DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 23 points, Tobias Harris had 20 and the Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-101 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their second-round series.
Duncan Robinson added 19 points for the top-seeded Pistons, who ended an NBA record-tying 12-game postseason losing streak against a single opponent, a drought that dated to the 2007 Eastern Conference finals.
Game 2 is Thursday night in Detroit.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points, ending his NBA-record streak of scoring 30-plus points in nine straight series openers.
James Harden had 22 points and Max Stus scored 19 for the No. 4-seeded Cavs, who pulled into a tie midway through the fourth quarter after trailing for most of the night and by as much as 18 points.
Cleveland center Jarrett Allen was limited to two points and three rebounds, coming off a 22-point, 19-rebound performance in an elimination game against Toronto.
THUNDER 108, LAKERS 90
OKLAHOMA CITY, (AP) — Chet Holmgren had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Oklahoma City routed Los Angeles in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each added 18 points for the Thunder. The defending champions improved to 5-0 in the playoffs, despite missing 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams with an injured left hamstring for the third straight game. The Thunder shot 49.4% from the field and made 13 of 30 3-pointers.
Oklahoma City will host Game 2 on Thursday.
Los Angeles struggled to find offense without scoring champion Luka Doncic, who has missed the past month with an injured left hamstring. LeBron James scored 27 points and Rui Hachimura added 18 for the Lakers. Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points in the regular season, was held to eight on 3-for-16 shooting.
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 22: Jordan Romano #68 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ryan Sun/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Thomas Harding of MLB.com is reporting that the Colorado Rockies have signed RHP Jordan Romano to a minor-league contract.
Source: #Rockies have reached a Minor League contract with RHP Jordan Romano, most recently with the #Angels. Before entering game action, Romano will report to the team's performance lab in Scottsdale, Ariz.https://t.co/D41s2pRxrt
On April 26, the Los Angeles Angels designated Romano for assignment; on April 27, he was released. The Angels must still pay the remainder of is $2 million salary with the Rockies only responsible for the prorated league minimum based on the time Romano spends on the roster.
In recent years, Romano, 33, has struggled, so the Rockies decision to send him to their Scottsdale pitching facility makes sense.
Romano was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2014 MLB Draft (10th round) and with their MLB team from 2019-2024. During his time with the Blue Jays, he earned a 2.90 ERA in 229.2 IP. In 2022 and 2023, the closer was named to the American League All-Star Team.
However, his 2024 season, the last with the team, was marred by injury when he pitched just 13.2 innings and posted a 6.59 ERA. Romano had mid-season surgery to fix an impingement in his throwing shoulder and missed the remainder of that season.
In 2025, he signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, but he continued to struggle. Over 42.2 IP, he earned an 8.23 ERA.
While with the Angels, Romano had 8.o IP. He recorded a 10.13 ERA that included 12 Ks and four saves.
According to Baseball Savant, Romano boasts a three-pitch mix: a four-seamer (94.5 mph), a slider (84.7 mph), and a splitter (86.6), all of which have seen declines in velocity in recent years.
Lakers forward LeBron James, posting up agianst Thunder guard Alex Caruso, finished with 27 points and six assists in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
Lakers coach JJ Redick was succinct about what it was like for his group to face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder during the regular season.
“We sucked against this team,” he said pregame.
The Lakers lost all four regular-season games against the Thunder by double figures, making L.A.’s 108-90 defeat to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the second round of the playoffs just another big loss to the talented Thunder.
LeBron James led the Lakers with 27 points and six assists while Rui Hachimura had 18 points, but Austin Reaves had only eight points, shooting three for 16 from the field.
The Lakers doubled-teamed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander frequently, limiting him to 18 points and forcing him into seven turnovers.
But the Thunder just turned to Chet Holmgren, who had a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, driving to the basket against Lakers guard Austin Reaves, finished with 18 points on eight-of-12 shooting from the field and six assists in Game 1. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
The Lakers shot only 41.7% (35 of 84) from the field and 30% (10 of 30) from three-point range while the Thunder shot 49.4% (42 of 85) from the field and 43.3% (13 of 30) from deep.
Game 2 is here Thursday night.
The Lakers didn’t help themselves at the beginning of the fourth quarter, turning the ball over on two of their first three possessions. When Marcus Smart, who finished with 12 points on four-of-15 shooting and seven assists, turned the ball over to Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso waltzed in for a layup, the Lakers went down by 15 points and had to call a timeout with 10 minutes and 41 seconds left to regroup.
The Lakers never did.
They fell into a 19-point hole in the final 12 minutes of play and never recovered.
The Lakers lost by almost 30 points per game in their four-game series against the Thunder during the regular season, and one of the games was a 43-point shellacking.
But the Lakers found their groove in the first round against the Houston Rockets and that has fueled their belief in this series against the Thunder.
“We've been able to execute, even just going back to the last three games of the regular season,” Redick said. “Again, we kind of had to reset with not a lot of time and build something a little bit new on the fly. I think our guys were able to find their way and find their way from an execution standpoint, and for the most part, did a good job of that on both ends in the Houston series.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves makes one of his three baskets on a layup against Thunder center Chet Holmgren, but Reaves finished with only eight points on three-of-16 shooting from the field in Game 1. (Kyle Phillips / Associated Press)
"This is a different team and the best team, and it's going to require more. I think every round that you advance in the playoffs, you need to elevate all of the stuff even more. …That's our attention to detail, that's our belief, that's our poise. We got to be great in all those areas.”
The Lakers talked every practice about the runs the Thunder go on and how they had to limit them.
Well, it happened at the end of the first quarter, when Oklahoma City scored the last five points of the period, and it happened at the outset of the second quarter, when the Thunder scored the first five points to open a 10-point lead.
Redick leaped off the bench to call a timeout with 10:36 left in the second to get things back in order for the Lakers.
The Lakers recovered, but they then went down 56-43 in the second quarter and had to recover again.
They did, pulling to within 61-53 at the half.
