PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers warms up before game four of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid will make his series debut in Game 4 against the 76ers, after previously being listed as doubtful. Embiid missed the first three games of the series as he continues to recover from an emergency appendectomy surgery on April 9th.
Embiid was upgraded to questionable and went through his full warm-up. Philadelphia made him available about 30 minutes before tip-off.
Embiid will take some of the minutes away from Adem Bona, who has been starting this series, and Andre Drummond, who has been playing the majority of backup big minutes.
Joel Embiid will make his debut in Game 4
Embiid averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game this season, while shooting 48.9% from the field and and 33.3% from three.
Nick Nurse said pregame he did not know whether Embiid would be on a minutes restriction if he did become available.
Pregame, Joe Mazzulla declined to get into how different the Celtics’ game plan would be if Embiid did play, but Neemias Queta did say on Saturday that Philadelphia would get a boost if the big man made his return.
“One of the best players the last couple of years, so it can only be better than them when he’s out there helping,” said Neemias Queta. “I’m not really worried about that yet, nothing confirmed about it yet. But until then, we’re worried about what’s confirmed. But he’s a hell of a player, and he can make them a lot better. We’ll embrace the challenge if he comes.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Justin Wrobleski #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on April 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers took the three-game series from the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, as Justin Wrobleski and the bullpen held the Cubs silent in a 6-0 shutout win.
For a second straight game, Nico Hoerner led off the game with a base hit, and the Cubs put two men on with only one out against Wrobleski. The left-hander got Seiya Suzuki to strike out swinging and induced a ground ball out from Carson Kelly to get out of the two-on, two-out jam.
The Dodgers had runners at the corners with one out in the bottom of the first inning after Shota Imanaga walked both Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, setting up an RBI opportunity for Andy Pages. A sacrifice fly gave him his 25th RBI of the season before Kyle Tucker and Miguel Rojas both connected for a pair of two-out doubles to plate a pair of runs and give the Dodgers a three-spot in the first.
Chicago responded with a leadoff double from Michael Busch in the top of the second inning, followed by a pair of walks to Matt Shaw and Pete Crow-Armstrong to load the bases with only one out and bring up the potential go-ahead run in the form of Hoerner. Wrobleski got him chasing at a high fastball on a full count for the second out and got Alex Bregman swinging to leave the bases loaded and keep the Cubs scoreless.
It was a laborious start for Wrobleski compared to his other starts in April, as he had a pitch count at 51 over his first two innings. He settled down over his next two innings, only allowing a two-out baserunner in each while tossing a combined 21 pitches. Wrobleski had just five strikeouts over his last two starts, yet managed to strike out five over his first seven outs on Sunday.
Wrobleski later put the leadoff man on in both the fifth and sixth innings, but managed to work around both baserunners to complete another six shutout innings. His four walks on the game are his most in a start since his first of the year against Toronto, but he registered a season-high six strikeouts on a career-high 109 pitches, the most by any Dodgers starter this season.
Craig Counsell decided that he wanted Imanaga back out for the bottom of the sixth inning after keeping the Dodgers silent since the three-run first inning. The decision backfired as Pages and Tucker reached on a double and a walk respectively, and Dalton Rushing picked up his second RBI single in as many games on pitch no. 100 from Imanaga to make it a four-run game and knock the Cubs southpaw out of the game.
Left-hander Hoby Milner took over for Imanaga, and his very first pitch got away from Carson Kelly. Kelly tried to get Tucker napping off of third base, but he sent the ball into the left field allowing him to score and make it a five-run game.
Shohei Ohtani added a sixth run for the Dodgers with an opposite field home run against Miller to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. It was his first extra-base hit in six games and his first home run since he took Jacob deGrom deep on April 12. After having recorded two hits over his last 19 at-bats dating back to Tuesday, Ohtani’s three-hit game marked his first multi-hit game since Monday as well.
Edgardo Henríquez and Jack Dreyer made their second appearances of the series, both working around a leadoff baserunner while keeping the Cubs off the scoreboard. Kyle Hurt came in for his second consecutive appearance, and he needed all of five pitches to send the Cubs to their 13th consecutive scoreless inning at the plate and give the Dodgers their second shut out win over their last four games.
