From Feb. 20,1986, through March 24, 2026, a span of 14,642 days, the 76ers played 3,503 games and never scored 153 points. In the last eight days, they’ve scored 153 points twice.
So, yeah, it’s been a crazy few days for the 76ers. The 76ers aren’t even in the top 10 in the NBA in scoring this year, but they’re doing things nobody else has ever done.
Worthy of another 76ers stats piece? Heck yeah!
Here we go!
1A. After scoring 157 points last Wednesday in a win over the Bulls at the Xfinity Mobile Arena and 153 this Wednesday, the 76ers are the first team in NBA history to score at least 153 points twice in the span of eight days. The 76ers held the previous mark for the two-closest 153-points-or-more games with a 159-131 win over the San Diego Rockets at the Spectrum on Jan. 25, 1970, and then a 159-125 win over the Suns at the Spectrum on Feb. 15, for 153 points twice in 22 days. The 76ers are only the 16th team in NBA history to score 153 or more points twice in one season and only the fourth to do it since 1992, joining the 2020 Rockets, 2023 Kings and 2024 Pacers.
1B. The 153 points are the 76ers’ 3rd-most ever on the road and most in more than 58 years, since a 160-122 win over the Supersonics at Seattle Center early in the 1967-68 season. In 1963, as the Syracuse Nationals, they beat the Pistons 162-135 at Cobo Arena in Detroit.
2. The 76ers committed eight turnovers in the 157-point game against the Bulls and just 10 against the Wizards. They’re now the only franchise in NBA history to score 153 points and commit 10 turnovers more than once in their history – and they did it a week apart. There have been only seven other games in NBA history where a team has scored 153 points and committed 10 or fewer turnovers. At 35 years, 334 days, Paul George became the oldest player in 76ers history to score 39 points in a game. The previous oldest player was Julius Erving, who was 34 years, 44 days when he scored 39 points in the 76ers’ 112-106 win over the Pacera at the Spectrum in 1984.
3. At 35 years, 334 days, Paul George became the oldest player in 76ers history to score 39 points in a game. The previous oldest player was Julius Erving, who was 34 years, 44 days when he scored 39 points in the 76ers’ 112-106 win over the Pacera at the Spectrum in 1984.
4. George is the first 76er in franchise history with multiple games scoring 35 points after turning 35. He also scored 35 in a loss to the Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta in December.
5. George is also the first player in franchise history to score 39 or more points in 26 or fewer minutes. The most points previously by a 76er in 26 or fewer minutes was 38 by Andrew Toney in 26 minutes in a 123-111 loss to the Celtics at the Spectrum in 1982. He’s also the oldest player in NBA history to score 39 points in 26 or fewer minutes. The most points previously by any player 35 and older in 26 or fewer minutes was Michael Jordan’s 34 in 26 minutes while he was with Washington vs. the Bucks in 2002 at the MCI Center, now the Capital One Center, where the 76ers played Wednesday night.
Mar 31, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Reed Sheppard (15) react after a play during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston Rockets vs Milwaukee Bucks
April 1, 2026
Location: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME Sports Talk 790
Online: Rockets App, SCHN+
Time: 7:00pm
Probable Starting Lineups
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun
Bucks: Ryan Rollins, Gary Trent Jr., Ousamane Dieng, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner
The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. They sealed a month that will be remembered as the turning point of their season.
In doing so, they accomplished a bevy of historical feats, with each milestone leaning against another until at the end of the night it felt like they had built a monument.
The month of March wasn’t just a hot streak. It was a month that changed everything.
The Los Angeles Lakers sealed a month that will be remembered as the turning point of their season. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers historic month
The Lakers finished the month with a 15-2 record and an 88% winning percentage.
A month ago they were staring directly at the play-in tournament. Holding the same amount of wins as the seventh-place Phoenix Suns and one bad week away from falling into single elimination chaos and uncertainty. Now? They are alone in third place. A guaranteed top-six seed. No play-in. No roulette wheel.
Exhale, because the Lakers have transformed from a team that looked destined for a first-round exit to a team that just maybe is on the precipice of greatness.
This is what it looks like when a team comes together, finds their identity and finally hardens.