Note: Lakers reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt injured his right finger in the second quarter and didn’t return. Vanderbilt tried to block a dunk by Holmgren, but instead hit hand on the backboard and went down in pain.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 05: Framber Valdez #59 of the Detroit Tigers walks to the clubhouse after being ejected from the game during the fourth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park on May 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s many, many reasons why baseball is the best game on Earth, but one of my favorites is its relentless ability to produce wildly unexpected results. Take tonight as a perfect example: This was as close to a guaranteed Red Sox loss on paper as you could get. You had (among other things):
Brayan Bello and his 9.12 ERA set to go on the mound as the bulk guy.
Brayan Bello pitching so poorly in recent starts that the Red Sox used Jovani Moran as an opener in front of Bello (where he immediately gave up two runs in the first inning).
Roman Anthony away from the team seeing a hand specialist in Boston hoping to avoid a trip to the IL.
Masataka Yoshida and Marcelo Mayer both on the bench because of a lefty on the mound for Detroit.
Jarren Duran going 0-5 with three strike outs from the top of the lineup when he’d been the team’s hottest hitter over the last handful of games.
Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman both likely running on empty as they had each pitched in both of the last two games. (So even if the Sox got a small lead, they might have had trouble holding it.)
Lastly, they were on the road facing Framber Valdez, who had held opponents to two earned runs or less in six of his seven starts this season.
So what did that combination of ingredients produce? The most dominant Red Sox victory of the season of course! (Yes, more dominant than the 17-1 win in Baltimore. That score was largely inflated by a position player pitching the ninth inning.) Once again, baseball’s gonna baseball!
And apparently, Framber Valdez is gonna Framber Valdez, because after spending the first three innings of this game getting his face ripped off, he decided he wanted out by any means necessary. The only problem was his manager, A.J. Hinch, had other ideas.
After losing Tarik Skubal to elbow surgery and having to run a bullpen game yesterday, Hinch and the Tigers needed innings out of Valdez tonight. So even though Valdez was getting his teeth kicked in during the first three innings to the tune of eight runs allowed – Which let’s face it, is about 15 runs against a normal lineup the way the Red Sox bats have looked in 2026 — he was sent back out there for the fourth with his pitch count sitting at just 56 bullets fired.
The first thing he did in an act of defiance was serve up this meatball to Willson Contreras, which couldn’t have been any more in the Goldilocks zone unless it was in the Three Bears fairytale.
Here’s what Willson Contreras did with that early birthday gift (it’s coming up next week on the same day as Roman Anthony’s):
But that moonshot still didn’t get Framber Valdez out of the game — Because again, A.J. Hinch needed innings from his pitcher. So after giving up another home run to Wilyer Abreu, Valdez took matters into his own hands by getting himself ejected. And he did this on his very first pitch of the next at bat that drilled Trevor Story in the back right between the numbers:
You want to know why this guy didn’t get signed off the free agent market until February despite oodles of talent and plenty of plus pitches? This clown show right here!
The Tigers needed a big start from Valdez tonight after yesterday’s Tarik Skubal news, and not only did he not deliver, but he got into a pissing match with his manager about leaving the game that escalated to the point where he found a way for the umpires to throw him out instead. What a weasel move!
But of course, he wasn’t going to admit that:
Framber Valdez on the HBP to Trevor Story:
"It was not intentional. It was not on purpose. It may look like that, but it wasn't."
From there, Jake did more research and found even more damning evidence:
Including today, Framber Valdez has thrown 30 four-seam fastballs over the last four seasons. Four of them have hit batters. This one, in 2023, was in a 0-0 count immediately following a home run. Like tonight, it was also his first four-seam of the season https://t.co/eYWUwJBIicpic.twitter.com/0GQqrl0cds
Even Valdez’s own manager wasn’t defending him. Here’s A.J. Hinch’s comments on the matter:
“We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn’t feel like it. I’m not judging intent. But I know when you go out on the field in those confrontations, you usually feel like you are in your right. It didn’t feel good being out there.”
When your own skipper is throwing you under the bus, that really says it all.
Three Studs
Ceddanne Rafaela: 3-5 with four RBI including this first inning home run to the opposite field to set the tone.
Brayan Bello: I have to give credit where credit is due. As much as I’ve hated watching Bello pitch this season, he did his job tonight covering the middle seven innings to the tune of just one earned run, and perhaps more importantly, just one walk. It will be interesting to see what the team does from here because unlike tonight, it appears they’re going to have options.
Bonus Stud
Alec Gamboa: Made his major league debut in the ninth inning and sent the Tigers down in order. Here’s his first career strikeout and his family’s elated reaction:
Welcome to the Big Leagues 👏
Alec Gamboa strikes out Zach McKinstry for his first Major League strikeout 🥳 pic.twitter.com/ZhL2D7jjYU
This stuff never gets old! And also, it’s another one of those reasons why baseball is the best game we’ve got.
Three Duds
Jarren Duran: 0-5 with three strikeouts. This comes just one night after he hit an opposite field three-run homer in a one-run game. Again, baseball being baseball.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0-4 from the bottom of the lineup. His OPS is down to .449.
Jovani Moran: His opening inning looked a lot like most of Brayan Bello’s starts this year, giving up a pair of runs on a pair of walks and three hits. However, this was one of the RARE games where it didn’t really matter what the starting pitcher did.
Looking ahead, Sonny Gray is due to come off the IL tomorrow evening and face off against Jack Flaherty, who has gotten rocked in each of his last two starts. I would say this puts the Sox in a great position to sweep the Tigers, but if today taught us anything, it’s that baseball games aren’t played on paper and tend to be wildly unpredictable.
Oh, and also that Framber Valdez is a spineless scoundrel. We got a front row seat for that lesson.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 05: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers missed an opportunity to steal Game 1 against the Detroit Pistons.
Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
LOSER – Turnovers
Cleveland turned it over 20 times tonight, allowing 31 points off those turnovers. That might be the fastest way to guarantee yourself a loss on the road.
The ball was especially slippery for James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, who combined for 10 turnovers to just 9 assists. Harden was the primary culprit, coughing it up seven times tonight and a whopping 43 times throughout the playoffs so far.
Harden has felt like an offensive stabilizer for the Cavs. Even more so when Mitchell was struggling in round one. But he’s got to be more careful with the ball, or these ugly turnovers will seal their fate. There’s no way around it.
