth Trimble, a notable player, has transferred to Louisville from UNC, taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility. There is also discussion regarding the physical conditioning of college quarterbacks, with some questioning if players like Oklahoma's Mateer have gotten too big.

Fantasy Sports

Fantasy sports enthusiasts are gearing up for the upcoming seasons with expert advice and rankings. Matt Bowen has released his top fantasy football targets for the year, covering a range of draft picks. He also provides his analysis on tight end tiers, helping managers identify value. For fantasy baseball players, advice is available for setting Saturday's MLB lineups, including potential late-season trade targets in the Bronx.

Basketball

The Los Angeles Lakers' record $12.5 billion sale was a monumental transaction that occurred over a single weekend, leaving the NBA world stunned. The league is also preparing for the upcoming NBA Cup, with schedules and formats for the tournament now released. In a significant development for player recognition, the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, alongside Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, and Candace Parker, are being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, celebrating their impact on the sport.

Track and Field

At the European Athletics Championships, Great Britain's Amy Hunt secured her second gold medal, winning the 200m. She now aims for a historic quadruple. In the men's 200m breaststroke, British teenager Filip Nowacki claimed a dramatic gold medal. Keely Hodgkinson, a strong contender, settled for silver in the women's 800m, narrowly losing to Switzerland's Audrey Werro. Despite a fall, Werro advanced, and Hodgkinson ultimately secured her place in the final. Meanwhile, Katarina Johnson-Thompson is making her return to the heptathlon, expressing that injuries have hampered her progress. Ireland's Kate O'Connor also expressed "mixed emotions" after the first day of the heptathlon. Adam Ramsay-Peaty expressed confusion regarding his early exit from the 50m breaststroke at the same event. Matthew Hudson-Smith made history by winning the 400m gold on home soil, becoming one of the most decorated men at the European Championships.

Combat Sports

UFC 330 is set to feature two championship bouts, with Ian Machado Garry facing welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Garry, despite being heavily booed at the pre-fight press conference, expressed confidence in his chances. Makhachev, however, indicated that he "does not have much time left" in the UFC. Mackenzie Dern, the strawweight champion, credits her poker skills for developing her composure in the octagon.

Other Sports

Legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, a five-time College World Series champion, has passed away at the age of. In rugby, former Wales captain Jonathan Davies has called for the Welsh Rugby Union board to resign. The Ospreys have publicly rejected the WRU's plan to cut a professional team, advocating for four Welsh sides. In cricket, Tanzid Hasan Tamim became the first Bangladesh player to score a Test century in Australia. England has scrapped its midnight curfew for players, with a focus now on securing victories. Scotland secured a commanding 170-run victory over Canada in a World Cup League 2 match, with captain Richie Berrington and debutant Lyle Robertson starring. Moises Henriques is aiming to help Portugal qualify for their first T20 World Cup, calling it "cricket nirvana." In cycling, Welsh cyclist Finlay Tarling tragically died at the age of 19 following an accident during the Volta a Portugal. In American football, Efe Obada has retired from the NFL to pursue his "true calling." The Great Britain dressage team has qualified for the 2028 Olympics by winning silver at the FEI World Championships. In the Irish League, Larne carries the hopes for European qualification for Northern Ireland. Cardiff City's manager Brian Barry-Murphy is determined to prove doubters wrong about the team's relegation prospects. Swansea City has been dealt a significant blow with scans confirming centre-back Cameron Burgess has suffered a ruptured Achilles and is likely to miss the entire season. In The Hundred competition, Welsh Fire and MI London have been eliminated from contention after their final group matches, though Birmingham Phoenix, led by Ellyse Perry's 62 not out, secured a victory over MI London. The WRU's plans for professional teams are being contested by the Ospreys. The Great Britain women's flag football team has advanced as group winners, aiming to secure an Olympic spot. In a peculiar incident, a high school football player in Arkansas unknowingly wore a helmet containing a venomous snake for nearly an hour. The UK's sporting events are being affected by a solar eclipse, with some horse racing meetings starting earlier. In a unique coaching approach, Eddie Jones is using videos of geese to inspire the Japanese rugby team. The men's Super League saw Castleford Tigers overcome coaching issues to defeat Hull FC. In a somber event, boxer Prichard Colon, who suffered a severe brain injury in 2015, has died at the age of. The PLL is heading into its final week, with playoff berths on the line and potential No. 1 rankings for the Cannons and Waterdogs.