SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: Kyle Hart #68 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the eighth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Petco Park on May 02, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Chicago White Sox (16-17) at San Diego Padres (19-13), May 3, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees runs to first base during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Jonathan Pensiero/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Burgeoning Yankee superstar Ben Rice was removed in the fourth inning from Sunday’s game with the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. It was not immediately apparent why Rice, who slugged his 12th home run of the season in the first, exited the game. Paul Goldschmidt entered to replace him.
There was only a small smattering of clues that the YES broadcast could go on following Rice’s removal. Max Fried had made a couple of pickoff throws to Rice in previous innings, one of which appeared to somewhat handcuff him. Rice went on to take his next at-bat, in which he hit a somewhat-fluky opposite-field double on a pop fly (.040 xBA). It did not seem that Rice was injured on the swing or while running the bases. He scored on Aaron Judge’s subsequent home run.
Needless to say, this is an ominous sign. Rice has been Judge’s stellar co-star in the Yankee order, hitting .343/.455/.759. His 12 home runs are tied with Yordan Alvarez for second place in MLB. He has been one of the key factors behind New York’s stellar run of play over the past few weeks; if he goes down, the Yankees would sorely miss his absence.
This story will be updated as soon as we learn more about why Rice was removed from the game.
Update
Ben Rice exited today's game with a left hand contusion that he sustained on the pickoff attempt while playing first base in the third inning. X-rays taken were negative. He's day-to-day.
The Yankees provided a quick update on Rice. Thankfully, X-rays taken on his wrist were minor, and he’s only been diagnosed with a contusion. So ideally this turns out to be a short absence, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them play it carefully with Rice and also start Goldschmidt tomorrow against the O’s.
The Braves owned the best record in baseball at 24-10 entering Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. But they’ll have to get by for now without one of their top players.
Acuña left Saturday night’s game in the second inning. He was attempting to run out a ground ball before he pulled up about halfway down the base path and grabbed at his hamstring.
The five-time All-Star and 2023 National League MVP is batting .252 with two home runs, nine RBIs, 17 runs and a team-high seven steals. He had played in all 34 games after a torn ACL he suffered in May 2024 limited him to a combined 144 games over the past two seasons.
The Braves activated right-hander Spencer Strider from the injured list prior to Sunday’s start. The 2023 All-Star was set to make his season debut after being sidelined with a strained oblique. The Braves optioned right-hander Hunter Stratton to Triple-A Gwinnett following Saturday’s game to make room for him. They also selected outfielder José Azócar’s contract from the minor league club on Sunday with Acuña going on the injured list.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 03: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners speaks to the media prior to the game against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on May 03, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is out of the lineup for a second straight day with lingering pain in his right side. The team has not moved to put him on the IL, awaiting results of imaging he had done yesterday.
Raleigh first felt the pain after Friday night’s game, and said he became concerned when his soreness didn’t abate as usual the next day, causing him to alert the training staff.
“Just trying to play it safe,” said Raleigh. “It was just a little sore, and I think they’re trying to be precautionary with it, play it safe rather than let things linger…As an athlete you’re always using your core, so you just want to be smart, right? You don’t want something that could be a day or two to turn into weeks or a month.”
Raleigh said there was no specific moment that triggered the pain – not a particular throw or swing or catch or foul tip – just general soreness that he initially shrugged off at the time as the usual postgame dings and dents before realizing the pain intended to linger.
Manager Dan Wilson said that Raleigh had imaging done, but the results of the MRI are still pending. “Once we get some feedback and understand where he’s at, we’ll make decisions.”
For his part, Raleigh said he woke up today feeling “a lot better” and has gradually been improving since Friday night. “Compared to where it was feeling post-game Friday and yesterday early, very positive, very encouraging.”
“Cal is continuing to make strides,” said Wilson. “He’s got a little soreness in his side, and we want to make sure of where we’re at…he’s going to test it a little bit today and see where he’s at.”
Although it sounds like concern levels are low, the Mariners are being hyper-vigilant with Raleigh, given the nature of the injury – obliques are notoriously tricky, as Bryce Miller or Luke Raley will attest – the punishing position he plays every day, and how early it is in the season.
“Overall, looking at it, it’s May,” said Raleigh. “Trust me, I want to be out there. But obviously, thinking about the team and the long-term picture and thinking about the guys in there [the clubhouse], taking a day is probably best for everybody, including myself.”
