Boston Celtics Daily Links 4/22/26

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Herald Four Celtics takeaways as tied-up 76ers series shifts to Philadelphia

76ers punch back in Game 2, beat poor-shooting Celtics to even series

After missing 2024 title, newest Celtic ‘blessed’ to be back for playoff run

GlobeVJ Edgecombe, 76ers get hot, steal Game 2 against ice-cold Celtics: 7 takeaways

76ers beat Celtics 111-97 to tie first-round series at 1-1

There’s no need for Celtics to panic after Game 2 loss

After a crushing defeat in Game 1, 76ers decide they’re not going to be a pushover in Game 2

In a game of adjustments, the Celtics didn’t make enough and lost Game 2 to the 76ers

It’s all about the shot in the modern NBA, and after Game 2, the Sixers have one against the Celtics

Sixers’ VJ Edgecombe sets playoff mark for youngest with 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game

Celtics GreenComments from the Other Side – 76ers Game 2 4/21/26

CelticsBlogThe Celtics lost Game 2 on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they figured out why.

10 takeaways from the Celtics losing control in Game 2

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum share common message after Game 2 loss to 76ers

Joe Mazzulla saw it coming before Game 2. Now Celtics-Sixers is a series

Celtics drop Game 2, homecourt advantage to 76ers, 97-111

CLNS Media Shooting Story of Game 2 but Sixers Found Other Answers Too vs Celtics

Celtics Fall to Sixers after Exceptional Three-Point Shooting from Philadelphia | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS

Celtics .com Keys to the Game: 76ers 111, Celtics 97

NBC Sports BostonKeys to a bounce-back: Five areas of focus for Celtics entering Game 3

Celtics-Sixers recap: Philly gets hot from 3 to take Game 2 at TD Garden

NESNWhy Celtics Fans Should Be Optimistic About Game 3 Chances Vs. 76ers

Why Stephen A. Smith Is ‘Not Concerned’ About Celtics’ Game 2 Loss

Celtics’ Fatal Flaw Sinks Them Again In Game 2 Vs. 76ers

What Went Wrong: 3 Takeaways After Celtics’ 111-97 Loss To 76ers In Game 2

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Receives Technical For Excessive Celebration Following Monster Dunk Vs. 76ers In Game 2

Mass Live Spurs star Victor Wembanyama in concussion protocol after brutal fall in Game 2

Former Celtics big man has huge night in upset Game 2 win over Spurs

LeBron James gushes about former Celtics guard after Game 2 upset vs. Rockets

Derrick White talks playoffs shooting slump after Game 2 Sixers loss

NBA announces start time for Game 5 of Celtics vs. 76ers series

Joe Mazzulla faces pivotal choice after Celtics surprising Game 2 loss

Celtics revert to controversial tactic in stunning Game 2 loss to 76ers

Tyrese Maxey hints at important switch after Game 2 win over Celtics

Jaylen Brown makes pointed assessment of Game 2 loss to 76ers

Jaylen Brown is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Game 2 loss to 76ers

4 takeaways as Celtics stunned by Sixers in Game 2 to tie series

Celtics Wire Confidence played major role in 76ers Game 2 win; can Celtics kill it in Game 3?

Mazzulla sees Celtics adjustments to counter 76ers backcourt in Game 3

Today in Boston Celtics history: Swain, Smith drafted; Coles born

Jaylen Brown not panicked after Game 2 loss to 76ers: It’s the playoffs

Jayson Tatum refuses to let Celtics Game 2 loss to Sixers get him down

Jayson Tatum has raised the Boston Celtics ceiling since his return

Celtics misfire from beyond the arc and fall 111-97 to 76ers in Game 2

Joe Mazzulla on making adjustments in Celtics series vs. 76ers

The AthleticNBA playoffs first-round series odds: Upsets continue to pile up

The Bounce: Wemby’s concussion shakes up the playoff picture

Celtics’ loss to 76ers will mean more work for ‘still-rehabbing’ Jayson Tatum

Jaylen Brown looking forward to the challenge after Celtics drop Game 2

Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe flex in Boston: Takeaways from Celtics-76ers Game 2

Boston Sports Journal Simone: Game 2 loss to 76ers wasn’t Celtics basketball

BSJ Game Report: 76ers 111, Celtics 97 – An ugly Game 2 mess

Hardwood HoudiniCeltics playoff schedule update will take some of the sting off of Game 2 loss

The most vital element in a deep Celtics run is right in front of our faces

Joe Mazzulla still keeping Tatum trick up his sleeve in playoffs, at least for now

Center position remains biggest point of uncertainty for Celtics playoff run

Bold Joe Mazzulla decision hurt Celtics in Game 2 but didn’t define it

Salt in the wounds for Celtics fans as former players dominate NBA playoffs

Celtics’ ugly Game 2 loss followed familiar script that can’t happen again

Anfernee Simons’ absence looms embarrassingly large in Celtics loss

Chowder and ChampionsCeltics Give Their Fans Deja Vu With Vintage Game 2 Loss vs. Sixers

CLNS Media/ouTubeWhy did the Celtics LOSE to 76ers in Game 2? | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell

Time to WORRY about Derrick White for Celtics after Game 2 Struggles? | Garden Report

76ers Shoot LIGHTS OUT, Tie Series vs Celtics | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS

Jaylen Brown on Celtics Loss to Sixers in Game 2 | FULL Postgame Interview

Joe Mazzulla Explains What He Saw on Film From Celtics Game 2 Loss | Practice Interview

Derrick White After Game 2 Loss: “I Gotta Play Better” | Celtics Practice Interview

Nikola Vucevic Praises Celtics Coaches After Game 2 Loss | Practice Interview

Paul George SHOCKED VJ Edgecombe Made History: “You Did That?” | Celtics vs 76ers

Jayson Tatum: “Our job is to focus on the things that we can control” | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame

Tyrese Maxey on How He Exploited Celtics Defense in Game 2 | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame Interview

Kelly Oubre Jr. on How 76ers Outmatched Celtics’ Intensity | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame Interview

Neemias Queta on Celtics Offensive Struggles in Game 2 Loss | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame Interview

Joe Mazzulla on Celtics Game 2 Loss | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame Interview

