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Sixers grind out Play-In win over Magic, to face Celtics in first round

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Ah screw it, bring on the Celtics.

The Sixers out battled the Orlando Magic 109-97 in the first round of the Eastern Conference Play-In tournament Wednesday night. They have now earned the seventh seed in the East and will take on Boston in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Sunday afternoon.

Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 31 points, shooting 11-of-25 from the floor along with six assists. Paul George put up 16 points, five assists and two steals on six-of-16 shooting.

In his first postseason game, VJ Edgecombe went for 19 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the floor while pulling down 11 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 19 as well while Desmond Bane led all scorers with 34.

Joel Embiid (appendectomy surgery recovery) and Johni Broome (knee surgery recovery) were out for the Sixers while Orlando was down Jonathan Isaac (knee sprain).

Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.

First Quarter

  • Adem Bona got the start at center in this one. Size-wise it did make sense to stagger him against Wendell Carter Jr. and Andre Drummond against Goga Bitadze. Bona grabbed an offensive rebound and hit another off a defender. Both of those second chances led to the Sixers’ first five points of the game. Kelly Oubre Jr. started well making two of his first threes and got in an early jawing match with Paolo Banchero that earned double technicals.
  • It’s not a surprise both defenses looked better early. Orlando looked to have an early edge on the glass while the Sixers caused disruption via deflections. They had three early steals and scored on two of those fast break opportunities. Maxey got credit for the steal Drummond started with his deflection, but the backup center swatted away two shots in the quarter.
  • Orlando’s defense was able to keep the Sixers’ dribble penetration out of the lane and make them settle. Neither Maxey or George shot it well out of the gate, opening a combined 3-of-10 from the floor. Maxey found his footing a bit, knocking down a couple jumpers, forcing a Magic timeout in the process. He had a floater just rim out only to be slammed back home by Drummond. Maxey swung to an open Oubre in the corner for a three that put the Sixers up by four after one.

Second Quarter

  • Maxey finally went to the bench to start the quarter. Of course, George and Edgecombe manned the floor with him off. Nick Nurse only went eight deep in the first half. George started it well hitting a pair of contested pull-ups. On the other end, the Magic started having an easier time getting to the basket. Franz Wagner opened the quarter with a floater before the Sixers surrendered a wide open cut and a put-back dunk.
  • Fouling a guy enough to get called, but not enough to make the defender miss the shot feels like something the Sixers are uniquely bad at as the Magic had a couple and-1s early in the quarter. He didn’t commit either, but Dominick Barlow picked up three fouls in a whistle-happy half.
  • For as much as they settled, the Sixers were also swinging the ball into a good amount of open threes that weren’t falling. George and Maxey remained the only Sixers other than Oubre to make one. They got better looks near the basket as the half closed. Maxey hit a nice floater, Oubre challenged Carter at the basket and made the layup, and Edgecombe got a layup and a foul in transition. The Magic continued to live at the line though, shooting 17 free throws in the half. After that 17th attempt, Maxey responded with a drive and kick to the corner and Drummond knocked it down, keeping the Sixers lead right at four at the half.

Third Quarter

  • Fittingly, Bane opened the second half by drawing a light foul, sinking his jumper in the process. The Sixers defense responded very well to that with three straight stops, including a shot clock violation and a nice block from Bona. Moving the ball well finally paid off for the Sixers as well as Edgecombe knocked down a corner three. Oubre hit one not long after to give the Sixers their largest lead of the night at seven.
  • It was pretty noticeable how well the Sixers were getting to 50/50 balls compared to postseasons of years past. Edgecombe was a big reason for that. The save he made on Bona’s incredible third block was also very impressive. George poked free a steal that Edgecombe ran out and finished the play with a fast break layup. The flexing he did in Jalen Suggs’ face brought on more chippiness and the crowd to its feet, but Edgecombe got a technical in the process. It was the fifth technical assessed by this point in the game.
  • For as much as the crowd got into that moment, the Sixers’ momentum was halted, going scoreless for the next two and a half minutes and without a field goal for over three. It took the rebound of a Maxey airball bouncing its way to Barlow to break that streak as the Sixers couldn’t buy a jumper. Orlando chipped away from the line before some free throws started bouncing their way. Anthony Black missed a pair to give the fans free chicken before Drummond sank two, keeping the Sixers ahead by five.