The only pain bigger than the one in his side is having to sit out of a second straight game, something that’s difficult for a grinder like Raleigh, who prides himself on his iron-man constitution and ability to play through the nagging bumps and bruises that are synonymous with being an everyday catcher. But he says he has to put his “ego and pride” aside, and ensure he’s not hurting the team in the long run.
“In the moment you hate it, but down the line, I think it’ll pay dividends…It sucks at the time, but you just have to try and be smart and think of everybody else in the clubhouse and not just yourself.”
“Obviously it’s not what I want to be doing, but better safe than sorry in this scenario.”
Clay Holmes | (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Mets lineup
Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – DH MJ Melendez – LF Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B Carson Benge – RF Mark Vientos – 1B Tyrone Taylor – CF Luis Torrens – C
Clay Holmes – RHP
Angels lineup
Zach Neto – SS Mike Trout – CF Nolan Schanuel – 1B Jorge Soler – RF Jo Adell – DH Josh Lowe – LF Vaughn Grissom – 2B Oswald Peraza – 3B Sebastian Rivero – C
Jack Kochanowicz – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 4:07 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Round two of the NBA playoffs starts tomorrow, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are once again the underdogs. Whether that’s rightfully so or just another time the public narrative is disrespecting the Wolves, we’ll find out starting Monday night. Even though this is on short notice, there’s still time to hear from you and give you a chance to write some receipts.
It’s time for Canis Pulsus Vol. 49 – Playoff Round 2 Predictions!
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 30: Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to Canis Pulsus Vol. 49!
For those of you who have been ignoring this series since the 2021 season — Canis Pulsus is designed to give our Canis Hoopus community a published voice.
A pulse, if you will.
We all know that if CH occupied all seats of the Minnesota Timberwolves front office, we would be celebrating our 36th consecutive championship this year. But for now, it’s time for us to exercise our right vote. How would you grade the performance of our pups?
It’s a simple concept, really. Just submit your vote as honestly or sarcastically as you would like. All individual submissions will remain anonymous so no one will know if you were the one voter who picked Spurs in four Once the polls close, the results as a whole will be published on Canis Hoopus and (in theory) be posted on ESPN’s front page next to all the naysayers.
The Montreal Canadiens are about to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh and final game of a series that has been insanely entertaining. Martin St-Louis’ men have been able to hold their own against Jon Cooper’s battle-tested side, but not because of the usual suspects. Everyone has chipped in for the Canadiens, and while Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky have managed to get five, four, and three points respectively, they’ve been muzzled at even strength.
However, it has been even harder for Russian rookie Ivan Demidov. The 20-year-old only has one point, an assist. It’s not that he hasn’t been trying, but the intensity and physicality of the playoffs haven’t been easy to handle for the youngster.
In Game 6, it felt like he had a breakthrough. He was much more visible on the ice and had eight attempts on goal. Five of those shots found their way to Andrei Vasilevvskiy’s net, and he came painfully close to giving the Canadiens the lead, but the veteran netminder had the last laugh.
Judging by the look on his face after that couple of saves, he must have had nightmares about that since Friday night. To make matters even worse, he was called for goaltender interference late in the game, a call that was generally considered questionable by the hockey world. Thankfully for him, the Canadiens were able to kill the penalty, but they still lost the game, setting up the stage for a seventh and final game between the two teams.
Even if Demidov must have been frustrated after Game 6, it felt like he had taken a step forward in that game and was getting the hang of playoff hockey. If he can come up with the same kind of effort for Game 7, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were key to a Canadiens’ win.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 2: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 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
After playing 36 minutes of solid basketball, the Sixers found themselves in a position all too familiar at the end of a playoff game. As dominant as Joel Embiid was offensively, he was showing signs of running out of gas down the stretch. To check off all the boxes, he had already gone back to the locker room with an injury scare.
With 3:49 left in the game, the Celtics again cut the Sixers lead to one as deja vu sank in: a winnable playoff game had turned into immense heartbreak as no one other other than Embiid could get the Sixers over the finish line. Just like Game 7s in 2019 and 2021, the Sixers rested their hopes on Embiid’s broken body carrying them across the finish line.
Tyrese Maxey’s last field goal had come at the end of the third quarter. He only had two points from the line in the fourth and, to make matters worse, he had just smoked a wide open layup a few possessions ago.
After both teams clanked a couple jumpers off the rim, Maxey found himself with the ball at the top of the key. A screen came for a pick-and-roll, and with it the switch Maxey was looking for on Neemias Queta.
