NBA news: LeBron James’ absence looms large as LA Lakers fall against Golden State Warriors in opener
The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2025/26 season on a disappointing note, falling 119-109 to the Golden State Warriors, reports Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
Missing from the court was LeBron James, who sat out due to a sciatica flare-up. The absence was historic, marking the first time in his 23-year career that he missed a season opener.
Coach JJ Redick admitted that playing without the team’s veteran leader was no easy task. “There were definitely moments where I wished LeBron was out there,” he said after the game.
The Lakers, now under the shared leadership of Redick and Luka Doncic, will have to navigate several weeks without their most experienced player, who is expected to remain sidelined until mid-November.
Hugo Ekitike cements place in starting line-up as Liverpool beat Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1
Hugo Ekitike bagged his first Champions League goal of the season on Wednesday, October 22, in what was a demolition job over Eintracht Frankfurt as the Reds won 5-1 in Germany.
The former Frankfurt forward opened Liverpool’s scoring to level the game with a delightful finish, stroking the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs after latching on to a through ball by Andy Robertson.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas reflects on Ekitike’s performance in the Reds’ return to winning ways.
Chelsea vs Ajax: Enzo Maresca’s young stars shine in 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax
Champions League nights at Stamford Bridge are back this season, and so far, have been delivering to the Chelsea faithful, with a 5-1 win over Ajax the latest triumph.
The success on the night of Wednesday, October 23, was Chelsea’s fourth win in four games - Benfica, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and now, Ajax.
Despite the unavailability or lack of match fitness of key players, Enzo Maresca still managed to pick up yet another important win.
He fielded a young squad, with the starting XI having an average age of 22 years and 163 days - the second youngest in the competition's history. Still, the youngsters proved themselves in front of the home crowd.
Boxing news: Parker promises to ‘smash’ Wardley in heavyweight clash at London’s O2 Arena
Joseph Parker has promised to “smash” Fabio Wardley during the pair’s Saturday night clash at the O2 Arena in London.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas has all you need to know.
MMA news: Aspinall warns Gane not to engage ahead of heavyweight UFC clash in Abu Dhabi
Tom Aspinall has warned Ciryl Gane not to engage ahead of a huge fight for the UFC heavyweight belt in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Will Thomas has all you need to know.
Premier League Relegation Betting: What Do You Need to Know?
Learn about Premier League relegation and online betting rules. Explore safe, responsible sports betting in the UK.
UK & Irish Flat season sees record HK$5.1 billion World Pool turnover
World Pool turnover has hit a new season-long high in the UK and Ireland, rising to HK$5.1bn following its conclusion on British Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday.
What Spain’s dominance in Padel says about football’s debate between culture and investment
It has often been said, mainly by American sports commentators, that if the United States invested as much time and money in football (soccer) as it does in the NFL, the country could compete more effectively. And by compete they mean for the World Cup title.
It is a debate that has been had for years, and while many have dismissed the claim, could they actually compete? More investment means more success, right?
Looking at Spain's dominance in Padel, Sports News Blitz’s Vanely Barumire will try to get to the bottom of the age-old question: Is success in football based on culture or financial backing?
EFL news: Lampard has Coventry City dreaming as Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield continue to struggle
The English Football League (EFL) returned to action at the weekend after a brief hiatus for the international break, immediately producing some instant classics and no shortage of talking points at both ends of the table.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Charlie Gardner takes a look at what happened in the recent matchweek.
Cricket news: England must overcome woeful Perth record if they are to regain Ashes from Australia
England begin their campaign to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2015 in just under a month’s time, with the opening match against Australia set for Optus Stadium in Perth.
Despite coming into the series with confidence after a battling 2-2 draw with India over the summer, the visitors may find it difficult to start the five-Test showdown off on the right foot.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Shorland takes a look at England’s woeful record in Western Australia.
Test cricket debate: Can the longest format of the game stay relevant in a T20-dominated era?
