DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored a franchise playoff-record 45 points, including a step-back jumper with 32 seconds left, and the top-seeded Detroit Pistons beat the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic 116-109 on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series to stave off elimination.
Orlando leads the series 3-2 and will get a second chance to advance at home on Friday night.
The Magic fell to 0-10 in franchise history on the road in a Game 5.
Detroit never trailed and went ahead by 15 early in the final quarter. The Magic made one more run, pulling within three points on Paolo Banchero’s sixth 3-pointer with 1:09 left. Banchero matched Cunningham with 45 points, also a playoff career-high — and missed 7 of 12 free throws.
CAVALIERS 125, RAPTORS 120
CLEVELAND (AP) — Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Mobley hit a pair of pivotal 3-pointers in the final period and finished with 23 points, and Cleveland rallied for a victory over Toronto in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Cleveland leads the series 3-2. Game 6 is Friday night in Toronto.
James Harden scored 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 19 for the Cavaliers.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 25 points while Ja’Kobe Walter added 20 and Jamal Shead had 18 off the bench. All-star forward Brandon Ingram left the game in the second quarter with right heel inflammation.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals, center, celebrate with teammates at home plate after he hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 29, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Heather Khalifa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats lit up the Mets like a Christmas tree in their 14-2 mauling on a rainy night in Queens. This was a comprehensive beatdown, where the Nats dominated from start to finish. The bats and the arms were both top tier in this one, which led to the big win.
On the mound, Cade Cavalli followed up an excellent start against the Braves with an even better one tonight. The Nats right hander threw six innings of two run ball while striking out 10. This is the second straight outing that Cavalli has fanned 10 batters. He joins Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and Gio Gonzalez as the only Nats to do that. Scherzer accomplished that feat on a crazy 20 occasions.
Back-to-back 10-strikeout games in Nats history: Max Scherzer (20 instances) Stephen Strasburg (6 instances) Patrick Corbin Gio Gonzalez Cade Cavalli
Cavalli’s curve was dominant tonight, getting both whiffs and called strikes. This is the second straight outing where his curveball has looked like a dominant pitch. After a rocky start to the season, Cavalli is starting to come into his own.
However, the offense is an even bigger story. The unit cooled off a bit after a red hot start to the season, but they picked it up in a big way in this game. They came out of the gates hot, scoring two runs off of David Peterson in the 1st inning. CJ Abrams opened the scoring with an RBI knock. The Nats shortstop had a big day, racking up 3 hits to bust out of his mini-slump.
Abrams was one of four Nats to have multi-hit days. Curtis Mead had the most hits on the night, with four, including a home run. The Aussie seemed to be in the middle of everything good that was happening for the Nats offense tonight. In the fateful fourth inning, Mead drove in a run by getting hit by a pitch. Mead already has a career high in home runs, with four. He has been a solid addition for the Nats.
Joey Wiemer also had a multi-hit day, which was nice to see. While Wiemer has inevitably cooled off from his historic start to the season, he has still been a useful contributor, particularly against left handed pitching. He also seems like a big personality in the locker room.
The Nats effectively won the game with one swing of the bat, and it came from a softer spoken figure in Brady House. After a great Spring Training and good start to the season, House had cooled off these past few weeks. He has not been on time for fastballs, which has led to the strikeouts piling up. However, he was on time for Sean Manaea’s 90 MPH heater and hit it into the stands for a grand slam.
It turned a 3 run inning into a 7 run inning, and broke the game open. After the grand slam, boos rained down, as Mets fans accepted that they were about to fall to 10-20. It was a team effort, but House was the man who busted it open.
On a rainy night at Citi Field, it felt like both teams wanted to go home once the 7th inning rolled around. The Nats bullpen fired off three scoreless innings against a hapless Mets offense to win it 14-2. After a pair of blowout wins for both teams, the stage is set for a rubber match tomorrow afternoon.
Feb 26, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Chas McCormick (55) hits a double in the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
Starter Ty Blach gave up three runs in the second inning, but nothing else as he picked up the win. Blach’s final line was three runs on four hits (including one two-run home run) over five innings. Blach walked one and struck out six.
Third baseman Pedro Ramírez tied the game in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run. Ramírez went 1 for 4 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch (on a 35 mph pitch from a position player). He also stole two bases and scored three times. Ramírez now has eight home runs this year, which ties a career-high for a season for him and we’re not finished with April yet.