The Sixers would come up with another stop and Maxey hunted the same matchup again, zooming by Queta and Jaylen Brown to make it a two-possession game.
After another stop and Maxey took the ball again. This time his midrange pull-up didn’t fall, but he would contribute to their next and most important stop of the series.
The Celtics had killed the offensive glass when they were in control of this series. They got a second attempt to cut it a two-point game thanks to an offensive rebound. When Derrick White’s shot went off, Maxey skied up to get it, securing his ninth rebound of the game.
With 16 seconds left, all that was left was hitting his free throws. That was still an important hurdle to clear — the Sixers lost multiple season games, like one in Toronto and another against Atlanta, because Maxey wasn’t able to hit free throws to seal the game.
He hit all four attempted, completing his 10-point fourth quarter and putting the Boston Celtics away for good. Maxey finished with 30 points (on an efficient 11-of-18 from the field), 11 rebounds and seven assists.
“I just really wanted the ball,” Maxey told reporters at the podium after the game. “Early in the fourth, we went to Joel, and I just felt like it was time for me to step up, make a play.”
"I just wanted the ball."
Tyrese Maxey (34 PTS, 10 in 4Q) on his clutch scoring down the stretch to secure PHI's W in Game 7!
By doing so, Maxey and Embiid put themselves in elite company, as far as Game 7s go. Per ESPN’s stats’ department, they became the first duo to put up 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a Game 7.
Embiid is plenty responsible for shortcomings of Sixers playoff runs in the past, but he’s been let down by his supporting cast just as many — if not more — times.
This series they got over the hump not just because of Embiid’s brilliance, but his co-star finally rose to the moment as well.
Feb 5, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) against the Golden State Warriors at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who went through the grind of reviewing all 18 players on the Phoenix Suns roster and placing each one into a tier. That kind of buy-in is what makes this exercise worth it. It gives us real data points, helps us start forming some assumptions, and gives us a clearer picture of where each player belongs within their tier as we begin to sort out who is “best.”
Everyone has their own definition of what “best” means, and by taking the time to go through the SunsRank survey, you help compartmentalize these players in a way that makes the next step easier. Did you put someone in the ‘Pillars’ category based on who they are relative to the team’s roster construction moving forward? Or did you put them there because of the statistical impact they had on the team this season? All points of view are welcome in SunsRank. It’s the one time I deviate from my personal method of avoiding terms like “best”, “worst”, or “greatest”.
So let’s get into it. We’re moving into the lowest tier, ‘The Depth Pieces’. I define this tier as “The supporting cast. The ones who fill minutes, plug gaps, and sometimes win a game or two that no one expects. They may not grab headlines, but every season leans on players like these.”
The community put these players here, and the bottom tier consists of six players. So we’ll be ranking players 13 through 18 on the Phoenix Suns’ roster.
The Depth Pieces
Jamaree Bouyea
Jamaree Bouyea, the guy who started the season playing in the Spurs’ G League system who came to Phoenix and forced his way into a two-way contract situation. Respect. 75% of the community voted him into the Depth Pieces tier. Shout out to the 3 people who thought he was worthy of being a Pillar.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
46
14.0
5.7
1.8
1.8
0.6
45.8%
29.5%
68.6%
106.0
104.6
+25
Koby Brea
Koby Brea’s rookie year was one of development in the G League, as he saw only 12 games at the NBA level. The kid has a shot on him, and he is certainly somoene who we hope rises from the Depth Piece tier to somethign more meaningful and impactful in years to come.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
12
7.0
3.8
0.7
0.8
0.1
41.7%
43.3%
1.00%
101.8
106.0
-15
Let’s look at some Valley Suns numbers, seeing as he spent most of the season in the G League.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
23
33.4
15.0
4.6
2.4
1.0
38.4%
36.5%
80.0%
109.3
115.3
-137
Amir Coffey
Coffey arrived in Phoenix from Milwaukee in the trade that sent Nigel Hayes-Davis and Nick Richards out. His playing time wasn’t ample this season with Phoenix, and he didn’t make the impact many believed he would. Not surprisingly, 74% of the community classified him as a Depth Piece. Chances are, as an unrestricted free agent, he won’t be with the team next season.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
16
14.1
4.8
1.9
1.0
0.4
50.0%
41.7%
69.2%
116.2
110.6
+26
Haywood Highsmith
Highsmith was a buyout market acquisition and, for someone coming off a meniscus tear, someone we didn’t expect to see much of. And we didn’t. Still, it was a close race to determine which tier he belonged in. 53% voted for the Locksmith to be a Depth Piece, while 40% believbed he was a Wildcard.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
7
13.0
5.4
1.9
1.0
0.6
52.2%
57.1%
85.7%
117.8
116.1
+10
CJ Huntley
The rookie who played five years at Appalachian State was a two-way contracted player. Then he wasn’t. Then he was. We didn’t see him much at the NBA level, but he put some work in down in the G.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
BLK
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
4
10.0
3.0
1.3
0.5
0.0
54.5%
0.0%
0.0%
122.4
104.7
+15
Let’s look at some Valley Suns numbers, seeing as he spent most of the season in the G League.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
BLK
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
29
27.4
16.0
8.5
1.1
1.2
62.3%
33.8%
69.0%
111.6
118.0
-162
Isaiah Livers
I think we all had higher expectations for Livers, but ultimately, we did not see him as much as we expected due to injuries this season. Therefore, he finds himself in the Depth Piece tier.
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
36
9.6
1.8
1.7
0.6
0.4
34.4%
30.0%
75.0%
109.4
108.3
+11
Now, the fun begins. This is SunsRank comes to life. Fill out the survey and decide who ranks above whom using your interpretation of the words “best” and/or “better”.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics watches from the bench during the third quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
BOSTON — Late in the fourth quarter, as Derrick White’s fifth three-pointer of the night sailed through the net, Jayson Tatum turned his back to the TD Garden parquet and emphatically punched the Celtics bench with both fists.
He badly wanted the Celtics to do the improbable, to pull out a come-from-behind victory in Game 7 against a Philadelphia 76ers team that was peaking at exactly the right moment.
He badly wanted the Celtics to advance to the next round, so that he could come back and continue what was an incredible comeback story, so that he could return to the same Madison Square Garden where his season last ended in heartbreak.
But, almost a full year after he suffered the worst injury in basketball, Tatum was once again sidelined, let down by his body, ruled out of game action by his medical staff.
Derrick White hits a huge three and Jayson Tatum is going nuts on the bench
This time, it wasn’t season-ending, and he wasn’t writhing on the floor in pain. On Saturday morning, Tatum simply woke up with some back-of-knee stiffness that appeared to begin in Game 6, a likely side-effect of returning to action in just 10 months, quickly ramping up minutes, and battling in physical, postseason action.
“It was just unfortunate timing,” Tatum said. “But, it’s a little bit to be expected, right? I was away for 10 and a half months, and I came back, and I’m playing every other day, and I was playing 36 to 40 minutes — so it’s not unusual that something would come up. It was just kind of tough because rehab was going so well the entire time. I guess it was inevitable at some point that I was gonna have to deal with something, and it just kind of came at the worst possible time.”
Tatum said that he was day-to-day and expected to return at some point in the second round, had the Celtics advanced in Game 7.
But, as the team went ice-cold down the stretch of the fourth quarter, all he could do was watch, just as he did for the first 62 games of the season.
“It was tough,” Tatum said. “I was upset, I was sad, I was disappointed all day.”
Part of what made it so painful was how seamless his rehab had been up until that point. He came back in 10 and a half months. He averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in the series’s first six games, shooting 47.5% from the field — the best mark of his playoff career.
Everything was going exactly to plan.
Then, just like that, he was back to the sidelines.
“It just kind of really never crossed my mind,” Tatum said of the possibility of not being there for the final game of the year. “Once I came back, everything was just going so well, so to have to sit yesterday in the biggest game of the season, and just not being able to be out there and be a part of that… it was just tough.”
In the end, the Celtics’ season ended as it started, with three straight losses, and with their best player in street clothes.
Still, for myriad reasons, Tatum said he had zero regrets about doing everything possible to make his return, and that making the push to return this season was “100%” the correct decision.
In large part, that’s because going into next season, he knows that he is capable of being exactly who he was before the injury — if not an even more improved version.
“I’m very happy that I came back to be a part of this team, get back to doing what I love, to help give us a chance to compete for a championship, to prove to myself that I can get back to being the guy who I was, and hopefully better,” Tatum said.
“I was able to prove to myself that I can still play this game at a very, very high level, even not being 100% of myself. I know what I’m capable of. So, checking that box off mentally, because that was a question in my head. There was doubt. Will I be able to be the same player? Will I be able to play at a high level after this injury? Now I have proven it and shown that — even at 85% of myself. So you know, now getting an extended period of time to deload and take some time off and come back next season 100%, 110% ready, get my right calf bigger compared to my left one. So I’m excited about that.”
