General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 22, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
WNBA Finals
The Dream took a 2-1 series lead espn.com after a 97-71 Game 3 win, with Angel Reese posting another double-double as Atlanta rolled. The margin was 26 points espn.com over the Valkyries, a result that reflects how completely the Dream controlled the series. Several players are finally getting noticed on the sport's biggest stage, as six breakout performers espn.com step into the spotlight. Atlanta's run traces back to a World Cup training camp in Boca espn.com, where the team's preparation took shape. Off the court, Enes Kanter Freedom was denied entry to Game 3 espn.com after refusing a suite offered by the club.
College Basketball
Kansas fans crossed a line espn.com, according to coach Bill Self, after profanity was aimed at former Jayhawk Flory Bidunga during his return with Louisville. Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins revealed a progressive cognitive condition espn.com. Preseason honors were also handed out, with Florida's Thomas Haugh and Michigan State's Jeremy Fears Jr. near-unanimous picks espn.com for All-America status. Jay Bilas named his top players espn.com to watch, while analysts also predicted the conference player of the year espn.com across all 32 leagues.
NBA
Opening night brought surprises, with Brian Windhorst noting that LeBron was moved to center espn.com as Philadelphia won on the road. Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he lost all respect espn.com for Luka Doncic after a testy matchup.
College Football
Maryland fired Mike Locksley espn.com after a 12-game Big Ten slide, and the program has begun weighing its top candidates espn.com. Week 7 upsets reshaped the landscape, with several top programs landing in the Bottom 10 espn.com. The playoff picture is wide open at midseason, as the bubble watch espn.com and updated bowl projections espn.com make clear. Kentucky's Will Stein has the Wildcats in the playoff conversation in his first season, and Oklahoma's offensive coordinator backed quarterback John Mateer espn.com despite recent turnovers. Pamela Maldonado broke down the Texas-Ole Miss matchup espn.com, focusing on Trinidad Chambliss. Fantasy and matchup analysts also reshuffled their rankings espn.com for the week's games.
Golf & Motorsport
Louis Oosthuizen left LIV Golf espn.com for the DP World Tour, saying he will return to the European circuit. Formula 1 will return to standard race distances bbc.co.uk in 2028.
Cricket
Australia face defeat in the second Test against South Africa after being dismissed for 99 bbc.co.uk in Gqeberha, with players described as playing for their careers. Lord's dug up one of its pitches bbc.co.uk for the first time after years of debate. Jamie Overton said he would consider an Ashes return bbc.co.uk if Joe Root asks.
Rugby
Saracens are in talks to extend Maro Itoje bbc.co.uk as Top 14 clubs circle. Ciaran Frawley's strong start at Connacht has raised the question of whether he could earn an Ireland fly-half start bbc.co.uk. Ulster duo Jamie Benson and James McNabney earned first Ireland call-ups bbc.co.uk. Jasmin Strange is ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup bbc.co.uk with a knee injury. Ellie Kildunne has been dropped to the bench bbc.co.uk as England make changes for their match against Canada.
Other Sport
Cliftonville manager Brendan Lynch said being stripped of the Women's League Cup bbc.co.uk is not comparable to Manchester City's situation. Katie Boulter reached the Japan Open quarter-finals bbc.co.uk with a quick win. Former Sale player Hyron Andrews died of a tear in an artery bbc.co.uk around the heart, an autopsy found. Beth Dobbin wrote to the Prime Minister bbc.co.uk urging ME research funding. Dr Anna Morris's medical career remains on pause bbc.co.uk for 2028. Archie Goodburn will deliver the match ball bbc.co.uk for Scotland v Australia. Phil Vickery has taken up bodybuilding at 50 bbc.co.uk after his World Cup-winning rugby career. MVP urged MMA fighters to unionise bbc.co.uk over pay, and Alexander Volkanovski said he is not scared of retirement or fighting at 40 espn.com. Mark Allen spoke about a mental health clinic stay bbc.co.uk as he works toward a return.
Coming Up
The Dream face the Valkyries espn.com with a chance to take the WNBA Finals series lead. Maryland's coaching search continues espn.com as the Terps weigh their options.