Fourth Quarter

  • Edgecombe had his shot blocked to start the fourth, but the Sixers were able to run back with the Magic and get a stop. It was important they do that and tack on a couple baskets, because Edgecombe then turned it over trying to get it to George. Orlando finding their three-point stroke only made it easier to stay on the Sixers’ heels. Edgecombe made up for that a few plays later with a brilliant strip on Banchero.
  • That steal helped the Sixers settle down a bit. Edgecombe hit a jumper before Maxey ripped off seven straight points of his own. It was his longest stretch of the game where he could hit from anywhere. A lot of the foul calls may have been weak but two very poorly-timed fouls from Bona really helped the Magic stop that momentum. He fouled Banchero once the ball had already gone through the hoop, then he just shoved Carter long after the rebound had been secured.
  • The Sixers continued to leave points on the table. They gave up two offensive rebounds on a possession, then George split a pair of free throws. Drummond threw a great pass to find Edgecombe on the baseline, but they gave it right back by losing Wagner in front of the basket. For all of these scenarios though, they responded with points. They answered the Magic every time down, which is what it takes to win these games. Edgecombe tried to dunk on everyone like a maniac and had to settle for a trip to the line.
  • After Maxey made a tremendous block of a layup and Oubre made two more at the line, it looked wrapped up as the crowd chanted “We want Boston.” Fittingly, the actual icing on the cake was another corner three from Drummond.
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Jays Lose to Brewers, 2-1

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 15: Brandon Valenzuela #59 of the Toronto Blue Jays is out at second base as Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers turns a double play during the third inning at American Family Field on April 15, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was a dark and stormy night in Milwaukee, with big lightning displays outside the stadium and rain leaking through cracks in the American Family Field roof. Inside the stadium, it was a pretty juiceless affair. Neither offence could get much of anything going. Ultimately, it was the Brewers who cobbled together a little bit more.

Toronto struck first. Daulton Varsho worked a one out walk in the first, moved to third on a Vladimir Guerrero jr. ground ball single, and came home on a Jesus Sanchez sac fly. From there, it settled into a pitchers’ duel. Cease gave up a line single in the bottom of the first, walks in the second and fourth, and another hit to Joey Ortiz in the fifth. In the sixth, he gave up his third walk but a strike’em out-throw’em out double play ended the inning. All told, he went six shutout innings on two hits and three walks, striking out six.

After his stumble out of the gate, Chad Patrick was even stingier, conceding just one single each in the third (by Brandon Valenzuela) and fifth (by Lenyn Sosa). He also went a bit deeper than Cease, recording two outs in the seventh around a walk to Kazuma Okamoto. DL Hall took over to face the lefty Lenyn Sosa, getting a fly out.

Mason Fluharty started the bottom of the seventh, giving up a single while getting two outs before giving way to Braydon Fisher. Fisher got Ortiz to ground out to preserve the shutout.

In the eighth, Aaron Ashby gave up a single to Varsho and walked Guerrero with two out. Myles Straw was called on to pinch hit for Jesus Sanchez, but struck out.

Tyler Rogers took the eighth. David Hamilton reached on a swinging bunt that Rogers couldn’t bare-hand. Brandon Valenzuela misplayed a ball chopped straight down onto the plate, allowing Sal Frelick to reach and Hamilton, representing the tying run, to move all the way to third with none out. A Contreras ground ball single tied the game with runners still on the corners. A Turang chopper bounced just over Rogers’ head, scoring the go ahead run. Rogers got out of it from there, but the damage was done. The four balls that resulted in either batters reaching or scored runs traveled a total of 22 feet in the air. So it goes.

Abner Uribe locked it down, retiring the Jays in order

Jays of the Day: Dylan Cease (0.39)

Less so: Nathan Lukes (-0.12), Ernie Clement (-0.13), Tyler Rogers (-0.54)

Getaway day tomorrow, with first pitch at 1:40pm ET. The Jays will hope that Patrick Corbin (0-0, 9.00) can do a little better than he managed last time out. For Milwaukee, top prospect Brandon Sproat (0-1, 10.45) will look to bounce back from a dreadful first three starts of the season.

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The Celtics have a first round playoff opponent and an official schedule

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 8: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics pregame against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 8, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Celtics will officially play the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The 7th-seeded 76ers defeated the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic in a Play-In game on Wednesday night, thus punching their ticket to the first round of the playoffs.

The Celtics – 76ers full first-round schedule

Game 1: 76ers at Celtics, Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. at TD Garden
Game 2: 76ers at Celtics, Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. at TD Garden
Game 3: Celtics at 76ers, Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. at Xfinity Mobile Arena or Kia Center
Game 4: Celtics at 76ers/Magic, Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. at Xfinity Mobile Arena or Kia Center
Game 5: 76ers at Celtics, Tuesday, April 28, TBD at TD Garden*
Game 6: Celtics at 76ers, Thursday, April 30, TBD at Xfinity Mobile Arena or Kia Center*
Game 7: 76ers at Celtics, Saturday, May 2, TBD at TD Garden*

*If necessary

How the Celtics, 76ers stack up

The Celtics went 2-2 against the 76ers this year, with three of the games decided by one basket.