Clutch PointsJoe Mazzulla breaks down Celtics’ biggest issue in Game 2 loss to 76ers

Behind the Buck Pass The Celtics have one obvious problem in any Giannis trade

The Sports Hub Celtics lose Game 2, Chris Forsberg explains why

Celtics go cold, drop Game 2 to 76ers 111-97

Second-quarter deficit too much for Celtics to overcome against 76ers

NBC Sports Philadelphia 10 insane Roob stats from the 76ers’ improbable upset win over the Celtics

Observations after Sixers snag gutsy Game 2 win over Celtics, Edgecombe and Maxey star 

SI .comCeltics-Sixers Game 2 Player Grades and Stats: Jaylen Brown Tries To Carry C’s

5 Reasons Boston Celtics Lost Game 2 to Philadelphia 76ers, Including Hot Shooting

HeavyNBA Mock Draft 2026: Big Moves by Teams, Players

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Drops Blunt Quote After 76ers Steal Game 2

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Drops Powerful Quote After Game 2 Loss to 76ers

Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Explains Defensive Decision on Sixers Star Guards

NBA .com4 takeaways: Philadelphia backcourt delivers big to even series

Sixers WirePlayer grades: VJ Edgecombe leads Sixers to Game 2 win over Celtics

Audacy5 takeaways as Celtics go cold, drop Game 2 vs. 76ers

Fadeaway WorldCeltics Player Ratings: Brown’s Dominant Performance Not Enough In Game 2 Loss Against Sixers

TalkBasketJoe Mazzulla points to ‘little things’ after Celtics fall to 76ers in Game 2

Sporting NewsJayson Tatum problem that everyone ignored is exactly why Celtics were upset by 76ers

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, Joe Mazzulla diagnose top problem that led to Game 2 loss vs. 76ers

Barstool Sports The Celtics Give The Sixers New Life After Playing Like A**holes And Dropping Game 2 As The Series Now Shifts To Philly

Yahoo Sports Do the 76ers have a chance against the Celtics if they prolong the series and get Joel Embiid back?

Philly Voice Instant observations: VJ Edgecombe, Sixers even up series with resilient performance, outlasting Celtics

NESN/YouTube Is Jayson Tatum All The Way Back With Sean Grande

Rookie Wire Sixers’ VJ Edgecombe registers historic performance in Game 2 victory

Umpires using ABS to challenge players is a good thing for baseball

Boston, MA - April 20: Third base umpire Lance Barksdale makes an out signal following a challenge in the eighth inning. The Boston Red Sox played the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on April 20, 2026. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

When the idea of the Automated Ball-Strike system was introduced, it was impossible to count the number of baseball fans who thought it would be a good idea. Every baseball fan has had to deal with their team getting robbed in a big moment by a bad call. Whether it was a strike well below the zone or one that was called too far to the east or west, umpires are humans; they’re imperfect. When the opportunity arose to give players a chance to point out those imperfections, it was widely regarded as one of the best modern ideas to come to the forefront of the sport.

However, while the ABS system was initially designed (and thought of by the public) as strictly a way to give players in the batter’s box, on the mound, or behind the dish some power in what decisions were being made by officials on the playing field, it has managed to award umpires some fun, maybe-not-so-foreseen power as well.

Arguing balls and strikes has rarely changed the zone of an umpire in the middle of a game, so while it’s easy for players and managers to get frustrated with how an ump is calling a game, there usually isn’t a point unless you’re a manager trying to send a message by being ejected. But even as pointless as those arguments are, they’re even more useless now with the ABS system. Since its introduction this year in Major League Baseball, there have been a handful of instances where the umpire has told players or managers to use a challenge if they truly don’t think the call was a good one. Like this most recent spot with Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz:

Another recent one that came against the Yankees was with the Athletics and pitcher Aaron Civale, who was unhappy with a pitch being called a ball, argued his case, but was ultimately told to challenge it if he felt confident the call was wrong:

While some may argue that giving baseball umpires more power is not a good thing, this isn’t necessarily giving them more power. The ABS system is merely giving the umpires an outlet to say “put up or shut up,” which I do believe is a good thing for baseball. Many, many fans want to see umpires receive their comeuppance, with everyone at some point having been burned by a bad call, while the umpire who made said call wasn’t held accountable. On the other end, players and managers whining about calls can sometimes be over-the-top and annoying, especially so now that they have the power to try and change the call if they’re so confident it was wrong. In this way, giving players the power to actually do something about it also gives umpires the chance to tell them to put their money where their mouth is.

The ABS system is an idea that is almost universally viewed as beneficial for the sport. Giving players a chance to have their say if they think a call is wrong (especially in big moments that could change the course of a ballgame) is an excellent addition. Given how much chatter there was constantly about MLB and its umpires, the system is an excellent way to hold umpires accountable and ensure they get it right. However, it also gives umpires a bit of breathing room. They don’t have to sit around and listen to whining and complaining from the batter’s box, mound, or the dugout. Instead, they have the ability to tell the people complaining to stop because there’s an avenue for them to object to the call. If they don’t challenge, they have no reason to complain. And while the system was initially designed for players, it’s a welcome change to see umpires telling players and managers to stop barking for the sake of it.

Is the Astros’ Championship Window Really Open?

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 19: (left to right) Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) relieves from the mound Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Burrows (50) in the top of the fifth inning during the MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros on April 19, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has said time and time again that as long as he’s in charge, the championship window will always be open. It’s a bold statement, and one that carries a lot of weight in a city that has grown accustomed to winning.

But what does that actually mean in 2026?

Is the window open so this team can compete for another title? Or is it open just enough for fans to look out and wonder how things have started to slip?

A Tale of Two Teams

When you look at this Astros team, there’s a clear divide.

Offensively, they’ve been more than good, they’ve been darn near elite. This is a lineup that continues to produce runs at a high level, boasting one of the best batting averages in baseball. They’ve been especially dangerous on the road and have consistently delivered with runners in scoring position. In short, the offense is doing everything you could reasonably ask, and then some.

But then there’s the pitching staff.

A Pitching Staff in Crisis

Coming into the season, general manager Dana Brown and the organization emphasized their depth in starting pitching. It was supposed to be a strength. Instead, just a few weeks into the season, it’s become the team’s biggest liability.