And if we’re being brutally honest, it’s also an indictment on what this team wasted earlier in the season. They’ve always had the talent. The roster didn’t change dramatically, it just finally aligned.
And if you’re being honest, it’s also an indictment of what this team wasted earlier in the season. The talent didn’t just arrive in March—it finally aligned.
Luka Doncic didn’t just lead the Lakers through March. He put his stamp on history in the process. NBAE via Getty Images
Luka Doncic’s 600-Point Symphony
Luka Doncic didn’t just lead the Lakers through March. He put his stamp on history in the process.
In the Lakers 127-113 win over the Cavs he scored 42 points, dished out 12 assists, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals. It was his 16th 40-point game this season. Now tied with Elgin Baylor for the sixth-most in a single season in franchise history—joining Baylor and Kobe Bryant as the only Lakers to reach that mark multiple times.
But even more impressive, Doncic had exactly 600 points in the month of March and that was missing one game because of a suspension.
That number lands like thunder because only one other player in league history has ever done that in this month: Michael Jordan (687) in 1987. That’s the air Doncic is breathing now.
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He didn’t just pass Bryant’s franchise March record of 578—he cleared it with room to spare and one less game played. He didn’t just score—he dominated every facet of the game: 600 points, 35+ steals, 50+ threes. No one has ever done that in a single month. Ever.
And yet, Doncic shrugged it off like a man who knows the real story hasn’t been written yet.
“For sure…if you don’t win, it doesn’t really mean anything. The run we have been on…that means a lot more.”
Doncic isn’t chasing numbers, he’s chasing wins and that’s scary for opponents.
15,000 Points and Climbing the Pantheon
Doncic also crossed 15,000 career points during the win on Tuesday. That’s not just an annotation on the box score, it’s a reminder of how quickly he’s climbing the ranks past legends of the past.
Doncic is the third-youngest ever to accomplish the feat. Behind only LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Ahead of Bryant. Ahead of Wilt Chamberlain.
And he got there in 513 games—the sixth-fastest in league history.
LeBron James and the Weight of Wins
At 41 years old, in his 23rd season, LeBron is no longer chasing history—he’s now dragging it along behind him.
Tuesday gave him another crown: 1,229 total wins (regular season + playoffs), passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in NBA history.
It’s almost absurd how routine this has become. Another game, another record.
But inside the Lakers locker room, when you celebrate the King, the face of the franchise, the young head coach, and the role players around them, you’re celebrating a team, and that means more than you know.
Lost in the avalanche was Rui Hachimura crossing 5,000 career points. AP
Rui Hachimura’s Quiet Climb
Lost in the avalanche was Rui Hachimura crossing 5,000 career points. It won’t grab the headlines, but as mentioned above it will go a long way in terms of this team’s success come the postseason. Moments in any player’s career, even the ones that aren’t superstars need to be acknowledged and celebrated.
J.J. Redick’s Vindication Tour
Let’s be honest—when J.J. Redick got this job, a lot of people rolled their eyes.
“Podcaster.” “Broadcaster.” “In over his head.”
Two seasons later? 100 wins. Back-to-back 50-win seasons. The first Lakers coach to do that since Phil Jackson, and he did it in his first two seasons coaching at any level. Period. Only the 16th NBA coach to ever accomplish that feat, and just the fourth in Lakers history.
And when his kids, Knox and Kai, appeared on screen in that locker room to congratulate him, the moment cracked through the edge and revealed something human beneath the résumé.
Let’s be honest—when J.J. Redick got this job, a lot of people rolled their eyes. AP
“I don’t deserve to be mentioned along with Phil and Pat…we have a lot left to accomplish,” said Redick humbly.
That humility is real. So is the fact that Redick didn’t inherit a contender, he shaped one. And he did it all with clarity, stubbornness, and refusal to let the outside noise define him.
“I knew I wanted to be a head coach before I ever got the job,” said Redick reflecting back his motivation for getting into coaching. “My Dad was a potter and an artist. My parents were hippies. We grew up in the sticks…he became a counselor and eventually he and my mom both became life coaches. For most of the entirety that I’ve played basketball it’s been with that mindset to help people and to coach people.”
What It All Means
Milestones are nice. Banners are better. That’s something every Lakers fan knows.
