Gamethread 4/26: Phillies at Braves

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 15, 2025: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies prepares to pitch during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Zack Wheeler is back, but can he bring the mojo back to the team as they look to avoid an 11th loss in a row? Time will tell! Will anyone be watching this game with the Flyers Game 4 starting at 8:00pm? Time will tell!

Lineups:

Braves:

Marcus Smart is only thinking about sweeping the Rockets in Game 4

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during overtime of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 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

The Lakers’ win over the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday put them in such a commanding position that thoughts of future series could really start creeping into minds.

Not only has no team come back from a 3-0 deficit in NBA history, but the way the Lakers beat the Rockets sure made it feel like this series is over. Now, fans can start thinking of a second round series and the potential return Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić.

But Marcus Smart absolutely will not be doing that.

After his heroics helped the Lakers steal a win, Smart was asked postgame if he and the team has thought about the ramifications of winning these games and extending their postseason. Smart decisively pushed back.

“It’s not over,” Smart said. “We got one more. We’re in their home and nobody wants to get embarrassed in their home. We got them in a nail-biter tonight, so it’s one more. We can’t worry about what happens after that because we got to take care of [the game]. We’ll worry about that after the game. Right now, Sunday is the only thing on our mind.”

This is exactly the type of mindset you’d want your veteran leader to have. Everyone else can think about the future, but if Smart is preaching about the present, then you can have confidence that the team will follow suit.

The Rockets will likely respond in one of two ways in Sunday’s Game 4. They could let the demoralizing way they lost the game snowball and, with a head coach actively throwing them under the bus, give up on the season. Or they could look to save face, avoid the embarrassment of being swept on their home floor and come out fighting as they did for most of the second half.

However they approach the game, the Lakers need to have the same approach. It’s going to be a tough challenge just because the Lakers’ starters and top players played heavy minutes, but this is still the playoffs where one game can swing anything.

Again, though, having Smart as one of the leading voices should give Lakers fans hope the team has the right mindset.

“We got to be like a lion,” Smart said. “We got to have that killer instinct. We got them on the ground. We just got to finish them off and keep our foot on their neck.”

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 4/25/26

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Herald Celtics notebook: Payton Pritchard’s ‘grenade’; fouls limiting C’s starter

How slumping Derrick White delivered winning play for Celtics in Game 3

Jayson Tatum clinches gritty Celtics win in Game 3 vs. 76ers

Celtics not yet concerned about potential Joel Embiid return

GlobeJayson Tatum buries the 76ers late as Celtics take Game 3: 8 takeaways

Jayson Tatum takes over fourth quarter, slams door shut on 76ers in Game 3

Even as his shots aren’t falling, Derrick White maintains a vital role in the Celtics’ success

Joe Mazzulla sets aside individual accolades in favor of group recognition for his Celtics

When Jayson Tatum took over Game 3 against the 76ers, it’s easy to forget that he was away for so long

‘You’ve got to hit back’: In Game 3 against the 76ers, the Celtics’ experience won out

Derrick White says maintaining competitive balance key to winning NBA Sportsmanship Award

Celtics Green Comments from the Other Side – 76ers 4/24/26

CelticsBlog Payton Pritchard’s massive Game 3 bucket came as no surprise

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum just did it again: Inside a defining Game 3 Celtics win

10 Takeaways from the Celtics Game 3 Response vs. 76ers

In a larger role in Game 3, Nikola Vučević stepped up

Tatum and Brown’s clutch takeover rips Game 3 away from Sixers

Mazzulla: “If anybody ever doubts D-White, they don’t really care about winning”

Can the Celtics slow down Tyrese Maxey? Jordan Walsh might be worth a look.

How the Celtics felt before securing 2-1 lead over Sixers: ‘This was like a Game 7’

Tatum and Brown score 25 each, Celtics take 2-1 series lead with 108-100 Game 3 win over 76ers

Celtics ,com Keys to the Game: Celtics 108, 76ers 100

NBC Sports BostonCeltics-Sixers recap: C’s come through in clutch to take Game 3

NESN Jayson Tatum Has Harsh Assessment Of Celtics’ Critical Game 3 Win Vs. 76ers

Tatum, Pritchard Hit Dagger Threes as Celtics Win Game 3

Mass LiveNeemias Queta vows to fix early Celtics playoff weakness

Former Celtics guard leads improbable rally in upset over Rockets

Joe Mazzulla explains surprise change with new Celtics center in Game 3 win

Jaylen Brown gives surprising Celtics perspective after Game 3 win

Joe Mazzulla makes bold claim for slumping Celtics guard after Game 3 win

Tyrese Maxey praises specific Celtics strength after Game 3 loss

Jayson Tatum is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Game 3 win over 76ers

4 takeaways as Celtics beat 76ers in Game 3 after crunch time heroics

Celtics breakout starter finishes 4th in voting for NBA award

Celtics WireHow should we react to the Celtics 108-100 Game 3 win over the 76ers?