As for Mitchell, the Cavs are waiting for him to spark back to life. He’s been dormant since Game 2 versus Toronto — and they can’t afford for their star player to finish games with more turnovers than assists. Cleveland is desperate for some efficient playmaking, and neither Mitchell nor Harden is ringing that bell at that moment.
WINNER – Max Strus
You can only afford so many record scratch moments in the NBA Playoffs. If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, imagine a perfect drive-and-kick opportunity that turns into a Dean Wade pumpfake that resets the offense.
That’s a record scratch.
The Cavs have loved having Wade on the floor with the core four, as his defensive versatility turns them from mediocre to elite. But Wade’s inability to shoot with volume or create off the dribble has severely limited his ceiling on the big stage. Strus doesn’t have that problem.
You won’t get the same defensive effort from Strus, but the Cavs offense has access to more options when he’s on the court. That’s because he’s a volume shooter who puts pressure on a defense to stay attached to him. The Cavs guard-guard screens are effective with Strus being a threat to pop for a three-point attempt.
Strus scored 19 points on 7-13 shooting tonight (4-8 from deep). He also added 5 rebounds. We know that Strus is a streaky shooter and could just as easily struggle in his next game. Still, added offensive production from Strus is something the Cavs can reasonably expect to get at various points in a playoff series. Tonight was one of those nights. They should have taken advantage.
LOSER – Rotations
There’s a reason that most teams shrink their rotations once the playoffs begin. You aren’t going to find more than eight or nine guys who can hang on the floor as the margins for error get smaller.
The Cavs played 11 guys tonight. That’s hard to explain.
Sure, Sam Merrill left the game with a hamstring after only playing seven minutes. So a spot in the rotation was opened for Keon Ellis to get his first run in four games. And, Jarrett Allen found himself in foul trouble, so Thomas Bryant was dusted off the bench for a few runs.
But the problem isn’t that Bryant and Ellis had to play minutes in a pinch. It’s that Kenny Atkinson chose to dig deeper into his bench rather than simply adding more responsibility to his star players. Again, there’s a reason most teams choose the latter in the playoffs. You’d rather lose with your best players deciding the game than start the fourth quarter with three reserves.
Seriously, the Cavs opened the fourth with Bryant, Ellis, and Dennis Schroder on the court. It didn’t go well, and all momentum from their third-quarter rally was lost.
No one played more than 36 minutes tonight for Cleveland. Allen, who was the hero in Game 7, played just 18 minutes with four fouls. Are we aware that fouling out doesn’t come with a suspension? Why not trust the Fro to play with two fouls to give instead of playing him just eight more minutes than Bryant?
Conversely, Cunningham played 43 minutes for Detroit. Tobias Harris played 39. There’s value in leaning on your best players. The Cavs will need to do that moving forward.
May 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Michael Conforto (20) celebrates with teammates after hitting a game winning solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
It’s Tuesday night here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Thank you for stopping in. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. We’ve still got a few tables available. The hostess will seat you now. Bring your own beverage
BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the rules of the site. The late-nighters are encouraged to get the party started, but everyone else is invited to join in as you wake up the next morning and into the afternoon.
Last night I asked you to grade Craig Counsell’s job as manager. I said over his entire tenure because I think it’s hard to not give him an “A” for this year unless you’re a complete curmudgeon. Also, because I think 35 games is too small of a sample size in baseball to judge anything. With that in mind, 47 percent gave Counsell an “A” and 46 percent gave him a “B.” The rest gave him a “C” and not even one single person voted “D” or “F.”
Honestly, that’s about as good an endorsement as a manager can get from the fans in the stands without winning a World Series.
On Tuesdays I don’t do any movie stuff, but there’s always time for jazz. You can skip it if you want.
Tonight we’re taking a visit to Brazil as the legendary Antonio Carlos “Tom” Jobim plays some of his bossa nova classics “One Note Samba” and “Desafinado.”
This is from 1964.
Welcome back to everyone who skips all that jazz.
The Cubs got their first walk-off home run of the year last night from an unlikely source—pinch-hitter Michael Conforto.
That was a big home run, obviously. But was it the best? Was it your favorite? Was it the one that made you yell so loud you woke the neighbors? Or was there another one that had your family check in on you to make sure you were OK?
I’ve picked six home runs that I think are candidates for the best Cubs home run of the year (so far). I only picked home runs from wins. Then I looked at home runs with a high Win Probability Added. I didn’t go exclusively with that because there were some that maybe didn’t look big at the moment but turned out to be big in the end. (Happ’s home run is like that.) Maybe you would have another list, but I’m the one here writing the article. You can vote for “other” if you have another candidate.
Seiya Suzuki’s solo home run against the Phillies on April 23 [VIDEO]. The home run gave the Cubs an 7-6 lead in the bottom of the eighth. It was spoiled a bit by Caleb Thielbar giving up a home run in the top of the ninth and blowing the save, but the Cubs would win in extra innings to sweep the Phillies and win their ninth straight.
Matt Shaw’s solo home run versus the Padres on April 29 [VIDEO]. The Cubs were beating the Padres 4-3 in the top of the eighth. It turned out to be a huge insurance run after the Padres clawed back another run in the bottom of the inning. The Cubs would go on to win 5-4.
Ian Happ’s solo home run against the Diamondbacks on May 2 [VIDEO]. The wind was blowing in on this one and neither team could manage much offense. It looked like the Cubs were going to win this game 1-0 until they scored an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. They ended up winning 2-0.
Thanks for stopping by. Please get home safely. We want to have you as a customer for a long time. Recycle any cans and bottles. Check around for any personal items. Tip your waitstaff. And join us again tomorrow night for more BCB After Dark.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round Two Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A rough offensive night for the Lakers left them struggling to find enough scoring to keep up with the Thunder in Game 1 as they fell to OKC, 108-90.
After a fast start to the contest, LA trailed OKC for the final three quarters. However, the lead would ebb and flow as the purple and gold had brief runs that seemed to get them back into the game.
Each time, though, the Thunder had a response to gain breathing room once more. By the end of the game, the Lakers had run out of gas as OKC had repeatedly found answers to the problems LA presented them.