March gave them everything you could ask for—momentum, identity, belief, proof. It bonded them through wins, adversity, road trips, late-night dinners, rounds on the golf course, and shared belief. It gave them something every contender needs but can’t ever fake: Trust.
But none of these milestones mean anything if it doesn’t get packed onto the plane with them come April, May, and June.
Because history doesn’t care about your best month. It only remembers your last one.
MIAMI (AP) — Sandy Alcantara never stopped believing in himself.
Not when Tommy John surgery robbed him of the 2024 season. Not when 2025 ended in a disappointing 11-12 record, and a 5.36 ERA.
Instead, he “always kept the faith.”
Alcantara threw the first complete game of the MLB season in a 93-pitch shutout on Wednesday, leading the Miami Marlins to a 10-0 domination of the Chicago White Sox.
It was Alcantara’s second career shutout with fewer than 100 pitches, known as a “Maddux” in honor of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux.
Alcantara also threw his 13th career complete game and fifth shutout.
“Many negative things happened last year but that didn’t hold me back trying to be better,” Alcantara said. “This year, I am going to give my best every time, win more games and be more aggressive in counts. Today, as a club, we did a tremendous job.”
The White Sox did not have a hitter reach second as Alcantara (2-0) scattered three singles, hit a batter and struck out seven. After a dominant outing against Colorado in the season-opener, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner extended his scoreless streak to 15 innings.
Alcantara used six pitches to shut down the White Sox. Although his changeup and four-seam fastball were mostly used in his outing, Alcantara also utilized his slider, sweeper, sinker and cutter to carve through the Chicago lineup.
“Everything was working. Everything was good today,” Alcantara said. “I think I did a great job, trying to not miss much.”
Alcantara’s battery mate Liam Hicks continued his torrid offensive start as he homered, had two singles and drove in four runs to give him a major league-leading 12 RBIs.
“It was fun,” Hicks said of catching Alcantara’s gem. “He had a lot of pitches working. When you’re back there and he’s rolling like that, it’s cool to see. It makes your job catching easy.”
As Alcantara accumulated quick outs, the decision became easier for manager Clayton McCullough to allow his ace to pitch the ninth. With Alcantara needing only three pitches to retire the White Sox in the eighth, it became an easy call.
“I gave him a thumbs up and he gave me a thumbs up,” McCullough said.
He called the outing remarkable.
“It’s hard to do that today, to go nine innings with how you view workload," McCullough said. "Hitters are good. He was so efficient and guys played great behind him.”
There were 29 complete games thrown last season, and pitchers threw just 13 shutouts, the lowest in a non-shortened season since 1873.
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State's Tom Izzo said he considered coaching the Phoenix Suns after discussing the possibility last year with one of his former players, Mat Ishbia, who owns the NBA team.
“We talked seriously about it,” Izzo said Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show," during a virtual interview from his office on campus.
The 71-year-old Hall of Fame coach chose to lead the Spartans for a 31st season and extended his record of reaching 28 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. They were eliminated by Connecticut in the Sweet 16.
Izzo has turned down multiple opportunities to coach in the NBA, including with Cleveland and Atlanta. Izzo said last week that Huskies coach Dan Hurley asked him for advice after the Los Angeles Lakers offered him a $70 million, six-year contract in 2024.
Ishiba, a walk-on guard on Izzo's national championship team in 2000, hired former Michigan State video coordinator Jordan Ott to coach the Suns this season. Ishiba also hired a former Spartans assistant, Brian Gregory, to be the team's general manager and gave former teammate Mateen Cleaves a job in player development.
Phoenix is in a position to make the playoffs with Ott on the bench after it was 10 games under .500 under coach Mike Budenholzer in his only season with the franchise.
Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks (43-33) see Franz Wagner return for the Orlando Magic (40-35) tonight in a big seeding battle.
Starting lineup:
G CJ McCollum
G Nickeil Alexander-Walker
F Dyson Daniels
F Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okongwu
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT
TV: Peachtree Sports Network (PSN), Atlanta News First (WANF), FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (FDSNSE)
Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)
Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network app, Fubo (out of market), NBA League Pass (out of market), Youtube TV (NBA League Pass out of market)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs driving to the basket is guarded by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors begin the final month of the regular season with a five game homestand starting with Wednesday night’s matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. The game will be played at 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on ESPN and NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State saw their three-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday night, losing to the Denver Nuggets on the road, 116–93. Despite entering the game as big underdogs, the Warriors came out strong and even took a seven-point lead into halftime.
