Team USA is off to a hot start, tipping off its 2026 FIBA World Cup campaign with a dominant 94-61 win in this morning's USA Basketball vs China showdown to take an early lead in Group D.
Caitlin Clark notched a 14-point, 11-assist double-double in her World Cup debut, backed by 14 points a piece from fellow first-time guards Paige Bueckers and Rhyne Howard.
“I think the young and turnt group, they did really well,” said veteran forward Breanna Stewart. “They took what they wanted, they were the aggressors, they were confident.”
The US win headlines a busy opening day, as Australia beat Puerto Rico 70-54, Japan edged Mali 102-97, and South Korea topped Nigeria 99-81.
WNBA talent will be on display as games continue today, with Spain’s Awa Fam taking on Germany’s Niara Sabally before star-studded France closes out the slate against Hungary.
Clark and co. have a quick turnaround, as the US gears up for a Sunday afternoon date with Italy after the Italians open their run against Czechia.
Tune in: 2026 FIBA World Cup coverage continues through the weekend (TNT).
Elena Rybakina moved one step closer to a potential world No. 1 ranking Thursday, beating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of the 2026 US Open.
Elena Rybakina Withstands Wobble to beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
The No. 2 seed controlled the match from the opening game, racing through the first set in under 30 minutes. She carried that momentum into the second, building a 5-3 lead before Bouzas Maneiro broke to pull within a game.
It was the first service game Rybakina had dropped in Queens. But she quickly recovered, breaking right back to close it out.
Rybakina Says She's Confident Ahead of 2026 US Open 3rd Round
After the match, Rybakina said she was "very proud" of her level through two rounds despite limited preparation coming in.
The 2026 Australian Open and 2022 Wimbledon champion entered New York with questions about her fitness after a quarterfinal injury retirement in Cincinnati. So far, she's answered them. Three more wins would push her ahead of Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA rankings.
First, though, she'll face a familiar test. Yuliia Starodubtseva, the Ukrainian who upset her in the second round at Roland Garros earlier this year, awaits in the third round.
The 2026 US Open is off to the races, with Sunday’s main-draw kickoff delivering few surprises as top-ranked WTA stars cruised through the Grand Slam’s first round.
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula notched a straight-sets win over Elena-Gabriela Ruse. No. 9 Elina Svitolina and No. 11 Marta Kostyuk also advanced to Round 2.
“It is a little bit weird,” Pegula said of her early US Open start. “But I did kind of enjoy that I could breathe for the next couple of days. And everyone else is still freaking out about whether they’re going to win their first round.”
Sunday’s rainfall caused major delays. Tennis legend Venus Williams saw her 26th US Open cut short after falling to wildcard Sofia Kenin 6-2, 7-6 (6) well past midnight.
Mixed doubles champion No. 7 Karolína Muchová opens her singles run today. Additionally, No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 8 Iga Świątek, No. 10 Amanda Anisimova, and No. 13 Naomi Osaka top the Monday lineup. No. 4 Coco Gauff, No. 2 Elena Rybakina, No. 5 Mira Andreeva, and No. 17 Alexandra Eala subsequently headline tomorrow’s slate.
“Expectations are high. US Open can be the one you feel the most pressure at, just being an American you want to succeed,” Gauff said this week. “I just try to enjoy each and every single time I’m out here.”
US Open coverage continues today at 11 AM ET (ESPN).
No. 9 Denver is making late-season moves, as Saturday’s 6-1 rout of No. 16 Chicago boosted the Summit to within four points of playoff contention.
Five different Denver scorers found the back of the net, led by forward Melissa Kössler’s fifth and sixths tallies of the year.
The 2026 expansion team claimed the NWSL’s first six-goal result this season in the win, while also setting its own single-season record.
The Summit is attempting to become the first NWSL club to make the playoffs in its inaugural season since the 2022 San Diego Wave.
The team saw a boost from marquee signing Lindsey Heaps, as the midfielder returned from a knee injury after sitting out four matches.
“It was my first time on the bench with her, and she was 50% coach, 50% super fan,” coach Nick Cushing said of the USWNT captain. “She showed me she has a real love and passion for this club.”
Denver puts its momentum to the test on Sunday, hosting No. 1 Gotham at 2 PM ET (CBS).
No. 8 New York is struggling to stack wins after last night's 79-60 Valkyries vs Liberty loss. The team is subsequently sliding down the WNBA standings as the league prepares to pause for the 2026 FIBA World Cup.
The Liberty suffered a season sweep at the hands of No. 2 Golden State. It marks New York’s second dropped result in three games.
“It was definitely a disappointing one because I feel like today was a bit of a step backwards,” said guard Rebecca Allen.
Thursday’s loss showcased a wealth of World Cup talent. Nine Berlin-bound players took the court in Brooklyn.
