DENVER, CO - APRIL 21: Chase Dollander #32 of the Colorado Rockies walks off the field in the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on April 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The time to close the opening chapter of 2026 is finally upon us.
It’s safe to say that April was much kinder to the Colorado Rockies this year than in the previous couple of seasons. Dating back to 2017, here’s how the Rockies’ record fared in April:
2017: 16-10
2018: 14-13
2019: 11-15
2021: 9-17
2022: 12-9 [Season started April 8 due to lockout]
2023: 7-20
2024: 6-19
2025: 4-22
As we can see, a 13-14 record is a staggering improvement over the previous three seasons in which the Rockies lost 100 or more games. If they can hover around this sort of result per month throughout the season, getting under 100 losses is well within reach. Either way, the Rockies are off to a much better start than in years past.
A major reason for that is that multiple players have come out of the gate strong, almost surprisingly so, while others have struggled to find their footing. As games progress into May, we’re likely to see some players start to cool off a little bit or start to heat up. Still, the performances of players like Chase Dollander and Tomoyuki Sugano on the pitching side of things, or Mickey Moniak and Troy Johnston on the offensive side, have made this a fun team to root for so far.
Not every unforgettable night announces itself. The Golden State Warriors spent this season living in that space, where the version you thought you understood rarely showed up the same way twice. This series is about the nights when that uncertainty turned into something better, when the spotlight moved somewhere unexpected and stayed there. I’m talking about the ones you didn’t see coming until they were already happening.
Back in November on the road against the Pelicans, the night belonged to Moses Moody before most people realized he’d taken it.
Stephen Curry had just put up 46 and 49 in back-to-back games in San Antonio, the kind of stretch that turns everyone else into supporting cast whether they like it or not. So when the Golden State Warriors rolled into New Orleans the next night, the script felt obvious: Steph handles the heavy lifting, everybody else fills in the gaps, get out of there clean.
Steph went 2-of-11 for nine points instead. The Warriors won by 18 anyway because Moody decided the game was his.
He nailed seven threes in the first quarter!! before the game had time to become anything, he had already turned it into something else entirely. Career high in threes for a full game, and he got there in 12 minutes, against a Pelicans team looking to steal one at home from a dynasty.
What makes the seven in the quarter stand out isn’t just the volume, it’s who else has done it as a Warrior. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. That’s the list, folks. That’s the entire history of the franchise for something like this, a team that has spent a decade redefining what shooting looks like. Moody didn’t join a club so much as ascended into rarefied Golden State air. Anytime your name is mentioned next to the greatest shooters of all time, you’re doing it the right way.
That’s all it really was. Read the possession, trust the pass, don’t overthink the shot. He made his first two, missed one, then made five straight to close the quarter, and by the time New Orleans started reacting, the damage had already settled in.
He finished with 32 points on 10-of-16 from the field, eight threes, a career night that didn’t feel forced or hunted. It just kept happening, possession after possession, putting his name into history.
I know I’m one for major basketball hyperbole, but in this case it’s not the comparison, projection, or what it means long-term. I enjoyed the simplicity of it where for one night, the best shooter on the floor Steph Curry and the offense didn’t break trying to adjust to that. It just flowed in a different direction.
With a chance to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs, the Knicks didn't mess around in the slightest, dismantling the Atlanta Hawks in a historic 140-89 win on Thursday night.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Things couldn't have started better for New York, which was off and running after Jalen Brunson drilled a three-pointer on the first possession of the game. A minute later, OG Anunoby slammed one home and the Knicks were up 5-0 early. Both players would end up being critical for New York.
The only hiccup of the entire game for the Knicks came when the Hawks quickly retaliated with a 9-0 run to go up by four points and looking quite formidable in a win-or-go-home situation. Turns out, that little spurt would be the best offense Atlanta would have all night. From there, New York simply took over and ended the quarter with a ridiculous 35-6 run.
-- Leading the charge was Anunoby, who scored or assisted on five straight possessions starting with that early dunk to put the Knicks back in front. He led all scorers in the opening quarter with 14 points, just one point less than what the Hawks put up as a team.
Brunson also had a big first quarter with nine points and five assists, finding multiple open guys, including Mikal Bridges, who broke out of an offensive slump in the series with eight points after 12 minutes. He scored the final basket before the end of the first quarter, which put New York up 40-15.