However, behind three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, Denver took control in the second half, outscoring Golden State 70–40 across the final two quarters to pull away with the victory. Jokić finished just shy of a triple-double with a game-high 23 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists.
Meanwhile on the Warriors’ side, Brandin Podziemski and Kristaps Porziņģis tied for the team lead with 23 points apiece. Both were efficient from beyond the arc, with Podziemski knocking down five of his eight attempts, while Porziņģis went a perfect 5-of-5 from three.
While the Warriors received encouraging injury news with Steph Curry returning to practice and participating in a 5-on-5 scrimmage, he is not quite ready for tonight’s matchup against the Spurs. That means Curry will have now missed 26 games since suffering a right knee injury back in January, though there is optimism he could return Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
Reporting for NBA Today — Stephen Curry has set a goal to return for the Golden State Warriors on Sunday against the Houston Rockets, with the next few days as a vital period to receive clearance: pic.twitter.com/GdDVBIIkDS
Unfortunately, the Warriors’ injury problems don’t end there. On the first night of a back-to-back, Golden State enters with a more extensive injury report than usual. It will be especially noticeable in the frontcourt as Porzingis, Al Horford, and Quinten Post are among those listed as out, leaving the team extremely thin at center.
Kristaps Porzingis will sit tomorrow night vs the Spurs. Hasn’t been cleared for both sides of back-to-backs yet. De’Anthony Melton out with a thumb strain. Gui Santos and Gary Payton II questionable. Warriors face Cavaliers on Thursday.
That lack of size comes at a tough time as Golden State prepares to face one of the league’s most dominant big men in San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. The MVP candidate is coming off a monster 41-point performance against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, adding 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal.
Draymond Green is expected to draw the primary assignment on Wembanyama, but with limited depth behind him, players like 10-day contract Omer Yurtseven and two-way forward Malevy Leons could be forced into extended minutes against him too — a matchup that could spell a long night for the Warriors.
There’s no joking around on “April Fools” when the San Antonio Spurs come to the Bay Area tonight to battle the Golden State Warriors... or what’s left of them.
My Spurs vs. Warriors predictions like Wemby to wipe the glass clean tonight against a thin Dubs frontcourt.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, April 1.
Spurs vs Warriors prediction
Spurs vs Warriors best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds (-120)
The Golden State Warriors limp to the finish line with injuries up and down the roster.
With those forwards primarily playing above the foul line, they aren’t contending for offensive rebounds, letting Wemby scoop up a surplus of misses from a Golden State offense that finished March ranked 23rd in effective field goal rate.
The Warriors weren’t a great rebounding team even before injuries thinned out the herd, sitting 20th in rebound rate overall while allowing 11.5 offensive rebounds per outing.
Wembanyama grabbed nine, 12, and 15 boards in his three matchups with the Dubs, tallying nine offensive rebounds in those games.
The San Antonio Spurs’ 7-footer averaged a dozen rebounds throughout March on 17.3 rebounding chances across 15 games and closed the month with 16, 15, 15, and 15 boards in his last four outings.
It helps that the Spurs' defense is tightening the screws down the stretch, holding foes to under 44% from the floor during their nine-game winning streak.
That drum-tight defense is producing a spike in rebounding chances, with that metric jumping to 85.6 (the third-most in that span) from 77.3 since the All-Star break.
Player projections call for Wemby to dominate the window again, with forecasts between 12.6 and 14.2 rebounds tonight.
Spurs vs Warriors same-game parlay
The Dubs are running out of answers on offense, and while they’ve put up some points against bottom-tier defenses, San Antonio shuts Golden State down from outside and allows nothing easy in the paint.
Devin Vassell runs hot and cold. He finished with only six points last time out, following efforts of 16 and 19 points. Projections peg the Spurs' small forward for as many as 13.5 points tonight.
Spurs vs Warriors SGP
Under 226.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Devin Vassell Over 12.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Lights go down in the city
If defense wins championships, then the Spurs are on the right path. This is one of the Association's most stingy teams, with Wemby cleaning the glass and sending shots back against a smaller Warriors lineup.