New York’s Breanna Stewart (USA), Pauline Astier (France), Marine Johannès (France), Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Han Xu (China), Alex Fowler (Australia), and Marine Fauthoux (France) squared off against Valkyries Janelle Salaün (France) and Gabby Williams (France). The squads put in their second-to-last effort on US soil before next week’s international tipoff.
New York has one last chance to bounce back before the break, taking on eliminated No. 12 Chicago on Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS).
US Open mixed doubles kicked off with a bang yesterday, as legend Serena Williams and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka headlined the revamped two-day event.
In her first competitive return to Arthur Ashe since 2022, Williams and partner Carlos Alcaraz notched a first-round win over Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool. However, they later fell in the quarterfinals to Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli.
“It’s always amazing to be here. I never expected to be back on this court,” Williams said afterwards. “It was just a really cool moment. I never thought this would happen.”
Sabalenka’s run also ended early. She and Novak Djokovic dropped a three-setter to Kateřina Siniaková and Henry Patten despite entering as the No. 1 seed.
Elina Svitolina and husband Gaël Monfils were the showcase’s big surprise, riding a wildcard into today’s semifinals alongside Top 10 singles players Mirra Andreeva and Karolína Muchová.
US Open mixed doubles wraps up tonight starting at 7 PM ET (ESPN).
No. 8 Dallas punched its ticket, clinching the WNBA’s final playoff berth with last night’s 96-78 rout of No. 9 Portland — ending a postseason drought dating to 2023.
Paige Bueckers notched a 22-point, 11-assist double-double, leading a balanced attack that saw all five Dallas starters reach double-digit scoring.
The Wings took a 50-37 halftime lead before sealing the deal with a 15-4 third-quarter burst, officially eliminating the Fire from playoff contention.
Despite losing No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd to a season-ending knee injury, the 23-16 Wings have already logged their highest wins total since moving to Dallas in 2016.
They now sit two games below fifth place as the race to secure playoff seeding tightens with five regular-season games to go.
“It means a lot, just in terms of all we’ve overcome throughout this season,” Bueckers said postgame. “We want to keep building and don’t want to get complacent.”
Dallas looks to improve its record against No. 14 Connecticut on Sunday at 8:30 PM ET (WNBA League Pass).
No. 2 Golden State is riding high, after last night’s franchise-first 80-66 win over No. 1 Minnesota. The Valkyries vs Lynx win denied Minnesota its first chance to clinch top playoff seeding.
The Valkyries brought the defensive heat, limiting Minnesota to just 66 points while allowing only two Lynx players to crack double-digit scoring.
“This is a huge leap for us,” said Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase. “Trying to prepare to be at our best for the playoffs.”
Minnesota was short-handed heading into Monday’s matchup. Guard Courtney Williams (right foot) missed her first start in 140 straight games.
With Williams out, the Valkyries stifled rookie Olivia Miles, as the Lynx phenom notched eight points, five assists, and a game-high four turnovers.
“I’ve never played a game without Courtney since she’s been here,” said Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier. “Her energy, her vibes, her passion for the game. Obviously, she’s a big voice on our team. She gets us going.”
Ashley Sanchez is pleading her MVP case, scoring a brace in No. 6 North Carolina’s 2-1 win over No. 15 Boston on Saturday to put her stamp on the NWSL’s Golden Boot race.
Sanchez officially overtook Orlando’s Barbra Banda atop the goals tally with 13 on the season. Her 107th-minute penalty strike against the Legacy marked the latest regular-season goal in league history.
“Scoring two goals was incredible,” said Courage manager Mak Lind. “It was a very special day for her, so I’m proud of her.”
North Carolina is climbing the NWSL standings behind four wins in five games — with just six points dividing No. 2 Washington and No. 7 Kansas City.
No. 1 Gotham strengthened its grip on the 2026 Shield in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with No. 9 Angel City. Gotham sits seven points above a skidding Spirit side.
Though the Bats may have taken a roster blow, as midfielder Rose Lavelle exited yesterday’s match with a first-half head injury.
Ashley Sanchez returns Wednesday, as North Carolina hosts Angel City at 8 PM ET (CBS Sports).
No. 5 Atlanta is closing in on clinching, nearing a WNBA playoff berth after eliminating No. 12 LA 124-88 behind star forward Angel Reese’s perfect night.
Reese finished with 20 points on 9-of-9 shooting. She added 10 rebounds and eight assists to fall just short of a second career triple-double. The win helped the Dream bounce back from last week’s tough loss to Indiana.
“I was just in the mode,” Reese said. “When you see the ball go through the net, you just continue to shoot it.”
Atlanta’s magic number is down to two. The Dream can book a fourth straight postseason run this weekend — though some help might be needed.
If already-eliminated Toronto upsets No. 9 Portland tonight, the Dream can clinch with an eliminating victory over No. 11 Phoenix tomorrow.
“You can see the [players’] effort into what we’ve been emphasizing as coaches,” said Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko. “I know there’s still some room to even get better at it.”
Atlanta visits Phoenix on Saturday at 10 PM ET (WNBA League Pass).