The Dodgers welcome in the Miami Marlins as they begin a three-game series at home on Monday (7:10 p.m. PT). While the Dodgers have yet to announce their starter, Chris Paddack goes for Miami.
The day after giving the Giants the lead with a late blast to left field, Schmitt showed off his clutch gene to the Marlins’ bullpen for a second time in as many games.
Schmitt launched a three-run shot to left in the seventh inning that broke a tie and gave the Giants their first lead in an eventual 6-3 win to secure the three-game series.
The heroics ensured the longest start of Landen Roupp’s career didn’t go to waste.
Roupp took the mound to start the eighth inning for the first time in his career and was serenaded by a standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout with two outs.
Landen Roupp had the longest start of his career Sunday. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The walk that ended his outing was only the fourth Marlins batter to reach base against him and snapped a streak of 18 retired in a row.
The only blip on Roupp’s pitching line came in a 29-pitch second inning, when he allowed the first two batters to reach. It looked like he was going to work out of the jam, but after getting Graham Pauley down 0-2 with two outs, the Marlins’ No. 8 hitter punished a curveball over the brick wall in right field that cashed in their only baserunners until the eighth inning.
It appeared the early 3-0 lead would hold up as the Giants stranded runners in scoring position twice in the first five innings. But Rafael Devers woke up with an RBI double to get them on the board in the sixth, and Schmitt did the rest the following inning.
What it means
The Giants earned their second come-from-behind win in as many games to finish the homestand 4-2 and win their third series in a row. San Francisco had been 2-13 when its opponent scored first before prevailing the past two games.
Jung Hoo Lee went 4-for-5 with two runs. AP
Who’s hot
Roupp put himself in position to win his fourth straight start — tied for the second-longest active streak in the majors — by breezing through all but two of his innings on 10 pitches or fewer.
The 27-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 2.55, the best mark in the Giants’ rotation and tied for 12th among National League starters.
Jung Hoo Lee moved into the leadoff spot for the first time since the opening series of the season and kept on raking with his fourth multi-hit effort of the six-game homestand.
The Giants weren’t able to capitalize on his triple off the brick wall in right field to begin the game, but Lee came around to score — the 100th run of his career — after an opposite-field single in the third inning. He led off the seventh with his fourth hit and watched Schmitt’s home run leave the yard as he rounded the bases.
Altogether, the Giants outfielders combined to bat .367 over the course of the homestand, with seven extra-base hits, including home runs from Lee, Heliot Ramos and Drew Gilbert.
Entering the homestand, San Francisco’s outfielders had been the third-worst group in the majors, measured by FanGraphs WAR.
Who’s not
Willy Adames got his first day off this season. Together with Monday’s day off in Philadelphia, manager Tony Vitello is hopeful the downtime can snap Adames out of an 0-for-21 funk.
San Francisco managed to take four of six games on the homestanddespite getting almost nothing from the three bats expected to anchor the middle of its lineup. Devers’ double that drove in Schmitt and made it 3-2 in the sixth was the first RBI of the entire homestand from himself, Adames or Matt Chapman, who combined to go 8-for-61 (.131) with 23 strikeouts.
Up next
The Giants are off Monday before beginning a six-game road trip against the Phillies and Rays. They took two of three from the Phils when they visited San Francisco earlier this month, kicking off a 10-game losing streak that Philadelphia just snapped out of this weekend.
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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three point basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2026 Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs found themselves down by over 15 points for the second consecutive game. Much like they did in Game Three, the Spurs exploded in the second half, outscoring the Trail Blazers 73-35 after halftime to win Game Four 114-93. It was the largest playoff win by a team trailing by 15+ at halftime.
San Antonio was propelled by its All-Stars, De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. Fox led all scorers with 28 points on an efficient 11-17 shooting from the field, while adding in 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal. Wembanyama was a major difference maker on the defensive end, keeping Portland from getting good looks in the paint. In his first game back after clearing concussion protocol, Wembanyama had 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 7 blocks.