Wemby has cleared this block line in five of his last 10 games, totaling 33 swats over that span. With Wemby doing what he wants all game, the Spurs will cover with relative ease.
Spurs vs Warriors SGP
Spurs -14
Under 226.5
Victor Wembanyama Over 11.5 rebounds
Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks
Spurs vs Warriors odds
Spread: Spurs -14 | Warriors +14
Moneyline: Spurs -950 | Warriors +650
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Spurs vs Warriors betting trend to know
San Antonio is 7-10 Over/Under when set as a point spread favorite of -10 or higher. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Warriors.
How to watch Spurs vs Warriors
Location
Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Date
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Spurs vs Warriors latest injuries
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 7: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 7, 2026 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. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. tonight. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.
WASHINGTON — Paul George exploded for his most points as a Sixer on Wednesday night and at times looked like he couldn’t miss.
George delivered a brilliant performance in the Sixers’ 153-131 win over the lowly Wizards at Capital One Arena. He posted 39 points on 15-for-22 shooting, six assists, zero turnovers, five rebounds and three steals in 30 minutes.
Tyrese Maxey had 28 points and nine assists for the Sixers, who improved to 42-34. Washington dropped to 17-59.
VJ Edgecombe added 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting and 10 assists.
The Sixers will host the Timberwolves on Friday night. Here are observations on their victory in D.C.:
George attacks off the bat
George continued to look quite sharp both in the flow of the Sixers’ half-court offense and in transition. He hit two mid-range jumpers for the team’s first four points and also made a strong driving layup in the early going.
When he saw Wizards center Tristan Vukcevic switched on him, George blew past to the rim, drew two free throws and knocked them down. He sunk a step-back three-pointer over Vukcevic in the first quarter, too.
George’s directness has been a major positive in the four games since he came back from his 25-game suspension. More often than not, he’s read the game well, recognized where his advantage lies and gone right to work. The best answer’s frequently been simple for George — a catch-and-shoot three; a comfortable pull-up jumper; a no-nonsense downhill drive.
It’s notable that Wednesday’s performance came against the team with the Eastern Conference’s worst defensive rating, but the Sixers have to be very pleased with how George has played post-suspension. He had 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in the first quarter.
Defense far from its best
Adem Bona started in Embiid’s place. His and-one layup gave the Sixers an 18-8 lead.
On the other end, Vukcevic had a hot start. He reached 15 points when he drilled a three over Andre Drummond with 9:36 left in the second quarter, although he picked up his third foul shortly after and had to sub out.
Washington’s second unit outplayed the Sixers’ early in the second quarter. Jaden Hardy leaked free for an easy fast-break dunk to put the Wizards up 45-42. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse called timeout and brought George and Maxey back in.
The Sixers’ defense did not offer a great degree of resistance in the first half. When the Sixers briefly moved to a zone, Bub Carrington drained a three. A Justin Champagnie second-chance basket inside extended the Wizards’ lead to 10 points.
Maxey’s crafty, speedy driving helped the Sixers stay close and eventually find some momentum despite their defensive problems. He shot 8 for 11 inside the arc in the first half and just 0 for 1 from three-point range. The Sixers entered halftime with a 73-71 lead thanks to a George triple with 2.9 seconds to go in the second quarter.
So close to 40
George didn’t turn cold at halftime.
He added two more three-pointers and a driving lay-in early in the third quarter. By that stage, George had already notched his sixth game as a Sixer with at least 30 points.
A Maxey three bumped the Sixers’ lead up to double digits. The game soon entered blowout territory and the main lingering question was just how many points George would score.
The nine-time All-Star exited one point shy of 40 at the 3:38 mark of the third quarter. The Wizards never threatened a comeback, but Nurse subbed George in for a final stint with 6:55 to go in the fourth.
George didn’t force the issue. He missed an open three and a contested runner, and Nurse ultimately pulled the plug with a little under three minutes left. George couldn’t crack 40 for the first time since the 2023-24 season, but he obviously still gave the Sixers a tremendous outing Wednesday night.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rookie Justin Crawford had an RBI single in the 10th inning after the Philadelphia Phillies rallied from a four-run deficit for a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
The Nationals led 5-1 in the seventh. J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper hit solo home runs to get the Phillies within 5-3. Edmundo Sosa hit a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth to tie the game.
With runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th, Crawford singled to right off Cole Henry (0-1). It was the third hit for Crawford, a first-round amateur draft pick in 2022 who made his major league debut on opening day.
Sosa ended the top of the 10th with a leaping catch of a CJ Abrams line drive, doubling the automatic runner off second base for winning pitcher Jhoan Duran (1-1).
Washington starter Cade Cavalli went six innings, allowing one run, five hits and two walks and striking out three.
Abrams hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Daylen Lile, Brady House and Joey Wiemer each had two hits. Wiemer, who entered leading the majors with a .615 average, scored twice.
Cristopher Sánchez pitched 5 1/3 innings for the Phillies, allowing one run, four hits and four walks and striking out seven.
The Phillies took a lead in the first inning when Trea Turner scored on Kyle Schwarber’s double.
The Nationals scored in the second on an infield single and two walks. With the bases loaded, Sánchez struck out Drew Millas on a pitch in the dirt, and Realmuto threw to first base trying to pick off Jacob Young, allowing Wiemer to score. Millas hit an RBI single in the sixth.
The homers were the first of the season for Realmuto and Harper.
Up next
Both teams are off Thursday. The Nationals prepare for their home opener against the World Series champion Dodgers on Friday. Their starting pitcher is to be announced.
The Phillies begin a road trip in Colorado. Aaron Nola (0-0, 5.40 ERA) will take the mound against former teammate Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.23) for the Rockies.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich hit a go-ahead, two-run single in a six-run eighth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-2 on Wednesday.
Garrett Mitchell added a two-run double during the decisive rally, Blake Perkins drove in a run with a groundout and David Hamilton capped the inning with an RBI single as Milwaukee (5-1) broke open a 2-2 game.
Brice Turang tied it earlier with a two-run homer in the third after the Rays took the lead on Yandy Díaz’s two-run shot in the top half of the inning.
Milwaukee starter Jacob Misiorowski (1-0) struck out seven and allowed four hits and two runs in six innings. The right-hander walked two before handing the game to the bullpen. Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby and DL Hall combined for three scoreless innings, with Hall striking out three in the ninth.
Tampa Bay (2-4) starter Drew Rasmussen allowed one run and two hits while striking out eight in five innings.
The Brewers’ eighth-inning surge opened after Joey Ortiz reached on a fielding error by shortstop Carson Williams. Turang’s sacrifice bunt was mishandled at first base, putting runners on first and second. William Contreras then singled to load the bases.
Yelich followed with a ground-ball single to right field that scored Ortiz and Turang for a 4-2 lead. Mitchell’s double to right brought home two more runs before Perkins’ RBI groundout and Hamilton’s single extended the lead to 8-2. Milwaukee went 5 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Griffin Jax (0-2) took the loss after allowing five runs in the eighth inning.
Umpire C.B. Bucknor left the game in the second inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball off Nick Fortes’ bat on a 100.2 mph fastball from Misiorowski.
Up next
Chad Patrick (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will make his second start of the season against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, while Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.
In three days, the Michigan men’s basketball team will continue its push for a national championship with a matchup against fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines’ departure to Indianapolis came with a scare, though.
Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau was evaluated by team medical personnel for a possible allergic reaction to something he ate as the team prepared to leave Ann Arbor for Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 1, a team spokesman told the Detroit Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.
Cadeau was determined to be “fine” by doctors, though out of an abundance of caution, he was continuing to receive medical supervision and would not be leaving for the Final Four until later in the day Wednesday.
Video taken from outside of Michigan’s practice facility during the celebratory send-off showed a covered body being carried away on a gurney and loaded into an ambulance.
NEW... a member of the Michigan Wolverines basketball team needed medical attention as the team prepared to depart for the Final Four this afternoon from Ann Arbor. Sources say an allergic reaction. Player, said to be fine, expected to join the team later. VIDEO: Jon Hewett pic.twitter.com/uF3h1h1Mf0
In his first season with the program since transferring over from North Carolina, Cadeau has been the primary distributor on one of the best teams in the country. The 6-foot-1 junior is averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game and is Michigan’s fourth-leading scorer, at 10.2 points per game. He has had 33 assists in his team’s four NCAA tournament wins, the second-highest total of any player in the event.