Tyrese Maxey knows you can’t relax vs. Celtics — even for a second

Celtics big Nikola Vucevic has played in the postseason, but never as a contender

In a harder series than some expected, Joe Mazzulla likes what he sees from Boston Celtics

Celtics star Jaylen Brown reacts to historic accomplishment in Game 3 win

Celtics history: Havlicek passes; Cooper, Macauley drafted; ’65 banner won

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown have nothing but good things to say about Derrick White after Game 3 win

Celtics bounce back in Game 3 with 108-100 win vs. Sixers (PHOTOS)

Celtics bounce back from Game 2 loss, defeat Sixers on road in Game 3

Celtics star Jaylen Brown made franchise history to start Game 3 vs. the Sixers

Celtics Hugo Gonzalez on the difference between EuroLeague, NBA Playoffs

Baylor Scheierman could be an unlikely playoff hero

The Boston Celtics continue to be overlooked in the championship race

Ron Harper Jr. gushes about Boston Celtics team culture

How Derrick White became the Celtics unsung hero

The Celtics unexpected success could lead to an NBA Finals run

Player development is the key storyline of the Celtics season

The AthleticJaylen Brown, Celtics own enough key moments in resilient Game 3 win

Jayson Tatum’s dagger helps Celtics edge 76ers in Game 3 thriller, seize series momentum

Boston Sports Journal Simone: The Celtics’ clutch gene is defined by confidence – and an eerie lack of emotions

BSJ Game Report: Celtics 108, 76ers 100 – Boston secures clutch win

Hardwood HoudiniJrue Holiday keeps making Celtics fans wonder ‘what could have been?’

Celtics won’t win title without major shift from what we’ve seen in 3 playoff games

Celtics can’t rely on simply winning the math battle to roll through the playoffs

Basic and familiar conundrum is keeping Celtics fans up at night

Former Celtics big man’s stellar playoffs forcing fans to wonder how he got away

It’s crystal clear Celtics didn’t fix their biggest issue 3 playoff games in

Celtics’ experience and do-or-die mentality carry them to Game 3 victory

Payton Pritchard delivered exactly what Celtics were missing in clutch Game 3 win

CLNS Media/YouTubeTatum and Brown POWER Celtics to Game 3 Win | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum CLUTCH in Celtics Game 3 Win vs Sixers | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell

INSTANT REACTION: Jayson Tatum CLUTCH in Celtics Game 3 Win vs Sixers

Joe Mazzulla’s Message to Neemias Queta: Don’t Foul | Celtics Practice

Neemias Queta: “I Just Gotta Be Better” | Celtics Practice

Payton Pritchard on CLUTCH SHOT: Tatum Threw Me a Grenade | Celtics Practice

Andre Drummond Discusses Matchup vs Nikola Vucevic | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame

Tyrese Maxey: Celtics Are Hell of a Team + We Are TOO | 76ers Postgame

Paul George After Game 3: “We’re Still in the Driver’s Seat” | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame

Nikola Vucevic: We HAVE to Stick to Our Defense | Celtics vs 76ers Game 3 Postgame

Jayson Tatum on CLUTCH 3 in Game 3 Win | Celtics vs Sixers FULL Postgame Interview

Jaylen Brown: I Got Nothing But TRUST in Jayson Tatum | Celtics vs 76ers Game 3 Postgame

Joe Mazzulla: If You DOUBT Derrick White, You Don’t Care About Winning | Celtics vs 76ers Postgame

Philly Voice In Sixers’ Game 3 loss, Adem Bona and Andre Drummond ‘were trying as best as they could,’ but their flaws were costly

The Liberty LineSixers come up short in 108-100 loss against the Celtics in Game 3

HoopsHypeHoopsHype Daily: Marcus Smart is everywhere, Jayson Tatum passes Chris Paul in playoff scoring

On PattisonSimply put, the margin for error when it comes to beating Celtics is very small for Sixers

Celtics RoundtableJayson Tatum Delivers Dagger As Boston Celtics Take Series Lead

NBC Sports PhiladelphiaFor Sixers, the ‘little stuff’ stings from Game 3 defeat to Celtics 

Observations after Sixers lose tight Game 3 to Celtics, fall behind in series

SI .comEverything Jayson Tatum said After Boston Celtics Clutch Game 3 Win Over the 76ers

6 Reasons Boston Celtics Held On To Beat Sixers in Game 3, Including Surprising Plays

Six Thoughts: Sixers Fall a Few Plays Short in Game 3 Loss to Celtics

Derrick White and Joe Mazzulla Both Proved Each Other Right in the Celtics Game 3 Win

ESPN Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown come up big in Celtics’ ‘fun’ win

Liberty BallersLittle things loom large in Sixers’ Game 3 loss to Celtics

Sixers show plenty of fight but fall to 2-1 series deficit after tough Game 3 loss to Celtics