The Lakers shot 41.7% from the field and 33.3% from the 3-point line. They turned the ball over 17 times, leading to 20 points for OKC.
LA started hot offensively, going up by seven early. OKC eventually caught up and tied the game, but LeBron continued his hot shooting. He was cooking with 10 points, the first player from either team in double figures. Chet Holmgren was leading the Thunder with seven points.
At the 6:56 mark, it was a tie game.
The Lakers did a great job defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who only had three points on two shot attempts. Los Angeles was shooting 47% from the field, while Oklahoma City was at 42%.
At the 2:37 mark, LA was up by three.
Jaylin Williams scored on a triple to tie it up again as part of a 9-2 OKC run to take a five-point lead going into the second.
The Lakers led 24-22 with 1:44 left in the 1st Q, but allowed a 9-2 OKC run that put them down by 5 after 12 minutes of action.
Both teams opened the second period missing their first shot attempts before Ajay Mitchell was fouled and converted on both free throws. Jared McCain then drained a 3-pointer, putting even more distance on OKC’s lead and forcing a timeout.
Ayton stopped the bleeding for LA with back-to-back baskets.
The Lakers cut the deficit to three thanks to Ayton scoring again and Luke Kennard converting on three free throws. Cason Wallace stopped Los Angeles’ run with a triple. OKC responded well, giving themselves a bigger lead.
Austin Reaves scored his first field goal on a layup.
After a dunk by Holmgren, Jarred Vanderbilt, who was defending him, doubled over in pain and went straight to the locker room. He would eventually be ruled out for the game.
Marcus Smart splashed his first 3-pointer of the half. SGA started cooking, scoring a quick four points to make it a double-digit lead for Oklahoma City.
Smart stopped OKC’s 8-1 run with a triple. With the half winding down, Kennard knocked down a much-needed 3-pointer. On the other end, LeBron stole the ball and took it all the way for a dunk to make it a single-digit deficit.
At halftime, the purple and gold were down by eight.
The Thunder lead the Lakers 61-53 at the half. LeBron James has 16 points. Deandre Ayton has 10 and a team-high six rebounds. Luke Kennard has six points off the bench.
Mitchell opened the third with a layup for the Thunder. After a few missed attempts from Ayton, Holmgren dunked on the other end. He was now up to 20 points. Smart got the Lakers on the board with a midrange jumper.
LA continued to hang around with Smart scoring again, and Rui Hachimura knocked down his first 3-pointer of the game.
It was a seven-point deficit at the 8:03 mark. Los Angeles was playing good defense and doing well, keeping themselves within striking distance. Hachimura drained another triple and made it a four-point deficit.
SGA was up to five turnovers.
It didn’t matter as OKC scored seven in a row, forcing a timeout from Los Angeles. Out of the break, LeBron scored a bucket in the paint. The quarter closed on a four-point play by Mitchell. Going into the fourth, the Lakers were down by 12.
Instead of holding for the last shot of the quarter as is typical, Mitchell rose up for a contested corner 3 with 12.3 seconds in the 3rd … and hit it, plus the foul on Smart.
That gave OKC an 84-72 cushion heading into the 4th Q.
A Los Angeles turnover started the final frame. Luckily for LA, the Thunder missed on the other end, which led to Hachimura being fouled and converting one of two free throws.
Oklahoma City then scored four in a row, which included a dunk by Alex Caruso, to make it a 15-point game. McCain drained two triples in a row as OKC built the lead to 19 points.
The Lakers tried one last time to get back into the game, pulling within 14 points with 6:08 left after a Hachimura triple. However, it’s as close as they would get as, with 3:50 left, Oklahoma City went up by 17, sealing the win for the Thunder.
Key Player Stats
LeBron finished with 27 points, four rebounds and six assists. Ayton had 10 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Austin Reaves had a rough offensive game with eight points on 3-16 shooting to go with his five rebounds and six assists.
Smart pitched in with 12 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Hachimura put up 18 points, going 7-13 from the field. Kennard ended with seven points and five rebounds.
Game 2 will be on Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 6:30 PM PT.
Charania reports the Lakers are evaluating Doncic on a week-to-week basis, and he is currently on a "slow path" in his recovery from a Grade 2 hamstring strain that has kept him sidelined for the past month.
"He's doing more and more on the court," Charania reported. "But right now, still not full-fledged running or full-contact workouts."
The timeline for his return is also still unclear, according to ESPN.
Doncic was seen putting shots up during Lakers practice on Monday, May 4, but he has yet to progress to 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 drills. Lakers head coach JJ Redick had no update for reporters.
Doncic has missed 11 games since straining his left hamstring against Oklahoma City on April 2. The Lakers have gone 7-4 in that span and ran out to a 3-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets before winning the series in six games.
Luka Doncic, getting up shots Monday. When asked about his availability for Game 1, JJ Redick said, “no update.” pic.twitter.com/UZBw9x2E9R
The odds are stacked against Los Angeles yet again with a matchup against the defending NBA champion Thunder, who won a league-best 64 games in the regular season. The absence of Jalen Williams makes things slightly less lopsided, especially if the Lakers keep producing total team efforts with contributions from Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton and Rui Hachimura.
Make no mistake, though: Doncic, who led the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game and finished third in assists with 8.3 per game, will be needed this series, as evidenced by the result of Game 1.
It just remains to be seen when – or if – he'll be back in time.
Shohei Ohtani is no longer unsullied by the longball this season. Yet he was still pretty outstanding against the Houston Astros.
Ohtani absorbed his second loss of the season − and gave up his first and second home runs this year − as the Astros held off the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-1, on Tuesday, May 5 at Houston's Daikin Park.
It's Ohtani, so that also means even in defeat, superlatives are involved. And Ohtani worked a season-high seven innings − his longest outing since July 27, 2023, when he pitched a one-hitter − and took over the major league ERA lead.
His Tuesday outing ensured he had enough innings to qualify, and Ohtani's 0.97 ERA is the only mark below 1.00 among qualified starters. He's holding opposing batters to a .160 average, bested only by teammate Tyler Glasnow's .146 mark.