The Celtics, however, have been the far better team — they finished the year 56-26, and with the league’s fourth-best net rating, second-best offense, and fourth-best defense.

The 76ers finished with a 45-37 record after an injury-riddled campaign that also saw Paul George endure a 25-game suspension. Philadelphia finished with the 18th-best net rating, 16th-best offensive rating, and 17th-best defensive rating.

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Yankees walk off Angels as Caballero’s double secures comeback win

Apr 15, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero celebrates his two run walkoff hit against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

As corny as it sounds, a lot can happen before that 27th out, and what felt like it would’ve been yet another deflating loss—following a dangerous trend early on in 2026—turned into one of the more thrilling wins for the Yankees this season as they walked off the Angels at home, 5-4, on a José Caballero two-run double. But before getting to that moment against a familiar face in Jordan Romano, the Angels’ new closer who also blew the game on Monday, the Yankees tested the patience of their fans.

Facing a starting pitcher who was dealing with walk issues ahead of this game, the Yankees capitalized on it by earning four free passes against Jack Kochanowicz. Two of them led directly to runs, as Trent Grisham made it a 3-0 game early on with a two-run knock in the second after Aaron Judge began the scoring in the first with his 375th career homer, a solo shot. And yet one can’t help but feel underwhelmed by the Yanks’ efforts. Despite allowing three runs in the first two innings, Kochanowicz managed to pitch into the seventh inning and left in line for the win as the Yankees’ bats took a hiatus from scoring in between the second and the ninth, allowing the Angels to take control of this one for a large period.

In order for the Halos to do that, they had to get at Luis Gil, which turned out to be not much of a problem, homering three times against him. In fact, with the way the Yankees performed after Gil’s departure, the Angels probably wished he could’ve stayed in there a bit longer. For someone who ultimately failed rather spectacularly in his number-one objective in trying to deliver a solid performance tonight—keeping the ball in the park—Gil certainly could’ve done worse than the four runs he allowed in five innings of work.

The Angels got to work on Gil with solo shots by Adam Frazier in the third and Logan O’Hoppe in the fifth, and then the star of this series, Mike Trout, got what looked like—right until the end—was going to be the biggest hit of this game. Notorious for loving the ball down in the zone, Trout got a low heater he was looking for and took it to right field for a two-run shot to then give the Angels the 4-3 lead on career long ball no. 410. Absurdly, it was Trout’s fourth long ball of this series, going deep in each of the three games.

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What’s even more worrisome is that the three home runs were in no way a fluke—the Angels were all over Gil and could’ve easily constructed a more damaging scoreline. According to Statcast, the average exit velocity on batted-ball events against Gil’s fastball was 99.1 mph. Every time the Angels connected, they did so with authority, and they connected quite often, whiffing on just 3 of 17 swings against his fastballs.

Somewhat leaving Gil off the hook would come back to bite the Angels, but it took many a comeback attempt from the Yankees before doing so. The Yankees first got some momentum back in the seventh inning, securing the third out at the top of the frame with Cody Bellinger gunning down Zach Neto, who attempted to go from first to third on a ground-ball single from Trout—and then by opening the bottom of the frame with a beautifully laid down bunt single from Austin Wells. With Wells at second and two outs following Ryan McMahon’s strikeout, the managerial chess match took place. Trent Grisham was coming up for his fourth at-bat against Kochanowicz, so the Angels brought in Drew Pomeranz, and Aaron Boone countered with Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran’s hard liner unfortunately found the glove of Frazier at second base to close the threat.

The theme of narrowly missing out kept going as Giancarlo Stanton—who had a particularly difficult time striking out three times against Kochanowicz—crushed a 3-2 fastball against Romano to start the ninth, but it didn’t have enough air under it and was caught by Bryce Teodosio in right. Teodosio had just come into the game as a defensive replacement.

Sometimes, though, it’s better to be lucky than good, and the Yankees’ successful comeback effort originated on a massive blunder from the Angels’ defense. Right after Stanton’s lineout, Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a casual popup, but miscommunication on the infield between Neto and old friend Oswald Peraza saw it drop in.

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With Jazz on base, the Yankees had an immediate threat. Chisholm stole second, and a slightly-rattled Romano walked Wells.

That’s when Caballero mustered a timely hit, knocking one into left-center field with the runners in motion. Chisholm easily scored the tying run, and a hustling Wells came all the way around to cross home as well, just barely beating the surprised Angels’ relay throw home.

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The Survive Trout Show continues for one more day tomorrow at 1:35pm ET, as the Yankees send out the best they have for this series finale against the Angels, with ace Max Fried looking for his third win of the season. The Angels haven’t announced their starter yet. Just in case you were wondering, Trout and Fried have never faced each other before in the big leagues.

Box Score

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Rangers close out regular season with 4-2 win over Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tye Kartye scored two goals and had an assist as the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Wednesday night in the regular season finale for both teams.