Heading into their meeting with Arizona in the Final Four, the Wolverines have pieced together one of the best seasons in the program’s proud history, going 35-3 under second-year head coach Dusty May. The 35 victories are a program single-season record.
EVANS, Ga. (AP) — Arkansas junior Maria Jose Marin birdied her final two holes Wednesday for a 7-under 65 to share the lead with 17-year-old Soomin Oh of South Korea in an opening round of great weather and low scoring at Champions Retreat in the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Asterisk Talley, the 17-year-old Californian who was runner-up in the ANWA a year ago, holed a greenside bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 18th hole as she made the turn and shot 66.
The conditions were ideal, and most of the 72-player field seized on the opportunity. Eight players were at 67 or lower, and 31 players broke par.
Marin, the 19-year-old Colombian who won the NCAA title last year, finished on the back and poured in an 8-foot birdie putt to get off to a much better start than a year ago, when she failed to make the 36-hole cut.
The second round Thursday is at Champions Retreat, and the top 30 and ties advance to the final round Saturday at Augusta National. All 72 players get to play at the home of the Masters on Friday.
“I feel like last year ... it was a lot of learning,” Marin said. “There was a lot of tears, and of course this tournament means a lot to me. Not making the cut, it hurt a lot. But I learned that I’ve got to stay with my two feet on the ground, that I have to be really patient with my game, that if things are not going my way, I don’t have to push it, that I just have to wait for golf to do its thing.”
Oh, the runner-up in the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific earlier this year, also played bogey-free. She was on the front edge of the green on the par-5 ninth, facing a 70-foot eagle chance to take the lead. She did well to lag it 4 feet beyond the cup and holed that to share the lead.
Andrea Revuelta and Vanessa Borovilos joined Talley at 66. The group at 67 included Meja Örtengren and Amelie Zalsman, the 17-year-old Floridian who earlier this year won the prestigious South Atlantic Women's Amateur.
Revuelta and Örtengren are among all five players from Stanford in the field, four of whom broke par. The exception was U.S. Women's Amateur champion Megha Ganne, who was stunned by two double bogeys in her opening four holes and crashed to a 77.
This is Ganne's sixth time playing the ANWA, which already has become as prestigious as any amateur event in women's golf, mainly because of where the final round is played.
Talley first rose to some level of national prominence in 2024 when she reached the championship match of three USGA events, including the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Girls Junior. Talley is coming off a tie for 29th last week in the Ford Championship on the LPGA.
Her bunker shot for eagle sent her out at 31.
“I was honestly just trying to barely get it on the green and let it roll out all the way to the flag,” Talley said. “I knew it was going to be pretty fast. I was honestly just trying to get it within 10 feet, and it ended up going in, so it was pretty cool.”
She had to settle for eight pars and a birdie on the front to finish one off the lead, though comfortable to make sure she has a tee time at Augusta National on Saturday.
“I wasn’t making many mistakes, but I wasn’t doing anything amazing on the back nine,” Talley said. “I think it was just pretty much just hitting fairways and greens and not getting very close to the hole at all times.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 06: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at the TD Garden on February 06, 2026 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. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Boston Celtics (50-25) at Miami Heat (40-36) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 7:30 PM ET TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FDSN Sun Regular Season Game #76 Road Game #39 Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WQAM 104.3, Sirius XM Kaseya Center
The Celtics continue their road trip with a stop in Miami to take on the Heat. This is the 4th, and final, game between them this season. The Celtics won 129-116 in Boston on December 19. They won 119-114 in Miami on January 15. And, they won 98-96 in Boston on February 6. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season. They won the two games played in Miami and won one and lost one in Boston. The Celtics are 89-54 overall all time against the Heat and they are 43-30 in games played in Miami.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 3.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, 8 games ahead of 6th place Toronto, and 9 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 31-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 24-14 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.