Portland made things tough in the first half, especially in the second quarter, when they shot 58% to build a 19-point lead. Deni Advija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points on 8-14 shooting.
The Spurs have taken a 3-1 lead in the series. They’ll head back to San Antonio for Game Five on Tuesday, where they will look to advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Observations
Mitch Johnson should get a lot of credit for the Spurs’ turnaround. He used familiar lineups and strategies in the second half to pull ahead. He encouraged the team to pick up the pace offensively, which led to easy baskets while the Blazers struggled to get back. He relied on his guards and veteran experience to bring the team back. Harrison Barnes played more, Carter Bryant sat, and used Luke Kornet only in brief stints to give Wembanyama a short break.
Stephon Castle picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter. Johnson trusted him to play in foul trouble, and the gamble worked out. Castle was everywhere in the third quarter and made a big impact in his second-half minutes. He didn’t collect his 5th and final foul until the fourth quarter. Castle had 16 points and 8 assists in the win.
Wembanyama’s defense was huge in the second half. San Antonio outscored Portland 52-38 on Sunday. When they couldn’t get clean looks inside, they were forced to shoot contested threes. The Trail Blazers shot 10-31 (32%) from three.
The Spurs won the turnover battle, 18-13. They scored 29 points off turnovers, while Portland scored 18.
The Blazers battle back at the end of the fourth quarter, cutting a 20-point lead down to 12 points late. That run was ignited by some disruptive play by former Spur Sidy Cissoko.
The game was effectively over when Castle got a technical foul for putting the ball in Avdija’s chest after an and-1 layup. Those two have been physically competing all series long. That felt like a boiling-over point from Castle. It was probably an immature moment from the second-year man, but hey, those are the emotions of playoff basketball.
Scoot Henderson went scoreless on 0-7 shooting in his 27 minutes. Henderson has been a major difference maker in the first three games, but had a tough one on Sunday.
There were Go Spurs Go chants echoing in the Moda Center in the final minutes of the game.
It’s bad enough losing one playoff game in a series by 32 or more points. The 76ers on Sunday night lost for the second time in eight days by 32 or more points.
Until this week, the 76ers had lost only six playoff games in franchise history by 32 points. Now they’ve done it twice in the same series.
Yikes.
Let’s take a look at a handful of utterly demoralizing stats off the 76ers’ 128-96 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference First-Round series, which the Celtics now lead three games to one. And thanks to the Stathead database for helping provide some of this insanity.
ONE OF THEIR WORST PLAYOFF LOSSES EVER: The 32-point loss is the Sixers’ 7th-largest ever in a playoff game, the 2nd-largest ever at home and their most lopsided home loss in 56 years. The only worse home loss in 76ers postseason history was a 156-120 loss to the Bucks in Game 3 of their 1970 Eastern Division Semifinal series at the Spectrum. It’s also their second 32-point loss in the series after losing Game 1 123-91. The 76ers are the seventh team in NBA history to lose two games in the same postseason series by 32 or more points.
TOUGH NIGHTS FOR V.J. AND KELLY: After shooting 0-for-7 from 3 in Game 3, V.J. Edgecombe shot 0-for-4 in Game 4. He’s only the second 76er to take 11 or more 3’s in a two-game span in the postseason and miss them all. In 2001, Allen Iverson shot 0-for-8 vs. the Bucks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Finals series at the First Union Center and four nights later he was 0-for-5 in Game 4. (He didn’t play in Game 3). Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre shot 0-for-6 the 3rd-most misses ever by a Sixer without a basket in a playoff game. Robert Covington had an 0-for-8 against the Celtics in 2018 and Georges Niang was 0-for-7 at Miami in 2022.