Gabe Perreault and Mika Zibanejad — on the power play — also scored for New York, which snapped a three-game losing streak, while Dylan Garand made 29 saves in his first start since March 27. Zibanejad also had an assist.

Oliver Bjorkstrand and Corey Perry scored for the playoff-bound Lightning, who rested several key players. Brandon Halverson made 17 saves.

Kartye scored 4:02 into the game to give the Rangers the early lead, then added his second 1:29 into the second period for his first multi-goal game in the NHL. By adding an assist on Perreault’s goal at 4:49 of the second period that made it 3-0, Kartye had his first three-point NHL game.

Perry scored 51 seconds into the third period on a spinning backhand shot.

The Lightning were 0-for-3 on the power play in the game and have just one power-play goal in their last 11 games.

Max Crozier was back in the lineup for Tampa Bay after missing 26 games with an injury.

Up next

Rangers: The Rangers’ season is over.

Lightning: Host Montreal in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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Tyler Mahle rocked in 8-3 Giants’ loss to Reds

CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 15: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after giving up a home run during the second inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 15, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The slumping San Francisco Giants retooled their outfield before Wednesday’s game, sending Harrison Bader and Jared Oliva to the injured list and recalling Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan from Sacramento. Unfortunately, they didn’t retool the way they pitch to Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart.

Stewart gave the Reds a 3-0 lead with a three-run home run in the first inning off Giants starter Tyler Mahle (0-3) then extended the lead to 7-0 with a second three-run bomb one inning later. The rookie now has 12 homers and 25 RBIs in his 36-game big-league career and those numbers have gone way up in this series.

Mahle missed his spot badly on the second one, leaving his fastball up for Stewart to hit an opposite-field dinger for the third time this series.

The Giants starter never had a chance and it honestly should have been worse. Eugenio Suarez went deep three pitches after Stewart’s first homer for the 328th home run of his career, tying Shawn Green and Scores Hall of Famer Mo Vaughn. In the second, he walked the first batter on four pitches and was bailed out when TJ Friedl bunted Ke’Bryan Hayes over — only for Mahle to pick him off second.

Mahle followed that up by walking Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz before Stewart’s three-run blast. For the inning, he gave up three walks, two hits and a homer, retiring exactly one hitter who wasn’t making an out on purpose.

Manager Tony Vitello treated Mahle like he’d been caught smoking and his punishment was to smoke the whole pack. There was no action in the Giants bullpen in the second or third inning, with Mahle left to eat innings and think about what he did on the mound where he spent the first six seasons of his career. That’s why he was still in to give up a fourth-inning bomb to De La Cruz that rivaled the flight of the space shuttle Artemis.

De La Cruz’s home run trot took only slightly less time than the entire Artemis mission.

The Giants did match their highest scoring output of their losing streak with three runs, and even got to two runs by the second inning! Matt Chapman singled, Jung Hoo Lee walked and Silver Slugger candidate Daniel Susac knocked in both runners with a double down the left field line.

The offense remains a work in progress. After Susac’s double, Reds starter Rhett Lowder (2-1) retired the next 12 Giants he faced. When Luis Arraez singled to break the streak, Lowder got new No. 3 hitter Casey Schmidt to ground into an inning-ending double play. New outfielders Brennan and Ramos went 0-for-2.

Rafael Devers’ frustration mirrored that of the team and the fanbase after he swung through a Lowder slider to lead off the second inning, snapping his bat in half.

He would get a measure of revenge in the 7th, hitting a single off Lowder before Chapman and Lee lined out. Susac followed with another hit, then Heliot Ramos got a much-needed RBI single, pinch-hitting against left-handed reliever Brock Burke, who has two last names. Jerar Encarnacion loaded the bases with a pinch-hit single of his own, but the inning ended with a Willy Adames strikeout.

In the 8th inning, the team got unlucky. After Arraez walked and Devers beat out an infield hit (4.6 seconds home to first!), Matt Chapman fouled off four pitches before hitting a scorcher straight at third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (son of Charlie!). Hayes doubled Arraez off second as the Giants’ last chance ended.

Encarnacion kept the good feelings going by turning a fly ball he couldn’t reach into a force out at second in the 8th. Ramos did not keep the good vibes going when he struck out in the ninth on a pitch that landed in the left-handed batter’s box.

Apropos of nothing, Bryce Eldridge is slashing 360/.492/.520 for the Sacramento River Cats, with 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances, hitting a three-run homer of his own in the first inning Wednesday night. And as we all know, the river cat is a mythical creature that lives in the American River. If you catch it, it will grant you a wish or bribe a State Senator.

The bullpen mopped up well, with Blade Tidwell and Ryan Borucki pitching perfect innings and JT Brubaker logging two scoreless innings, while also getting into a shouting match with Spencer Steer over…pitching too slow? Hard to say. It was late and both teams were cranky.