In the age of booming T20 leagues and instant sporting gratification, the fate of Test cricket has become one of the game’s most pressing concerns.
Once considered the ultimate measure of skill and endurance, Test matches now struggle to compete for both audience attention and financial priority.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ben Phillips explores what Test cricket needs to do to co-exist with the ever-evolving new formats of the game.
Horse racing news: Oisin Murphy lands £50,000 World Pool Jockeys’ Championship at Ascot
Oisin Murphy survived a flurry of final day shocks on British Champions Day at Ascot to win the second edition of the UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship and has chosen to split the £50,000 prize between the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Racing Welfare, with both charities set to receive £25,000 each.
In a competition that sees jockeys awarded points based on the winner’s World Pool Win odds, Murphy finished 25.45 points clear of Jamie Spencer, while Jason Watson snuck into the top five following his surprise victory on Cicero’s Gift.
NBA’s Latest Innovations Will Boost the Global Profile of the Sport
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched an all-new NBA App and the reimagined NBA TV, which will offer non-stop basketball content to ensure fans keep up with all the action.
The new multi-platform streaming will be available to basketball fans in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and countries across the world.
How Olympic legend Mark Tewksbury became a global leadership icon
Mark Tewksbury is a world-renowned leadership speaker whose remarkable journey from Olympic champion to global advocate has inspired audiences across business, education, and sport.
Best known for winning gold for Canada in the 100m backstroke at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Mark has since become an influential voice on performance, inclusion, and ethical leadership - helping organisations understand what it takes to thrive under pressure and lead with integrity.
Beyond the podium, Mark has served as Chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission, a mentor to emerging leaders, and a keynote speaker at the United Nations. His story, rooted in courage and authenticity, continues to resonate with teams striving to balance excellence with empathy.
In this exclusive interview with The LGBT Speakers Agency, Mark reflects on the power of representation, the lessons elite sport teaches about leadership, and how authenticity can transform both individuals and organisations.
2025 United States GP: Max Verstappen’s title hunt goes on, Oscar Piastri continues to struggle, Ferrari podium reignites Constructors’ P2 battle, and more
F1 began the Americas leg in Austin at the iconic Circuit of the Americas, home to the United States Grand Prix, on Sunday, October 19.
With Max Verstappen still in the hunt for a fifth world title win, leader Oscar Piastri struggling, and plenty of incidents throughout the weekend, there is yet again a lot for F1 fans to discuss.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer, Henry Eccles, takes a look at five of the biggest talking points to come out of the United States GP.
Cricket news: The arrival of the sport’s fourth format - Test Twenty
A bold new era begins as cricket introduces its fourth official format: Test Twenty - a dynamic fusion of Test cricket's depth with the energy of T20.
Unveiled today by sports entrepreneur Gaurav Bahirvani alongside icons of the game, Test Twenty is more than a format - it's a global platform and movement redefining the future of cricket.
Sports News Blitz looks at all the dynamics and impact of cricket’s newest inclusion.
Inside the mind: How psychological skills are shaping football’s next generation
In this article, Sports News Blitz’s Ted Purcell kicks off our new series, ‘Inside the Mind,’ exploring the psychological side of sport - from mental resilience and confidence to the unseen habits that help athletes perform under pressure.
Calandagan rated behind only Ka Ying Rising after Champion Stakes victory
Calandagan's performance in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday has been rated as the best in Europe this season by the experts at Timeform.
F1: Winners and losers from the 2025 United States Grand Prix
Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix on a weekend which saw him edge ever closer towards McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship battle.
Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the winners and losers of the race out in Austin as we head towards the end of the F1 season.
Premier League news: Super-sub Buendia rescues Aston Villa as lacklustre Tottenham falter at home
Super-sub Emi Buendia helped Aston Villa stage a comeback 2-1 victory over a lacklustre Tottenham side in London on Sunday.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce takes a look at the visitors’ two difference-makers in securing what could prove to be a crucial three points.