On this night, though, a train-tracks bomb from Christian Walker and an opposite-field wall-scraper from Braden Shewmake into Houston's Crawford Boxes were enough to beat him. The homers comprised two of the four hits the Astros managed against Ohtani, who struck out eight.
"The hits were homers, so in that sense it was efficient," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, "but it wasn't something that was good."
And once again, the Dodgers kept Ohtani out of the lineup, so he could concentrate on pitching. On this night, they theoretically could have used him − but Ohtani is also 0 for his last 17 at the plate.
"I think offense, including myself, hasn't done a great job scoring runs. I'm sure if there was a situation where I was hitting well, they'd want me to hit and pitch as well," Ohtani said. "But I understand focus on pitching and turn the page on hitting."
Has his one-track mind when pitching hindered him at the plate?
"I don't think so personally that the pitching has affected the hitting," he says, "but at the same time it's been longer than expected. It's not ideal I'm trying to find that (hitting groove) in the game."
Mar 17, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Pedro Ramirez against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Some honors for Cubs prospects came today. Infielder Pedro Ramírez was named International League Player of the Month for April. Ramírez batted .323/.398/.625 for the month and led the league-lead in home runs (seven), RBI (28) and runs scored (24). He also stole ten bases.
Right-hander Brooks Caple as named Midwest League Pitcher of the Month. Caple went 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in four starts. He struck out 24 and walked only three over 18.2 innings for the month.
Fangraphs released their Top 34 Cubs prospects yesterday. It’s interesting because they take into account the first month of the season in these rankings. The now-graduated Moisés Ballesteros is number one, so their current top Cubs prospect is infielder Jefferson Rojas.
Here’s their top ten.
Moisés Ballesteros
Jefferson Rojas
Pedro Ramírez
Jaxon Wiggins
Kevin Alcántara
Josiah Hartshorn
Ethan Conrad
Kane Kepley
Brooks Caple
Owen Ayers
Anyway, check out the full list.
There were a lot of moves in the system since Sunday.
Second baseman Hayden Cantrelle was moved from Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Knoxville
Right-hander Tyler Santana also went from Iowa to Knoxville.
Right-hander Brooks Caple was promoted to Knoxville from High-A South Bend.
Right-hander Jackson Kirkpatrick also went to Knoxville from South Bend.
Shortstop Alex Madera was demoted to South Bend from Knoxville.
Shortstop Geuri Lubo was sent to Low-A Myrtle Beach from South Bend
Right-hander Eli Jerzembeck was promoted to South Bend from Myrtle Beach.
Left-hander Pierce Coppola joins Myrtle Beach from the Development List.
Right-hander Jostin Florentino was assigned to the rookie ball ACL Cubs from Myrtle Beach. (That’s probably procedural as Florentino hadn’t pitched for the Pelicans yet this year.)
Yenrri Perez started and got his first win of the year after five scoreless innings. Perez allowed three hits and issued one walk while striking out four.
Jackson Kirkpatrick got a rude introduction to Double-A. In the one inning Kirkpatrick pitched, he gave up four runs on two hits and three walks. Only two of the four runs were earned, however. Kirkpatrick struck out one.
The Smokies jumped out to an early lead when shortstop Jefferson Rojas hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. It was his fourth of the year. Rojas went 2 for 4 with a walk and three overall runs batted in.
Third baseman Karson Simas made it 4-0 with a two-run home run in the second, his third this year. Simas went 1 for 4 and scored twice.
Center fielder Carter Trice had two doubles and one triple in a 3 for 4 night. He also walked once. Trice went 3 for 4. He had three RBI and scored once.
DH Owen Ayers was 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. He also had one run batted in.
Starter Cole Reynolds retired the first nine batters of the game in order before leaving after three innings. Reynolds struck out five.
Adam Stone pitched the next three innings and got the win because Reynolds didn’t go five innings. Shaw surrendered one run on four hits. He walked one and did not strike anyone out.
Nate Williams threw two scoreless innings and Kenyi Perez one to close out the game.
Center fielder Kane Kepley showed the wheels with two triples tonight. Kepley went 2 for 4 with a walk. He scored three runs and drove in one.
Shortstop Ty Southisene is off to a great start to his High-A career. Tonight Southisene was 2 for 3 with a double and a sacrifice fly. He had two RBI and one run scored.
Third baseman Matt Halbach was 3 for 4 and scored once.
Kepley’s first triple led off the bottom of the first.
David Bracho threw the first 3.1 innings and allowed three runs on two hits and three walks. One of the three runs was unearned. Bracho struck out four.
Bracho left the game in the fourth inning with two on. He was relieved by Victor Zarraga, who gave up a three-run home run to the first batter he faced to make it 4-2 Crawdads. But he stayed in the game and got the win when the Pelicans came back. Zarraga allowed one run on three hits over 3.2 innings. He struck out two and walked no one.
Jordan Henriquez pitched the final two innings and got the save, despite giving up a solo home run in the eighth. Henriquez allowed one run on two hits. He struck out one and walked no one.
The Pelicans re-took the lead in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run home run by second baseman Jose Escobar. It was his second home run this year. Escobar was 2 for 4 and scored twice.
Center fielder Josiah Hartshorn was 3 for 5 with a double. Hartshorn had three RBI and one run batted in.
Shortstop Alexis Hernandez also went 3 for 5 with a double. He scored three times.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers erased an 18-point deficit to tie the Detroit Pistons midway through the fourth, but an inability to get stops and scores when they needed them wound up in Detroit escaping with a 111-101 Game 1 victory.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents that player performing to our expectations for them.
James Harden
22 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds
Harden was brought in to help with games like this. They needed someone who could provide consistent ball-handling, playmaking, and relieve some of the pressure off Donovan Mitchell. Throughout the regular season and parts of the first-round series against the Toronto Raptors, he did that. However, there’s also been too many times he seems a step slow and isn’t able to take care of the ball. We saw that latter version far too much in Game 1.
Turnovers are painful in any context, but they hurt so much more against a team that struggles with its half-court offense. The amount of giveaways allowed Detroit to get out in transition and pick up easy baskets.
To be clear, turnovers were a team-wide issue. Harden isn’t the only one to blame. At the same time, there’s no excuse for your starting point guard to have seven giveaways.