Thursday is a day game, where Landon Roupp tries to halt the Giants’ five-game slide against Chase Burns, who judging by his name, leads a group of rich campers in tormenting the nerdier campers across the lake. One tip for Roupp? Don’t give up home runs, which have been the Reds’ entire offense for two games, albeit an extremely effective form of offense.

Also he orders chili in Cincinnati, they’re going to pour it over spaghetti. Yes, there are some things more baffling than the Giants’ inability to score runs.

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Panthers End Frustrating Season With Dominant 8-1 Victory Over Detroit

The Florida Panthers put on a good show for their fans during Wednesday’s season finale at Amerant Bank Arena.

Despite playing for nothing more than pride (and positioning in the NHL Draft Lottery), the Panthers skated all over the Detroit Red Wings, beating them 8-1 to end the season on something of a high note.

It took less than five minutes for the game’s first goal to be scored.

With Florida putting on the pressure in the Red Wings’ zone, Vinnie Hinostroza put a quick shot on goal that beat John Gibson, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead at the 4:57 mark.

The only assist went to rookie Wilmer Skoog, who picked up his first NHL point in just his third NHL game.

Florida made it 2-0 at nearly the same stage of the second period.

Directly off an offensive zone faceoff, Luke Kunin one-timed a pass from Matthew Tkachuk past Gibson 5:37 into the middle frame.

A.J. Greer made it 3-0 Florida with a nice wraparound goal while the Cats were on the power play with 11:04 to go, then moments later a funky bounce off the back boards gave rookie Mike Benning his first NHL goal and a 4-goal lead to the Panthers.

Continuing the night of firsts, rookie Ludvig Jansson picked up his first NHL point with an assist on Greer’s PPG.

Florida wasn’t done there.

A gorgeous cross-ice pass by Donovan Sebrango gave Benning a wide-open net to shoot at, giving the rookie his second goal of the game, as well as his career, exactly 3:02 after his first.

For those wondering, Florida’s four second period goals came in the span of just 7:04.

Detroit finally got on the board late in the period off a long wrist shot by Justin Fault that went between Daniil Tarasov’s body and right arm, running the veteran goaltender’s shutout bid with 3:48 to go in the period.

Cole Schwindt picked up his fifth goal of the season and second in the past 10 days about halfway through the final frame, making it 6-1 Panthers.

Exactly 41 seconds later, Florida’s other Cole, Cole Reinhardt, scored his fifth goal in four games to give the Panthers a seventh goal on the night.

Kunin scored his second of the night with 1:48 to go, giving the fans a final goal to celebrate.

Now the Panthers and their 84 points will watch and wait while the rest of the league finishes out the season to see where they fall in the NHL Draft Lottery order.

Remember, Florida keeps their pick if it ends up in the top-10.

On to…the offseason.

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Photo caption: Apr 15, 2026; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) blocks a shot against Florida Panthers right wing MacKie Samoskevich (11) during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

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Kartye scores 2 goals as the Rangers beat the Lightning 4-2

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tye Kartye scored two goals and had an assist as the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Gabe Perreault and Mika Zibanejad — on the power play — also scored for New York, which snapped a three-game losing streak, while Dylan Garand made 29 saves in his first start since March 27. Zibanejad also had an assist.

Oliver Bjorkstrand and Corey Perry scored for the playoff-bound Lightning, who rested several key players. Brandon Halverson made 17 saves.

Kartye scored 4:02 into the game to give the Rangers the early lead, then added his second 1:29 into the second period for his first multigoal game in the NHL. By adding an assist on Perreault's goal at 4:49 of the second period that made it 3-0, Kartye had his first three-point NHL game.

Perry scored 51 seconds into the third period on a spinning backhand shot.

The Lightning were 0-for-3 on the power play in the game and have just one power-play goal in their last 11 games.

Max Crozier was back in the lineup for Tampa Bay after missing 26 games with an injury.

Up next

Rangers: The Rangers' season is over.

Lightning: Host Montreal in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Dodgers vs. Mets game III chat

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: A detailed view of the retired jersey number 42 for Jackie Robinson before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers conclude their three-game series against the New York Mets on Jackie Robinson Day, looking to get a sweep and take five of six games on the homestand. Shohei Ohtani makes his third start of the season against right-hander Clay Holmes.

Ohtani will only be on the mound on Wednesday, as Dalton Rushing is penciled in at designated hitter.

WEDNESDAY GAME INFO
  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Mets
  • Stadium: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 7:10 p.m. PT
  • TV: ESPN
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

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Red Wings Trounced 8-1 By Panthers In Regular Season Finale

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In what was their final game of the 2025-26 regular season, the Detroit Red Wings suffered the most lopsided setback of their centennial campaign.

Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Benning scored the first two goals of his NHL career, while Luke Kunin scored twice in what was an 8-1 rout of the Red Wings at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. 

The Red Wings, who officially missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th straight season, finished 41-31-10 and sixth overall in the Atlantic Division.

Just three months earlier, they were tied for first overall in the Eastern Conference, but a 9-15-5 stretch proved too damaging to overcome, and it was another season of unraveling after the calendar turned to March, falling out of the playoff race. 

Vinnie Hinostroza scored the only goal of the first period for the Panthers, who then got tallies from Kunin, A.J. Greer, and two from Benning in the game's middle frame, building up a 5-0 lead before Justin Faulk scored for the Red Wings. 

Florida then kept piling on in the third period, eventually taking an 8-1 lead after goals from Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt, and Kunin. 

Red Wings starter John Gibson, who was pulled after allowing Florida's fourth tally of the game, made 11 saves on the 15 shots he saw. Cam Talbot, who replaced him, stopped eight of 12 shots. Meanwhile, Florida's Daniil Tarasov finished with 24 saves.

The offseason is now officially here for the Red Wings, who now own the unfortunate distinction of having the NHL's longest current active playoff drought.

The club will return home to Detroit for locker-room cleanout day.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

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JJ Redick says he has ‘trust’ in Bronny James, as Lakers prepare for playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10, 2026: Standing next to Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) gets ready to check back into the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on February 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

It may not be the biggest story of this Lakers season, but one of the highlights has been Bronny James’ development.

He played in 42 games for LA and his best basketball came during the final games of the regular season, when the Lakers needed him to step up with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves out.

Over the last six contests, Bronny averaged 7.2 points while playing 16.9 minutes per game.

With the playoffs set to begin, Lakers head coach JJ Redick discussed how Bronny has developed and how he needs to stay ready for playoff minutes against the Rockets.

“We’re gonna have to have all hands on deck for the series,” Redick said after Lakers practice on Wednesday. “He’s got to be ready. Nick [Smith Jr.] will have to be ready. I think Bronny’s improved a lot. I think we trust him. The shooting piece, I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it in the last two years in the G League.

“I know there was a stretch recently where he didn’t shoot it well and of course, he had a nice shooting game against Utah. He’s improved a ton defensively in terms of his body positioning, both on and off ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”

Last year, Bronny only touched the floor during the playoffs in garbage time. If he plays real minutes against Houston, that would be tremendous growth for the two-year guard, considering that he was a late second-round pick back in 2024.

Until the series starts, we won’t know if Bronny is automatically part of the rotation or if he’s a player waiting on the bench for an opportunity to come. Given they are shorthanded in the backcourt and Bronny has improved his play as of late, he is likely to get some run against the Rockets.

Due to his current form, it’s clear he’s gained more trust from Redick. And now, the thought of him playing in the postseason is not only realistic but sensible.

Three of Bronny’s four double-digit scoring games have come this April, and if he can show that consistency, knocking down shots and being a positive defender on the floor this postseason, that gives LA another guard they can use.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Jose Caballero's walk-off double lifts Yankees to 5-4 win over Angels

The Yankees had a lead early, then the offense went dormant, but Jose Caballero saved the day with a two-run walk-off double to lift New York to a 5-4 win over the Angels on Wednesday night.

The ninth-inning comeback started when Jazz Chisholm Jr. popped up to the left side of the infield with one out, but Oswald Peraza and Zach Neto were confused as to who would take it, and it fell between them. Chisholm stole second and Wells walked to bring up Caballero. The Yankees shortstop lined a hit to left center that pushed across the tying run, and Wells -- who was running on the pitch with Chisholm -- was sent and slid just before the tag to give the Yankees the win.

All of this came against Jordan Romano, the closer who gave up the lead in Monday's win. The Yankees have now won two of the first three games of this series.

Here are the takeaways...

-Luis Gil was on the mound, making his second start of the season and got off to an inauspicious start.Neto hit a leadoff double just fair down the left field line, but was stranded there thanks to Aaron Judge's strong arm in right field, keeping Neto at second. A ground ball and a fly out later, and Gil was out of the inning.

After a clean second inning, Gil would give up his first run of the game. After getting behind Adam Frazier 2-0, Gil threw a 95 mph fastball down the middle and the second baseman muscled it 398 feet over the right center field wall. It wouldn't be the only solo shot Gil would allow. Logan O'Hoppe drove a 95 mph fastball up in the zone over the left center field wall. The blast went 427 feet. Three batters later, Mike Trout launched a two-run shot to give the Angels a 4-3 lead in the fifth. It's Trout's fourth home run of the series.

Gil completed the inning, but that was all for him. 

