game 1 victory

The Vegas Golden Knights shocked the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 of the NHL Western Conference Final, 4-2. Colorado Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon was visibly frustrated after the loss and ripped the team’s execution in postgame interviews. With Carter Hart standing tall in the net and questions surrounding Cale Makar’s injury status, pressure is building quickly on Colorado heading into a pivotal Game 2 matchup.

India enjoyed a decent opening day at Norway Chess as 20-year-old debutante Divya Deshmukh held World Champion Ju Wenjun to a classical draw before defeating her in the Armageddon tiebreak. Joining her in the winner's circle were D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa, who also won their respective Armageddon matches, while Magnus Carlsen suffered a shock defeat.

Sunrisers Hyderabad host Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a crucial IPL 2026 playoff qualifier. The winner secures a top-two finish, with the Hyderabad pitch expected to favor batting first in this night match. SRH holds a slight head-to-head advantage, but RCB has a strong away record.

Hunter Armstrong became the biggest surprise at the Enhanced Games after winning the 50-meter backstroke without using performance-enhancing drugs. The American swimmer earned $250,000 and defeated rivals who openly used PEDs in Las Vegas. Sprinter Fred Kerley also impressed while competing naturally. Their performances challenged predictions that enhanced athletes would completely dominate the controversial event.

Rajasthan Royals stayed alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race after defeating Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets in Jaipur. Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed 93 off 38 balls as RR climbed to fourth place with 14 points. LSG, despite Mitchell Marsh’s 96, were officially eliminated from playoff contention after their ninth defeat of the season.

Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to play against the Cavaliers tonight, easing concerns about his recent calf and knee soreness. He played over 40 minutes in Game 1, contributing a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, proving crucial for the Knicks' early series lead. His availability bolsters New York's offensive and rebounding power.

Indian Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram became the first Indian to qualify for the Chess event at Esports World Cup 2026 after winning the Road to EWC qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta. The 26-year-old defeated Alexey Sarana in a dramatic Armageddon decider to secure qualification, USD 15,000 prize money, and a place in the main event scheduled from August 11-15.

Caitlin Clark returned in strong fashion Friday night, scoring 22 points and adding nine assists to help the Indiana Fever defeat the Golden State Valkyries 90-82. Her performance came only two days after missing Indiana’s game against Portland because of back soreness, a situation that also led to a WNBA warning regarding the Fever’s injury reporting process. Clark later explained the decision to sit out was based on her own comfort level and long-term health as she continues managing recovery during the early part of the WNBA season.

In winning the league, Arsenal showcased an unyielding defense, highlighted by the exceptional performance of goalkeeper David Raya. With a record-equalling 19 clean sheets, Raya exemplified the collective discipline instilled by Mikel Arteta. Despite facing limited opportunities from opponents, his game-changing saves in crucial moments echoed the resilience of championship-winning squads from yesteryear.

The IPL 2026 playoff race intensifies with Gujarat Titans securing a dominant win, virtually confirming their top-two spot. Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad vie for the other top-two position. Rajasthan Royals are frontrunners for the final playoff berth, but Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals are still in contention, making the final league matches crucial deciders.

Fresh from her victory in Rome, Elina Svitolina barely dodged an upset at the French Open, fighting back from a challenging position to outlast Anna Bondar in a thrilling three-set clash. On the other hand, defending champion Iga Swiatek and newcomer Rafael Jodar displayed their prowess, securing easy advancements in their respective matches.

Table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru face third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial IPL 2026 clash. While qualification is secured, a win solidifies top-two spots and a second chance at the final. Expect a high-scoring encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, with both teams aiming for momentum heading into the playoffs.

Punjab Kings kept their IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a win over Lucknow Super Giants. They now need Rajasthan Royals to lose to Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders to not secure a big win. Rajasthan Royals can qualify by beating Mumbai Indians. Delhi Capitals are out. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans have already qualified.

Rajasthan Royals hold the key to the IPL 2026 playoff race. A win secures their spot and eliminates contenders. A loss makes the Kolkata Knight Riders versus Delhi Capitals match a virtual knockout. KKR coach Abhishek Nayar emphasizes focus on performance. Delhi Capitals face a complex qualification path. The match is at Eden Gardens, a batting-friendly pitch.

India's top seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty triumphed in a thrilling Thailand Open semifinal, overcoming Malaysia's Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin in a hard-fought three-game battle. The world No. 4 pair staged a remarkable comeback to secure their spot in the season's first final, carrying the nation's hopes after other Indian contenders were eliminated.

Jalen Brunson was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP after leading the New York Knicks to a dominant four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks clinched their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 with a commanding 130-93 victory in Game 4, fueled by balanced scoring, strong defense, and Brunson’s calm leadership at point guard. Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and the Knicks’ deep bench also played major roles throughout the series as New York extended its playoff winning streak to 11 games and moved one step closer to the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings missed the IPL playoffs for the third consecutive season after a disappointing 2026 campaign. Injuries, an underperforming overseas contingent, and a lack of consistent rhythm plagued the team this year. Despite individual bright spots, CSK face a significant tactical reset to regain their championship form.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally clinched his maiden Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr, scoring twice in a decisive 4-1 victory. The Portuguese superstar's emotional triumph came after two seasons of near misses, adding another domestic league crown to his illustrious career. His arrival has significantly boosted Saudi football's global profile.

Sunrisers Hyderabad qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs after a five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in Chennai. Ishan Kishan starred with 70, while Heinrich Klaasen added 47 in the chase of 181. Pat Cummins claimed 3/28 earlier as SRH joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans in the playoffs.

The IPL 2026 playoff race intensifies with four teams vying for the final spot. Sunrisers Hyderabad secured a win but missed a top-two finish. Rajasthan Royals are frontrunners, needing a win against Mumbai Indians. Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals face uphill battles, requiring specific results and strong Net Run Rates to qualify.