OUT OF IT EARLY: After trailing the Celtics by 15 after the first quarter in Game 1, the 76ers trailed by 16 Sunday night after one quarter. Not only is this the first playoff series in 76ers history in which they’ve trailed more than once by 15 or more points after the first quarter it’s the first time it’s happened twice in the same postseason. In fact, before Game 1 the 76ers had only trailed by 15 after the first quarter six times in 488 all-time playoff games. They’ve now done it twice in four games. Similarly, the 76ers trailed by 18 at halftime Sunday night after trailing by 18 in Game 1. Those are tied for the 9th-largest halftime deficits in 76ers postseason history. And this is the first series in franchise history in which they’ve trailed twice by 18 or more points. The 18-point halftime deficit is 3rd-largest at home in the postseason behind a 36-point deficit vs. the Bucks in that Game 3 of their 1970 Eastern Division Semifinal series at the Spectrum and a 20-point deficit in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. the Hawks at Wells Fargo in 2021.
HOW DO YOU SCORE 38 POINT IN A HALF? The 76ers’ 38 points in the first half were their fewest in a postseason first half in 14 years, since they trailed the Celtics 41-33 at halftime of an 85-75 loss in Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden. The last five times they’ve scored fewer than 40 points in a postseason first half have all been vs. the Celtics.
MOST 3’S EVER VS. 76ERS: The Celtics made 24 3-pointers, the most ever against the Sixers in a postseason game. The previous high was 20 three times, including by the Celtics in Game 2. The 76ers have allowed 20 or more 3-pointers three times in a home game, including twice in the last three days. The Hawks had 20 in Philly in 2021. The 24 3’s are tied for 3rd-most in NBA history. The Cavs made 25 vs. the Hawks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series in 2016 and the Bucks made 25 in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First-Round game in 2023. The Celtics shot 45 percent from 3, highest in NBA history by a team attempting at least 50 3’s. The previous high was the Rockets’ 44 percent on 22-for-50 in a win over the Spurs in Game 1 of their 2017 Western Conference Semifinal Round series.
HE DIDN’T EVEN START: Payton Pritchard’s 32 points tied the most ever scored in a playoff game against the 76ers by a player who came off the bench. In 1981, in Game 1 of the Bucks-76ers Eastern Conference Semifinal game, Junior Bridgeman scored 32 off the bench.
The Los Angeles Lakers will try to sweep the Houston Rockets in their first-round playoff series. The Lakers will advance to the second round with one more victory. Kevin Durant will be sidelined in Game 4 for the Rockets — the third game he has missed in the series.
How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The stats in the table below are taken from Cleaning the Glass. As a note, the percentiles are in comparison to other playoff games, which influences the sample size.
Offensive Rating
Effective Field Goal Percentage
Offensive Turnover Percentage
Offensive Rebounding Percentage
Free Throw Rate
Cavs
91.8 offensive rating, 3rd percentile
42.5%, 4th percentile
18.6%, 16th percentile
30.5%, 59th percentile
17.2, 33rd percentile
Raptors
95.9, 5th percentile
34%, 0th percentile
12.4%, 70th percentile
40%, 92nd percentile
27.8, 82nd percentile
Now, let’s dive into the numbers.
The Raptors had the lowest field-goal percentage (32%) from a postseason game winner since 1970, credit to Justin Russo. Toronto went just 31-97 from the field.
If you go before the three-point era, this was the fourth-lowest field-goal percentage from a team that won a playoff game, credit to Justin Thomas.
Jakob Poeltl is the only Raptor who had more makes than misses, going 4-7 from the field.
Toronto went just 4-30 from three (13.3%). Unsustainably hot outside shooting carried the Raptors to the Game 3 victory. Their regression to the mean was harsh as they couldn’t buy a basket from deep.
The Raptors had 10 more shot attempts than the Cavs. This is due to Cleveland losing the turnover and offensive rebounding battle. In a game where neither team could establish an offensive rhythm, the one that had more chances wound up the winner.
Toronto had 21 offensive rebounds, grabbing 40% of their misses (92nd percentile). This led to the Raptors outscoring Cleveland 19-7 on second-chance points.
Cleveland turned it over 18 times compared to Toronto’s 12. The Raptors won the points-off-turnovers battle 17-7.
The Cavs shot an abysmal 15-23 from the line (65.2%). On a day they couldn’t generate any offense, they also couldn’t convert the freebies that they got. Jarrett Allen struggled most, going 1-4.
James Harden turned it over seven times. This was the second time in as many games he’s had more turnovers than field goals (six).
Donovan Mitchell scored 20 or fewer points for the second game in a row. He finished with 20 points on 6-24 shooting (25%). In the regular season, the Cavs were 7-11 when he played and scored 21 or fewer points and 25-9 when he scored 30 or more. In the playoffs, the Cavs won both games he’s scored at least 30 and have lost both games he’s registered fewer than 21.
Mitchell went 0-4 in shots at the rim and 2-10 in shots in the paint overall.
Only 28% of the Cavs’ shots came at the rim (33rd percentile). Getting to the basket is still the most efficient way to score. The Raptors have kept Cleveland from getting there. The Cavs went just 13-22 (59%) on shots in the restricted area.
Cleveland registered just an 80 half-court offensive rating (9th percentile). The Cavs were outstanding in the half-court since the Harden trade in the regular season. That didn’t carry over to Game 4 as they couldn’t generate any consistent offense with their stagnant sets.
The Cavs were outscored 17-11 in the final five minutes. The Cavs went just 2-10 from the field with a turnover in that span. Sam Merrill accounted for both field goals.
Collin Murray-Boyles outscored Cleveland’s front-court 15 to 11, credit to NBACentral. The Cavs are paying $66.3 million for their starting front-court duo. Murray-Boyles is making 10% of that.
Allen, with five points, failed to register double-digit points for the seventh time in 22 playoff games with the Cavs. Allen’s aggression and activity have consistently fallen off in the postseason. He came into this game averaging 12.8 points per playoff game with the Cavs after averaging 14.8 across six regular seasons with the team.
Evan Mobley, with eight points, failed to register double-digit scoring in a playoff game for the fifth time in his career.
The Cavs won the 28 minutes Dean Wade was on the court by 11 and lost the 20 he sat by 16. Wade wasn’t great offensively in this game, but he was still a net positive because of his defense on Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. The fact that the Cavs have struggled in the minutes without him isn’t surprising because they have no one capable of guarding Toronto’s wings. The lack of playable wings continues to hurt the Cavs in the playoffs.
The Cavs’ bench outscored the Raptors’ 32-19. Cleveland’s role players weren’t necessarily great, but they weren’t the reason the Cavs lost this one. The blame falls on the stars. Merrill (14 points), Jaylon Tyson (nine points), and Dennis Schroder (eight points) provided some scoring for that group.
The Cavs are now 3-10 on the road in the playoffs in the Mitchell era. Two of those wins came against the Miami Heat in the first round last season. They’re now 1-10 on the road against playoff teams that finished the regular season over .500.
TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit the go-ahead free throws in the final minute and scored 23 points, Brandon Ingram also added 23 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 on Sunday, tying the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
The best-of-seven series shifts to Cleveland for Game 5 on Wednesday.
RJ Barrett scored 18 points and Collin Murray-Boyles had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who won despite shooting 4 for 30 from 3-point range.
Barnes added nine rebounds and six assists.
Donovan Mitchell scored 12 of his 20 in the fourth quarter and James Harden added 19, but the Cavaliers couldn’t overcome an 18-turnover performance.
Mitchell missed two shots in the final 25 seconds, including a 3-pointer that would have tied the game. He finished 6 for 24 overall and made 4 of 12 shots from long range.
Sam Merrill scored 14 points and Jarrett Allen had 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were outscored 10-2 in the final 1:54 of the fourth.
With NBA commissioner Adam Silver in attendance, both teams struggled from 3-point range. Cleveland finished 10 for 40 from distance, including 5 of 10 in the fourth.
SPURS 114, TRAIL BLAZERS 03
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in his return from a concussion, and San Antonio took a 3-1 lead in their first-round series against Portland Trail with a victory.
De’Aaron Fox added 28 points for the Spurs, who will return home to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
The Spurs trailed the Blazers by 17 points at the half, but the game was knotted at 74 going into the fourth quarter. Fox and Keldon Johnson hit back-to-back 3-pointer to put the Spurs up 90-77 with 7:14 left.
Johnson’s dunk with 4:31 left made it 101-81 for San Antonio and all but sealed the win.
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points. There was tense moment with 2:13 left when Avdija and Stephon Castle exchanged shoves. They were given offsetting technical fouls.
Thunder vs Suns best bet: Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points (-105)
While the Oklahoma City Thunder can probably start crafting their game plan for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns should at least go down swinging.
Consider that a compliment.
Phoenix has been a delightful surprise this season. There is no shame in the No. 8 seed getting swept by the defending champions.
However, there would be shame in not playing through the whistle.
If anyone can promise that effort until the final whistle — something the Denver Nuggets could clearly learn from — it is Dillon Brooks. The Brooks-related headline has been that he has scored 30+ points in each of his last two games, averaging 27 points per game in this series.
The actual stat to note is that he has taken at least 21 shots in each game of the series. Meanwhile, Devin Booker has not taken more than 17 shots in a game. Brooks has taken a total of 19 more shots than the Suns’ cornerstone has, a reality created intentionally by the Thunder.
No matter how much he might want to chuck, Booker simply doesn’t have those openings. Oklahoma City is quite content to let him heave.
Brooks’s volume has a competitive ceiling, while a fully-engaged Booker could tilt any game against any opponent. Expect that defensive blueprint to indulge Brooks one more time before his offseason commences.
Thunder vs Suns same-game parlay
Booker dished out seven assists in Game 3 while taking only 16 shots. When one of the best pure scorers in the NBA goes just 6-for-16 from the field, it’s a clear reflection of the opposing defensive intention.
The five-time All-Star should lean even further into his playmaking; it may be frustrating to acquiesce to Oklahoma City’s defensive approach, but generating better looks for the Phoenix offense as a whole should take priority.
Doing so should give the Suns one last gasp before the beach nears.
Thunder vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points
Devin Booker Over 5.5 assists
Suns 1H +6
Our "from downtown" SGP: 1, 2, 3, Cancun!
Consider this to be the tune of, “1, 2, 3 — slight pause — Cancun!”
In front of a home crowd with three shooters in the backcourt, the Suns should start Game 3 competitively... but when reality becomes inevitable, Phoenix’s focus and drive will wander.
Margaritas await.
Thunder vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 18.5 points
Suns 1H +6
Thunder -10.5
Thunder vs Suns odds for Game 4
Spread: Thunder -10.5 (-110) | Suns +10.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Thunder -500 | Suns +375
Over/Under: Over 213.5 (-110) | Under 213.5 (-110)
Thunder vs Suns betting trend to know
Across the last three years, Oklahoma City is 7-4 ATS in the first round. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Suns.
How to watch Thunder vs Suns Game 4
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Monday, April 27, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Thunder vs Suns latest injuries
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Following their 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday, the Yankees optioned right-hander Luis Gil to the minors after he struggled on the mound once again.
Outfielder Jasson Dominguez is being called up from Triple-A, according to multiple reports. (Dominguez's call-up could be the corresponding move for Gil, or could be related to Giancarlo Stanton's injury status, as the Yanks said they would make a decision on whether the DH needed a stint on the IL ahead of Monday's game against the Rangers.)
Gil lasted just four innings in New York’s series finale in Houston and allowed six earned runs on five hits, including two home runs, three walks and a hit by pitch.
“His velocity was there, his pitch movement was there, but, unfortunately, we missed locations and those guys in the other clubhouse didn’t miss,” said catcher J.C. Escarra. “Two big home runs there with men on base.”
Through four starts this season, the 27-year-old is 1-2 and owns a 6.05 ERA (1.34 WHIP) with nine strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Gil has also allowed the most home runs (six), walks (11) and earned runs (13) among Yankees starters despite pitching 12 fewer innings than anybody else on the staff.
“Just been struggling to get consistency with his, I think, delivery and fastball profile,” said manager Aaron Boone. “Again, we’ve seen flashes of it. It feels like it’s getting better in some ways and then the secondary: some good, some miss.”
The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre despite having no injury designation but failing to impress the organization enough in spring training, where he had a 4.66 ERA in six starts and allowed 20 hits, including six home runs, in 19.1 innings.
In one start for the RailRiders, Gil went 4.2 innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks. Still, the right-hander was called up on April 10 when he made his season debut against the Tampa Bay Rays and allowed three earned runs in four innings during that outing.
Since then, aside from a strong start against the Boston Red Sox, Gil has been the weak link of a very good starting rotation that ranks second in the majors with a 2.90 ERA and who has reinforcements on the way with aces Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon nearing returns from injuries.
“Just gotta pass the page on this one and concentrate on the next one,” Gil said through an interpreter after the game.
HOUSTON — Luis Gil was already on the clock, but the Yankees sped it up after his clunker Sunday afternoon.
Deep in the heart of Texas, Gil got deep-sixed against the Astros and then got sent packing for Triple-A after a 7-4 loss at Daikin Park, as the Yankees decided not to wait around until Carlos Rodón returns from the injured list early next month.
Gil, the weak link in what has been a strong rotation, gave up six runs in four-plus innings with plenty of loud contact, including a pair of two-run homers that put the Yankees (18-10) in an early hole and helped snap their eight-game winning streak.
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Equally as troubling as the hard contact was the lack of swinging and missing. The Astros made contact on all 22 of Gil’s four-seam fastballs they swung at. He generated only three whiffs overall on the 34 swings they took.
“It’s tough when you’re falling behind and you’re not consistent with the secondary or that consistent velocity and profile of the fastball to get them off some of the secondary,” manager Aaron Boone said before Gil was optioned. “A combination of not quite good enough command, the stuff not being as good at is when Luis is at his very best. Add that up and you struggle to get that swing and miss.”
With an off-day coming Thursday, the Yankees do not need a fifth starter again until May 5. If they stick to their original plan with Rodón — who is expected to need at least two more rehab starts, the next one coming Wednesday or Thursday — that would likely mean needing a spot start from someone like Elmer Rodríguez. They could also turn to Paul Blackburn or Ryan Yarbrough, who have served as long men in the bullpen, and carry an extra reliever instead.
Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil (81) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Gil, who started the year in the minors because the Yankees did not need a fifth starter out of the gates, posted a 6.05 ERA across four starts. His best one came against the lowly Red Sox on Tuesday, when he tossed 6 ¹/₃ scoreless innings, but even then his stuff was not very sharp.
On Sunday — the first start of Gil’s big league career in which he did not record a strikeout — his fastball velocity actually ticked up a bit but still lacked effectiveness. He described the lack of swing and miss, which was a central part of his standout season in 2024 as the AL Rookie of the Year, as “frustrating” and likened it to a “bad slump.”
“That’s what we’ve been working on, to be more consistent executing a good fastball with good velo,” Gil said through an interpreter. “We’ve been working on all that stuff together, to be better at that. When you have a little more velo, you can create more swing and miss. But little by little, I think I’m getting there. Just got to keep working.”
Now, the 27-year-old right-hander will be working on that back at Triple-A.
Gil’s rough start snapped a strong stretch of starting pitching that had fueled the winning streak. The six runs he allowed nearly matched the number of earned runs (seven) the Yankees had allowed in their past eight starts combined.
“Just been struggling to get consistency with his delivery and fastball profile,” Boone said.
Christian Walker crushed a two-run homer off Gil in the first inning — on a changeup down the middle — before Isaac Paredes clobbered a sinker for another two-run shot in the third. Gil gave up a walk and a double to the first two batters he faced in the fifth before Boone decided he had seen enough, with both of those runs eventually coming in to score against Blackburn.
The Yankees, meanwhile, mustered only three hits in seven innings against Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti — one being Aaron Judge’s 10th home run, a solo shot in the sixth inning on his birthday, to make it a 7-1 game.
They later mounted a two-out rally in the ninth to push across three runs, but it proved to be too little, too late.
Nelly Korda won the Chevron Championship on Sunday with a performance worthy of her return to the No 1 ranking in women’s golf.
Holding a five-shot lead at the start of the final round, Korda was efficient as ever and no one could get closer than four shots all afternoon at Memorial Park. She closed with a two-under 70 for a five-shot victory to capture the third major of her career.
The Montreal Canadiens are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the first round. The Habs are entering this game with momentum on their side, as they defeated the Bolts in overtime by a 3-2 final score in Game 3.
With their victory in Game 3, the Canadiens have a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4. With this, the Canadiens have a golden opportunity in front of them in Game 4.
If the Canadiens can pull off a victory in Game 4, they would have a 3-1 series lead over the Lightning before heading back to Tampa for Game 5. This would be huge for the Canadiens, as they would have control of the series and three chances to knock out the Lightning.
However, if the Canadiens lose to the Lightning, the series would be tied back up at 2-2. This would once again give the Lightning home ice advantage, which would be far less than ideal for the Habs.
It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens can defeat the Lightning in Game 4. If they do, they will be in very good shape.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 26, 2026 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped their second straight game to the Toronto Raptors. The series is now tied 2-2, heading back to Cleveland.
All grades are based on our usual expectations for each player.
Donovan Mitchell
20 points, 3 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 turnovers
We’ve seen the worst of Mitchell across the last two games. An overliance on jumpers. Not having the size to break free from Scottie Barnes in the halfcourt. And, most of all, being an option for the Raptors to attack offensively.
Mitchell finished the game shooting 6-24.
The Cavs won’t win another game this series if Mitchell doesn’t adjust. He’s been at the core of all their problems, failing to score efficiently or handle the ball with care.
Harden had 6 turnovers in his first 14 minutes tonight. That’s what throwing a behind-the-back pass when you’re being double-teamed in the corner will do.
The decision-making on display was alarming. For a player who previously solved every problem thrown at him, it felt like Harden was blindfolded and throwing darts at a board in Toronto.
He eventually stabilized himself and had a strong second half. But I think more than enough damage was done in the first half to justify this grade.
Grade: D-
Evan Mobley
8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
We’ve all agreed that Mobley will not lead this team in scoring, nor will he be the focal point of the offense. Yet, we all understand that if the Cavs want to go deep into the postseason — Mobely at least has to be capable of raising their floor on nights where the backcourt is struggling.
The grade speaks for itself.
Grade: F
Jarrett Allen
3 points, 15 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Allen is the only member of the core four who showed enough effort to fight defensively. His 15 rebounds and team-high plus/minus of +15 are a product of that.
Still, this was far from a good game. Allen went 1-5 from the floor and 1-4 from the free-throw line. The Cavs needed someone to elevate their offense by beating mismatches and finding easy opportunities. Allen didn’t come through.
Grade: D-
Dean Wade
7 points, 5 rebounds
Wade’s defensive impact is starting to be severely blunted by his role on offense. He doesn’t care to shoot the ball, so Toronto doesn’t care to defend him. This has made it easier for the Raptors to swarm the guards and pack the paint. The biggest problem is that the Cavs don’t have enough size on the wing to take Wade out of the rotation.
Grade: D
Max Strus
1 point, 7 rebounds
The Cavs sorely needed an offensive punch from Strus. He went 0-5 from the floor. A few three-pointers would have gone a long way to unsticking the offense.
Grade: D-
Keon Ellis
0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Ellis has still only made one field goal in this series. He played just 4 minutes tonight.
Grade: F
Jaylon Tyson
9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers
It felt like Tyson was making the wrong reads tonight. He drove a few closeouts that probably should have been catch-and-shoot three-point attempts. He also turned it over in the short-roll, throwing a predictable pass to the dunker’s spot that was picked off.
All that said, the Cavs shouldn’t be needing Tyson to produce at this level to keep the offense running.
Grade: C-
Sam Merrill
14 points
Merrill hasn’t performed great so far in the postseason. But he did help to unjam the Cavaliers’ offense in the second half.
His frenetic off-ball movement and complete lack of fear with the ball in his hands go a long way. The Raptors can’t ignore him the same way they ignored Wade, and that put Toronto into motion defensively. That led to Merrill being arguably the most impactful offensive player for Cleveland.
Schroder played the best two minutes of anyone on the roster tonight. So, there’s that.
He scored 8 points in rapid succession, taking Jakob Poeltl off the dribble and looking like the only player who cared about running a proper offense. That didn’t last for too long.