Injuries have piled up. Roles are uncertain. And on a nightly basis, the question looms: who’s going to take the mound next, and can they give this team a chance to win?

That’s a massive problem for a team with legitimate postseason aspirations.

Missed Evaluations and Mounting Pressure

This all circles back to roster construction.

Brown, now in the final year of his contract, is under increasing pressure. Whether or not ownership has limited his ability to make moves, the reality is that the results haven’t been good enough. The pitching staff, a strength just a year ago, has regressed in alarming fashion.

Yes, some players overachieved last season and some are failing miserbly this season. But more importantly, the Astros had a staff in 2025 that could get outs, limit damage, and hold leads, and now it seems the team got a little too flipped constructing the pen and may have taken for granted how difficult a task it can be.

Bullpen Breakdown

The bullpen, has been a recurring issue and a massive disappointment. Bryan Abreu has been almost unusable. With Josh Hader out, this has been the absolute worst case scenario.

Too many walks. Too many pitches thrown. Too many situations where a lead feels anything but safe.

It’s a dangerous combination. The few guys who can get outs are being used far too often, like Bryan King last night. Putting runners on base, especially without forcing hitters to earn it sets the table for tragedy. It’s all a recipe for disaster, and right now it feels like every inning comes with traffic on the bases and chance to fail yet again.

Rotation Questions and Failed Solutions

The problems extend beyond the bullpen, because the starting rotation has been just as bad.

The Astros knew changes were coming to the rotation. They knew they would have to replace key arms and find reliable options. Instead, the solutions they’ve turned to, both domestically and internationally, haven’t delivered.

Tatsuya Imai, for example, has been a major disappointment. Whether it’s injuries, adjustment issues, or a lack of proper evaluation before bringing him in, the result has been the same: he hasn’t helped stabilize the rotation.

Meanwhile, potential external solutions are disappearing. Pitchers like Lucas Giolito, now signed with the San Diego Padres, are no longer options, raising further questions about whether Crane is willing to spend what it takes to fix the problem and IF Dana Brown is the man to get it done.

A Staff Running on Empty

Another concern is the workload being placed on the few reliable arms this team does have.

The pitchers who are performing are being asked to do too much, throw too many pitches, cover too many innings, and compensate for those who can’t carry their share of the load. That’s not sustainable over a full season.

And if those arms start to wear down, things could go from bad to worse in a hurry.

What Comes Next?

This brings us back to the original question: what does an “open window” really mean?

Because right now, this doesn’t look like a team built to contend, it looks like a team with a glaring weakness that hasn’t been addressed.

There’s still time. The trade deadline offers an opportunity. Reinforcements could come in the form of returning arms like Hunter Brown, and perhaps even Christian Javier down the line.

But hope alone isn’t a strategy.

The Bottom Line

This is not the time to wave the white flag or consider moving key pieces. It’s the time to double down, to identify the problem and fix it.

The offense has already proven it can carry its weight. Now it’s up to the front office to give this team the pitching it desperately needs.

If Jim Crane truly believes the window is always open, then the next move is clear:

Do something to keep it that way.

Suns vs Thunder Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 2

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Our NBA player prop projections are all set for tonight's Game 2 matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Oklahoma City Thunder, with the model flagging several high-value opportunities.

By breaking down the data and stacking it up against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges lie.

These Suns vs. Thunder predictions aren’t based on feel — they’re backed by the numbers.

If you’re building out your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Wednesday, April 22.

Suns vs Thunder computer picks for Game 2

Suns SunsThunder Thunder
Brooks u17.5 points 
-112
Gilgeous-Alexander o28.5 points
-120
Booker o4.5 assists
+120
Dort o1.5 threes
-120
Green o2.5 threes
+122
Hartenstein o8.5 rebounds
+105

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Suns Game 2 computer picks

Dillon Brooks Under 17.5 points (-112)

Projection: 15.4 points

In terms of scoring efficiency, the Phoenix Suns have averaged just 102.6 points per game over their last five outings, the lowest mark in the league during that span.

On the other side, opposing starting power forwards have shot 46.3% from the field against the Oklahoma City Thunder this season, ranking among the toughest defensive matchups in the league. That combination sets up a challenging offensive environment for Dillon Brooks to produce at a high level.

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Devin Booker Over 4.5 assists (+120)

Projection: 5.4 assists

Devin Booker has been consistently clearing his playmaking mark, going over 4.5 assists in eight of his last ten games, and that trend has strong staying power heading into tonight’s matchup against the Thunder.

Another factor is offensive balance. Even in games where Booker is scoring efficiently, Phoenix’s offense tends to run through him in key possessions late in quarters and after timeouts. Those structured sets consistently give him at least a handful of assist opportunities just by being the hub of decision-making.

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Jalen Green Over 2.5 threes (+122)

Projection: 2.7 3-pointers

Jalen Green has been trending in and out from deep lately, clearing the 2.5 made threes line in four of his last ten games, and there’s still a workable path for him to hit that mark again tonight against OKC.

Green’s three-point volume is largely tied to how much defensive pressure he draws off the dribble. When he’s aggressive attacking the rim, defenses are forced to collapse, and that naturally opens up catch-and-shoot opportunities on the perimeter.

Even when his shot isn’t fully consistent night-to-night, his role as a primary perimeter scorer keeps the attempts flowing.

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Thunder Game 2 computer picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 28.5 points (-120)

Projection: 31.9 points

The Thunder have been one of the league’s most explosive offenses this season, ranking fifth in scoring, and much of that success runs through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to anchor their attack night after night. That formula isn’t expected to change as OKC looks to take a 2-0 series lead tonight.

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Lu Dort Over 1.5 3-pointers (-120)

Projection: 1.6 3-pointers

The Thunder have been one of the league’s most aggressive perimeter offenses at home over their last 10 games, ranking fifth in three-point attempt rate, a setup that keeps Lu Dort in a strong position to capitalize from beyond the arc after hitting this 1.5 threes line in seven of his last ten games.