In addition to overcoming that mental hurdle, Tatum also feels a level of pride regarding what he was able to pull off — even if it did not result in the outcome he desired.
He knows that he blazed a trail for other NBA players with the same injury to follow, players like Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard, who have yet to return following Achilles ruptures last Spring, and more recent examples like Donte DiVincenzo.
That, in and of itself, meant a lot.
“Not necessarily from a standpoint of, ‘I’m great, look at what I was able to accomplish,‘ but to give other guys hope,” Tatum said. “Obviously, I don’t want anybody to have to go through tearing their Achilles, but in the unfortunate event that it does happen, that I can be sort of inspirational: if you attack rehab a certain way if you follow these guidelines, or do it a certain way, that it’s not, like, a career-ending injury, that you can come back, that you can be yourself, that you can be better, that it won’t take 18 months, that you can come back whenever is right for you.”
Asked Jayson Tatum if — given how everything panned out — he still felt certain that he made the right decision to return this season after so much back and forth:
“100%. I'm very happy that I came back to be a part of this team, got back to doing what I love, to help give us a… pic.twitter.com/T4GY8VWO1S
“So, I’m happy and proud of the fact that I was able to do that, and unfortunately, if somebody else has to deal with this, they can look at what I was able to do and have some hope and inspiration that it’s not what people used to think it was,” Tatum said. “And, you can come back from this, and be who you were and hopefully be better.”
For now, it will be a long offseason in which Tatum will get some much-needed rest.
At the podium, it was evident that Tatum tried tirelessly to look at the positive view, burdened by the disappointment of a first-round exit and his unexpected Game 7 sidelining.
“I get a long offseason to really get back to 110%,” he said. “I guess that’s the silver lining of it all.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers heads for the net as Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks defends during the second half at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024 in New York City. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the New York Knicks 112-106 in overtime. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite growing up a half-hour from Shea Stadium as a 1980s Mets fan, I didn’t hate the Yankees. No reason to. They were in a whole other league; they never played the Mets, other than in spring training. Don Mattingly was awesome. Dave Winfield was a freak. Willie Randolph seemed nice. Their third baseman was nicknamed Pags. What wasn’t to like?
I didn’t hate the Yankees until 2000, when Roger Clemens, unable to get Mike Piazza out legally, knocked him out with a heater straight to the gulliver . . . and Don Zimmer said of the victim: “Piazza made a little man out of himself. I don’t care who knows it, I lost a little respect for Piazza.” The same Zimmer who had to have three holes drilled into his skull after taking a curveball there in 1963. Who had two seasons ended by beanballs. Who suffered a concussion in 1986 when he fell down in the clubhouse. Who brought a playoff game to a screeching halt in 1999 when a line drive off the bat of Chuck Knoblauch went into the dugout and hit Zimmer’s ear and jaw. One can only imagine the kind of poor choices a bloke with a litanty of brain injuries might make later in life (photo credit: Reddit).
Until two years ago, I never hated the Philadelphia 76ers. Growing up, they were like the Nets to me, geographical cousins of the Knicks who weren’t the Celtics, and the enemy of my enemy was my friend. Charles Barkley was a force of nature. Jeff Hornacek may not have done anything for me coaching the Knicks, but I loved watching him play. Hersey Hawkins coupled smoothness with alliteration. Everybody knows Shaquille O’Neal, and some remember Gary Trent Sr., “Shaq of the MAC,” but the original Shack was one of the great NBA names of all-time, one Charles Edward Shackleford.
So when the Knicks met the Sixers in the 2024 playoffs, after a lifetime of playoff series with Indiana, Miami and Chicago, I was looking forward to watching the most stressful games of the year against a team I had no beef with. That didn’t last long.
The 2021 series versus Atlanta was the first time I encountered another team’s chronically online fans. Hawks Twitter is probably on the low end of offensiveness, but they were so gross and rude that stuck with me more than Trae Young. Thankfully there didn’t seem to be much of a “Hawks Bluesky” scene this postseason.
Sixers Twitter is just one of several factors that curdled my affection for one of the NBA’s flagship franchises into something slightly toxic. Maybe you share some of my reasons; maybe you hate them for reasons all your own. My hypothesis: however much you hate the 76ers today, it will sink to fathomless depths by the end of this series. Why? I could give you reasons.
Reason 1: KAREN NURSE
You know what’s amazing about J.B. Bickerstaff? Besides having coached four NBA teams and won Coach of the Year by age 46? He’s faced the Knicks twice in the playoffs, lost both times, and never kvetched once. Something to be said for someone who can face adversity with a kind of quiet dignity.
Contrast that with two years ago. After Karen Carlisle’s Pacers lost the first two games of their series with the Knicks, they sent the league office a list of 78 calls they claimed the refs got wrong in those games. Then Little Ricky doubled down on the lowest and hoariest conspiracy theory.
“Small-market teams deserve an equal shot,” he said after Game 2. “They deserve a fair shot no matter where they’re playing.”
Every bleeping CBA of my lifetime has been about screwing over “big-market” teams and their fans in order to better serve the poor, tired, huddles masses out in Flyover Country. It’s infuriatingly specious. It’s dumb as shit. It’s the sports version of the NY Times sending reporters out all the time to find out what “real Americans” think of things, when those “real” Americans are always white Midwesterners who not only don’t live in cities, but actively fear them. I’m not any less real than them!
If I wanna go to Game 1 of this series and don’t have the money for a ticket, no one cuts me a break. If Miles McBride wants to make $50 million per on his next deal and nobody offers it to him, no one thinks he’s a victim. You want something you can’t have? Figure out how to make it happen or get over it, right? Yet always, the propaganda regarding what is/isn’t fair to alllll the poor wittle billionaires who aren’t quite Steve Ballmer-level.
If you can’t afford to compete with Ballmer, James Dolan and that anti-labor twat who owns the Rockets, sell the team. You don’t have a birthright to the endless profit machine that is pro sports just because you want it. For Carlisle, of all people — a former Knick and Celtic — to trot that dead horse outta the barn isn’t just offensive to us, it demeans him. Seems he’ll sell out anybody from his past just to get a little ahead today. Maybe Rick’s wealthier than I thought.
Not one to be outdone, Coach Nurse and the Sixers literally FILED A GRIEVANCE after the first two games of their last tussle with the Knicks. What happens if they fall behind this time? An amicus brief to the Supreme Court, requesting the Knicks be kicked out of the NBA? A donation to the White House Hitler’s bunker ballroom, to curry favor with the pedo in power? That may sound extreme, but the next time someone loses to New York without crying foul will be the first. Well, third. Thank you, J.B.
Reason 2: JOEL EMBIID
Like the Yankees, I was totally cool with Embiid right up until I wasn’t. He’s the greatest scoring big man I’ve ever seen (yes, over Shaq). His performance against New York in Game 4 in 2024 was up there, if not better, than anything I ever saw Michael Jordan do to them. There, I said it.
I didn’t like him trying to hurt Mitchell Robinson and various other Knicks in 2024, but I understood. I grew up watching the Knicks clothesline Dream Teamers; I can handle a little physicality (particularly when I’m not the one suffering it). It’s the narcissism I can’t stand.
Clemens could’ve stood up and owned what he did; instead he hid behind teammates making asses of themselves trying to justify assault. That Embiid could pull what he did on Mitch and walk away healthy tells you all you need to know about how much the NBA has changed. If he’d tried that s#$% on Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley or Anthony Mason, Embiid’s career would already be over.
Look at this asshole.
He attacked Mitch ‘cuz he didn’t like a non-call on the other end. He didn’t like something a reporter wrote about his dead brother, so he shoved him. If Karl-Anthony Towns was the type to mess with people, this would be the time for head games. But KAT doesn’t roll like that. So we’ll just have to wait and see what annoys Mr. Process the next couple of weeks, and pray he doesn’t injure anyone while he’s letting off steam. And if he does, maybe this time the league bothers to notice.
Reason #3: CHRONICALLY ONLINE SIXER FANS
I’ll spare you a deep-dive into this Mariana Trench of misery. Suffice it to say this lot think the 76ers were screwed two years ago and “should’ve” beaten the Knicks. They ignore the ignominy of being the only East Coast metropolis whose fans somehow FAIL TO SELL OUT THEIR OWN ARENA for a playoff game. And now Charlie Brown is all fucking full of himself ‘cuz he finally kicked the football, coming from 3-1 to beat Boston. My advice: if you’re still on Twitter (why??), leave. Now. Otherwise, hold your nose and hope from the best. But expect the worst.