The right-hander tossed 83 pitches (48 strikes), allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. The longball got him and prevented him from going longer in this one.

-Judge doesn't just do it on defense. The Yankees captain got the scoring started with a two-out blast in the first inning, shooting the ball the opposite way for his AL-leading seventh home run of the season. Judge now has three home runs in this series.

-After the Yankees scored just one run on Tuesday, they didn't let it happen on Wednesday. Trent Grisham hit an opposite-field single to drive inChisholmandCaballero with two outs in the second inning to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead.

But the Yankees had a hard time pushing across more runs, especially when they were trailing. In the seventh,Wells led off with a bunt single and was at second base with one out. Ryan McMahon struck out before Paul Goldschmidt -- pinch-hitting for Grisham against a left-handed reliever -- lined out sharply to second base to end the threat.

The Yankees were outhit 7-6 and were 2-for-7 with RISP with five left on base. The Angels were worse, however, going 0-for-4 with RISP and leaving four men on base.

-The Yankees bullpen, much-maligned of late, was great on Wednesday. They pitched four scoreless innings after Gil was pulled to give the Yankees a chance.

  • Tim Hill: 1.0 IP
  • Fernando Cruz: 1.0 IP, 1 H
  • Brent Headrick: 1.0 IP, 1 H
  • David Bednar: 1.0 IP, 1 K

Game MVP: Jose Caballero

Caballero's hit turned around what would have been another dreadful night for the Yankees offense.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees and Angels complete their four-game series on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m.

Max Fried (2-0, 1.93 ERA) will take the mound while the Angels have yet to announce their starter.

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Into the crevasse: Cubs 11, Phillies 2

Apr 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner (42) reacts with infielder Matt Shaw (42) hits a two-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

For the second straight night, the Philadelphia Phillies (8-10) gave up double-digit runs to the visiting Chicago Cubs (9-9) by a score of 11-2 on their way to dropping a third straight series.

Jesus Luzardo’s early season struggles continued, allowing nine of the Cubs’ 11 runs on 12 hits, a walk and a wild pitch. Luzardo, sporting a 7.94 ERA, has surrendered five-plus runs in three out of his four starts to begin the year, equalling his total in 32 starts last season.  

This third lost series at home also equals the Phillies’ total from last season. They are 1-5 in series finales.

Trea Turner led off the game with a home run to straightaway center, his second of the season, on the second pitch offered by Cubs’ starter, Shota Imanaga.

Imanaga would allow only two more hits across his six innings of work, a single and a double by Adolis Garcia.

Things seemed to unravel for Luzardo and his backing group in the top of the third inning. After needing only 17 pitches to get through the first and second, Luzardo threw 34 in the third, nine of which went to Matt Shaw who reached on a one-out double. Shaw came home to score on a Nico Hoerner single and then Luzardo walked Alex Bregman. Hoerner and Bregman tried for a double steal and an overthrow by JT Realmuto was dropped by Turner which allowed Hoerner to score and Bregman to reach third. Luzardo’s wild pitch brought Bregman home.

Kyle Backhus allowed one run in 1.2 innings of relief and Dylan Moore took to the mound as the sacrificial lamb for the second time already this year, allowing another run.

Jose Alvarado pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning with one strikeout.

Bryce Harper hammered a garbage-time homer in the bottom of the ninth, his fourth of the year. Edmundo Sosa had the only other hit for the Phillies.

The Phillies have a day off tomorrow before hosting the Atlanta Braves for a weekend series. Taijuan Walker is slated to go up against a TBD Braves’ starter on Friday night.

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Some Pistons playoff musings

Mar 1, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with center Jalen Duren (0) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

We’ve finally made it.

The NBA Playoffs are (kind of) here, and the Pistons open Sunday against whoever survives the Magic/Sixers/Hornets play-in on Friday. This isn’t a full preview, just some thoughts and observations ahead of the Pistons’ biggest postseason in 19 years.

Let’s dive in.

I’m not concerned with the Play-In
The Pistons are the No. 1 seed for a reason. None of Orlando, Philly, or Charlotte should scare you.

Detroit went 9-2 against that trio this season, and one of the Orlando losses came last week without Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Duncan Robinson and Isaiah Stewart.

Charlotte is volatile because of their shooting, but that kind of 3-point variance is more dangerous in a one-game setting than a seven-game series. It’s hard to see them staying hot over the course of a playoff series.

Philadelphia, for now, doesn’t have Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is still an All-NBA dude, but the rest of the roster lacks punch. Even if Embiid returns, he’s not the same guy who tormented the Pistons during his MVP era.

Orlando is just… off. The talent is there, but between the late-season slide, the Paolo Banchero situation, and locker room noise, it’s hard to take them seriously. Vibes are badddddd.

Detroit should handle this series in five games. Not a sweep, but a gentleman’s sweep.