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Isaiah Hartenstein Over 8.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 9.3 rebounds

Isaiah Hartenstein has been steady on the glass lately, clearing his 8.5 rebounds line in six of his last ten games, and that profile fits well heading into tonight’s matchup against the Suns.

A big part of Hartenstein’s rebound value comes from role and positioning. He consistently plays close to the rim, which naturally keeps him in range for defensive boards and put-backs.

Even when he isn’t the focal point offensively, his minutes are tied to controlling the paint—boxing out, anchoring possessions, and finishing defensive stops.

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How to watch Suns vs Thunder Game 2

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateWednesday, April 22, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVESPN

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Game 24: Yankees at Red Sox; Ranger Suárez enters rivalry start

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 17: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the fourth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers on April 17, 2026 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TV: NESN

First Pitch: 6:45 p.m. ET

The Red Sox should believe in Ranger Suárez after a pair of improved starts. Ultimately, that won’t matter unless they can score for him.

The Yankees shut out the Red Sox on Tuesday night for the first time at Fenway Park since 2020. Now, Boston returns to action with Roman Anthony out of the lineup, who will be day-to-day with back tightness.

Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate Wednesday night.

The Yankees send Max Fried to the hill. The talented lefty won 19 games a year ago and sports a 2.37 ERA in his career against Boston. The lefty diced up the Red Sox in the playoff opener last fall before New York’s bullpen relinquished the advantage. 

‘For billionaires, not boxers’: De La Hoya warns over Ali Act overhaul in Senate hearing

  • Ali Act overhaul would allow unified boxing bodies

  • Backers say centralized model would boost revenues

  • Critics warn fighters could lose leverage and rights

A US Senate hearing on the future of boxing laid bare a sharp divide over the sport’s direction on Wednesday, as longtime boxing figures including Oscar De La Hoya warned of proposed changes that could erode fighters’ rights while executives aligned with an Ultimate Fighting Championship-backed push for a centralized model argued they would bring structure and investment.

“When one system controls access, choice becomes theoretical, not real,” professional boxer Nico Ali Walsh told lawmakers, framing the stakes of a debate that could dramatically reshape boxing’s economic model. “When that happens, you fight who you’re told to fight or you don’t fight at all.”

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Juan Soto says he didn't reach out to Mets teammates during current losing streak

The Mets are getting a huge boost in their lineup on Wednesday night, as superstar Juan Soto returns from the injured list. 

Soto hasn’t played since April 3 due to a calf strain, but he’s back in the lineup against the Minnesota Twins, serving as the DH and hitting second.

Soto’s return comes at a time when the Mets desperately need a spark, having lost 12 straight games. 

Interestingly enough, Soto told reporters on Wednesday that he didn't reach out to his teammates during the skid, citing the fact that the team has mainly been on the road. 

“No, not at all,” Soto said when asked if he had spoken to teammates to try to pick them up during the losing streak. “I mean, they’ve been on the road most of the time, so I haven’t talked to them.”

That being said, Soto did express confidence in the club to be able to rebound from their recent stretch.

“We have a great lineup,” Soto said. “We have guys going through tough times right now…. It’s tough when most of the lineup is going through it. It makes it hard to win games like that.”

“It’s tough to see it,” he added about the losing streak, “and it’s a little uncomfortable to see it from the outside…. It’s a tough time, but we’re going to get out of it.”

While the Mets' lineup has been struggling to score runs lately, Soto had gotten off to a great start prior to his injury, slashing .355/.412/.516 with a home run and 5 RBI.

His presence in the lineup should make a huge difference for the Mets, and Soto is ready to get back between the white lines.

“To be back on the field is always great,” Soto said. “That's what we do this for - to be out there to share a good time with your teammates, to learn, to play the game you love."

“I don’t think there’s going to be any pressure,” he added. “I just need to be myself.”

Christian Scott ready to be back in the bigs

When Christian Scott takes the mound on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins, it will have been 642 days since his last big league appearance. 

Scott, a fifth-round pick of the Mets in 2021, was called up in May 2024, and right away it looked like he belonged, as he went 6.2 innings of one-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays in his major league debut. 

But after nine starts, Scott’s rookie season came to an early end due to Tommy John surgery.

It’s been a long road back to the majors for Scott, but he’s more than ready for the moment.

“I want it bad. I’m hungry for it,” said the right-hander, who pitched to a 4.56 ERA in his rookie season. “It’s tough to be away from the game for a year. Getting a little taste of it and then obviously getting surgery, but I feel like I belong here and gonna do what I can to stay here and help this team win as many games as I possibly can.”

The Mets are adding Scott to the rotation and having David Peterson pitch out of the bullpen, a move they hope will help them get back on track from what is currently a 12-game losing streak. 

“Obviously, we’re in a little bit of a tough stretch right now, but we’ve got a really good ball club,” Scott said, “and if anyone’s going to get out of it, we’re going to get out of it. So, we’re excited for the rest of the season moving forward.”

Yordan’s HR Backs Lambert’s Strong Start, Astros Blank Guardians 2-0

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 19: Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) dons a team cowboy hat and gets high fives from teammates after hitting a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning during the MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros on April 19, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Houston Astros (10-16) win their first road series of the season.

Yordan Alvarez hit a 2-run homer and Peter Lambert hurled 6 shutout innings as the Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 2-0 at Progressive Field, winning their first road series of the season.

Houston got on the board fast against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. In the top of the first, Carlos Correa led off the game with a double. The next batter was Yordan Alvarez:

The blast was Alvarez’ MLB-leading 11th HR of the season. His now 26 RBI also lead baseball. Yordan would finish the game 3×4, collecting half of the Astros’ 6 hits on the afternoon.

It would be the only runs that an offense that has been one of the high-powered in the league would score today, and it would be enough.

Peter Lambert, making his second start as a Houston Astro, threw 6 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. Lambert also had 16 called strikes and 16 swings and misses on the afternoon, as he continues to show an uncanny ability to miss bats. He earned his first win of the season t o even his record at 1-1.

A.J. Blubaugh, Steven Okert, and Enyel De Los Santos would complete the final 3 innings without allowing a run. Blubaugh and Okert would record holds and De Los Santos, who got 4 outs for Houston today, would pick up his 3rd Save of the season.