Harden turned things around in the fourth quarter. Seven-straight points allowed the Cavs to tie the game. However, if he takes care of the ball like he should’ve they don’t find themselves in the hole they were in.
Grade: D
Donovan Mitchell
23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Mitchell hasn’t been himself since Game 2 of the first round. He’s registered fewer than 25 points in his last six games and hasn’t been forceful in getting to the basket. This game was no different, as he took just one shot in the restricted area and had only two free-throw attempts.
There isn’t much else to Mitchell’s game if he isn’t a premier scoring threat. Additionally, Cleveland’s margin for error is so thin if he’s not scoring at an elite level. This team was built around him taking games like this over.
Twenty-three points on 9-19 shooting just isn’t going to cut it in a road playoff game.
Grade: D+
Evan Mobley
14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks
The Cavs needed a big game from one of the members of the core four to steal this one. There were times in the first half where it felt like it was going to come from Mobley, but that didn’t pan out.
Cleveland needed Mobley to step up with Allen in foul trouble, and he didn’t. Detroit’s offensive rebounding helped win them this game. And even though it’s unfair to pin that all on one person, Mobley could’ve done a better job of keeping Detroit’s bigs, particularly Jalen Duren, off the glass.
There were some positive signs from Mobley. I thought the passing was quite good. But this is a game they needed their big man to set the tone in the paint, and he couldn’t.
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Max Strus
19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Strus’s 10-point third quarter got the Cavs back into a game. His shooting and grit helped turn the momentum and were much needed on a night that Cleveland struggled to get any offensive consistency.
Sometimes Strus’s impact isn’t felt on the box score. It was tonight with his efficient 19 points on 13 shots.
Grade: A+
Keon Ellis
3 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists
Ellis got his first real minutes of the postseason since he was benched after Game 4 against the Raptors, after Sam Merrill left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury.
He performed adequately in his role. Ellis picked up Cade Cunningham full court and showed his active hands, registering two steals. That’s exactly what you want to see from Ellis if he’s forced into minutes.
Grade: B-
Jarrett Allen
2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Allen picked up three fouls in the first quarter, which limited his minutes the rest of the game. Head coach Kenny Atkinson should’ve given him more than just 16 minutes after the first quarter, but Allen also can’t put himself in that position in the first place.
The Cavs needed Allen’s rebounding and the rim pressure he provides. Neither was possible due to foul trouble.
Grade: D
Dennis Schroder
9 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound
Schroder provided some scoring punch and energy off the bench. That was needed. What wasn’t was the four turnovers he also committed.
Giveaways were what cost them this game. Schroder was the team’s second biggest offender. That’s going to knock his grade significantly.
Grade: D+
Dean Wade
5 points, 1 assist, 3 rebounds
The Cavs needed Wade’s defense on Cade Cunningham. Conversely, they also struggled offensively whenever he was on the floor due to Detroit cheating off him and his inability to make them pay with either his outside shot or attacking off-the-dribble.
Grade: C-
Thomas Bryant
4 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists
I’m not sure why Bryant got meaningful minutes in the second half of this game. He hasn’t made a positive impact in the previous postseason games he’s played in, and didn’t do so again tonight. Once again, Bryant was a step slow defensively, wasn’t able to clean the glass, and didn’t provide anything on offense.
I get that they needed some additional minutes at center with Allen in foul trouble. But there wasn’t room in this game to give him 10 minutes of run.
Grade: D
Sam Merrill
0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist
Merrill left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury. He was limited to under seven minutes in Game 1.
Grade: Incomplete
Jaylon Tyson
0 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Tyson didn’t make an impact as a scorer, but he did a good job of staying with Detroit’s wings — including Cunningham — defensively. That, combined with being a reliable rebounder, made him a useful player.
HOUSTON –– The first four innings were frustrating. The next five were futile.
Just when it looked like the Dodgers were emerging from their recent offensive slump, having won back-to-back games with 12 total runs the previous two days, the team came right back down to earth on Tuesday in a 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros, squandering a series of early chances before failing to generate much of anything late.
“Unfortunately right now, the offense is going through it,” veteran infielder Miguel Rojas said. “But we’re looking forward to continuing to make adjustments and be better in those situations when we have to deliver.”
The night’s biggest story, of course, was Shohei Ohtani.
The night’s biggest story, of course, was Shohei Ohtani. AP
For the third time in his last four pitching starts this year, the two-way star was given a one-way task, removed from the lineup as designated hitter to focus only on his duties atop the mound.
He responded by producing a seven-inning, two-run, eight-strikeout start –– making only two real mistakes on home runs given up to Christian Walker in the second and Branden Shewmake in the third (the first two long balls Ohtani had surrendered this year).
The problem: The Dodgers (22-14) watched their Ohtani-less lineup go back in the tank.
“It’s just sad that you couldn’t do it when Shohei threw the ball really well and he went deep in the game,” Rojas said. “It was up to us to get a big hit, and we win the game.”
The team squandered several golden chances to do so early on, leaving six men on base through the first four frames, including a wasted bases-loaded opportunity from Rojas with two outs in the fourth.
From there, things only got worse. Astros right-hander Peter Lambert retired nine of his final 10 batters to complete a scoreless seven-inning start; the first the Astros (15-22) have gotten all season from their league-worst pitching staff.
The Houston bullpen gave up one run in the eighth on a Kyle Tucker RBI single, but did enough otherwise to keep the lead intact, saddling Ohtani with a losing decision despite his latest pitching gem.
“We as an offense need to find ways to score runs for him,” Rojas said, with Ohtani having received just two total runs of support in his last outings –– all of which have been Dodgers losses.
“It’s not because he’s not in the lineup that we’re not scoring runs,” Rojas added. “It’s really hard to do what he’s doing. He’s taking the ball every five or six days, and he’s doing what he’s supposed to do to win the game. So it’s on us. And we have plenty of hitters in this lineup that can get the job done.”
For as good as Ohtani has been as a pitcher –– finishing Tuesday with an MLB-best 0.97 ERA –– his inability to impact the offense remains a problem. AP
What it means
For as good as Ohtani has been as a pitcher –– finishing Tuesday with an MLB-best 0.97 ERA –– his inability to impact the offense remains a problem.