Heavy Jayson Tatum Unloads Feelings on Big Moment in 76ers-Celtics Game

Celtics Get Injury Update on Jaylen Brown After Ankle Scare in Game 3

Celtics Announce Significant Jayson Tatum News After Clutch Win vs 76ers

Joe Mazzulla Makes Feelings Clear on 76ers After Celtics Snag Game 3

Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Draws Scrutiny After Controversial Game 3 Call

NBA .com4 takeaways: Celtics-76ers Game 3 ends with Jayson Tatum dagger as Boston reclaims homecourt

Audacy The Celtics might be seeing the best of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

NBA/YouTubeFinal 4:15 WILD ENDING #2 CELTICS at #7 76ERS 👀 | April 24, 2026

EXTENDED: #2 CELTICS at #7 76ERS | FULL GAME 3 HIGHLIGHTS | April 24, 2026

Yahoo Sports Celtics-76ers takeaways: Jayson Tatum delivers dagger 3, haunts Philadelphia once more

Fan RecapPayton Pritchard Just Became Celtics X Factor

The Sports Hub 5 takeaways: Clutch fourth-quarter effort gives Celtics 2-1 series lead against the 76ers

Sixer Sense76ers’ Game 3 loss reinforced a roster problem that will be difficult to defeat

Forbes A Year After Devastating Injury, Jayson Tatum Leads Celtics To Game 3 Victory

Essentially Sports“Nothing but Trust”: Jayson Tatum’s Clutch Display vs 76ers Has Jaylen Brown Praising Celtics Star’s Growth

Eric Collins Under Fire for Jayson Tatum Comment During 76ers–Celtics: “Nothing Ever Bad Happens”

The Sporting NewsCeltics vanquish 76ers, Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum break rare NBA Playoffs records

Sixers Wire3 biggest takeaways for Sixers following tough Game 3 loss to Celtics

Charge earn final playoff spot with 3-0 victory over Sceptres

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Gwyneth Philips stopped 41 shots as the Ottawa Charge defeated the Toronto Sceptres 3-0 on Saturday to capture the final Professional Women’s Hockey League playoff berth.

Fanuza Kadirova, Sarah Wozniewicz and Alexa Vasko scored for Ottawa, which will make its second playoff appearance.

Raygan Kirk had 28 saves for Toronto.

Ottawa will now wait to find out if it will play either the Boston Fleet or Montreal Victoire in the playoffs.

The Sceptres came into the game needing a regulation win to leapfrog the Charge for the final playoff spot but came up short for the second straight year.

Leading 1-0, Ottawa extended its advantage just 1:03 into the third when Toronto’s Kali Flanagan turned the puck over at her own blue line. That allowed Charge captain Brianne Jenner to find Wozniewicz all alone and beat Kirk off her backhand.

Vasko added an empty-net goal with just over four minutes remaining to seal the victory.

The Charge opened the scoring early in the second.

With a battle in front for the puck Michela Cava made a cross-crease pass to Kadirova, who took the pass off her skate to her stick to beat Kirk to the short side.

The goal changed the momentum of the game. Toronto dominated play early in the contest but the Charge fed off the energy of the goal and had sustained pressure numerous times throughout the period.

Ottawa thought it had opened the scoring near the seven-minute mark when Brooke McQuigge fired a shot that initially looked like a goal. But the review showed the puck hit the crossbar and never crossed the goal line.

Up next

Charge: Playoff game against a yet to be determined opponent.

___

AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey

Game 4 injury report: Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. both available

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Kyle Lowry #7 on the bench against the Boston Celtics during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

And we do this dance again.

Another injury report has dropped ahead of Game 4 of the Sixers first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, and for it they have again listed Joel Embiid as doubtful with appendectomy surgery recovery. Embiid had this same designation ahead of Game 3 before eventually being ruled out. Nick Nurse said before that game that Embiid was doing on-court work, both individually and with teammates, but he “just wasn’t ready yet.”

Nurse gave reporters a very similar update at the team’s subsequent practice. Per PhillyVoice.com’s Adam Aaronson, Nurse that again that Embiid has done individual work on the court, is working very hard to get back, and will see how he feels after the session. It would appear that shootaround the morning of will be crucial for determining his Game 4 status.

A sign to look for whether Embiid plays or not is if he’s upgraded from doubtful at any point in the day. Adam Aaronson also put together a very handy key of all the times Embiid was listed as doubtful this season. The two times he played after getting that designation, he was upgraded to questionable or probable several hours in advance.

For the first time all series, Embiid is not the only player on the injury report. Kelly Oubre Jr. is listed as questionable with right adductor soreness. Oubre played nearly 40 minutes in Game 3, including crunch time, so it’s hard to tell when this might have happened.

In related news, the topic how much longer Tyrese Maxey will have to wear his finger splint was broached. Maxey has been wearing it since returning from a pinkie sprain on March 28 and confirmed he will have to wear it for the rest of the season. Regardless of how many Sixers can take the court in Game 4, they’ll be playing through the typical amount of bumps and bruises for this time of year.