The Astros are off Thursday before coming back home to Daikin Park to begin a 3-game series with the New York Yankees.

With the win, the Astros improve to 10-16 on the season. They are 4GB in the AL West.

Lando Norris backs Max Verstappen to stay in F1 after drivers win rule changes

  • World champion expects Dutch rival to fight for fifth crown

  • ‘It would be a miss for the sport’ if he acts on dissatisfaction

Lando Norris has said he believes Max Verstappen will continue to race in Formula One but that it would be “a miss” for the sport if the four-time world champion did decide to leave owing to his dissatisfaction with the way this season’s new regulations have affected how drivers race.

Verstappen has been outspoken in his dislike of the new regulations and their focus on electrical energy management that now makes up almost 50% of the car’s power output. He has intimated he might leave the sport but, with the rules having been adjusted by the FIA in an effort to address concerns of all drivers this week, Norris felt the Dutchman would remain in F1.

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Minor League roundup, April 21: Keyner Martinez shows off

Keyner Martinez throwing a pitch in an orange Giants jersey.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 19, 2026: Keyner Martinez #48 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Cincinnati Reds at Scottsdale Stadium on March 19, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Just three games for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates on Tuesday, as AAA Sacramento once again saw their game postponed due to poor weather. It’s already the fifth time this year that the River Cats have lost a game due to rain, and they’ll try to get it back on Saturday with a scheduled doubleheader. They also pushed back today’s game from a scheduled start time of 12:05 p.m. PT to 6:35.

Now let’s dive into the games that did happen!

Link to the 2026 McCovey Chronicles Community Prospect List (CPL)

All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.


AA Richmond (13-2)

Richmond Flying Squirrels beat the Somerset Patriots (Yankees) 8-5
Box score

Nothing can stop the Squirrels, who have responded to their 10-game winning streak being snapped by rattling off 3 straight victories. I’m enjoying this, and I’m sure they are, too!

It was once again the offense that led Richmond to victory, with a powerful attack. The Squirrels only had 9 hits, but were able to turn that into 8 runs thanks to 5 of those knocks going for extra bases.

The biggest contributor in that category was third baseman Sabin Ceballos, who hit 2-4 with a solo home run in the 1st inning, a double, and a strikeout.

Ceballos, who has a .900 OPS and a 132 wRC+ on the year, is really putting his disappointing 2025 behind him, as the .670 OPS and the 102 wRC+ that he posted in AA last season looks more and more distant with every swing of the bat. It certainly seems that Ceballos has made a concerted effort to be more aggressive in the batter’s box. Last year, his passive approach drew him a lot of walks and kept his strikeout rate delightfully low, but it resulted in a lot of soft contact. As a result, he had just a .232 batting average and a lowly .106 isolated slugging, a disappointing mark after he had showed a lot of power in his debut stint with the organization in 2024, when he came over in the Jorge Soler trade.

This year, he’s bringing the aggression back, and swinging more. The result is that his strikeout rate has jumped (from 17.4% to 25.9%), but so has the average, which has leaped to .271, and the isolated slugging, which is all the way up at .250. After hitting just 6 home runs in 420 plate appearances with Richmond a year ago, Ceballos already has 3 in just 58 plate appearances this season.

All of that said … if you’re ever wondering why hitters who perform well in the Minor Leagues so often struggle in the Major Leagues, well … there are a lot of reasons, and one of them is the defense. It’s very hard to overstate just how bad Minor League defense is relative to what we watch on a daily basis in the big leagues. And as evidence, I present Ceballos’ “double”:

The other big star in the game was second baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 31 CPL), who had his best game of the young season, hitting 1-2 with a solo home run, a walk, a sacrifice fly, and a stolen base.

You’d imagine there’s a little frustration for the switch-hitting Velasquez, who first made it to AA in 2024, and is approaching 800 plate appearances at the level. He certainly hasn’t forced the issue, but you could make the case that his AA assignment is more about roster logistics than his personal development. He had a .677 OPS, a 107 wRC+, and just a 14.3% strikeout rate a year ago, with 19 stolen bases, and that’s someone who you could at least make a compelling argument for being in AAA, were second base not being occupied daily by Nate Furman (No. 39 CPL), whom the Giants certainly prefer at this juncture.

Velasquez’s numbers are quite similar this year to last year, though he has boosted the power a little, and has a .778 OPS and a 109 wRC+, with a 14.9% strikeout rate and 3 stolen bases in as many attempts (it tells you how the Eastern League is playing to start the year that Velasquez has increased his OPS by more than .100 points, but his wRC+ by just 2).

The questions remain for Velasquez — he’s lacking in physicality, lacking in power, and lacking in defensive value — though those are questions that also exist for Furman and Luis Arráez, so that doesn’t seem to be a huge issue for the Giants at the position. That said, it does feel telling that Velasquez wasn’t an NRI, and it seems like the 22-year old will be staying in Virginia for the foreseeable future.

Left fielder Scott Bandura also continued his hot play, hitting 2-5 with a double, a stolen base, and a strikeout, which saw his OPS rise to .905 and his wRC+ to 135. Most notably, Bandura has made a huge cut to his strikeout rate, which has dropped year-over-year from 26.3% in High-A/AA to just 16.2% in AA this year. His swinging strike rate has gone from 10.0% to 7.0%, as he is making more contact and better contact, though, again … Minor League defense, everybody:

A pretty uninteresting day on the mound, with RHP Logan Martin (the incoming piece in the Mason Black trade) making his 3rd start for the organization. Martin did some good things, most notably avoiding walking any batters. But on the whole it wasn’t a great showing, as he allowed 4 runs — including a home run — in just 4 innings, with 2 earned runs and 3 strikeouts. Despite the lack of walks, Martin threw just 45 of his 76 pitches for strikes. Martin has done a good job limiting hits this year, with just 9 allowed in 12.1 innings, but he’ll need to increase the strike-throwing. He has a 4.38 ERA and a 4.99 FIP on the season.

RHP Tyler Vogel had another scoreless outing, pitching the 9th inning with 1 hit and 1 walk allowed, plus 1 strikeout. Vogel, who has a very strong case to be made for being in AAA right now, retained his perfect 0.00 ERA, though he has walked 5 batters in just 7 innings. He’s only given up 5 hits though, and no extra-base knocks.