Are Detroit sports fans a little damaged?
There’s a weird level of local skepticism around this team.

Nationally, sure, I get it. No. 1 seeds without a deep playoff track record always get a side-eye. But locally? It feels like people are bracing for disaster.

Maybe it’s last year’s Tigers collapse or the Lions’ flameout over the past two years, but there’s a lot of “they could lose to Charlotte” or “there’s zero chance they make the Conference Finals.”

It’s just odd. I’m not going to sit here and tell you I think the Pistons will win the title (they won’t) nor that they’ll make the Finals (they might), but this isn’t a team walking into the playoffs blind.

They got their playoff indoctrination last year. That matters.

A shorter rotation is coming
I caught a lot of flak on Twitter recently over this, but I think the Pistons are going to cut down their rotation come Sunday. We’re not going to see 10-11 guys playing.

Maybe we will if the series isn’t close, but if it’s a real, down-to-the-wire series, we’re going to mostly see the starters playing more with Ron Holland, Daniss Jenkins, Stew and Kevin Huerter carrying the load off the bench.

This scheduling is weird
Boston and San Antonio, the No. 2 seeds, will know their opponent for Sunday’s Game 1s by the end of the night.

The No. 1 seeds won’t know until Friday night.

That’s a little wack. The top seed still gets home court and an easier path on paper, but the play-in muddies that advantage a little bit. It’s not a huge deal, but feels like a quirk the NBA should look at.

It’s Jalen Duren’s time
Duren took the leap this year.

Made the All-Star team, likely making All-NBA — should but won’t win the Most Improved Player award — but I think there’s still more to come.

Detroit will need his offense in these playoffs, but the real swing is his defense. If he can hold up on switches in the playoffs as he has in the regular season, it makes a deep run possible. He had moments against the New York Knicks last year, but struggled overall on D. I think he’s going to click on both ends this year.

If it’s Charlotte, he should dominate. Same against Philly sans Embiid. Even against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, the numbers are hard to ignore: 21.7 points and 12.3 rebounds vs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen this season, including 28.5 points and 15 rebounds per game in two matchups after the All-Star break.

He’s a mismatch and massive advantage for Detroit.

Three X-Factors
I couldn’t pick one, so you get three and a half very important dudes:

Ron Holland — He looked like a deer in the headlights against the Knicks last year, but the game has slowed down for him recently. His numbers (10 points per game, 46% from the field, 48% from three on 21 attempts) in six games this month sans Cade back it up. He’s ready to roll.

Daniss Jenkins — As far as I’m concerned, he’s a rookie. Jenkins has had highs and lows, but overall, he’s just produced. He’s not afraid. His playmaking and shot creation could swing a game or two. It’s easy to get sped up in the playoffs; the key for him is staying aggressive without losing control.

Duncan Robinson — We saw Detroit struggle when Malik Beasley went cold last postseason, so Robinson’s shooting is obviously critical. He brings real playoff experience (61 games, 40% from three). The question is whether Detroit can protect him defensively or if they can trust Jenkins enough to close in his place.

We’re gonna say, “Woo”

I don’t know when.

I don’t know how.

I just know Javonte Green is going to have his moment. I don’t have him in the truncated playoff rotation right now, but there’s going to be a spot where the Pistons need a jolt or big play on defense or dunk to wake up the LCA crowd.

I’m gonna bet Woo is the guy who delivers.

—

What are you all feeling headed into Sunday? Let us know in the comments!

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Mariners Game #19 Preview and Discussion: SEA at SDP

SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 15: Fans in the outfield stand above a plaque honoring Jackie Robinson and another honoring Ken Griffey, Jr. during the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rod Mar/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images

Well, it turns out the problems with the offense might not be fixed so easily. The Mariners looked more like their early-season selves last night in the series opener against San Diego, eking out just four hits and scoring a lone run on a sac fly. It was a disappointing comedown after the high of the Houston series. The Mariners will look to get back on track tonight against Padres starter Randy Vásquez, but it will be a tough task; as Jake outlines in the series preview, Vásquez will throw not just a kitchen sink but an entire Zillow listing at hitters. Who will emerge triumphant in the battle of the Randys?

Lineups:

Emerson Hancock starts for the Mariners on Jackie Robinson Day. Hancock and Robinson actually share a birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, which is a pretty big coincidence for a town with a population of about 10,000. (Other MLB players born in Cairo, pronounced like the syrup: Willie Harris, Ernest Riles, and one other active player, Hurston Waldrep, currently of the Braves.)

Game information:

Game time: 6:40 PT

TV: Mariners.TV and associated channels with Aaron Goldsmith and Angie Mentink

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.

As a reminder, we’ll be watching Thursday’s game at the Rebel in Wallingford – come through if you can! 21+, food and drink specials, and prizes.

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