Ohtani was out of the lineup, after all, in part because of his current 0-for-17 skid as a hitter. Following a fifth-straight hitless performance Monday, manager Dave Roberts decided to change course and only have Ohtani pitch Tuesday.
The four-time MVP should be back in the lineup Wednesday, when the Dodgers will be trying to avoid a third-consecutive series loss. They could use more from his bat. Because right now, even his most dominant pitching starts aren’t enough to ensure a win.
Who’s hot
Fresh off winning National League Pitcher of the Month for March and April, Ohtani did continue his torrid start to the season on the mound, producing his longest pitching start since joining the Dodgers.
Not only did the right-hander go seven innings, but did so on only 89 pitches.
Walker tagged him for a mammoth home run in the second, blasting his 30th career long ball against the Dodgers to the stadium train tracks high above left field. But other than that, the only other damage Ohtani allowed was on Shewmake’s homer, which was a Crawford Box special that traveled only 337 feet to left.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t get him a win,” Roberts said. “But he did a nice job of preserving the bullpen, going deep in the game and giving us a good chance to win tomorrow.”
But other than that, the only other damage Ohtani allowed was on Shewmake’s homer, which was a Crawford Box special that traveled only 337 feet to left. AP
Who’s not
The Dodgers lineup, especially with the bases loaded.
The latest example came in Tuesday’s fourth inning, when Max Muncy, Andy Pages and Alex Freeland all got aboard with two outs against Lambert. With the Dodgers down 2-0, Miguel Rojas came up with a chance to flip the game.
Instead, he hit into a fielder’s choice, dropping the Dodgers’ team batting average to .212 this season in bases-loaded situations (sixth-worst in the majors). From their 38 such plate appearances, they’ve scored only 25 runs.
The Dodgers, of course, struggled in other situational opportunities Tuesday –– which were magnified by their seventh game in the last eight without a home run
They went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They hit into their 32nd double-play of the season, second-most in the majors. And they saw one of their most trusted veteran bats in Rojas waste some of their best chances. His 0-for-4 included the bases-loaded out, the double-play grounder, and the final out of the game with the tying run on first.
“I had a lot of opportunities with runners on base right there,” Rojas said, “and I couldn’t get the job done tonight.”
The Dodgers, of course, struggled in other situational opportunities Tuesday –– which were magnified by their seventh game in the last eight without a home run AP
Up next
Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 2.56 ERA) will face Lance McCullers Jr (2-2, 6.32 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 05: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after scoring during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on May 05, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles’ five-game losing streak is over! They beat the Marlins 9-7 on Tuesday night in Miami, bringing an end to the ugly stretch of play that plagued them over the weekend. It was a game that was highlighted by impressive offensive performances, which covered up some questionable work on the mound.
The bats came out ready to wipe away their nightmare in New York. Gunnar Henderson laced the second pitch out of Sandy Alcantara’s hand for a single into right field. A fielder’s choice from Taylor Ward eliminated Henderson, but kept the pressure on Alcantara. Dylan Beavers followed with a a well-earned walk at the end of a 12-pitch at-bat. And then both runners came in to score on a Pete Alonso double into the left field corner, where old friend Kyle Stowers misplayed it to allow Alonso to scoot all the way to third. Samuel Basallo made it a 3-0 game with another two-bagger, this one a 111-mph laser.
Unfortunately, the O’s would need to score a few more because starter Chris Bassitt was not at the top of his game. The first two batters singled, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A wild pitch behind Otto Lopez scored Miami’s first run of the day. But that is all the damage that would be done in the opening inning as Bassitt bounced back to retire Lopez, strike out Stowers, and get Jakob Marsee to pop out.
The Marlins’ half of the second inning was just as ugly for Bassitt. He hit Connor Norby to open the inning, but was saved by Basallo gunning him down at second base on a steal attempt. After recording another out, Bassitt then loaded the bases by hitting Owen Caissie, walking Graham Pauley, and walking Xavier Edwards. That set the stage for Liam Hicks to single in Caissie and Pauley to tie the score at 3-3.
Credit the Baltimore lineup for fighting right back in the top of the third. Ward led off with a walk, then moved to third on another Alonso double. Basallo cashed in on the opportunity with a two-RBI flare into shallow right field to give the Orioles a 5-3 lead.
But yet again, Bassitt could not put together a shutdown inning. He got right back into trouble with a walk to Stowers to begin the bottom of the third. Connor Norby delivered a one-out single before Joe Mack knocked in Stowers on a base hit into left field, making in 5-4.
The O’s added two more crucial runs in the fifth inning. Basallo was responsible for the first one, yanking a perfectly-placed triple into right-center field, scoring Alonso from first base in the process. A few batters later, Colton Cowser hit a slow bouncer to Lopez, the Marlins shortstop. Lopez’s throw home beat Basallo, but the O’s catcher was able to sneak his toe just under the tag for the team’s seventh run of the day.
The two bullpens quieted the lineups for a little while before the seventh inning, when Hicks and Lopez hit back-to-back homers off of O’s reliever Anthony Nunez to draw within one run, 7-6.
The Marlins would knot the score at 7-7 in the eighth inning. With Andrew Kittredge on the mound, Mack singled and was then replaced by speedster Esteury Ruiz. That would prove too much for the Orioles to handle. Ruiz swiped second base, and then third base as well. On the attempt at third, Basallo double-clutched and then made an arrant throw towards the bag. It sailed into left field, allowing Ruiz to jog home as the tying run.
At this point, it felt like the Orioles were bound to lose. The offense had gone quiet since the fifth inning, the bullpen was wobbling, and the defense had just made a poorly-timed miscue. The sky was falling.
But not this time! The O’s bats came through in the clutch. Walks for Ward and Alonso put two runners on base with two outs ahead of Basallo’s spot in the lineup. Basallo, who was in the midst of a 3-for-4 game with four RBI. Could he put the finishing touches on an impressive showing? Well, his manager Craig Albernaz wasn’t interested in finding out. Instead, he called for the switch-hitting Adley Rutschman to face the left-handed Andrew Nardi on the mound. That would prove to a be a wise decision. Rutschman singled into left field, which allowed Ward to motor around third base and put the O’s up 8-7. Leody Taveras followed with a knock into right field, giving Alonso just enough time to rumble around the bases and score a crucial insurance run.
The bottom of the ninth inning was left to Rico Garcia, who had already recorded the final out of the eighth. He made quick work of the heart of the Miami lineup, retiring them 1-2-3 to close out the 9-7 win, ending the losing streak at five.
The Orioles’ lineup gets most of the credit for this win. While he may not be the player he used to be, Alcantara is still a good, veteran pitcher with a Cy Young Award in his trophy case. The Orioles handled him and the Marlins pitching staff with ease, collecting 10 hits and five walks on the day, and then going 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position. This was a performance to be proud of. Something may have finally clicked for Alonso. Basallo is looking like a Rookie of the Year candidate. Ward was an on-base machine yet again. And Rutschman came up clutch. Lots of good stuff to behold.
The pitching side of things was mixed bag. Bassitt was not good. He had seemingly no feel for his breaking pitches at all, missing the zone by a mile on several occasions. Over four innings he allowed four runs on six hits, three walks, and three strikeouts. His season ERA is up to 5.91. That is not the sort of starter the Orioles hoped to be getting when they signed him to a one-year deal.
The bullpen had some highs and lows. Garcia, Keegan Akin, and Grant Wolfram were good. Nunez struggled. Kittredge didn’t look particularly sharp. But it all worked out to a win. The fact they had to cover five innings isn’t ideal.
Hopefully Brandon Young can provided some length in game 2. He will get the start on Wednesday night in Miami, facing off against Eury Pérez. First pitch is 6:40 as the Orioles look to do the unthinkable and win two games in a row. Amazing stuff!
Most Birdland Player – May 5, 2026
Here are a few candidates for your MBP consideration on this Tuesday evening. Let us know your vote in the comments section:
Taylor Ward: 1-for-3, two walks, three runs
Samuel Basallo: 3-for-4, one run, four RBI
Pete Alonso: 2-for-4, two walks, two doubles, four runs, two RBI
Adley Rutschman: Pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth inning
The injury took place with 5:51 left in the first half, when Vanderbilt’s fingers swiped against the left side of the backboard as he attempted to block a shot by Thunder center Chet Holmgren.
As soon as Vanderbilt made contact into the padding, he went down to the court in visible discomfort and was yelling as he was grabbing his hand.
According to ESPN, Vanderbilt suffered a full dislocation of his right, pinky finger.
“I just talked to him,” Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game. “He’s in as good of spirits as you can be in this situation, obviously frustrated with what happened.”
— Follow: @PurpGoldLakers (@PGMediaaa) May 6, 2026
It’s unclear how long this might keep him out, but it’s worth noting that Vanderbilt is a left-handed shooter.
The NBC broadcast reported the injury was “gruesome” and indicated that Lakers trainers had to put a towel over it to conceal the injury.
In fact, the NBC broadcast showed the moment when it happened, and the Oklahoma City bench had a visible reaction when players got a closer look at Vanderbilt’s hand as he was being ushered off the floor.
“I went to go check on him (during the game) because it looked bad,” Redick said. “He was screaming and knew he had done something. We’re obviously disappointed that it happened. It’s just a freak injury.”
The Lakers ruled Vanderbilt out for the rest of the game.
His injury comes as the team continues to be without All-Star guard Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and is only a week or so since Austin Reaves returned from his oblique injury.
May 5, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Blue Jays 3 Rays 4
The Jays were leading for most of the game, as if that’s any solace.
Tyler Rogers has been terrific for us, but a ground ball pitcher can have bad luck on occasion. His eighth went ground out, double (66 mph, not hit hard), Yandy Diaz ground ball single (harder hit, 88.5 mph, off Ernie Clements glove), Jake Fraley single (84.3 mph line drive ish) drove in the tying run and Ben Williamson single (ground ball, but hit hard, 103 mph) driving in the winning run.
That was it for Rogers, Louis Varland came in and closed the barn door now that the horse was long gone.
And the Jays went down without a hit in the top of ninth. Andrés Giménez ground out, Myles Straw, pinch hitting for Brandon Valenzuela (a lateral move at best) popped out and George Springer lined out.
We had nine hits, including another Kazuma Okamoto homer, (our only extra base hit) his 10th of the season. He and Giménez had two hits each.
We scored:
One in the first: Okamoto’s homer.
One in the second: One out singles from Daulton Varsho, Clement (bunt single), and Valenzuela scored the run. After that Brandon Yohendrick Piñangoput down a squeeze bunt, it wasn’t good, and Clement was out at the plate. Then Springer ground out to end the inning. There was some discussion of whether Valenzuela decided to bunt on his own. If he bunted on his own. If he did, he should be released. Players should never decide to squeeze on their own (but I’m pretty sure it was called from the dugout (dumb idea, John).
One in the fifth: Giménez singled and stole second. Valenzuela walked. Springer hit into a double play, moving Giménez to third. Springer had a rough day. Yohendrick Piñango singled bringing in the run.
Valenzuela had a rough day, as well as the 0 for and the bunt, he blew two challenges, early in the game, so we couldn’t challenge anymore. When you waste the two challenges in the third inning (at times that really wouldn’t have changed the game), you’ve really messed up. I’d imagine he’ll be talked too, but Heineman was pulled from a game for a mistake that wasn’t as bad as that.
Kevin Gausman wasn’t his sharpest, but he allowed just one run in six innings. He gave up six hits, one walk with three walks.
Jeff Hoffman pitched a nice seventh. And we talked about the eighth earlier.
Jays of the Day: Gausman (.14 WPA), Hoffman (.11), Okamoto (.10) and Valenzuela (.09).
The Other Award: Rogers (-.58) and Springer (-.21). And I’m giving one to Valenzuela for the challenges and the bunt (-.04, but the bunt and the challenges…..).
Tomorrow, being a travel day, is an early game. A 1:00 pm start time. I’m sure the Jays can’t wait to get out of there. I can’t wait until they do as well. But please win.