LHP Jack Choate (No. 37 CPL) didn’t have the best outing, as he ceded a home run, but he struck out 3 batters in 2.1 innings. It seems the Giants are moving forward with Choate as a reliever this year, and so far the result has been 16 strikeouts in just 10 innings, which is exciting for the funky southpaw.

High-A Eugene (12-4)

Eugene Emeralds beat the Hillsboro Hops (Diamondbacks) 5-3
Box score

The Ems used a pair of runs in the 8th inning to pull ahead against the Hops, and with that, succeeded in avoiding their first losing streak of the year. Keep that up, I say!

Those 2 runs came off the bat of right fielder Lisbel Diaz (No. 32 CPL), who smacked a go-ahead 2-run home run after Eugene had blown a lead in the bottom of the 7th. Way to save the day, Lisbel!

Diaz, who finished the day 1-4, started the season slow but now has 2 home runs in his last 3 games. That — and a tiny 11.6% strikeout rate — are the lone bright spots on the year for the 20-year old, who has just a .599 OPS and a 55 wRC+ through 10 games, with a .205 batting average and no walks drawn. But on Tuesday he was the hero, and really the only offensive player worth talking about, so here’s to more days worth writing about for the toolsy young outfielder.

The top prospects in Eugene all had a few nice moments, but altogether were uninteresting: center fielder Dakota Jordan (No. 5 CPL) hit 2-4 but struck out twice; shortstop Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) hit just 1-5 with a strikeout; designated hitter Trevor Cohen (No. 15 CPL) hit 1-4 with a walk, a stolen base (his 10th!) and a strikeout; and left fielder Carlos Gutierrez (No. 18 CPL) went 1-4 with a double and a strikeout.

It was a really nice day on the mounding, starting with, well … the starter, LHP Charlie McDaniel. An undrafted free agent who debuted last year, McDaniel really struggled in 7 post-promotion starts with Eugene in 2025, posting a 5.77 ERA and a 4.82 FIP. But so far his 2026 is a case of learning and adapting, and Tuesday was the next data point, as he went 5 strong innings with just 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run allowed, while striking out 4. That was the 1st run that McDaniel had allowed all year (this was his 3rd start), and he needed just 61 pitches to get through 5 innings, throwing 41 of them for strikes.

McDaniel is remarkably consistent when it comes to throwing strikes. In Low-A last year, he walked 2.2 batters per 9 innings, then 2.4 in Eugene, and now 2.5 this year. His strikeouts per 9 innings, over those same 3 periods, went from 8.6 to 8.4 to 8.2. Consistency!

He’s a contact pitcher, and what he’s doing better this year is getting the ball back on the ground. He pitched well in San Jose in his debut season when he had a 46.8% ground ball rate, with just 0.3 home runs per 9 innings allowed. His struggles in Eugene last year included just a 33.3% ground ball rate, and 1.6 dingers per 9. This year? A 54.2% ground ball rate, and no home runs allowed yet.

RHP Ben Peterson closed out the game with a brilliant showing, striking out 2 batters while tossing 2 perfect innings. Like McDaniel, Peterson is an undrafted free agent who debuted last season and, like McDaniel, he wasn’t too sharp upon his Eugene debut following a 2025 promotion. In 27 innings last year, the UNC alum struck out 27 batters, while walking 12. But this year, the 24-year old already has 12 strikeouts in just 8 innings … and with only 1 free pass.

Low-A San Jose (12-4)

San Jose Giants beat the Ontario Tower Buzzers (Dodgers) 12-2
Box score

Another offensive explosion for the Baby Giants, who scored in double digits for the whopping 6th time already this season. Perhaps their big brothers in San Francisco could learn to do the same?

Yet despite the gaudy run total (again), the star for San Jose was on the mound, in the form of RHP Keyner Martinez (No. 10 CPL). We haven’t talked about Martinez all that much this year, but Tuesday’s start was one worth discussing, as the 21-year old was nothing short of dynamic.

Martinez, who was signed in 2023 out of Venezuela and enjoyed a serious breakout season a year ago, mowed down Ontario batters for 5 innings, giving up just 1 hit — a swinging bunt — and walking 1 batter, while striking out 7. That’s how you introduce a new team to the California League (this is the 1st season of affiliated ball for Ontario [California, not Canada], and the 1st game between the the Tower Buzzers and Baby Giants).

It was a tremendous display of strike-throwing prowess for Martinez, who did hit a batter, but threw 45 of 62 pitches for strikes. Martinez had a dominant showing in the ACL a year ago, and backed it up with a very nice run of games in a short stint with San Jose. But his 2025 got off to a slow start, as he allowed 7 runs in 6.2 innings through his 1st 2 starts. But it turns out that the 3rd time is, indeed, the charm. And now he looks much more like himself. And while the overall numbers are still poor — he has a 5.40 ERA and a 5.02 FIP — Martinez has 16 strikeouts against 5 walks in 11.2 innings, and those are exciting numbers.

RHP Jose T. Perez also pitched well, coming out of the bullpen to throw 2 scoreless innings with 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 hit batter, plus 4 strikeouts. It’s been a fascinating career for the 22-year old Perez, who was signed in 2021 out of the Dominican Republic. He pitched just 3.1 innings that year, then lost the rest of the season to injury … and also all of 2022 ….. and 2023 ….. and 2024. He returned last year, made 1 appearance in the DSL, and then was the rare in-season international promotion, as he jumped up to the ACL. His numbers weren’t great in Arizona, but he still ended the season with a short stint in San Jose, where he begins this year, his 1st year of full-season ball.

Perez is struggling with command, as he’s walked 8 batters in 7.1 innings, but he’s also struck out 10, en route to a 6.14 ERA and a 7.58 FIP through 4 outings. Patience is certainly required, as this was just the 18th game of his young career.

The offense again put on a show, knocking 12 hits and drawing 9 walks. The star was first baseman Hayden Jatczak, an undrafted free agent from Kent State playing in his debut season. The right-handed hitter was an absolute force to be reckoned with, hitting 2-3 with a 3-run home run, drawing 2 walks, knocking in 4 runs, and striking out once. Hell of a day at the office!