Reason #4: CALLIE RIVERS
Once upon a time, the daughter of Doc Rivers (OAKAAKUYOAK), Callie, was dating Paul George. George cheated on her, impregnating a dancer. Admittedly, I’d rather bring up something George did to hurt the Knicks in the postseason to reference here. And George ended up marrying the dancer and making a family, while Callie married Seth Curry. Not quite on the same villain-level of Tristan Thompson. But the Knicks have rarely reached the postseason during George’s career, and he’s spent most of his years in the Western conference, so there wasn’t much opportunity for intersection. Then again, George was the star of the 2013 Pacers. So there’s no shortage of reasons to not like him — professional or personal.
Reason #5: VJ EDGECOMBE*
This isn’t actually a beef with Edgecombe, who’ll be All-Rookie First Team when it’s announced. He’s a fantastic, exciting player, and in interviews he seems cool. No, this is a beef with how/why Edgecombe is a 76er.
A year ago, the Sixers fell apart after being oddly praised by everyone for an offseason centered on giving 34-year-old injury-prone Paul George a max extension. Completely unpredictably, George missed a ton of time with injuries. So did Embiid. And things got ugly.
After Maxey, their leading scorers last year were Kelly Oubre and Guerschon Yabusele. So Philly embraced tanking and fell all the way to the third pick in the draft. This was a year after Dallas gave up trying the last week of the season to keep New York from their lottery pick that year, and a year before Washington traded for two All-Stars they preferred never to play, rather than continue the upswing their youngsters had them on before the trades and risk losing their lottery pick to New York this June.
The Sixers didn’t really tank unethically, the way a third of the league did this year. I’m just sick of the Knicks getting screwed by teams tanking. And don’t let the league fool you: the latest anti-tanking proposal will fail, just as have all attempts. Because you can’t fix injustice with injustice. Wanna abolish tanking once and for all? Abolish the draft!
Ahh, I know; the small-market soothsayers will cry it’s unfair, that somehow in a league with a hard cap they can’t possibly compete with bigger teams who generally hunt and staff big-name stars. Yes, if we abolish the cap, why, the Knicks and Lakers would sign 10 All-NBA players and the top five rookies available. Anarchy, eh? Could be worse. Imagine a league full of Karens.
DENVER, CO - May 1: Colorado Rockies Troy Johnston (20) celebrates his third inning doublw during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Braves go for a sweep. Spencer Strider makes his 2026 debut. Jose Azocar starting? Statcast graphic!
The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers wrap up their series tonight in a winner-takes-all Game 7.
In addition to our Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions, we've got the computer working overtime to provide the best NBA player prop projections.
Round out your NBA picks on Sunday, May 3, with these data-based statistical projections.
Raptors vs Cavaliers computer picks for Game 7
Raptors
Cavaliers
Murray-Boyles o12.5 points -135
Mitchell o3.5 assists -165
Barrett o1.5 threes -105
Allen o11.5 points -105
Barnes u8.5 assists -130
Harden o19.5 points -120
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Raptors Game 7 computer picks
Collin Murray-Boyles Over 12.5 points (-135)
Projection: 14.77 points
Collin Murray-Boyles has seen his role in the Toronto Raptors offense expand in the postseason, clearing this 12.5-point line in five of the six games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Raptors will likely see a spike in possessions today when squaring off against the 10th-speediest home team in the NBA over the last five games (the Cleveland Cavaliers). This will result in an easy Over for CMB.
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RJ Barrett Over 1.5 made threes (-130)
Projection: 2.27 made threes
The Raptors check in as the second-best offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last five games. Offensive rebounds help maintain possession and can therefore create added scoring chances.
RJ Barrett will be a primary beneficiary, as he's also hit two or more treys in four of the six games in this series.
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Scottie Barnes Under 8.5 assists (-130)
Projection: 7.33 assists
While Scottie Barnes has been a coin flip on this line during this series, the Raptors star is projected to finish comfortably Under 8.5 dimes tonight.
He also finished the season going Under this number in five of his last six games before setting up shop against Cleveland.
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Cavaliers Game 7 computer picks
Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists (-165)
Projection: 5.32 assists
Some books are offering the baseline of 4.5 assists, and while Donovan Mitchell projects to go Over that number as well, we're getting a better cushion for the projections here at 3.5.
The number is likely lower because Mitchell has hit the Under 4.5 in four of five games this series, but he averaged 5.7 assists in the regular season.
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Jarrett Allen Over 11.5 points (-112)
Projection: 12.93 points
The Cavaliers grade out seventh-best in the NBA, with 11.9 offensive boards per game over the last 10. Jarrett Allen can turn those rebounds into points, as Cleveland can retain possession when standing tall over the Raptors.
Overall, Allen has 13+ points in six of his last 10 games.
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James Harden Over 19.5 points (-120)
Projection: 21.2 points
James Harden has been right around this number on a nightly basis. While he came up short with just 16 points in Friday's loss, he had scored between 18 and 28 in nine straight, dating back to the regular season.
He's also averaged 24.4 points per game over the last five home games.
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How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 7
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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Apr 26, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio looks on from the dugout during game against the Pittsburgh Pirates as he recovers from an injury at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
It’s been a busy weekend for the Milwaukee Brewers. The team extended their win streak to three with a win Saturday afternoon in the nation’s capital, and plenty of news — some good, some bad — continues to roll in. Here’s a quick roundup of everything we know.
Jacob Misiorowski, who exited Friday night’s game in Washington with a cramp after 5 1/3 no-hit innings, seemingly avoided a serious injury. The team officially has a TBD spot slated for Wednesday’s series finale in St. Louis, which would be Misiorowski’s turn through the rotation. We’ll see if he makes that start as scheduled or if he’s pushed back a few days to give him some precautionary rest. See a couple of quotes from Pat Murphy re: Miz below. (Note: the Brewers have an off day on Thursday before returning to action Friday in Milwaukee, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he took the ball in that one.)
Pat Murphy on Miz:
"We're going to have to see how it responds. Today's a catch day. We'll see where he's at today and then we'll have more information going forward.
"He feels like he's OK, but he hasn't done the work yet to test it to see."
Todd Rosiak reported that Murphy also confirmed Sunday morning that Angel Zerpa is currently deciding whether or not to have Tommy John surgery. Zerpa, who went on the injured list earlier in the week with forearm tightness, will seemingly face a lengthy absence regardless. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
Pat Murphy confirmed this morning that Angel Zerpa is deciding whether or not to have Tommy John surgery.
After a foul ball off his foot/ankle Saturday night in Nashville, outfielder Jackson Chourio’s X-rays reportedly came back negative, good news for a guy who was expected to return to the majors on Monday. Based on the latest news, Chourio’s return may be delayed a few more days. First baseman Andrew Vaughn, who went on a rehab assignment alongside Chourio this week, is still expected to return Monday in St. Louis.
X-rays were negative on Jackson Chourio’s foot/ankle last night.
Need to see how he feels/progresses today before knowing whether he will be reinstated from the IL in STL.
Brice Turang was scratched from Sunday’s lineup shortly before first pitch with an illness. It’s unknown how serious the illness is, but we’ll likely see him at some point in St. Louis this week.
Brice Turang scratched from the lineup with an illness.
David Hamilton slides from 3B to 2B, Luis Rengifo playing 3B and leading off.
While we’ve got you, a few more quick updates on other players on the IL:
Brandon Woodruff, the latest addition to Milwaukee’s IL, is currently out with right shoulder inflammation after a short start with decreased velocity on Thursday. Given that an MRI showed no structural damage, Woodruff seems optimistic he’ll miss close to the minimum 15 days.
Quinn Priester made another rehab start on Friday with Triple-A Nashville, though he continues to struggle with command — a common issue among players returning from thoracic outlet syndrome. Over five total innings in three rehab appearances, Priester has allowed nine runs on seven hits, eight walks, and two hit batters, striking out five on 136 pitches. He threw 62 pitches in Friday’s appearance, though he allowed five runs in that one. He’s expected to make at least a few more rehab starts, meaning he won’t be back in the majors until at least mid-May.
Christian Yelich has begun ramping up his hitting and running as he works his way back from a left groin strain that has kept him out since mid-April. He’s targeting a mid- to late May return, meaning we should see him on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks.
Jared Koenig began a throwing program on April 28 as he works back from a UCL sprain in his throwing arm. He’s targeting a late May/early June return.
Rob Zastryzny, who went on a rehab assignment in early May after starting the season on the IL with a shoulder strain, suffered a ribcage strain during that assignment. He’s now back to playing catch as of April 24, with a late May/early June return.
Lastly, outfielder Akil Baddoo, who missed the second half of spring training after a left quad strain, is still out with no updates since he went on the 60-day IL to begin the season. Given that designation, he’s out until at least June.
Raptors
Cavaliers