The Heat are 9th in the East, 15 games behind 1st place Detroit, 3 games behind 5th place Atlanta, 2.5 games behind 6th place Toronto, 1.5 games behind 7th place Philadelphia and half a game behind 8th place Orlando. They are tied with 10th place Charlotte. They are 24-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 24-14 at home and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
After completing a 3 game home stand, The Celtics are on the road for a 4 game trip that began with a win in Charlotte and a loss in Atlanta and will finish up in Milwaukee. They will then play two games at home against Toronto and Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando.
The Heat are playing in the 2nd game of a 3 game home stand. They beat Philadelphia on Monday and will complete the home stand on Saturday against Washington. They then play 2 games in a row in Toronto before a game at Washington. They will finish the season at home against Miami.
After missing Monday’s game against Atlanta, both Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta are off the injury report. Nikola Vucevic remains out as he rehabs from surgery on his index finger. Ron Harper, Jr is questionable with an ankle sprain. For Miami, Norman Powell is out for the 3rd straight game due to an upper-respiratory illness. Andrew Wiggins is questionable with a toe injury. Terry Rozier is out after being arrested for a gambling scandal.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Davion Mitchell
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesDavion Mitchell | Getty Images
SG: Jaylen Brown vs Tyler Herro
Jaylen Brown | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyler Herro | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Pelle Larsson
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesPelle Larsson | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Jordan Walsh Baylor Scheierman Max Shulga John Tonje Charles Bassey (10-Day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Injuries/Out Nikola Vucevic (finger) out Ron Harper, Jr (ankle) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Miami Heat Reserves Kasparas Jakucionis Myron Gardner Jaime Jaquez, Jr Keshad Johnson Nikola Jovic Dru Smith Kel’el Ware Simone Fontecchio 2-Way Players Trevor Keels Vladislav Goldin Jahmir Young Injuries/Out Norman Powell (illness) out Terry Rozier III (not injury related) out Andrew Wiggins (toe) questionable
Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
Key Matchups Jaylen Brown vs Tyler Herro Herro is averaging 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc. Herro is streaky but can put up points in a hurry. He played in just one of the 3 games between these teams this season. He finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 3 steals while shooting 60% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to be ready to defend him both in the interior and on the perimeter and need to do better than they did in that last game.
Neemias Queta vs Bam Adebayo Adebayo is averaging 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field and 31.0% from beyond the arc. In 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.2% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and off the boards.
Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Andrew Wiggins Wiggins is averaging 15.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He is shooting 47.5% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. He didn’t play in the first game against the Celtics but in the other two games, he averaged 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 57.7% from the field and 61.5% from beyond the arc. He is a good shooter and so the Celtics need to defend him well. He is questionable for this game and if he can’t play, then Simone Fontecchio may get the start here.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense will always be the biggest key to winning every single game. The Celtics are 4th with a defensive rating of 111.5. The Heat are 9th with a defensive rating of 112.7. The Celtics need to defend the perimeter since the Heat attempt 37.7 threes a game and shoot threes at 35.7%. They also have to defend the paint as the Heat are 3rd with 54.5 points in the paint per game. The Celtics need to work harder than the Heat on defense and make that their priority.
Rebound – Along with defense, rebounding is always a key to winning. As Pat Riley once said “No rebounds, no rings.” The Celtics average 46.5 rebounds per game (4th) while the Heat average 46.6 rebounds per game (3rd). When the Celtics have more rebounds then their opponents, they are 38-11 when they have fewer rebounds, they are just 9-13. It takes effort and hustle to get rebounds and the Celtics need to give more effort than the Heat to grab rebounds if they want to win this game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead. The Heat are known for playing hard against all of their opponents. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for the heat to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort and if the 3’s aren’t falling, get into the paint.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are best when they keep the ball moving and find the open man. They struggle when they try to do too much individually. The Celtics are 32-2 when they have 25 or more assists in a game. They have to move the ball an find the open man without a lot of hero ball. The Heat are 5th in the league with 20.1 points off turnovers per game so the Celtics have to make careful passes and be careful not to turn the ball over.
X-Factors On the Road – The Celtics are on the road for the 3rd game of a 4 game road trip. The Celtics need to stay focused on playing hard and as a team and not be distracted by the hostile crowd or the unfamiliar court or the fatigue that comes from travel. They lost their last game and need to stay focused to get back in the win column in spite of playing on the road.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the game.