Jatczak’s debut season has been a dream thus far, as he’s rocking a 1.019 OPS and a 161 wRC+ with a higher walk rate (22.9%) than strikeout rate (17.1%) through 15 games. The cold water for the UDFA is obvious, however: he’ll turn 25 later this season, and is nearly 3 years older than his average peer at the level. So we’ll need to see him face more advanced pitching before we start to mention him alongside Bo Davidson and Parks Harber as the next great undrafted hitter in the team’s system. But you can only beat up on the pitchers in front of you, and so far Jatczak is doing exactly that.

Also doing that is right fielder Cam Maldonado (No. 34 CPL) whose torrential attack on Cal League pitchers continues. Maldonado had just another brilliant day, hitting 3-4 with a double, a sacrifice fly, and a strikeout, while stealing 2 bases. It really does feel like July’s 7th-round pick found something, and saw it all click together. Following a subpar brief debut last year, look at what Maldonado has done to start his 1st full season:

First 9 games: 6-34, 0 home runs, 0 doubles
Next 5 games: 13-21, 6 home runs, 3 doubles

And just like that, the 22-year old has a 1.158 OPS and a 175 wRC+, and is putting himself on the radar.

Nice games for left fielder Damian Bravo and designated hitter Jeremiah Jenkins. Bravo, a 22-year old 15th-round pick in 2025, hit 2-4 with a double and a hit by pitch, raising his OPS to .780 and his wRC+ to 86; Jenkins, a 22-year old 14th-round pick in 2024, went 2-3 with a double, 2 walks, and a strikeout, boosting his OPS to 1.151 and his wRC+ to 182 in his 2nd pass through the level.

Speaking of “level,” it was the rare quiet day for shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL) who hit just 1-5, though he didn’t strike out and he had an RBI. Level now has a 10-game hitting streak as he continues to look like a star in the making, even on his quiet days.


Home run tracker

3 — Sabin Ceballos — [AA]
2 — Lisbel Diaz — [High-A]
2 — Hayden Jatczak — [Low-A]
1 — Diego Velasquez — [AA]


Wednesday schedule

Sacramento: 6:35 p.m. PT vs. Albuquerque (SP: Carson Whisenhunt)
Richmond: 4:05 p.m. PT vs. Richmond (SP: Greg Farone)
Eugene: 6:05 p.m. PT at Hillsboro (SP: Tyler Switalski)
San Jose: 6:00 p.m. PT vs. Ontario (SP: Jordan Gottesman)

Nuggets vs Timberwolves Same-Game Parlay for Thursday's NBA Playoffs Game 3

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After both Game 1 and Game 2 reached clutch time, the only playoff series to induce such a stressor in both opening games, everyone should expect the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves to throw haymakers in every remaining game of this series.

Haymakers require superstars to show up in every way. This Nuggets vs. Timberwolves same-game parlay trusts Anthony Edwards to continue to fill the stat sheet in Game 3 on Thursday, April 23.

For more NBA picks, check out my complete Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions.

Our best Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP for Game 3

Whether Anthony Edwards finds his shot or not, he can be trusted to continue to crash the glass. Edwards is just 5 of 20 from beyond the arc in this series, a direct reflection of the pained knee that cost him much of the last month of the regular season.

Whether it is rust or pain, Edwards’s shot is not in rhythm.

He's still playing plenty aggressively, though, grabbing 19 rebounds in the first two games of this series. Edwards has always stuffed the stat sheet in the postseason.

Counting the two games of these playoffs, he's now found at least six rebounds in 24 of his last 33 playoff games.

Ant's shot is not the only one in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ lineup impacted by a pained knee. Jaden McDaniels has gone 1-for-15 from beyond the arc in his last four games.

Yet he may get some added defensive focus in Game 3, given his pointed comments on every bad defender on the Denver Nuggets’ roster, also known as every player on the Nuggets’ roster in McDaniels’s opinion.

Less Edwards from beyond the arc and less McDaniels from beyond the arc should lead to only more Donte DiVincenzo from beyond the arc, particularly after going 4-for-7 from deep in Game 2 as he scored 16 points.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Mets reinstate Juan Soto from IL, option Hayden Senger to Syracuse

Juan Soto gives a thumbs up while wearing a black Mets hoodie
Juan Soto | (Photo by Evan Yu/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Mets have officially reinstated Juan Soto from the injured list, and he’ll serve as designated hitter and bat second tonight as the Mets face Twins left-handed pitcher Connor Prielipp.

In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse. The team had previously been carrying three catchers—Francisco Alvarez, Luis Torrens, and Senger—but will proceed with two.

Since Soto exited early from an April 3 game against San Francisco with a right calf strain, the Mets have gone 4-12, with all dozen losses coming as part of an ongoing 12-game losing streak. Over the course of those twelve games, the Mets have scored just 22 runs, and the team’s 75 runs scored on the season rank last in baseball. In other words, they’re certainly hoping Soto, who was batting .355 with a .928 OPS in eight games before getting hurt, can pick up right where he left off.

Senger, meanwhile, didn’t get any in-game action during his few days on the active roster after being recalled on Saturday. He will join a Syracuse lineup that is currently seeing far better times than the major league squad.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 3

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The best rivalry in the NBA is well on its way to putting together a spectacular finale to a postseason trilogy. The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have now met three times in the last four postseasons, and Minnesota’s Game 2 upset made it clear this series should be every bit as intriguing and chaotic as the previous two.

My Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and these NBA picks anticipate a tense Game 3 on Thursday, April 23, but that tension underscores one player’s postseason habits.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction

Nuggets vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (-120)

Game 2 shifted when Anthony Edwards stopped relying on his jumpers and began driving into the paint. His knee is clearly in pain, but the greater issue may simply be that the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar is a bit rusty after missing all but three games in the season’s final month.

He went 5-of-20 from deep in the first two games of this series, and no one is foolish enough to give much credit for that to the Denver Nuggets’ defense. Edwards is simply not shooting well right now.

But he is playing thoroughly, as he always does in the postseason. He grabbed nine rebounds in Game 1 and then 10 in Game 2, fitting a long-time playoffs pattern.