-- With such a commanding lead after one quarter, the only question was whether the Knicks would allow the Hawks to fight back and make it a game. The answer was a resounding no. Instead, New York kept its foot on the gas and continued its total destruction of Atlanta in the second quarter by beginning the period on a 10-1 run.
-- The Knicks were getting any look they wanted from outside and made the Hawks pay when they drove to the paint by scoring easy layups, dunks or going to the free throw line and drilling them. Anunoby and Bridges were at the forefront of the offensive onslaught, while Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns also got in the mix, with Towns doing all of his damage from the line (10-for-10).
On the other side, Atlanta still couldn't get anything to fall and went into the locker room with a season-low 36 points at halftime and was down by an insurmountable 47 points after New York dropped another 43 points in the quarter. The only downside for the Knicks was the ejection of Mitchell Robinson (along with Dyson Daniels), but they would be fine without him.
-- With the game wrapped up after just two quarters, the second half flew by as the Hawks waved the white flag. New York, meanwhile, kept up the intensity and continued to pick them apart. Following Anunoby's incredible first half, Bridges took the baton in the third quarter and fully broke out, finishing with 24 points on 10-for-12 from the floor.
-- Also impressive in the second half was Towns, who, for the second straight game, showed off his passing abilities and dished out 10 assists for yet another triple-double after scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. He also added three steals and a block in just 28 minutes. His double-digit assists were the most on the team, with Brunson not far behind with eight.
Speaking of Brunson, it wasn't his best shooting night, particularly from deep (1-for-6), but the point guard finished with 17 points and made his teammates around him better. None benefitted more than Anunoby, who led all scorers with 29 points on 11-for-14 from the field and 4-for-6 from deep. Anunoby did it all with seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block.
-- New York unloaded its bench in the fourth quarter and every single player got on the board. The Knicks shot 58.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range. They also outrebounded the Hawks, 46-35, and had 16 steals on the night.
Game MVP: OG Anunoby
His play in the first half helped propel the Knicks to their incredible lead that sealed their series win.
ATLANTA — The Knicks made a closeout game look like a preseason game.
It’s hard to picture now, but there was actually a time the Knicks trailed in this series. But by the end of the series, it looked like the Hawks didn’t belong on the same court.
The Knicks toyed with them. They bullied them.
They humiliated them — in historic fashion.
Jalen Brunson reacts after hitting a shot during the Knicks’ 140-89 Game 6 series-clinching win over the Hawks on April 30, 2026 in Atlanta. Charles Wenzelberg
There was no room for even a glimmer of hope for the Hawks. Hardly a second of belief they might have a shot to force a Game 7. The Knicks wouldn’t allow it. This was them at their very best, as they obliterated the Hawks 140-89 in Game 6 on Thursday night at State Farm Arena to win the series and advance to the second round, where they’ll face the winner of Saturday’s Game 7 between the Celtics and 76ers.
The blowout was unprecedented:
They led by 47 points at halftime, setting the record for biggest halftime lead in postseason history.
They led by 53 points after three quarters, setting the record for biggest lead after three quarters in postseason history.
Their 61-point lead in the third quarter was the biggest in franchise history in the postseason.
The 140 points were the most the Knicks have scored in a playoff game.
“That’s something where it shows what we can do,” Josh Hart said. “And now we gotta continue to build off of it. Now we can’t sit there and not do it because we know we have what it takes to do it.
“It just reinforced the kind of team that we have, the players that we have, the coaches that we have.”
The Knicks closed the first quarter on an incredible 31-4 run and led by 25 heading into the second quarter. And the Hawks completely capitulated. The Knicks started the second quarter on a 32-7 run to take a 50-point lead. In total, it was an absurd 63-11 run spanning the two quarters. Just a few more minutes into the second quarter, the lead was 61. They were able to pull their starters by the end of the third quarter.
It was comical. It looked like one of those games against a tanking opponent at the end of the year. Even those are usually more competitive.
“Feel good about it tonight,” Jalen Brunson said. “Tomorrow, we turn the page. It’s good to celebrate the wins, but we can’t let this drag on. We gotta refocus up. When we wake up tomorrow, it’s on to the next.”
It left the Hawks with nothing left to play for beyond pretending to show fight and provoking the Knicks. And Mitchell Robinson took their bait.
OG Anunoby attempts a shot during the Knicks’ April 30 win against the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg
As OG Anunoby took a free throw in the second quarter, Dyson Daniels yanked Robinson’s arm. Robinson subsequently got in Daniels’ face, and Onyeka Okongwu came over and tried to pull Robinson away from Daniels. That’s when a heated fracas ignited.
Players and coaches from both teams ran in and separated the two, but Robinson tried to go back for more. Knicks coach Mike Brown fell while trying to get in Robinson’s way. Referee Kevin Scott was knocked to the ground earlier.
Robinson and Daniels were given technicals and ejected. Daniels’ was one of three Hawks technicals — Jalen Johnson and coach Quin Snyder also got one each — in the second quarter as they unraveled.
Anunoby — to complete his excellent series — got the Knicks going early, scoring 10 of their first 15 points as he continued his red-hot shooting. By halftime, he had 26 points and finished with 29 — on 11-for-14 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range — along with seven rebounds.
Jalen Brunson defends against Dyson Daniels during the Knicks’ April 30 win against the Hawks. Charles Wenzelberg
The Hawks offered such little resistance that even Mikal Bridges — who otherwise had a nightmarish series — was able to go off and use the game as a needed confidence booster. He recorded 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the field.
Towns, despite only making one field goal, finished with another triple-double, recording 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He became the first Knick to record multiple triple-doubles in the same series, and the second in the same postseason, joining Walt Frazier.
Brunson added 17 points and eight assists. Hart had 14 points.
The Knicks recorded an absurd 16 steals along with six blocks.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker accepted his Most Improved Player award just before tipoff. It was the last — and only — thing Hawks fans had to cheer for. It wouldn’t be long until they were down double digits and until double digits turned into a bloodbath.
Remember when the Knicks trailed 2-1 in the series? Over the next three games, they outscored the Hawks by a combined 96 points.
They’re surging at the perfect time.
“Our guys, their connectedness right now is off the charts,” Brown said. “When you lock into the detail and you’re connected like that, with a group that’s as talented and versatile as that group, you got a chance to do that.”
Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) is defended by New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks were back at home for Game 6 to face the New York Knicks in a win-or-go-home situation. The last two games have not been the best for the Hawks, and they found themselves in a position where they have to play some of their best basketball if they want to stay alive.
The Hawks got on the board with this nice pass for Jalen Johnson that led to a dunk.
It was a good start for the Hawks, but the Knicks started to find a rhythm on offense. Several turnovers also hurt the Hawks, and the Knicks got in transition and scored.
The Hawks tried to stop the bleeding, and Johnson found Mouhamed Gueye for this lob.
Things didn’t get any better for the Hawks in the first, as the turnovers continued to pile up. The Knicks took advantage and they put their foot on the gas to give themselves a 25-point lead going into the second.
It got worse for the Hawks in the second, and couldn’t generate much offense at all. On the other hand, it felt like the Knicks were getting whatever they wanted.
The emotions started to come out for the Hawks, and Dyson Daniels found himself tangled up with Mitchell Robinson midway through the quarter, which took a while for both sides to cool down. Daniels and Robinson both received technicals and were ejected from the game.
It was another 40-point quarter for the Knicks, and the Hawks trailed 83-36 going into halftime.
The third quarter was probably the Hawks’ best of the night, but it didn’t matter because the score was already out of control. Johnson led the way with eight points, but the bench played most of the quarter. The Hawks trailed 117-64 going into the fourth.
The starters came out to begin the fourth, but after a while, the end of the bench played out the remainder of the game.
Though it was a rough way to end the season, the Hawks still have to be proud of the year they had, despite the many changes on tbhe team.
The next stop for the Hawks will be the lottery, where they have a chance to get a top pick in the draft.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 23: Atlanta Braves groundsman Ed Mangan clad in a tuxedo hoses down the infield prior to the start of the Braves game 23 September against the Montreal Expos at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Mangan and his fellow grounds crew and stadium ushers wore tuxedos to commemorate the final regular season game to be held at Fulton County Stadium. The stadium will be torn down as the Braves move to the Olympic Stadium next year. AFP PHOTO Doug COLLIER (Photo credit should read DOUG COLLIER/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
During Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, the Atlanta Braves shared the news that Ed Mangan, Vice President of Field Operations, was retiring after more than 35 years with the organization.
While the news might seem innocuous to those whose fandom of the Braves began after his tenure started in Atlanta, his immediate impact to the literal on-the-field product played a significant role in Atlanta resurgence in the early 1990s.
After more than 35 years of dedication to the game, the Atlanta Braves proudly celebrate the retirement of Vice President of Field Operations Ed Mangan. Since joining the organization in 1990, Ed has set the standard for excellence in field operations, playing a vital role in… pic.twitter.com/3t7AQ8l1zy
When John Schuerholtz joined the Atlanta Braves as General Manager in 1990, replacing Bobby Cox who shifted to the managerial role after leading a re-build of the organization’s farm system, one of Schuerholtz’s first moves was bringing in Mangan as groundskeeper from the Kansas City Royals to improve the playing surface at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Prior to Mangan’s arrival, Atlanta’s home stadium was notorious for its poor playing condition – something made worse each August as it was also home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons until 1992.
To help the team’s young starting pitchers, Schuerholz brought in middle infielder Rafael Belliard, first baseman Sid Bream and third baseman Terry Pendelton to improve the team’s infield defense. But, it was Mangan’s ability to drastically improve the playing surface that helped him gain acclaim and notoriety as the Braves road their worst-to-first 1991 season all the way to Game 7 of the World Series.
The Atlanta Braves proudly honor Vice President of Field Operations Ed Mangan on his retirement after 35 years of dedicated service.
Since joining the organization in 1990, Ed has set the standard for excellence in field operations, contributing to countless games, unforgettable… pic.twitter.com/3eOaw4P4qV
Since Mangan took over duties caring for the Braves home field, the team has call three different stadiums home, including Atlanta’s current home of Truist Park. Although there were a few times when the team had a few minor challenging stadium field conditions – early 2016 being one example – the Braves benefited from having one of the better playing surfaces in baseball for most of the last four decades.
Mangan’s career also including working dozens of Super Bowls in addition to his duties with the Braves.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined a quarter of his match fee for vaping in the dressing room during a game, the Indian Premier League said Thursday.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
A bullpen game. A rain delay. A rainbow stretching over the ballpark, and two walk-offs in the same day. This was a weird one, and ultimately a happy one. All is well that ends well, and, like today’s first affair, this ended well.
Tim Mayza got the ball first for the Phillies, walking one, but putting the other three Giants away. Adrian Houser, starting for San Francisco, would have a bit of a rockier start. The first pitch he threw, a sinker to Trea Turner, ended up in the middle of the plate, and then over the fence. His next three pitches, offered to Kyle Schwarber, fared a bit better, in that they did not join their fallen brethren in the Valhalla of the cheap seats. But the one after— a slider that caught too much of the plate— ended up over the fence, too.
Nolan Hoffman took over for Mayza in the top of the third, quickly accruing two outs, then loading the bases on a pair of singles and a walk. He slipped past the danger by inducing a fly out.
Alec Bohm had a rough frame in the top of the fourth, though not through error or carelessness; just the bad fortune to be where a pair of Giants were, despite their team’s name, playing small ball. Eric Haase singled on a ball that pulled Bohm just far enough that a play couldn’t be made in time, and Logan Gilbert hit a chopper that a charging Bohm couldn’t pull in, putting runners at the corners. The San Franciscans plated their first run on a Heliot Ramos sacrifice fly. One inning later, now facing Jonathan Bowlan, they plated their second, also via sac fly, set up by a Casey Schmitt triple that bounced off the wall and got away from Justin Crawford. A mighty throw from Schwarber almost put Schmitt out; the sort of play that impresses, even as it exists only in the memory and not the box score.
The Phillies chased Houser in the bottom of the fifth, as Turner singled with two outs. His replacement, Ryan Borucki, then had the unenviable task of facing Schwarber and Bryce Harper with a runner on. The former doubled, the latter walked, and the bases were loaded for Adolis García. He worked a 3-1 count, then made the mistake of failing to challenge a miscalled pitch that would’ve been the fourth ball. But some mistakes work out: because he didn’t take the free pass, he remained at the plate to smack a slider to left, scoring two.
But the ABS gods, insulted by García’s refusal of their kind offering, wept, their tears taking the form of a chill rain drenching the Bank. Bowlan, struggling to control the wet ball, walked Jung Hoo Lee to open the sixth on five pitches; a rain delay ensued soon after. After the rain dried up, a rainbow appeared over Philadelphia. Those who kept their eyes on the skies were treated to a much happier sight than those who kept their eyes on the field. Trevor Richards took over after the break, getting two outs but also loading the bases via double and walk. That brought Luis Arraez to the plate. He is not precisely who you hope to see when a single base hit separates you from a lost lead. Arraez did what he does, singling to right to tie the game.
Richards did not break under the pressure, staying in the game and pitching a 1-2-3 seventh. He allowed a one-out single to Drew Gilbert in the eighth, and was replaced with Brad Keller, who ensured that Gilbert remained exactly where he was. García worked a walk to open the Phillies’ half of the eighth, and was advanced to second by a sacrifice bunt from Bryson Stott, then to third by a little chopper from Bohm. He was stranded there when Justin Crawford flew out to left.
Keller returned for the ninth, starting things off with the rare achievement of striking out Arraez. He plunked Schmitt with a pitch, and was pulled for José Alvarado. Alvarado gave up a single to Rafael Devers, putting runners on the corners. He struck out Willy Adames, but gave up a single up the middle to Jung Hoo Lee, giving the Giants the lead. A walk issued to Patrick Bailey loaded the bases, but Alvarado exited the frame without further damage.
The Phillies thus entered the bottom of the ninth hoping to get their second walk-off of the day. Brandon Marsh was called in as a pinch hitter and made Mattingly’s move pay off, smacking a fastball to center-left for a leadoff double. Garrett Stubbs joined him on the basepaths via the free pass. The good start turned sour quickly as Turner grounded into a double play, putting Marsh 90 feet from tying the game and the Phillies one out away from losing it. The Giants could’ve granted Schwarber an intentional walk; they decided to test him. He decided to double to right and tie it. The San Franciscans, thus suitably chastened, quietly granted Harper first base, then let García take his turn. He took a ball deep, and as it sailed through the Philadelphia night it seemed every bit as beautiful as the rainbow that traced the same arc just hours earlier. But the rainbow ended in a Giant glove (regulation-sized) , and we went to extras.
Chase Shugart took to the mound, allowing a leadoff single that glanced off Stott and into center. He struck out Matt Chapman, then allowed a hard liner to Luis Arraez. But a perfect dive from Bohm turned the would-be go ahead single into an out, and a flyout kept the game tied, as the Phillies once more hoped to go two for two on walk-offs.
Matt Gage was tasked with stifling those hopes. Stott bunted García to third, and Bohm stepped into the box as the would-be hero. Few children play-act a walk-off sacrifice fly in their backyards. But adults can take joy in a job well done, even when it’s a humble one. Bohm hit the ball to center, not deep, but deep enough to send García, and all the fans, home.
The Phillies are 12-19. They return to action tomorrow against the Marlins in Miami.
Scott's first big league start since Tommy John surgery did not go well, with the 26-year-old right-hander lasting just 1.1 innings due to a lack of command.
During his outing, Scott gave up one run while issuing five walks and hitting one batter, but didn't allow a hit.
He was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse the day after the start, but the Mets were able to call him back up without having him spend the required 10 days in the minors since he replaced an injured player (Kodai Senga). With Senga on the IL and David Peterson's future in the rotation up in the air, the expectation is that Scott will get a serious look.
Scott's stuff looked great in spring training, and he walked only two batters in 13.2 innings for Syracuse before being promoted the first time. So it is fair to believe his bout of wildness during his first start had more to do with nerves than anything.
He'll get his second shot in Friday's series-opener.
Bounce back is in quotations above because McLean allowed just two runs (one earned) in five innings during his start against the Rockies last week.
It wasn't the results that were different, though, but the way McLean looked in the fourth inning after cruising.
McLean retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced, including six via the strikeout. But in the fourth inning, he was jumped, giving up back-to-back hard-hit singles and a walk to load the bases with none out, and then surrendering a run-scoring single. He escaped the jam with a strikeout and double play, but it was the kind of inning McLean hadn't had all season.
In his fifth and final inning, McLean retired the side in order.
Overall this season, McLean has been dominant, with a 2.55 ERA (2.24 FIP) and 0.849 WHIP to go along with 45 strikeouts in 35.1 innings -- a strikeout rate of 11.5 per nine.
Soto has reached base 17 times in 34 plate appearances since returning from the IL.
In his first at-bat against the Nationals on Thursday afternoon, Soto was robbed of a home run by James Wood, who leapt and snatched a ball that would've otherwise cleared the wall easily. Soto ripped a single his second time up. In his third plate appearance, Soto was pitched around and walked. His fourth time up, Soto smoked a ball off the center field wall for a double.
Mar 31, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets left fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. / Jeff Curry - Imagn Images
It will be interesting to see how the Angels pitch to Soto since Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr. are all on the IL, while the rest of the Mets' lineup has struggled.
If they give him pitches to hit, he'll probably punish them. If not, he'll take his walks and it'll be left to the rest of the lineup to come through.
The rejuvenated Mike Trout
After being limited to just 111 combined games in 2023 and 2024 due to injury, Trout was able to play 130 games in 2025. And he was solid, posting a .797 OPS and popping 26 homers.
So far this season, he looks like vintage Mike Trout.
Trout carried a .999 OPS and 10 homers into play on Thursday. Meanwhile, he was leading the AL with 29 runs scored and leading all of baseball in walks (32).
The Angels' offense as a whole has been fearsome, with just six teams having scored more than their 150 runs entering play on Thursday.
Mets will avoid Jose Soriano
Soriano has been the best pitcher in baseball this season, posting video game numbers in 42.2 innings over his first seven starts.
He is leading the league with a 0.84 ERA and has a ridiculous 509 ERA+. Soriano has allowed just 24 hits and struck out 49.
So the Mets are lucky they won't have to face him during this series.
Against New York, the Angels will send out Walbert Urena (4.76 ERA, 2.21 WHIP), Reid Detmers (4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP), and Jack Kochanowicz (3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP).
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Juan Soto
Soto has been locked in since returning.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Nolan McLean
This will be the first look the Angels get at McLean.
Which Angels player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Oswald Peraza
Peraza is off to a strong start, looking to cement himself as an everyday player after being acquired from the Yankees
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 21: Hakeem Olajuwon #34 of the Houston Rockets defends Shaquille O'Neal #32 the Orlando Magic during a game at the Summit in Houston, Texas on January 21, 1996. 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 1996 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets, being the Rockets, like to do things The Hard Way. In their second championship season, 1994-1995, the Houston Rockets defeated more combined playoff opponent regular season wins en route to their title than any team in NBA history before, or since. Because of Hakeem Olajuwon’s injury that season, the Rockets didn’t finish with a great record 47-35.
In winning the Finals, they traveled the hardest playoff road of any team title winning team, ever. The Rockets never had home court advantage in any series. In the first round they faced the 60 win Utah Jazz, and won 3-2 (the first round was five games back then). In the second round they played the 59 win Phoenix Suns, and won 4-3, winning game seven in Phoenix. In the Western Conference Finals, they battled the 62 win San Antonio Spurs and the NBA MVP, David Robinson. They won that series 4-2. In the Finals they took on the 57 win Orlando Magic, who reached the Finals after defeating Michael Jordan’s Bulls in six game. The Rockets swept the Magic.
Why am I talking about these things? Because 1994-95 demonstrates that difficult things can be done in the NBA. The most difficult title path in NBA history was walked by the Houston Rockets. Today’s Houston Rockets face a similar, perhaps even less likely, uphill climb.
The Rockets started out a playoff series they were expected to dominate against an injured Lakers team 0-3. Well, that’s a tough row to hoe, but it’s doable, right? Not in terms of NBA history. The record of teams facing an 0-3 deficit is a morbid 0-160 in NBA history. Only 3 of those 160 series finished 4-3, with the usual case being that the winning team took at 3-0 lead, messed around, and then won. About 2% of all such series have gone to seven games.
The Rockets, then, would be facing an uphill climb, just to force game seven in Los Angeles. They’d have to do the literally unprecedented to win the thing.
There’s some reason to think they might, though. The first is, despite Luke “The Duck” Kennard and Marcus “The Dick” Smart going crazy early on, the Rockets have held the Lakers to an average of 97 points per game, throughout the series. The Lakers in the first two games made a high percentage of difficult shots. They didn’t do that in the next three games, but the Rockets, of course, gave away game three. In games four and five, without Kevin Durant, the Rockets played better offense, while maintaining their defense. It wasn’t good offense, mind you, but better than the dregs of games one and two.
That might be enough. So far the Lakers best player has been, surprise, 41 year old LeBron James. James, though in fantastic shape, is in fact 41 years old, and the last two games (if game seven happens) will both feature only one day of rest in between the contest, a day partly spent in travel. The whole Houston starting lineup, either the youngest, or second youngest, in NBA playoff history, is roughly half of James’ age. Energy and force might be the deciding factor (we can hope it isn’t specious free throws for the repugnant Austin Reaves).
The Rockets have to win tomorrow night in Houston, and then somehow overcome the collective desire of the NBA League Office and its broadcast partners, to knock the Lakers out of the playoffs. If any team can do it, though, it’s the contrary, strange, often painful to watch, Houston Rockets. It’s in the team DNA, after all.
Mets prospect A.J. Ewing continued his hot start to his Triple-A career with a pair of multi-hit games during Thursday's doubleheader.
In Syracuse's first game against the IronPigs, Ewing went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. He stole his first bag with Syracuse and made a pair of impressive defensive plays in the outfield.
Ewing's hot hitting continued in Game 2 as he added two more hits to his ledger and finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Since getting the promotion to Triple-A, Ewing's hot bat has carried over. He's now 7-for-12 (.583) in his first three games with the Syracuse Mets. If you combine his Double-A numbers, Ewing has been one of the Mets' best hitters in the minors.
In 21 games this season between the two levels, Ewing is slashing .387/.500/.613 with an OPS of 1.113 to go along with two home runs, seven doubles, nine RBI and 13 stolen bases.
A.J. Ewing is 2-for-2 to start game one of the doubleheader
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 26: Ildemaro Vargas #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of the MLB Mexico City Series game between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú on April 26, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) | Getty Images
April results
Ah, the joy of Opening Day, hope springing eternal and all that. Except, this poll came after the first series against Los Angeles was already in the books, and that acted as a stiff reality check. For the Diamondbacks were swept in the three-game series. There were positives: two of the games were lost by a single run, and had things gone just a little differently, Arizona could have come out of there with a series win. But hypothetical and moral wins are for suckers, so 0-3 it was. They then turned around and swept the Tigers in turn, another team with credible playoff aspirations. So did all that impact fan confidence from the mark at the beginning of spring training?
It may be a case of “What have you done for me lately?” to quote the great philosopher Janet Jackson. I suspect the results would not have been quite as good had they come after the Dodgers sweep, rather than after the Tigers one. The biggest change, in both literal and relative terms, came in the ‘8’ category, which tripled from five percent in March, to fifteen percent in April. ‘7’ also kicked up a bit, with the 5-6 range fueling most of the positive sentiment above them. All told, confidence improved by just over one-quarter of a point, increasing from 6.12 to 6.39 at the start of April.
Below, you can see the breakdown for the past 12 polls’ results, followed by the line graph showing the trends over this and previous seasons.
May poll
April is in the books. The D-backs made it through with a 16-14 record. I think we’d all have settled for that at the beginning of the month. But while impressive on the surface, there are obvious issues – notably a pitching staff, who end April with a collective ERA north of five (5.09 if my math is correct), and ranked 28th in the majors. That’s the highest figure through 30 games since the hell which was 2020. Of course, there are positives as well. The amazing performance of Ildemaro Vargas, the unexpected rookie production from Jose Fernandez and veteran Nolan Arenado, and Corbin Carroll continuing to be Corbin Carroll. But what is your overall take on the team as we enter May?
That’s what the poll below would be for. You can explain your decision in the comments, especially if your vote has changed from last time. Link for mobile.
Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) talks to guard James Harden (1) against the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
Despite the win, the series isn’t over yet. This Raptors team has found ways to continually pull themselves off the mat, even though they’ve been missing key players throughout this series.
The Cavs have a chance to show that they’ve learned from the mistakes that plagued them in games 3 and 4. And if they’re going to do that, they’ll likely need more from Donovan Mitchell.
Mitchell is having an uncharacteristically inefficient series, especially in the last three games. Since Game 3, he’s averaging just 18 points, three assists, and three turnovers on .351/.333/1.000 shooting splits. We’ll see if that changes in this closeout game.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
Los Angeles, CA - April 29:Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) faces off with Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) in game 5 of the first round, of the NBA playoffs. Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Stop if you’ve heard this before, but turnovers were an issue for the Lakers in their loss on Wednesday.
While they weren’t quite at the level of their Game 4 disasterclass, the Lakers did turn the ball over 15 times in Game 5, resulting in 18 Rockets points. Most certainly, it was a team-wide issue, but one of the main culprits was Marcus Smart.
After having some strong showings earlier in the series, Smart was woeful in Game 5, turning the ball over a game-high six times. After the game, Smart was honest about his and the team’s shortcomings in taking care of the ball.
“We’ve been through this,” Smart said. “We understand this team and how they play and they’re very aggressive. We got to take care of the basketball. Myself, I had six turnovers and that’s unacceptable. Especially with only two assists, right? Especially against this team.
“So, you definitely got to take care of the ball. We got to do a better job. All of us, collectively, and that’ll help us for sure.”
It’d be one thing if the turnovers were being forced by the Rockets entirely. While their pressure has ramped up, the Lakers are making plenty of unforced mistakes as well.
To his credit, head coach JJ Redick defended his players while still noting the team has to improve.
“It’s hard because the players see stuff on the court,” Redick said. “It’s easy for us to look back on film or armchair quarterback it. I do think we had two of those turnovers where we get a stop and throw the ball ahead out of bounds, Those are the kind of the ones that you wish you had back.
“But the turnovers, they come in all shapes and sizes. It’s about limiting them and you certainly have to give your guys freedom to make basketball plays. I would say, in general though, turnovers of aggression are OK. Turnovers of passivity are not.”
At the end of the day, the Lakers need to walk the walk instead of talking the talk. There’s a certain level of focus and attentiveness that is required in the playoffs and the Lakers aren’t showcasing that.
It’s what separates not just the title contenders from other playoff teams, but it’s the difference between the Lakers having this series already wrapped up and being on the brink of a Game 7.
Turnovers are not the sole reason the Lakers have lost two straight games. However, it’s emblematic of a bigger issue the team has had these playoffs.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Stephen Curry #30 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of Team Chuck embrace in the locker room during the 74th NBA All-Star Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Oklahoma City Thunder just swept the Phoenix Suns out of the playoffs like crumbs off a kitchen counter, and somewhere in the Bay Area, a Warriors fan quietly exhaled for the first time since April 17th.
Think about what almost happened. The Warriors scraped and clawed through an injury-riddled 37-45 season, limped into the play-in tournament, and lost to these same Suns by 15. Jalen Green dropped 36 breezy points while Steph Curry spent most of the night getting hunting for the flamethrowing touch and never quite seizing it. Phoenix was the executioner. And the executioner just got executed.
The Thunder didn’t just beat the Suns in round one. They humiliated them, swept them clean, and did it with the kind of casual dominance that makes other rosters look at their own roster and feel embarrassed. OKC has now won 20 of their last 27 playoff games by plus-261 points, company that includes the dynastic Warriors of 2017-2018, the Showtime Lakers, and LeBron’s Cavs. That’s the conversation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is in right now. That’s the machine the Warriors would have walked into.
And listen, We Believe happened. Baron Davis over Dallas was real, it was documented, and it still lives rent-free in every NBA fan’s memory palace. Eight seeds can win first-round series. The architecture of a seven-game series always leaves room for chaos.
But this Warriors roster in 2026 is not the 2007 crew. Bearded Baron had youth, fury, and an opponent that didn’t see them coming. This version of Golden State had a banged-up Steph, no Moses Moody, no Jimmy Butler, and a collection of players still figuring out who they are when the lights get brighter. Walking into an OKC first round would not have been a miracle waiting to happen. It would have been a closed casket.
The dynasty theology of this franchise has always been about knowing when you’re built to compete and when you’re built to survive. This was a survival season. All those injuries ensured the Warriors were always playing for the offseason, for the roster decisions ahead, for what comes next. Getting bounced in the play-in stings. Getting swept by the Thunder in round one in front of a national playoff audience would have stung differently, the kind of stings that leave a mark on perception heading into a pivotal summer.
SGA changed Dillon Brooks’ jersey to say ‘Cancun on 3’ 💀
“Everybody wants to be villainous until the brooms come out and the dust settles and you realize who the villain is.” pic.twitter.com/njcUn3T04Y