Update: 4/26, 5:50 p.m. ET

The Sixers upgraded Embiid to questionable. He and Oubre both remain game-time decisions. In pregame media availability, Nurse expectedly didn’t reveal anything about Embiid and wasn’t sure when Oubre’s injury might have occurred. They believe that is just typical playoff soreness.

Update: 4/26, 6:15 p.m. ET

Oubre has been upgraded to available. Embiid has taken the court for his pregame warmup.

Update: 4/26, 6:30 p.m. ET

Embiid has been upgraded to available as well, as Shams Charania first reported and the team confirmed. He will start alongside Oubre, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Paul George.

Game 25: San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks

DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 23: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres scores on a Miguel Andujar RBI single against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Coors Field on April 23, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

San Diego Padres (17-8) at Arizona Diamondbacks (14-11), April 25, 2026, 03:05 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu – Mexico City, Mexico

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



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Magic, tested all season, find a way in final moments to beat Pistons for 2-1 series lead

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic tend not to do things the easy way.

They lost seven consecutive games in March to put their playoff chances in peril. They needed to survive a play-in tournament elimination game — one that many thought they would lose — just to get into the playoffs. And on Saturday, they wasted a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter and found themselves trailing the Detroit Pistons.

In response, they simply did what they do best.

“Fight,” center Wendell Carter Jr. said.

Fight, they did, and the Magic found a way. They outscored Detroit 9-0 in the final 2:51, getting the last punch and the last word in what became a 113-105 win that gave eighth-seeded Orlando a 2-1 lead over the top-seeded Pistons in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

“We did a good job of staying poised ... not getting rattled,” said Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who finished on the cusp of a triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. “Very composed from the team, and we got the job done.”

Banchero had the game-sealing shot, too — a 3-pointer that hit the rim, bounced a couple stories into the air, then dropped through the net with the softest of swishes with about 40 seconds left.

“The basketball gods don't reward hesitation,” Banchero said. “That one, I didn't hesitate and they blessed me with that make. A funny shot, but a big shot.”

Detroit probably had one of those coming.

The Pistons, who trailed for most of the game, went on a 26-8 run in about six minutes to turn a 96-79 deficit into a 105-104 lead on a free throw by Cade Cunningham — who led all scorers with 27 points. Cunningham and Tobias Harris combined for 22 points in that spurt, one where Detroit shot 9-for-11 from the floor.

“For parts of the game, we did some good things,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “But down the stretch, they made some tough shots that made it hard for us to finish it out.”

He's half-right. The other half was this — Detroit made no more shots.

When the 26-8 run ended, all nine of the game's remaining points were scored by the Magic. A team that seems to love being in the basketball pressure-cooker found a way, once again.

A 2-1 series lead going into another home game on Monday is Orlando's reward, with the No. 8 seed now two wins away from an upset.

“There's a lot to clean up as well,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers preview, Saturday 4/25, 6:15 CT

Saturday notes…

  • CUBS IN L.A.: This is the Cubs’ 123rd series at Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Last night’s win was the Cubs’ 56th in the opening game. They have won the second game as well only 13 times, including in 2024. The time before that was 2005, when they swept three games. This is the 20th series since then. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • STREAK NOTES: Last night’s game was the Cubs’ 1,430th since the previous one in which they extended a winning streak to 10 games, on Aug. 11, 2016. They have won 755 and lost 675, for a winning percentage of .528. There had been 40 double-digit streaks by 19 other teams since the last by the Cubs. Only 14 were by National League teams. The Astros had six; the Dodgers, four; the Brewers, Guardians, Red Sox and Yankees; three; and the Athletics, Braves, Mariners, Rays and Twins, two. Eight teams had one: Blue Jays, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Giants, Orioles, Pirates, Rangers and Reds. The teams with none: Angels, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Padres, Phillies, Rockies, Royals, Tigers and White Sox. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • DANSBY!: Dansby Swanson, last 13 games since April 11: .279/.421/.674 (12-for-43) with a triple, five home runs, 11 walks, 15 runs scored, 16 RBI and seven multi-hit games.
  • THE BUSCH LEAGUE: Michael Busch, last 11 games since April 12: .311/.367/.467 (14-for-45) with a double, two home runs, seven runs scored, eight RBI and six multi-hit games.

Cubs lineup:

Dodgers lineup:

Colin Rea, RHP vs. Roki Sasaki, RHP

Colin Rea has been just what the Cubs needed — a solid starter to replace Cade Horton in the rotation. Rea obviously is no Horton, but he gets the job done. In his last three games (two starts plus one as the “bulk guy”): 2.55 ERA, 0.906 WHIP, only one home run allowed in 17.2 innings. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Rea threw 3.2 innings and 68 pitches against the Dodgers in L.A. last year, April 15, 2025, allowing one run and striking out five. Current Dodgers are batting .291 (16-for-55) against Rea. Shohei Ohtani has homered twice off him, but really, who has Ohtani NOT homered twice against?

Keeping the ball in the yard would be helpful tonight.

Roki Sasaki, as you know, signed with the Dodgers out of Japan before the 2025 season with much fanfare. He threw well against the Cubs in Tokyo and Dodger Stadium (seven total innings, two runs, though seven walks), then got hurt and missed several months. He threw well again in the postseason for the Dodgers, in relief.

This year, he’s had one good start and three that have been mediocre to bad. There are some who think Sasaki might be better off in the Dodgers bullpen.

In any case, here he is starting against the Cubs. Michael Busch has a home run off him.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Dodger Stadium.

Today’s game is on Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). Fox announcers: Joe Davis and John Smoltz. A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game via those services even if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA. If you do go there to interact with Dodgers fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

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Knicks at Hawks, Game 4: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks is defended by Onyeka Okongwu #17 and h0during the second quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Your Atlanta Hawks (2-1) try to build upon their last two clutch wins in a row and take a stranglehold of the series against the New York Knicks.

Jock Landale (right high ankle sprain) has been ruled out.

Starting lineup:

  • CJ McCollum
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • Dyson Daniels
  • Jalen Johnson
  • Onyeka Okongwu

Please join in the comments below as you follow along.

Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Start Time: 6:00 PM EDT

TV: N/A

Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM)

Streaming: Peacock, Sling TV

'I know I don't suck': Garrett Crochet's six shutout innings a relief

BALTIMORE – Two poor starts shouldn’t be enough to send Garrett Crochet into a panic.

Crochet, the Boston Red Sox ace, didn’t finish second to Tarik Skubal in the 2025 American League Cy Young Award race without self-confidence, without a brazen belief that he can always challenge elite hitters with his finest stuff.

Yet after the worst two-start sequence of his young career, including an 11-run, nine-hit, three-walk, zero-strikeout debacle against the Minnesota Twins, even a 6-6 lefty with an array of pitches that seemingly disappear can drift into a state of self-doubt.

That valley was a little easier to analyze after his effort Saturday, April 25 at Camden Yards, facing an Orioles lineup that clubbed six homers the night before. On this day, they were rendered impotent by Crochet, who tossed six shutout innings of one-hit ball.

The Red Sox eventually scored 10 ninth-inning runs, four off a position player, to turn a tight game into a 17-1 rout of Baltimore. The offensive uprising was a boon for a club that entered last in the majors in OPS and home runs.

Yet the bigger sigh of relief regarded their ace left-hander, who readily admitted he was breathing easier.

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” he said after improving to 3-3 and lowering his ERA from 7.88 to 6.30. “I know I don’t suck. But when you’re not seeing results it’s, man, it’s not fun.

“After Minnesota, I couldn’t even be upset. It just really was not a good time being on the mound. But against a division opponent, a potent lineup through and through, to be able to go shutdown inning multiple times, that felt really good.”

Hard to imagine looking at the final score, but Crochet faced several moments that tested his mettle. Staked to a 3-0 lead in the second, he yielded a double and walk in the bottom of the third to bring the tying run – Gunnar Henderson, with eight home runs on the season – to the plate, prompting a visit from pitching coach Andrew Bailey.

Crochet entered the start determined to throw his four-seam fastball until the Orioles proved they could hit it. But he caught Henderson looking at a sweeper, a pitch catcher Connor Wong encouraged him to dust off.

“That was pretty satisfying. I was like man, my sweeper has been sucking lately,” says Crochet.

Indeed, he increased the sweeper usage from 13% entering the game to 20%, recording three of his six strikeouts on the offering.

The other three punchouts came on the four-seamer – and that was very much by design.

“We’ve been low-key searching for the past three starts now: What is it that I need to do to game plan for teams?” says Crochet. “Connor went into today with, no one’s hit your four all season so we were just going to throw it until they did.

“That worked out pretty well for us.”

To the point that even as Coby Mayo dinged him for a double and a 104.2 mph lineout to center, Crochet decided to bring it with conviction until the opponent proved otherwise.

They never did.

“They’ve got guys who can hit the four, too, but make ‘em prove it,” he says. “In the past, I’d go away from it without anyone proving it.

“Tonight it was just, show me. And if you show me, I might not believe you.”

The outing doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all good for Crochet, who entered the game with several concerning peripherals. The whiff rate on his four-seamer and cutter were both significantly down from 2025 (30.5% and 24.3% respectively) to 2026 (24.2%, 17.6%). His walk rate was also inflated, from 5.7% to 7.8% and he issued two more free passes Saturday.

This time, the whiff rate on his fastball was back up to 29%. Manager Alex Cora said both before and after the game that while Crochet gave up five earned runs – four on two late homers – to the Detroit Tigers, he did not consider that a clunker.

Perhaps he’s correct, and Crochet is rounding into his stuff as April turns to May.

“He’s trending in the right direction,” Cora said afterward. “Minnesota feels like a long time ago.”

The Red Sox, now 10-17, certainly hope so. They won’t go anywhere this year without Crochet, and now their ace looks like he’s back in the driver’s seat after a brush with mediocrity.