As the Timberwolves reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last two springs, Edwards crashed the glass more and more aggressively. Two years ago, he averaged 5.4 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.0 while grabbing at least six boards in 10 of 16 games.

Last year, Edwards averaged 5.7 rebounds per game in the regular season; in the playoffs, that climbed to 7.8 while grabbing at least six rebounds in 12 of 15 games.

No one should be surprised Edwards is finding the glass in the postseason. Hammer this prop until it reaches 7.0, if not 7.5.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

Donte DiVincenzo received Anthony Edwards’s favorite compliment after Game 2. The Covers.comeditorial desk will probably publish that Edwards said DiVincenzo has “gorilla nuts.” Hitting 4-of-7 threes while scoring 16 points certainly earned that praise.

More pertinently, DiVincenzo has excelled with added rest this season. He has played four games on three days' rest, shooting 46.4% from deep in those chances. That may be a small sample size, but 13-of-28 from beyond the arc is rather notable.

The good news for Minnesota is that those shots should take 3-pointers away from Jaden McDaniels, whose deep shooting has fallen off a cliff late this season. He shot 29.5% from beyond the arc in March and then went 1-of-8 in two regular-season games in April. Worse yet, he went 0-of-7 from deep in the first two games of this series.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP

  • Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds
  • Donte DiVincenzo Over 11.5 points
  • Jaden McDaniels Under 1.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: A rested Jokic

Nikola Jokic found a lot of the front of the rim in Game 2’s second half. Playing 40 minutes in two games in three nights can have that exhausting effect.

But now Jokic has three days to recover, will be playing with more oxygen in the air, and is undoubtedly aggravated that Rudy Gobert got the better of him in Monday’s fourth quarter.

Game 3 should be a Jokic showcase, even if the game’s overall defense drastically improves thanks to the added day between games.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves SGP

  • Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds
  • Nikola Jokic Over 29.5 points
  • Under 234

Nuggets vs Timberwolves odds for Game 3

  • Spread: Nuggets -2 | Timberwolves +2
  • Moneyline: Nuggets -135 | Timberwolves +115
  • Over/Under: Over 234 | Under 234

Nuggets vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit the Game Total Under in 24 of their last 35 games at home (+11.90 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3

LocationTarget Center, Minneapolis, MN
DateThursday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

Nuggets vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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Mariners Game #26, Preview and Discussion: ATH at SEA, 4/26

why not out pitch if out pitch-shaped?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 17: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners looks on against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at T-Mobile Park on April 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There have been several low moments already in this young season but dropping last night’s game – and therefore the series – to the A’s ranks pretty high up there, for me. After taking back some momentum with a series win against Texas, the Mariners have let that slip through their fingers, again struggling to come up with clutch hits and string together offensive threats, leaving the pitching staff, which has not been perfect, little to no room for error. Logan Gilbert has the task of trying to right the ship today, and while he’s historically been good at playing the role of stopper, this year’s version of Logan Gilbert hasn’t quite looked like his 2023 self.

Lineups:

The A’s are sending Aaron Civale to the mound.

Roster News:

The A’s made a roster move prior to today’s game, moving OF Denzel Clarke (Josh Naylor’s cousin!) to the 10-day IL and selecting OF Colby Thomas from Triple-A Las Vegas.

As a reminder, the Mariners have made a couple of moves this week: first, moving Brendan Donovan to the 10-day IL and calling up INF Will Wilson from Tacoma; and second, calling up RHP Alex Hoppe and DFAing Casey Legumina.

Game Information:

Game time: 1:1o PT

TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryon Healy, and Angie Mentink as field reporter

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

Sixers need to try and ride the small sample size shooting variance wave

Apr 21, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) high-fives forward Paul George (8) after a game against the Boston Celtics in game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers’ surprising Game 2 win over the Boston Celtics was a shot in the arm to fans across the Delaware Valley. Before Tuesday night, everyone was collectively shoveling dirt on the grave of the Sixers’ 2025-26 season, but 48 minutes and one wink from VJ Edgecombe has us believing again that Philadelphia isn’t just a hockey town.

In addition to more ambiguous things like “tried harder” and “fought more,” the biggest reason the Sixers won Game 2 was good old-fashioned shooting variance. Philadelphia shot 19-of-39 (48.7 percent) from three, while Boston shot 13-of-50 (26.0 percent). Those figures were a huge reversal from Game 1, when the Sixers connected on just 4-of-23 (17.4 percent) and the Celtics sank 16-of-44 (36.4 percent). For reference, the Celtics were eighth in the league during the regular season at 36.7 percent and the Sixers were 23rd at 35.3 percent.

So that’s it then? Make or miss league, right? However, the Sixers leaned into a tactical strategy in Game 2. Look at the shot chart for Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined, courtesy of NBA.com Stats.

Look at all of those above-the-break three-point attempts! The starting backcourt took nearly as many shots from that area as the entire team attempted total threes in Game 1. And sure, some of that was Tyrese Maxey showing off some And-1 handles and breaking ankles, but a lot of it was about as simple a basketball play as you can make: take a big man and have him screen for the small man.

Boston’s defense plays drop coverage against high screens, more or less allowing guards to step into looks from the top of the key, rather than give up what are generally considered more efficient shots in the paint or from the short corner. The thing is, though, the Sixers’ offense typically doesn’t generate those more efficient looks. They basically run isos or wait for the shot clock to run down and throw up prayer balls, and I’m generalizing a bit due to a season’s worth of frustration, but anyone would tell you Nick Nurse hasn’t been running a tactical masterclass on that side of the court.

So honestly, run this offense the entire game.

Have Andre Drummond or Adem Bona set a screen up top for Maxey and Edgecombe and tell them to let it fly. Spam the play to death. Be like every 10-year-old video gamer trying to get his Create-A-Player as much action as possible. If they’re not each attempting double-digit threes in each game from here on out, something is wrong. It’s the cleanest path to getting open looks within the offense and, as the underdog, the Sixers should be looking to find ways to increase variance on a nightly basis. There’s no better way to increase variance than by jacking up a bunch of three-pointers. Maybe you actually force the Celtics out of their defensive comfort zone, or maybe you ride the wings of small sample size shooting variance to the promised land (the promised land being the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs).