Oct 6, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos watches a workout before the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Considering how the 2025 campaign began, the start of the 2026 Braves season has been a breath of fresh air for everyone who is invested.
That must be particularly true for Braves general manager and president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
A streak of seven straight postseason appearances which began in his second season with the organization came to a screeching halt in Atlanta’s 76-86 season.
“I would say the same thing if we had gotten off to a slow start: it is so early. We’ve been that team that has chased teams down, we’ve been eight games back, we’ve been under .500 in August,” Anthopoulos said. “I would prefer this than starting out slowly, no doubt about it. You get to bank wins. And more importantly, we’re actually playing well. Defensively, the bullpen, the rotation, all of it.”
Anthopoulos talked candidly about a number of topics during the interview, which lasted nearly 20 minutes. Notably, he discussed the lessons learned from how the 2025 team was built which didn’t help matters when the injuries piled up.
He says it changed not just the roster building but the chemistry building approach he took on with his staff this offseason, something he saw pay dividends well before the regular season began.
“This group, I felt it in spring training. I think we got away from it a little bit last year just because of maybe short on talent and so on. But I think we really put an emphasis on the mix, the group, clubhouse. Not that it was bad, but we actually put more of a premium on it back this winter to have the right guys in the room and the right team rather than collection of players,” Anthopoulos said. “I know that’s a nuanced way to say it, but it’s good vibes. And that was even in the spring, even with everything that was going wrong going into the season. The pieces fit, they complement each other. It’s a very tight-knit group. It’s a great start.”
As the pitching injuries Anthopoulos alluded to piled up this spring with Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, Joey Wentz and Spencer Strider going down, there was plenty of talk about which of the remaining free-agent pitchers the Braves should go after.
It never materialized, though. And Anthopoulos said Friday it was never especially close to happening.
“I know I was criticized for (not adding a pitcher). We weren’t close. We checked in, we checked prices,” Anthopoulos said. “We ultimately felt like where things were going, it wasn’t because we didn’t have the money. We just didn’t believe in the deals.”
Through 31 games, that decision has paid off. Even a depleted Braves rotation ranks third in ERA (3.15) through 33 games. Targeting a Zack Littell, Lucas Giolito or one of the other starters who remained unsigned into spring training could have blocked JR Ritchie’s impressive introduction to the major league rotation or Bryce Elder’s resurgence, which are the type of things Anthopoulos always values when evaluating such decisions.
“We like the talent we have. We like the young guys we have. We need to continue to give them opportunities as our other players are getting more expensive to be able to sustain this thing,” Anthopoulos said. “I’m in my ninth year here, hopefully we get to the playoffs again. I would be very proud of that if we could pull off eight out of nine years. You only have players for six years contractually. A lot of times, you’re thinking you have to churn this entire thing and start over and rebuild. We’re trying to keep it going for a long time.”
Speaking of Elder, he was one of three players Anthopoulos highlighted when asked about players he’s been pleasantly surprised with early this season, along with Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubon. This team isn’t lacking in pleasant surprise options, but Elder carrying over his strong 2025 finish into a great first month this season is exactly what the Braves GM envisioned for him.
“I called him many times in the winter just to check in on him and talk about how good he was the last six weeks or so,” Anthopoulos said. “Normally you don’t pay attention to spring training and you don’t pay attention to September, but his velocity was up in September and he was beating really good teams. Even at the end of August, he beat the Phillies, the Tigers, the Cubs. He was going six, seven innings. Those guys were competing for the postseason, and he was throwing the ball really well and he was out of options.
“ … Did I think he would have 1.70 or 2.00 ERA or whatever it is right now? Of course not. But did we think he had a chance to be a really good starter for us? Yes. … I’m thrilled for him because I know the work he’s put in. He just kept his nose to the grindstone and continues to post. The fact that he can do it getting four days rest each time and allowing us to get rest for other players has been huge as well.”
One of the few players who hasn’t clicked early this season is Austin Riley at third base. Riley followed three straight 30-homer seasons with back-to-back campaigns below 20 the last two seasons. After Friday’s two-hit performance at Colorado, he’s hitting .202 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 33 games.
Considering he’s in the fourth season of a 10-year, $212 million contract, it’s a situation the Braves are somewhat stuck with.
But like with Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II, two of the Braves’ hottest hitters this season who were struggling mightily a season ago, Anthopoulos is confident Riley will come out of this extended slump to start the season.
“I’m not saying this is going to be the same thing, but Harris and Albies at the All-Star break (last year), so you’re talking middle of July, a long time, they were top-10 worst in MLB in OPS. You wouldn’t imagine it because they’re so talented, they’re so good, especially Albies, the home runs, Silver Sluggers, All-Star games,” Anthopoulos said. “Riley as well, the work ethic, the person, the defense, the athleticism. He’s going to get it going. I don’t know when. We’re working, he’s working. We’re looking at stuff, he is too.
“You saw it with that road series in Philadelphia, he’s going to get going again. I think the big part about this is we have other guys performing, stepping up. We’re scoring runs, so he’s got time to work through this. But obviously, when he gets going and some other guys get going, we should be that much stronger. I have no doubt he’ll come out of it. I just don’t know when. I said the same thing about Harris last year, same thing about Albies.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees drops the ball attempting to tag Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles who is safe at second during their game at Yankee Stadium on May 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On paper, Kyle Bradish is Baltimore’s top starter with Trevor Rogers on the IL. Unfortunately, the lefty failed to pitch like it today. Bradish couldn’t play stopper for the struggling Orioles, and the Yankees ran away with a decisive 9-4 win in the second of a four-games series.
Bradish continued a disappointing string of starts by Orioles pitchers. The lefty used a double play ball to erase a leadoff walk in the first, but the Yankees broke through in the second. Cody Bellinger snuck a pop fly over the short porch in right field to give New York an early 1-0 advantage. It was the type of homer that elicited eye rolls from opposing fans and pitchers alike, but Bradish ran into more serious trouble as the game continued.
José Caballero worked a five pitch walk with one out in the third, and Trent Grisham poked a double to left field. Bradish bounced back by striking out Ben Rice, but he crossed up catcher Adley Rutschman on a high fastball. The passed ball allowed New York to double its lead, and Bellinger drove in the third run of the game on an 0-2 breaking ball.
Bellinger’s knock represented a troubling trend of Baltimore pitchers failing to put away hitters. Bradish came within one strike of a zero in the fourth inning before grooving a 3-2 fastball to Grisham. The Yankee leadoff hitter smacked the ball 412 feet to left field, and New York took a commanding 5-1 lead in the fourth.
Grisham’s blast killed some fleeting momentum for the Orioles. Pete Alonso got the O’s on the board in the top of the fourth with his second homer in as many days. The solo shot briefly trimmed the deficit to two, but Bradish failed to deliver a shutdown inning.
Keegan Akin replaced Bradish in the fifth, and Bellinger greeted him with another homer. The Yankees led 6-1 before Baltimore managed to chip away in the sixth inning.
The Orioles loaded the bases with nobody out for Alonso, but the slugger grounded into a double play. Tyler O’Neill took a walk, and a pinch-hitting Samuel Basallo delivered a double down the right field line to make it 6-3. Jeremiah Jackson stepped in with a chance to make it a one-run game with a base hit, but he bounced a harmless ground ball to short that ended the inning.
Dylan Beavers pinch hit for Weston Wilson to start the seventh. The rookie worked a walk, stole second and third, and eventually scored on a ground ball by Taylor Ward. The manufactured run inched Baltimore to within two, but any chance at a comeback faded in the bottom half of the inning,
Anthony Nunez walked Rice and Aaron Judge before allowing a run-scoring single to Bellinger. Jazz Chisholm plated two more with a base hit to right that O’Neill briefly failed to handle. Judge walked twice, but finished 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. The Yankees still managed to score nine runs. That simply can’t happen.
The Orioles needed a strong start from Bradish after Cade Povich completed only four innings in Game 1. Baltimore will send out pitching prospect Trey Gibson for his MLB debut tomorrow against Max Fried (4-1, 2.09 ERA). Maybe the rookie can help flip the script.
Craig Albernaz sent out a lineup of seven righties, one switch hitter, and Gunnar Henderson to face left-handed starter Ryan Weathers. O’Neill, Coby Mayo, Jeremiah Jackson, Weston Wilson and Blaze Alexander combined to go 0-for-13 from spots five-to-nine in the batting order. It’s unclear how much input Albernaz has on the lineup in this modern era, but the Orioles’ obsession with matchups failed to produce positive results today.
This series feels like a benchmark for the Orioles. So far, the team looks completely outclassed by the first-place Yankees. Baltimore is clearly struggling to overcome some short and long term injuries, and the panic button could be on ice by the end of the weekend.
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth by a 5-1 final score in Game 6. With this, Vegas is moving on to the second round of the playoffs.
A former Buffalo Sabres star forward is a big reason for the Golden Knights making it to the second round. This is because Jack Eichel has been on fire so far this post-season.
In six games against Utah this series, Eichel had nine points. This included him having three games with at least two points for the Golden Knights. His best game was in Game 4, though, as he recorded three assists in the Golden Knights' 5-4 overtime win against the Mammoth.
Seeing Eichel have such a hot start to the playoffs is not surprising in the slightest. There is no question that the former Sabres forward can make a serious impact when playing at his best, and he is showing that right now with the Golden Knights.
It will now be interesting to see what Eichel does for the Golden Knights in the second round from here.
Eichel was selected by the Sabres with the second-overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In 375 games over six seasons with Buffalo, he had 139 goals, 216 assists, and 355 points.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest (19) pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday April 22, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Saturday, the Detroit Tigers placed right-handed reliever Will Vest on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation. The Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens top reliever in April, right-hander Ricky Vanasco, has been added to the 40-man roster and called up to Detroit. To open a spot, RHP Yoniel Curet has been designated for assignment.
Oh boy, this was not what the Tigers’ bullpen needed right now. Vest, the Tigers best reliever and one of the best in baseball in 2025, hasn’t pitched since last Sunday, and it was becoming clear that something was wrong. The Tigers were very quick to place RHP Troy Melton on the 60-day injured list this spring when he dealt with forearm inflammation, and that aggressive approach to giving Melton all the time needed to get right appears to have paid off as he avoided surgery and is now due to start rehab work this weekend. Hopefully, Vest will also avoid any longer term complications, but we’ll have to wait for further testing and until he can start ramping up again to really be sure.
In addition, the Tigers also announced on Saturday that Kenley Jansen is currently day-to-day with a groin/abdominal issue. That may explain some of the wild swings in velo and command, but that is also not good right now.
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long was scratched from his start in Toledo on Friday night, leading some to wonder if he would be called up in Casey Mize’s spot, but instead he too suffered an injury and is day-to-day as well. Gipson-Long missed most of spring camp with a left abdominal strain, but whether this is a setback with that or another injury is unknown.
The 27-year-old Vanasco has been outstanding in the early going. A journeyman reliever with an excellent power curveball, made a brief major league debut with both the Dodgers and Tigers in 2024, but has never been able to refine his command enough to become a dependable relief option. So far this spring, he’s figured it out in Toledo.
In 10 appearances totalling 15 innings of work, Vanasco has a spotless 0.00 ERA. He’s struck out 28 hitters and walked just four. That’s a 47.5 percent strikeout rate, with an opponent’s batting average of just .148 against him and a 0.80 WHIP.
Vanasco sits around 95 mph with plus extension on his fourseam fastball, but the movement on the pitch is pretty pedestrian. He does have to command it around the edges of the strike zone to avoid it getting hit hard. The fastball typically has 16 degrees of induced vertical break, a mediocre mark, and doesn’t run armside too much either. Vanasco’s extension and quick arm do help it play up a bit, however. It also helps that he mixes fourseamers and sinkers in equal amounts, and has located both really well so far this year. That’s made him less predictable, and the fourseamer is actually getting plenty of whiffs as a result of it not being a primary offering.
Vanasco uses fourseamers, sinkers, curveballs, and changeups in basically equal amounts. Against right-handers, the power curve is the big weapon, and it’s overall his best pitch. He throws it really hard, generally 83-84 mph, and it’s relatively low spin rate, generally around 2350 rpms, is reminiscent of former Alex Lange’s power slider that was really a curveball. The pitch has drawn a 41.4 percent whiff rate so far this season, and that’s pretty typical for it. We won’t be surprised if the Tigers’ pitching coaches have him use the curveball even more and thrown it maybe close to half the time against right-handed hitters.
Vanasco’s changeup is average, but he’s been in much better command of it the past two seasons and it’s been an effective pitch for him. It sits 85 mph with pretty good armside run but average depth. He has gotten a 38.6 percent whiff rate on it going back to the beginning of 2025, and as Vanasco will generally be facing as many right-handed hitters as possible, it’s not as though he needs that pitch to be more than a serviceable weapon.
As for Yoniel Curet, the 23-year-old right-hander has a good fastball-slider combination but hasn’t conquered the control issues that plagued him as a Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect the last two years. He’s stalled out at the Triple-A level as a result. Curet used to throw his fourseamer from 95-99 mph, but hasn’t quite had that upper band as often. He’s an interesting, still young project who sits 95-96 mph with good movement and an above average slider, but he was unlikely to help the Tigers much this season. They claimed him back in mid-April, and while no one will lose sleep over it if he doesn’t get through waivers, no doubt the Tigers would like to keep him and have more time to try and develop his command. At very least he could become a pretty good relief option if he can just learn to spot his fourseamer more often.
May 2, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish (38) during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
New York didn’t do much in the offseason, with much consternation given to the “run it back” attitude towards the roster. Part of that was a lot of debate about whether or not the Yankees should commit to Cody Bellinger long term. For at least one day, that signing turned out to be a great decision, as Bellinger took charge in today’s Yankee win, driving in four in the team’s 9-4 victory over the Orioles.
The Yankees did manage to get their first batter of the game aboard, with Trent Grisham working a blue-collar walk to start the top of the first. Nothing came of that chance, but no matter, because Cody Bellinger led off the second with a porch job:
(This was supposed to be a reel but MLB Film Room is being stupid today, I beg your forgiveness.)
I’m not going to ding Ryan Weathers for giving up a solo shot to Pete Alonso, that is exactly what Pete Alonso is paid to do. The other two runs he was ultimately charged with came off a misplay, where José Caballero failed to cover second base, then with the bases loaded and no out, Jake Bird came in and pitched more like I expect Jake Bird to pitch. The end results you can’t really put on Weathers, except for actually how he pitched.
In my opinion, Ryan Weathers is at his best when he reduces his fastball usage. His breaking and offspeed stuff is better, the fastball is really used to keep hitters honest. The problem with pitching backwards like that is hitters have to have a healthy fear that your breaking or offspeed pitch will come into the zone, or at least the shadow zone. Otherwise, the moment that you can pick up on the rotation of a pitch or the position in the hand, you can immediately spit on it: there’s such a low chance it’ll end up in the strike zone that you can take your chances on a better pitch coming next.
Weathers didn’t have good enough to make that happen. He only walked two, but got himself deep into counts pretty consistently, not by nibbling but by not hitting the zone. That leads to a rise in pitch counts and a more confident approach by hitters in the box. It’s only one earned run, but the journey it took to get through those five-plus innings was a rocky one.
I was getting worried for about an inning there, as the Orioles pushed another run across by taking advantage of Camilo Doval’s inability to hold runners. Fortunately, the Yankees broke out a bit in the seventh, with of course Cody Bellinger at the center of it all — his seeing-eye single scored Ben Rice before Jazz Chisholm Jr. brought Aaron Judge and Cody around with a single of his own.
With the now-five run lead, it was Paul Blackburn’s turn to take over, and he was able to close out the game without issue. That’s seven straight wins at the Stadium for the Yankees, and they’re a win away (be it Sunday or Monday) from clinching their fifth-straight series victory. However, against both the Astros and Rangers, New York took the first two games and failed to complete the sweep, and sweeps feel a whole lot better than two of three.
Max Fried represents a pretty good chance to lead you closer to that sweep though, and he’s scheduled to start tomorrow. First pitch is once again at 1:35pm Eastern.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 30: An overall photo of Target Center before the game between the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at Target Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves completed the kill shot Thursday night.
They ended the Denver Nuggets’ season, sent Nikola Jokic off to whatever offseason horse-stable sanctuary awaits him in Serbia, and won the rubber match in what has become the best rivalry this franchise has ever had. Wolves-Nuggets, Round 3: Minnesota takes it. Again.
While many of the Wolves faithful were confident heading into the series and are not surprised at the outcome. We have to admit that the way this team took down the Nuggets made absolutely no sense.
This was supposed to be the series where the Wolves needed Anthony Edwards to turn into a superhero. Then Ant got hurt. Donte DiVincenzo’s toughness and shooting were supposed to be core to the Wolves attck. Then Donte tore his Achilles. With the starting backcourt in traction, this was supposed to be the series where Ayo Dosunmu became the emergency engine. Then he was scratched with calf soreness. Kyle Anderson, one of the few remaining players who could calm the offense down in the wake of a 25-point turnover night, also became unavailable.
By Game 6, the Wolves’ depth chart was decimated.
And they still beat Denver.
They beat Jokic. They beat Jamal Murray. They beat their biggest rival. And they did it not with their full arsenal, but with the kind of team-wide, next-man-up, nobody-blinks performance that makes playoff basketball feel like something more than basketball.
Jaden McDaniels played 45 minutes, scored 32 points, and spent the night putting Jamal Murray in a straight jacket. Rudy Gobert owned the paint and helped hold Denver under 100 points for the third time in the series. Julius Randle delivered big buckets when the Nuggets started making their last desperate push. In his first playoff start, Terrence Shannon Jr. displayed zero fear, attacked downhill, and announced himself as someone who isn’t just happy to be here. Mike Conley reached into the past, stole a little more time from Father Time, and gave Minnesota the exact veteran stabilization it desperately needed. Naz Reid attacked the rim. Jaylen Clark came off the bench like a rabid wolverine. Everyone gave something.
This was not a one-man masterpiece. It was not Ant dropping 45 and carrying everyone across the finish line. It was not some fluky shooting night where the Wolves caught fire. This was team basketball at its purest with the whole becoming greater than the sum of its bruised, battered, undermanned parts.
And that is why, as the Wolves prepare for San Antonio and whatever alien geometry Victor Wembanyama is about to bring into their lives, it felt worth pausing for a second and asking a bigger question:
Where does Game 6 against Denver rank in Timberwolves history?
Not most entertaining, not wildest… I mean most important. Most meaningful. The games that mattered most to the franchise, to the fan base, to the story of Minnesota basketball.
For my list, the criteria is simple. Postseason games outrank regular-season games. I don’t care how wild some January double-overtime classic was. It cannot carry the same weight as a game where the season is actually on the line. I also prioritized clinchers and true series-defining moments. Game 1s and Game 2s can be incredible. I’ll never forget Sam Cassell’s “big balls” dance after saving Game 2 against Sacramento in 2004, but those games don’t quite hit the same historical weight as elimination games or series-clinching moments. And finally, the game had to mean something bigger than the final score. It had to shift the franchise, validate a team, break a curse, or stamp a moment into Wolves mythology.
With that said, here are the five most important games in Minnesota Timberwolves history.
5. 2026 First Round, Game 6: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
MINNEAPOLIS , MN – APRIL 25: Jaden McDaniels (3) of the Minnesota Timberwolves locks up Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the Timberwolves' 112-96 win in game four of their NBA Playoffs series at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
This one just happened, so maybe there’s some recency bias baked in. Fine. I’ll own that. But I also think time will be very kind to this game.
The Wolves entered Game 6 without Edwards, DiVincenzo, Dosunmu, and Anderson. They were coming off a Game 5 loss in Denver where they turned it over 25 times and invited every Wolves fan to start nervously considering a potential Game 7 in Ball Arena without their superstar. The stakes were enormous. Lose, and the entire series tilts back toward the best player on the planet. Win, and you send Denver home again.
They won.
And not only did they win, they won with defense, toughness, collective effort, and big moments from unexpected places. McDaniels was magnificent. Gobert was the anchor. Conley was the adult in the room. Shannon gave them real juice. Randle hit big shots. Clark was ready to fight Jokic. The Wolves looked like a team that had been stripped down to its bones and still found something real underneath.
Add in the rivalry, the injuries, the rubber-match element, the pre-game DiVincenzo jerseys, the Target Center electricity, and the fact that Minnesota once again ended Denver’s season, and this game absolutely belongs on the list.
4. 2025 First Round, Game 5: Timberwolves Eliminate the Lakers
This was revenge served 20 years cold.
The Lakers had always been the big brother franchise Minnesota could never touch. The Minneapolis team that left for Hollywood. The glamour team, free-agent destination, organization with banners, superstars, and a national spotlight permanently aimed in its direction. Meanwhile, the Wolves were the expansion franchise that had to fight for relevance and cut under-the-table deals just to land a Joe Smith-caliber free-agent.
It was the Lakers who took Minnesota out in the 2003 first-round and subsequently crushed the Kevin Garnett Wolves in the 2004 Western Conference Finals, ending the best chance that first great era ever had at a title.
So when Minnesota finally got another shot at them in 2025, with LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the other side, it meant something. “Lakers in five” was the chant from the moment the matchup was set. And then the Wolves spent the series proving they were bigger, deeper, tougher, and better.
Game 5 was the exclamation point. Rudy Gobert went full monster in the paint. The Lakers had no answer for Minnesota’s size. And Edwards delivered the perfect final flourish with the Antman/Batman/Superman energy and the “Lakers in five” echo bouncing through the Crypto.com Arena tunnels as Los Angeles fans tried to process what had just happened.
For once, Minnesota wasn’t the little brother. Minnesota was the bully.
3. 2004 First Round, Game 5: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
MINNEAPOLIS – APRIL 30: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates with teammate Sam Cassell #19 after winning the game against the Denver Nuggets after Game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on April 30, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This was the curse-breaker.
For seven straight years, the Timberwolves made the playoffs and went home in the first round. Seven straight exits. Seven straight reminders that Kevin Garnett could be brilliant, heroic, and completely trapped by the limitations around him. By 2004, the weight of that history was suffocating.
Then Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell arrived, KG won MVP, and everything changed.
The Wolves won the West. They earned the No. 1 seed. And fittingly, their first-round opponent was Denver, who was led by a young Carmelo Anthony and determined to make the series as physical and uncomfortable as possible.
But the Wolves were too good. Game 5 wasn’t the most dramatic game in franchise history. It didn’t need to be. Its importance was in the release. As the final seconds ticked away, Minnesota finally escaped the first round. Garnett finally got past the wall. Wolves fans finally got to exhale after seven years of having the same nightmare.
It is hard to overstate what that meant at the time.
Before the Western Conference Finals, before the Sacramento classic, before everything else, this was the moment the franchise finally proved it could win in the playoffs.
2. 2004 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7: Timberwolves Eliminate the Kings
MINNEAPOLIS – MAY 19: Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves acknowledges the crowd after winning Game Seven against the Sacramento Kings in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 19, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE 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 2004 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This is 1B more than No. 2. Trying to separate this game from the top spot is like deciding which of your kids you love more.
The Wolves had finally broken through against Denver, but real title dreams are not made in the first round. This franchise needed more. Waiting for them was a loaded Sacramento Kings team, a battle-tested group with Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, and enough offensive firepower to make every possession feel dangerous.
The series was a war. The Kings nearly stole both games in Minnesota to open it. Cassell saved Game 2 with one of the most iconic celebrations in Wolves history. Then it all built to Game 7 at Target Center, on Kevin Garnett’s birthday, with the franchise’s entire basketball soul hanging in the balance.
KG delivered one of the defining performances of his career. Webber answered. The game was tense, physical, emotional, and alive in a way only Game 7s can be. And when Minnesota finally survived, Garnett leaping onto the scorer’s table and waving that towel became the signature image of the first 34 years of Timberwolves basketball.
For 20 years, this was the mountaintop.
The Wolves would not win another playoff series until 2024. That’s how long this moment had to carry the franchise.
1. 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 7: Timberwolves Eliminate the Nuggets
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 19: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves hug after winning Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on May 19, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is the one.
After 20 years without a playoff series victory, Minnesota swept Phoenix and finally returned to the second round. Waiting there was Denver: the defending champion, the team that had eliminated the Wolves the year before, the team with Jokic at the peak of his powers.
Minnesota stole the first two games in Denver with bruising, suffocating defense. Then the Nuggets punched back, winning three straight and putting the Wolves on the brink. Minnesota answered with a Game 6 demolition at Target Center, setting up Game 7 in Denver.
Then everything went wrong.
The Wolves fell behind by 20 in the second half. The season looked dead. The defending champions were rolling. Ball Arena was ready to celebrate. And then, somehow, impossibly, Minnesota came roaring back.
Anthony Edwards. Karl-Anthony Towns. Rudy Gobert. Jaden McDaniels. Mike Conley Jr. Naz Reid. The entire group flipped the game, flipped the series, and flipped the franchise’s modern identity. It became the biggest Game 7 comeback in NBA history, but more than that, it became the moment this new era truly arrived.
The Wolves didn’t just win. They took something.
They took Denver’s title defense. They took the series. They took their place back in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years.
And now, with Thursday night’s Game 6 win, they have added another chapter to that same story.
That is what makes this current era so special. For so long, Wolves fans had to survive on one or two memories. Garnett on the scorer’s table. Maybe a random regular-season classic you talked yourself into because the postseason cupboard was empty.
Now?
The list is growing.
The Wolves have won first-round series three straight years. They have taken down KD and the Suns, the LeBron/Luka Lakers, the Jimmy Butler and the Warriors, and Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets. They have reached back-to-back Western Conference Finals and now have a chance to make it three if they can get past Wemby and San Antonio. They are no longer a franchise begging for one moment to cling to. They are building a collection.
Thursday night belongs in that collection.
And if this team has anything to say about it, the list is not finished yet.
The Yankees racked up 11 hits, including three home runs and four doubles, to take down the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, 9-4.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Cody Bellinger launched a hanging slider from Kyle Bradish over the right field wall in the bottom of the second inning, giving the Yanks a 1-0 lead. It was his fourth home run of the season and his first homer since April 18, when he blasted two against the Kansas City Royals.
After Aaron Judge was intentionally walked (on a 3-1 count) in the third inning, Bellinger's big day continued with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 3-0. And for his third act in the fifth inning? Bellinger smacked a solo home run off lefty Keegan Akin, making it a 6-1 game.
Staying hot, Bellinger picked up his fourth hit of the day with an RBI single in the seventh inning, pushing the Yanks' lead to 7-4.
-- José Caballero walked with one out in the third inning and advanced to third base on Trent Grisham's double off the wall in left field. Caballero used his speed and scored on a passed ball by Adley Rutschman, just beating the tag by Bradish (while taking a knee to the face on the slide).
Grisham kept the fun going in the bottom of the fourth inning, hitting a two-run HR off Bradish to right-center field to make it a 5-1 game. It's Grisham's fifth homer of the year.
-- Ryan Weathers cruised through the first three innings, issuing just two walks and getting up four strikeouts. He lost the no-hit bid in the fourth, letting up a one-out solo homer to Pete Alonso as the Orioles trailed, 3-1. Weathers settled back in to get the next two outs of the frame and then tossed a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
The left-hander ran into some trouble in the sixth inning, allowing back-to-back singles with no one out. Rutschman then reached first safely to load the bases on a fielder's choice and an error by Ben Rice. That ended Weathers' day on the mound, finishing after five-plus innings and allowing one earned run (three total) on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
-- Jake Bird came in for relief in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and got Alonso to ground into a double play. He then walked Tyler O'Neill to put runners at the corners and surrendered an RBI double to Samuel Basallo that cut the Yanks' lead to 6-3. Camilo Doval pitched the seventh inning and let up one run on a groundout after Dylan Beavers walked and stole his way to third base.
-- After Bellinger's RBI single in the seventh, Jazz Chisholm Jr. drove in two more runs on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error, extending the lead to 9-4. Although Chisholm got picked off trying to steal third and was caught in a rundown.
-- Back in the lineup after getting hit by a pitch and exiting Wednesday's game early, Jasson Dominguez went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout. He had a big opportunity in the third inning with the bases loaded, but grounded out to the second baseman. His single came from the right side of the plate in the fifth inning, hitting a ball off the left-hander Akin to center field.
Game MVP: Cody Bellinger
After doubling twice on Friday night, the 2019 NL MVP stayed hot and finished 4-for-4 for four RBI and three runs scored.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court after defeating the Houston Rockets 98-78 in Game Six of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In most circumstances, advancing out of the first round is hardly a celebratory situation, particularly for a Lakers franchise with banners aplenty hanging. It should be little more than the first of a string of checkpoints on the way to raising the Larry O’Brien trophy.
But the win over the Rockets was not a normal playoff series and this was not a normal Lakers team.
The Lakers were firm underdogs entering the playoffs. With both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić sidelined at the start, LA was staring at a mountain to climb to even be competitive in the contest, most assumed. Even if Kevin Durant only played one game this series, the Rockets were still the favorites.
In fact, in all four of the games the Lakers won, they were the underdogs.
It speaks to the resiliency of a group that has shown that trait in spades all season. Never was it needed more than in the last month when they turned things around from hopeless to playoff victory.
“It felt bleak,“ head coach JJ Redick said after the team lost three straight games heading into the final week of the season. ”Whether it was LeBron, [Marcus] Smart, [Austin Reaves] doing everything he could to come back and give us that lift, each guy in some way led us. Just really proud of the group. I’m a big believer in life that you should celebrate every victory, you should celebrate small wins.
“For us to be written off a few weeks ago and to win a playoff series is a big deal and it just speaks to the character of our team and the leaders of our team that didn’t let go of the rope.”
Redick was not alone in celebrating what the Lakers had just accomplished. Even LeBron, who has made a habit in his career of focusing on the big picture of a title, took time to appreciate the small victory, as he called it while speaking to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“It’s not my style at all. I think me personally, the accepting and trying to be OK with the small victories comes with where I am in my career. Understanding, s—, who knows how many more playoff series I’m going to be a part of? If I play one more or two more or three more seasons, that doesn’t guarantee me to be in the postseason. So just trying to appreciate the moments, whatever it is, and however long I’m playing.”
To say the Lakers were left for dead would not be an overstatement. Losing Austin and Luka together in the way they did at any point in the season would have been a huge blow. That it came on the heels of their best stretch of the season and with the playoffs rapidly approaching felt like the knockout punch.
Fortunately, the team never adopted that mentality. They spent the year adapting to their situation when a star was out and even if this was their stiffest challenge yet, they showed that resiliency once more.
Add it all up and the Lakers walked into Houston and handed the Rockets a beatdown that will send them into the postseason questioning many things about itself.
“It means everything,” Smart said of winning the series. “It shows our resilience. It shows the belief that we have in next man up. It shows the belief the coaches have in us to put us in the right positions. And it just shows that, no matter how depleted we are, we’re always going to compete and give it everything we got and we’re going to trust each other.”
Thanks to RJ Barrett and the Raptors, the Lakers will have a bit of extra time to process the win before moving onto the Thunder, who they won’t play until Tuesday. It’ll serve as a nice buffer where the team can both appreciate what they were able to accomplish while also moving on to focus on the next round.
But make no mistake about it. This victory will live on for some time, as it should. It was not a run-of-the-mill first round series win. It’s a sign of the culture and belief Redick has instilled. The Lakers deserve to celebrate it.
“I’m so grateful to represent the Lakers,” Redick said. “I’m so grateful for our players. I’m so grateful for our staff. Doing this, it’s such a collective effort. I wish people understood how many people put their heart and soul into something just to try to go win a basketball game. It’s awesome.”
As the Flyers and Hurricanes opened their best-of-seven second-round playoff matchup Saturday night, the rest of the series schedule was announced.
Game 2 at Lenovo Center will be Monday night.
The series then shifts to Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 3 on Thursday night and Game 4 next Saturday night.
The times for Games 5 through 7, if necessary, are to be determined.
The Flyers got past the Penguins in the first round. They won the series in six games. Rick Tocchet’s club finished the regular season with 98 points at 43-27-12.
Carolina swept the Senators in the first round. The Hurricanes went 53-22-7 in the regular season for 113 points.
Every matchup between the Flyers and Carolina in the regular season was decided after regulation. The Flyers lost three of the four games.
Here’s the full series schedule.
Game 1 — Saturday, May 2, Flyers at Hurricanes, 8 p.m. ET/ABC Game 2 — Monday, May 4, Flyers at Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET/ESPN Game 3 — Thursday, May 7, Flyers vs. Hurricanes, 8 p.m. ET/TNT Game 4 — Saturday, May 9, Flyers vs. Hurricanes, 6 p.m. ET/TNT *Game 5 — Monday, May 11, Flyers at Hurricanes, TBD/ESPN *Game 6 — Wednesday, May 13, Flyers vs. Hurricanes, TBD/TNT *Game 7 — Saturday, May 16, Flyers at Hurricanes, TBD/TNT *if necessary
UPDATE: Added a goal scorer + who will win prediction.
Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs ends tonight when the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning face off in Game 7 at Amalie Arena.
My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks focus on Habs defenseman Lane Hutson, who has been the offensive motor for Montreal throughout this series.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7 prediction
Who will win Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7?
Montreal: Although the Lightning narrowly avoided elimination in Game 6 with an overtime win, Tampa Bay has failed to win two straight playoff games since the 2022 Conference Finals — a span of 28 consecutive contests.
The Habs are the younger, faster team and will come out hungry in Game 7.
Canadiens vs Lightning best bet: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists (-125)
Lane Hutson’s five points are tied for the team lead so far this postseason, and the Montreal Canadiens blueliner will add to his assist totals in Game 7.
The Habs have controlled nearly 53% of expected goals at 5-on-5 with Hutson on the ice — the sixth-best mark among all Montreal skaters — while his 5.01 on-ice expected goals are tops on the team. In short, Hutson has arguably been the Canadiens’ best player at generating scoring chances.
Hutson has found the score sheet in allthree road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning inthis series, including a helper in two of those contests.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7 same-game parlay
The Lightning and Canadiens have combined for Under 5.5 goals in every meeting this series outside of Game 1. It’ll be another tight, low-scoring battle in Game 7.
Brandon Hagel has found the scoresheet in five of six contests and co-leads all skaters in the series with eight points. He also ranks second on Tampa Bay in ice time per game (25:21).
Canadiens vs Lightning SGP
Under 5.5
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Brandon Hagel Over 0.5 points
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7 goal scorer pick
Juraj Slafkovsky (+220)
Juraj Slafkovsky scored a hat trick in Game 1 but has been held off the score sheet since then. That’ll change on Sunday.
Slafkovsky leads the Habs in shots (17), high-danger chances (14), and individual expected goals (3.58) – that’s nearly double Ivan Demidov, who ranks second (1.92).
The Canadiens winger has been snake bitten but is due to find the back of the net.
Montreal is 8-2 SU in its last 10 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Lightning.
How to watch Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7
Location
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Puck drop
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Canadiens vs Lightning latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
DENVER, CO - May 1: Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after his ninth inning two-run home run 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
As the Braves go for yet another series win, they turn to Chris Sale at Coors Field, expecting to see the Rockies’ young star Chase Dollander, with Brennan Bernardino as the opener.
Michael Harris returns to the starting lineup at DH after his epic game-winning home run Friday night, as he continues to nurse his quad injury. Mauricio Dubon mans centerfield instead of Eli White, as Jorge Mateo takes over at shortstop. Austin Riley continues to bat behind Dubon, as he has struggled to start the season.
The Rockies shuffled their lineup a bit, facing the lefty Sale, as the lefty Mickey Moniak takes a seat and Tyler Freeman sits out after having been hit by a Didier Fuentes fastball in the wrist.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 to see who advances to the second round of the NBA playoffs. The 76ers forced the decisive game by winning Game 6. Celtics star Jayson Tatum is questionable for the game with a sore left knee. Boston began the day as 7.5-point favorites.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia 76ers (3-3) at Boston Celtics (3-3) Saturday, May 2, 2026 7:30 PM ET First Round Game #7 Home Game #4 TV: Peacock/NBC Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 Fanatic, Sirius XM TD Garden Officials: James Capers, Tyler Ford, Gedminas Petraitis
It’s win or go home for the Celtics as they host the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 7 of their first round series. After the Celtics led the series 3-1, they lost Games 4 and 5 to bring the series to a 3-3 tie. The Celtics dominated Game 1 with a 123-91 win over the 76ers. The 76ers topped the Celtics 111-97 in Game 2 to tie the series at 1 game each. The series shifted to Philadelphia where the Celtics squeezed out a win in Game 3 108-100 and dominated the 76ers 113-97 in Game 4.
After the blow out win in Philadelphia, it seemed as though the Celtics were primed to finish the series at home in Game 5. It appeared that they would do just that as they led by 7 at the half and by 13 in the 3rd quarter. But they completely fell apart in the 4th quarter to lose the game 113-97. The Celtics scored just 11 points in the 4th quarter, shooting just 3-22. In Game 6 in Philadelphia, the Celtics had a similarly poor showing and lost 106-93 to force a Game 7.
Teams that are up 3-1 in a series win the series 95.6% of the time. Teams that are up 3-2 in a best of 7 series wins the series 84% of the time. 357 teams have gone up 3-2 in a series and 300 of those teams won the series. Of those teams, 170 won Game 6 to close out the series while 130 lost game 6 and won Game 7. Only 13 teams have come back from a 1-3 deficit to win the series.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have both had considerable Game 7 experience in their tenure with the Celtics. As a duo, they have played in 7 game 7’s total and have gone 5-2 in those series. Joel Embiid has played in 3 Game 7’s and is 0-3 in those Game 7’s. Tyrese Maxey is 0-1 in his career in Game 7’s Paul George has played in 5 Game 7’s between the Pacers and the Clippers and is 2-3 in those games.
Since 2003, 17 teams have either won their first round series in either 4 or 5 games (74%). Since 2015, every team that won the championship has gotten past the first round in 5 games or less. The Celtics in 2024 won their first round series over the Heat 4 games to 1. This might seem like a dire statistic, but there is a positive note to add from Celtics history. In the 2008 playoffs, it took 7 games for the Celtics to get past Atlanta in the first round and those playoffs worked out just fine for that team. However, this game will be played on the court with a different group of players and not in history.
One of the advantages that the Celtics have is their depth. In Game 1, the Celtics got 37 points from their bench while the 76ers got 27 points from theirs. Of course, there were about 6 minutes of garbage time in that game. In Game 2, the 76ers got 21 points from their bench while the Celtics got 20 from theirs. In Game 3, the Celtics’ bench put up 35 points while the 76ers got just 14 points from theirs. In Game 4, the Celtics bench put up 57 points while the 76ers got 24 from theirs. In Game 5, bench scoring was 29-25 in favor of the Celtics with neither group playing exceptionally well.
In Game 6, the bench scoring favored the Celtics 38-6 with the caveat that the Celtics pulled their starters and played only their reserves in the final quarter. That group immediately ran off an 11-0 run and cut the lead to 12. The starters had abandoned the ball movement that made them so tough to beat all season and especially Tatum and Brown were trying to do too much and spent too much time dribbling and didn’t move the ball. They also didn’t hustle for boards and seemed a step too slow all game. The starters had 3 offensive rebounds through 3 quarters while the reserves grabbed 5 in just 10 minutes in the 4th quarter. Hopefully the starters get back to playing Celtics basketball in this one but if not, hopefully Joe will turn to the reserves quicker.
Jayson Tatum left Game 6 in the third quarter with some calf tightness and did not return but all indications were that he would play un this game. He was a late addition to the injury report and is questionable due to knee soreness. Joel Embiid is once again listed as probable for this game. He returned from an appendix removal to play in Game 4. Recovery for an appendectomy is anywhere from 20 days to 5 weeks and Embiid returned just 17 days after having his appendix removed. He played very well in Games 5 and 6 with no minutes restrictions. Paul George was also a late addition to the injury report and is probable due to an illness.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyrese Maxey | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Jaylen Brown vs VJ Edgecombe
Jaylen Brown | Getty ImagesVJ Edgecombe | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Kelly Oubre, Jr
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesKelly Oubre, Jr | Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Paul George
Jayson Tatum | NBAE via Getty ImagesPaul George | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Joel Embiid
Neemias Queta | NBAE via Getty ImagesJoel Embiid | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Baylor Scheierman Jordan Walsh Max Shulga Nikola Vucevic Ron Harper, Jr Delano Banton John Tonje
76ers Reserves Andre Drummond Quentin Grimes Kyle Lowry Justin Edwards Trendon Watford Dalen Terry Dominick Barlow Jabari Walker Adem Bona
2-Way Players MarJon Beauchamp Tyrese Martin Injuries/Out Joel Embiid (appendix) probable Paul George (illness) probable
Head Coach Nick Nurse
Key Matchups Derrick White vs Tyrese Maxey In Game 1, the Celtics were able to hold Maxey to 21 points on 20 shots along with 1 rebound and 8 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. He pretty much had his way in Game 2 with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 39.3% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, he scored 31 points but took 31 shots to get them. He finished with 31 points, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks while shooting 38.7% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. With Embiid’s return, Maxey took just 14 shots in Game 4 and finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 block. In Game 5, he finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block while shooting 55.6% from the field and 30.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 6, he once again excelled with 30 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. The Celtics must do a better job of defending him in this game.
Neemias Queta vs Joel Embiid After missing the first 3 games of the series, Embiid returned to the 76ers for Game 4. He started out strong, scoring the 76ers first 8 points and drawing 2 quick fouls on Queta. He played 34 minutes, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block while shooting 42.9% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. He struggle a bit in the first half of Game 5, but took over the 2nd half as he played more in the paint and finished with 33 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 block while shooting 52.2% from the field but going 0-5 from three. In Game 6, Embiid finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal while shooting 33.3% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc. Queta needs to find a way to stay out of foul trouble and the Celtics need to keep Embiid out of the paint. Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Paul George Neither of these players were able to play in any of the 4 games between Boston and Philly this season. In Game 1, George finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist while shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, but he only took 8 shots. In game 2, he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while shooting 53.8% from the field and 40.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, he finished with 18 points, no rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals while shooting 50% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. In Game 4, he finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block while shooting 46.2% from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc. In Game 5, he finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals while shooting 46.2% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. ln Game 6, he finished with 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. He has been the most consistent player on the Sixers and the Celtics need to defend him better, especially on the perimeter.
Keys to the Game Defense – As always, defense is absolutely the key to winning this, and every, game. Defense becomes even more important in the playoffs. It is very true that defense wins championships. In Game 1, the Celtics held the 76ers to 38.9% from the field and 17.4% from beyond the arc. In game 2, the Celtics defense faltered as the 76ers shot 47.8% from the field and 48.7% from beyond the arc. In Game 3, the 76ers shot 43.7% from the field and 34.3% from beyond the arc. In Game 4, the Celtics held the 76ers to 41.3% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc. The Celtics allowed the 76ers to shoot 50% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc in Game 5. When the Celtics shot weren’t falling in Game 5, the Celtics defense disappeared also. In Game 6 the Celtics once again allowed way too many easy shots and were lax on defense. The Celtics have to play tough, physical, lock down defense from the opening tip until the final buzzer if they want to win this game.
Rebound – Rebounding is also one of the biggest keys to winning every game and has definitely been a big factor in this series. In the regular season, the Celtics were 43-12 in games that they tied or out-rebounded opponents and just 11-13 in games in which they were out-rebounded. In Game 1, the Celtics out-rebounded the 76ers 43-40. In Game 2, they out-rebounded the 76ers 50-42, but they were unable to capitalize on them since they shot so poorly. In Game 3, the Celtics once again out-rebounded the 76ers 45-37. And, in their big win in Game 4, they out-rebounded the 76ers 51-30. In Game 5, especially in the 2nd half, they stopped fighting for rebounds and the 76ers had 47 rebounds to 49 for the Celtics. In Game 6, the 76ers had the edge with 48 rebounds to 46 for the Celtics. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics need to put out more effort to grab rebounds then the 76ers. They have to fight harder to grab rebounds than the 76ers if they want to win this game.
3 Point Shooting – Three point shooting has been a big story for the Celtics in this series. They shot 42% from three in their 3 wins but only 28% from three in their 3 losses. The Celtics were 2-4 in last year’s playoffs, 0-3 in this year’s playoffs and 14-17 in the regular season when they shoot under 30% from beyond the arc. In Game 2, they shot 26% from beyond the arc. In Game 5, they shot 28.2% on threes. In Game 6, they shot 29% from beyond the arc. They have to stay focused and they need to work to get open and move the ball to find the best shots. When they get bogged down and try to do too much individually without passing the ball, they struggle. They need to keep the ball moving and not lapse into ISO ball. If the 3’s aren’t falling, they need to take the ball inside. And they need to defend the perimeter or the 76ers will beat them with 3’s of their own. The Celtics need to stay focused on offense and play tough perimeter defense in order to win this game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes – The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In their losses in Game 2, Game 5, and Game 6 they allowed the 76ers to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow the Sixers to surge ahead. The reserves showed what the starters had been missing when they brought energy and effort to the 4th quarter on both ends of the court and went on an 11-0 run. The Celtics had 13 turnovers and they missed 7 or 16 free throws and that shows a lack of focus. The Celtics must stay focused and give maximum effort from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
X-Factors Home Game – Teams play all season to secure home court in the playoffs but in this series, the 76ers have won more games in Boston than the Celtics have. The Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the 76ers will be distracted by travel and the hostile crowd. The Celtics should play harder to win on their home court. They need to protect home court and win the series in front of their own fans.. The Celtics crowd will be loud and the Celtics need to use that to their advantage and get the win.
Coaching – Joe Mazzulla is in his 4th season as Celtics’ head coach. He won a title in 2024 with a very talented team that was packed with shooting stars. Now he has to win in a different way since his personnel has changed and he did a great job in the regular season. Nick Nurse is in his 8th season as a head coach overall and his 3rd as the 76ers head coach. He won a title with the Raptors in 2019. In the playoffs, coaching becomes more important as it becomes a game of adjustments as they play the same team game after game. Joe has been questioned about not playing the reserves enough since they were a big reason for the Celtics success in the regular season. He needs to reel the starters in if they play selfishly or without energy and he needs to be ready to make adjustments in game if needed,.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. We have seen them call offensive fouls on Jaylen Brown far more than they have all season and he needs to adjust to avoid foul trouble. He has drawn 10 offensive fouls so far in the series and he needs to adjust to how they are calling the game. The Celtics can’t allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
Official Report Crew Chief: James Capers Capers has a 44/22 home win/loss record this season. The Celtics were 3-1 this season and 2-2 last season with Capers. He called 18.2 fouls on the Celtics and 18.5 on their opponents. The 76ers were 2-1 this season and 2-1 last season with Capers. He called 23 fouls on the 76ers and 23.7 fouls on their opponents.
Referee: Tyler Ford You may remember Ford as the referee at the center of Jaylen Brown’s wrath in the game against the Spurs this season. The Spurs’ Stephon Castle shoved Brown out of bounds in front of Ford, who didn’t call a foul. Brown was irate and was tossed for just the 2nd time in his career. Brown had plenty to say about Ford after the game as well. Ford has a home win/loss record of 38-25. The Celtics are 1-2 with him this season and 2-4 last season. He called 21.7 fouls on the Celtics and 17 fouls on their opponents this season. The 76ers were 1-3 this season and 0-4 last season with Ford. He called 24 fouls on the Sixers this season and 22 fouls on their opponents.
Umpire: Gedminas Petraitis His home win/loss record is 34/35 this season. The Celtics were 6-1 this season with Petraitis. He called 21.1 fouls on the Celtics and 19.3 fouls on their opponents. They were 7-2 last season with Petraitis. The 76ers were 1-1 this season and he called 15 fouls on the 76ers and 21 fouls on their opponents. They were 1-2 last season with Petraitis.
Suns guards Royce O’Neale (00) and Grayson Allen (8) high-five after a scoring run against the Warriors during a game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Feb. 5, 2026. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Phoenix Suns’ post-postseason media tour has wrapped. Mat Ishbia and Brian Gregory closed the season on Thursday with their press conference, and honestly, it’s something worth appreciating here in the Valley. Not every team gives you that kind of access at the end of the year. A lot of organizations leave you guessing about direction, roster decisions, and how they view the season that just played out. That’s not the case in Phoenix.
Since Ishbia took over, ownership has been open. That deserves acknowledgment. You won’t always agree with the strategy, the draft picks, the free agency targets, or the trades. But you still get a sense of where the team is coming from. Transparency is their best currency. While no team is fully transparent, Phoenix brass gives you a window into the process at the highest level of the organization.
Part of that media tour included a stop by Mat Ishbia on the Burns and Gambo show on Arizona Sports 98.7. And one of the more interesting takeaways was his desire to keep both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale this offseason.
“I really think highly of Grayson and Royce, and I hope they’re both on our team next year,” Ishbia stated. “I expect them both to be on our team.”
“I really think highly of Grayson and Royce and I hope they’re both on our team next year, and I expect them both to be on our team”
You can look at this statement in a couple of ways.
The most obvious one starts with leverage. No owner is going to tip his hand and tell the league he’s shopping players. That lowers the value and hurts the return. If I tell you I’m trying to sell my Topps 3 autographed /49 Rasheer Fleming rookie-verse card, you’re going to negotiate harder because you know I want out. If I say I’m not looking to sell, the price goes up. Same idea here. It’s not surprising to hear ownership say they want to keep both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale utilizing this principle.
The second way to look at the statement is that, on the surface, Mat Ishbia and ownership want to ride the wave from this past season and don’t disrupt the boat. That’s very much in play. One thing Suns fans might not be ready for is a quiet offseason.
I think injuries capped what this team could be, and I believe the Phoenix Suns front office sees it the same way. That’s why you kept hearing “development” during the end-of-season press conference. It’s not limited to rookies. It applies to everyone on the roster. The expectation is simple: put in the work this summer and come back better across the board.
Continuity and progression become the approach. Not flipping assets. Not rebuilding chemistry again. Let the group grow together.
From my perspective, one (or both) of those assets can be used to fill in the cracks on this roster. We don’t fully know where those cracks are yet, however. There’s still work to do. The No. 47 pick in the draft. The Dillon Brooks extension. Collin Gillespie is entering free agency. Mark Williams is in restricted free agency. That’s a lot to sort through. If you’re filling gaps, Allen and O’Neale both bring desirable traits. They can shoot the three. Their contracts are manageable, as both have two years left. Those are useful pieces when you’re trying to shape the roster.
Personally, I think the organization wants to side with continuity. And truthfully? I’m not against it. We’ve had the splashy offseasons. They didn’t get you where you wanted to go. I don’t fully buy into every piece of the current roster construction theory, but still, continuity has value.
And that’s really where this all lands. You can question the ceiling, you can poke at the roster construction, and you can debate whether continuity is enough in a Western Conference that never sits still, but there’s a clarity to what the Suns are trying to do. They believe this group, healthier and more developed, can be better than what we saw. Rather than chasing the illusion of change, they’re choosing to invest in growth.
It may not be the loudest path, and it may test the patience of a fan base conditioned for fireworks. But it’s a direction, it’s intentional, and for now, it feels like the one they’re committed to seeing through.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Starter Slade Cecconi #44 of the Cleveland Guardians prepares to pitch in the top of the first inning against the Houston Astros at Progressive Field on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s the Guardians lineup:
Saturday's Guardians lineup in West Sacramento:
CF Kwan LF Martínez 3B Ramírez 1B Hoskins DH DeLauter RF Fry 2B Bazzana C Hedges SS Rocchio