“I won’t say it’s not being afraid to fail,” he says of what he took from his two-start dip. “Because I’m terrified to fail. I think most guys in the big leagues are. And that’s what drives you to continue to work and push for success.

“It’s just being OK with it and knowing how to fail and how to bounce back.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet erases sting of two-start debacle

Orlando takes over in clutch, closes game on 9-0 run to beat Detroit, take 2-1 series lead

What kind of game was it for Orlando? This kind.

It wasn't just lucky bounces for the Magic. It was a focused defensive effort on Cade Cunningham, holding the All-Star and heart of the Pistons to 8-of-23 shooting with nine turnovers. It was Desmond Bane setting a Magic record with seven 3-pointers in a playoff game. It was Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero stepping up with clutch buckets.

After Detroit had all the momentum, coming from 13 down in the fourth quarter to take a one-point lead at 105-104, Orlando closed the game on a 9-0 run in front of their home crowd.

The result was a 113-104 Magic win, putting them up 2-1 in their first-round series against the No. 1-seeded Pistons. Game 4 is Monday night, in Orlando, a contest you can watch on Peacock.

Coming into the playoffs, the question in Detroit was "who is going to be the second scorer after Cade Cunningham? Three games into the postseason we still don't have that answer..

Orlando did their best defensive work in the series on Saturday, doubling up on Cunningham, throwing different (and fresh) defenders at him all game. It slowed him, forcing him to turn the ball over nine times, tying a Detroit playoff record. Nobody else really stepped up as a secondary playmaker (Daniss Jenkins got just seven minutes off the bench).

Tobias Harris stepped up with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting and some key plays. Jalen Duran had five blocks and was a defensive force, but he had eight points on 3-of-10 shooting before fouling out.

While the Orlando highlights will focus on Desmond Bane and his 25 points and seven 3-pointers, or on Banchero and his 25, don't sleep on Wendell Carter Jr. — he was key to this win. It wasn't Carter's 14 points or eight rebounds — although he scored nine points on second-chance buckets that were huge — it was his defense. His ability to switch, to guard multiple positions and protect the rim, was critical in how the Magic defended Cunningham.

On the other end, Detroit did a poor job of containing Orlando's drivers much of the night.

This was a close game much of the way. It was tied 26-26 after one quarter, although it was foreshadowing that Orlando forced seven Detroit turnovers in the quarter (resulting in seven points).

Jalen Suggs came out firing and had 12 of his 15 points on the night in the first half, while Desmond Bane had 14. The result was a 61-54 lead for the Magic at the break.

Down eight after three quarters, the Pistons' J.B. Bickerstaff chose to start the fourth quarter with both Cunningham and Duren on the bench. The result was a fast 7-0 Magic run and a 15-point Orlando lead.

It felt like the Magic were in control, but then Cunningham got loose a little, a couple of 3-pointers fell, and the Pistons came storming back to take a one-point lead with 2:52 remaining. The No. 1 seed looked like it had righted the ship.

Then the bounces started going Orlando's way again. And it was the ballgame.

Alexander Nikishin Exits Game 4 Following Monster Hit From Tyler Kleven

The Carolina Hurricanes will more than likely be without defenseman Alexander Nikishin for the foreseeable future after the Russian blueliner absorbed a huge hit from Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven.

In the second period of Game 4, Nikishin was leaned over attempting to play a puck in his own defensive end when Kleven came charging in with a gigantic hit.

Kleven caught Nikishin square in the body, but the force of it alone was enough to make you think a concussion is likely.

The Hurricanes defenseman had to be helped off the ice and immediately went to the locker room.

The hit on Nikishin also set off a chain of events throughout the period with tempers rising more and more.

Andrei Svechnikov went after Kleven immediately, pummeling him to the ice and the Senators responded in kind with big hits from Brady Tkachuk.

Carolina looks to advance to the second round while Ottawa is fighting for their season.


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Why Giants’ Brandon Belt earned comparison to Clayton Kershaw

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Clayton Kershaw smiling in a Dodgers jersey at Dodger Stadium, Image 2 shows Brandon Belt, seen from behind, in a white Giants baseball uniform with black and orange trim, wearing a helmet, holding a bat after swinging, Image 3 shows A San Francisco Giants player in an orange jersey with

SAN FRANCISCO — Only one player compared to Brandon Belt in Tony Vitello‘s eyes.

Clayton Kershaw.

“The easiest way to put it is he and Kershaw were arguably the best two lefties in the state of Texas and, therefore, at the time, the country, too, really,” the Giants manager recalled from when he recruited the Giants’ beloved first baseman to the University of Missouri.

The Giants honored former first baseman Brandon Belt on Saturday. AP

That’s right: First baseman. And in the conversation with Kershaw.

Belt, 38, put a ribbon on a 13-year big-league career — all but one in San Francisco — with a celebration in his honor before the Giants hosted the Marlins on Saturday. He never officially announced his retirement, but he hasn’t been on a big-league roster since 2023.

“I just want to start out saying this is a very surreal moment for me. I never thought this would happen,” Belt said to the crowd, before showcasing his signature wit. “But when I think about this day and the Giants organization doing this for me, the only thing that pops to mind is: It’s about time.”

Once such a hotly debated player among fans that the “Belt Wars” were coined, Belt became a core piece of two World Series clubs and a 107-win NL West champion squad, eventually logging more games at first base than anybody in the franchise’s long history besides Willie McCovey.

Despite his status in the franchise’s inner circle, Belt ended his career with the Blue Jays. He was not approached about a ceremonial one-day contract to retire with the club he spent most of his career, he said, but hopes to stay involved moving forward as a guest instructor at spring training.

“After Toronto, I kind of knew I was going to be done,” Belt said. “I think I would have played in certain situations, with the Giants or a team in Texas or something like that, but that was about all I was going to do. I was ready to be around my family. … Honestly, I was just looking to fade away.”

Before Belt became a standard-bearer at first base for the Giants in the modern era, Vitello was more interested in his talents on the mound. Vitello was still rising through the collegiate coaching ranks, as an assistant at Missouri, when Belt was coming out of Hudson High in deep east Texas.

Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw (above) and Brandon Belt were high school baseball stars in Texas. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

At the same time, Kershaw was dominating high school hitters in the Dallas area. The Dodgers selected the future Hall of Famer sixth overall that spring, and the rest is history.

Belt was equally “incredible” on the mound, according to Vitello. However, shoulder issues eventually put him on his path as one of the most beloved players in modern Giants history.

It was only fitting that Kershaw’s name worked its way into the festivities.

Belt stepped into the box against the Dodgers’ legendary left-hander 20 more times than he did against any other pitcher. The first of Belt’s 1,232 career hits came in their first matchup. He would record only three more over 61 regular-season battles that followed, finishing his career batting .065 against him.

“Looking up on the scoreboard and seeing that first off of Kershaw,” Buster Posey turned and teased Belt from behind the podium. “Was that the only one of your career?”

On a more serious note, Posey said, “The World Series championships in 2012 and 2014 don’t happen without Brandon Belt.”

It took some time for Belt to get his due among the Giants’ fan base, but there was no mistaking their feelings during a ceremony that featured speeches from Posey, Belt and Bruce Bochy and was emceed by broadcasters Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow.

Belt’s wife, their two sons, his mom and his two high school coaches were seated on the infield grass. But there was one person missing: Belt’s dad, Darrell, who died last July.

“Growing up, all I cared about was making my dad proud. And I know if he could be here today, he would be extremely proud,” Belt said. “That’s all I can think about right now. He taught me about toughness, doing things right, and he made it his life’s purpose to make sure he got the best out of me and my brother.”


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Back on the recruiting trail, Vitello remembered Belt being “incredibly cordial” even though his Tigers “probably had no chance of actually landing him.” He eventually picked the University of Texas.

In one conversation, Vitello remembered Belt telling him of a home run he hit.

“I joked with him … I said maybe if you come to Missouri, we’ll let you hit, too,” Vitello chuckled. “Because we were recruiting him as a pitcher. That didn’t age very, very well. He can definitely hit.”

Giants manager Tony Vitello tried to recruit Brandon Belt to play for the University of Missouri when Vitello was an assistant coach there. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Belt appeared in 16 games on the mound for the Longhorns with a 4.19 ERA but earned his stripes at the plate, where he batted .321 with 37 doubles and 14 home runs in 124 games across two seasons.

“He just was a doubles machine, nonstop,” Vitello said. “His at-bats were always aggravating. … He was a guy you were always annoyed with. He was a threat but also you were annoyed with him.”

Maybe Belt didn’t pan out as a pitcher, but that scouting report held up fine. Belt’s 267 career doubles rank sixth in Giants history, and few at-bats in major league history will be remembered as more aggravating than his 21-pitch battle with Angels right-hander Jaime Barria in 2018.

“He was one of the ones who thought I could hit a little bit,” Belt said of Vitello, “even when I didn’t.”

From Monterrey to Mexico City: Fond memories for the Padres in Mexico

San Diego Padres 3B Ken Caminiti (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

This weekend, the San Diego Padres will partake in their fifth regular-season series in Mexico. It will be a two-game set against their National League West division rival, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Padres have fond memories from their past trips. 

After Sunday’s contest, the Friars will have played the most regular-season games in Mexico (11). Monterrey hosted seven games, while Mexico City hosted four games. There is no denying that the ballpark crowds provide an electric environment for both clubs. Who can forget the chanting that takes place throughout the contest?

Caminiti homers twice in Snickers game

It is hard to believe this memorable feat took place 30 years ago. 

For those unfamiliar, let’s set the scene. The Padres were meeting the New York Mets in the final game of the 1996 Monterrey Series. Friars third baseman Ken Caminiti walked into the clubhouse with a bad case of food poisoning and dehydration. 

The training staff administered IV fluids to treat him. Padres manager Bruce Bochy was resigned to the fact that his star cleanup hitter would be unavailable for the contest. Somehow, some way, Caminiti played in the rubber game of the series. 

His afternoon began with a solo home run to put the Friars on the scoreboard. Caminiti proceeded to hit a massive three-run shot that extended the lead to 8-0 and secure a series victory over the Mets.

What is remarkable about his legendary performance is that Snickers candy bars were the lone food source Caminiti could keep down. This memorable Sunday afternoon propelled him to win the NL Most Valuable Player Award. 

Valenzuela’s historic first MLB start on home soil

You need no explanation on what an honor it was for Fernando Valenzuela to start the first major league regular-season game in Mexico. Despite playing away from his hometown, Valenzuela remained a celebrated national hero. Viewers could see how the honor was a personal accomplishment for him. 

A raucous crowd of over 23,000 fans chanted “El Toro” at Valenzuela every time he touched the baseball. The left-hander threw six innings and allowed three runs on six hits to secure the win in a 15-10 victory. 

The offensive attack featured a grand slam by Greg Vaughn and a solo shot by Steve Finley. It was another memorable moment in Valenzuela’s distinguished 17-year major league career.

Mexico City’s debut game turns into home run derby

The San Francisco Giants faced the Padres in the 2023 Inaugural Mexico City Series, where extreme altitude (7,350 feet) triggered a home run outburst in the opening game.

In a contest that felt like a home run derby, the Friars outslugged the Giants 16–11 as the two teams combined for a staggering 11 home runs in the thin air. The Padres and Giants tied a major league record of having 10 different players homer on the day. The Friars had four players who hit home runs that traveled more than 400 feet, including Xander Bogaerts’ drive that went 455 feet.

Manny Machado led the charge with two home runs, the second of which clinched the victory. Meanwhile, Nelson Cruz, who had been struggling at the plate, delivered one last memorable performance in the majors. The veteran designated hitter racked up five hits and became the oldest player in Padres history (42) to hit a home run.

Hopefully, the Friars and D-Backs can add more fond memories this weekend in Mexico. Regardless, the sold-out crowds will show their love for the greatest sport ever created. 

Flyers Have Significant Goaltending Edge After Latest Penguins Lineup Change

With a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Philadelphia Flyers are about to face a desperate Pittsburgh Penguins team doing anything it can to stay alive in the stanley Cup playoffs.

The Flyers just got some important news for their own hopes, as it was announced Saturday afternoon that goalie Dan Vladar would start after an injury scare kept him off the ice for the last two days.

Penguins forward Bryan Rust landed on Vladar's hand during Game 3, but after a brief conversation with trainer Tommy Alva, the Flyers goalie carried on and finished out the contest.

Vladar, 28, is 3-0-0 this postseason with a 1.33 GAA, .946 save percentage, and one shutout.

As for the Penguins, they're making further lineup changes in an effort to keep this series going.

NHL Star Admiring Flyers' Porter Martone From AfarNHL Star Admiring Flyers' Porter Martone From AfarTop <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> prospect Porter Martone has impressed his teammates, the organization, and fans with how well he's played so far, but he's quickly earning the respect of his peers, too.

Pittsburgh head coach Dan Muse announced Saturday that goalie Arturs Silovs would start for the Penguins, replacing the incumbent Stuart Skinner, who backstopped the Edmonton Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals.

The problem for them, though, is that Silovs was one of the worst goalies in the NHL this season, going 19-12-8 in spite of a porous 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage.

According to MoneyPuck, Silovs, 25, allowed 11.9 goals over expected this season, ranking 89th out of 98 goalies.

Comparatively, Vladar saved 13.8 goals above expected for the Flyers, which was 10th-best in the NHL.

Further complicating matters is the fact that Silovs played under Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet for parts of three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, so if anyone knows what Silovs' weaknesses are, it's him.

Unsung Hero Noah Juulsen Giving Flyers Tough MinutesUnsung Hero Noah Juulsen Giving Flyers Tough MinutesThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> only turned to Noah Juulsen due to injury, but the veteran journeyman has responded in an encouraging way despite coming into a tough spot cold.

The Latvian played 10 games for Tocchet and the Canucks last year, going 2-6-1 to the tune of a 3.65 GAA and .861 save percentage--the former was fourth-worst in the league among goalies with at least 10 games played, and the latter was second-worst  under the same parameters.

This is all to say that Tocchet has seen Silovs at his worst and should know better than most how to get the 6-foot-4 netminder off his game and what strategies are most effective against him.

Muse and the Penguins might be looking for a spark, they might think Skinner deflated the team after a bad goal allowed to Rasmus Ristolainen in Game 3, or they might be waving the white flag and want their younger goalie to get playoff reps.

In any case, Silovs is just 5-5-0 in his career in the Stanley Cup playoffs and owns a .898 save percentage.

The numbers don't lie, and the Flyers must take advantage of a vulnerable young player on a desperate team.