Right fielder Chas McCormick was the big star tonight, going 3 for 4 with an RBI double and a two-run home run in the fifth. It was McCormick’s fourth home run this year. McCormick had the three RBI and scored twice.
First baseman Jonathon Long went 3 for 6 with three RBI and one run scored.
Second baseman James Triantos was 2 for 5 with a walk and two steals. He scored two runs.
Shortstop Hayden Cantrelle was 2 for 5 with one run scored.
Center fielder Brett Bateman was 1 for 3 with an RBI double and two walks.
Left fielder Kevin Alcántara left this game in the sixth inning. It wasn’t immediately clear why, but I-Cubs broadcaster Jason Kempf said Alcántara appeared to grab his back after a foul ball. Alcántara was 1 for 3 with a walk and one run scored.
Starter Cole Reynolds pitched 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Reynolds struck out five and walked just one.
Jackson Brockett relived Reynolds and gave up a two-run home run in his first inning in High-A. Brockett got the loss after surrendering two runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. Brockett did not strike anyone out, but he also didn’t walk anyone.
All four South Bend runs came in the fourth inning. Left fielder Reginald Preciado was responsible for three of them with his second home run of the year. Preciado was 1 for 3 with a walk.
Center fielder Kane Kepley went 1 for 3 with a walk, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly.
The South Bend social media team reminding us that Preciado was part of the Yu Darvish deal—and the last one who is still on the Cubs.
We'd like to personally thank the Padres for Reggie Preciado! 👍
David Bracho threw the first 3.2 innings without allowing a run. He did give up seven hits, but Bracho didn’t walk anyone, although he did hit one batter, and he struck out three.
Aiden Moffett pitched the middle innings and got his first professional win. Moffett did not allow a run or a hit over 2.1 innings. He did walk one batter while striking out four.
Jordan Henriquez went the rest of the way for a three-inning save. He gave up just one hit, but it was a two-run home run in the top fo the ninth to spoil the shutout. Henriquez walked two and struck out four.
The Pelicans jumped out to an early lead with a four-run bottom of the first inning. The big blow was a two-run home run by left fielder Jose Escobar. Escobar was 2 for 4.
In the second inning, DH Eli Lovich hit a solo home run. It was his third of the season and his second in two games. Lovich was 1 for 4.
In the eighth inning, catcher Logan Poteet added an insurance run with a solo home run, his second on the season. Poteet was 1 for 3 with a sac fly and two total RBI.
The Pelicans had just six hits, but three of them were home runs. They also drew five walks.
Apr 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) 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
Toronto went to Cleveland with a singular mission. They wanted to do something neither team has done yet in this series: Win on the road. A challenging task on a regular day, even more so in the playoffs. The crowd is unwelcoming. The opponent is more comfortable. It’s no surprise they weren’t able to overcome the obstacle, dropping the game to Cleveland 120-125, but now will return home facing elimination, an even more daunting task.
This matchup was the complete opposite style of game 4. After both teams scored in double figures the last time out, this contest saw both teams in triple figures before the fourth quarter even started. With a 40-point second quarter in the mix, there was no shortage of scoring.
At times, Toronto struggled with the same things they have all series: closing quarters, over-helping, and struggling from the free-throw line. They proved to be their undoing once again, as this will remain the game that got away.
Despite the struggles, there were a number of solid performances that helped give Raps fans some hope for when they return home. Barnes, Barrett, Murray-Boyles, and Walter all had excellent games, with the bench tandem of Shead and Mamu giving it their all as well.
Barnes finished with 17-5-9, playing a solid all-around game that no one could be mad about. He continues to impress as the floor general, generating a good portion of Toronto’s scoring, especially in the first half. RJ finished with 22-9-4, also a solid game for him as he continues to have a great series as well.
Murray-Boyles has been a difference maker in this series, his defensive effort and activity on the offensive board gaining Toronto extra possessions. Despite being undersized in some matchups, he continues to show no hesitation, even going toe-to-toe with Mobley:
Walter found his rhythm tonight, a welcome sight after an 0-9 performance in game 4. He took no time getting going, scoring 17 points in the first half alone, connecting consistently from long range.
The first looked like a summary of the entire series so far. Both teams exchanged baskets leading to a close quarter. Toronto was able to stay ahead for most of it, but had difficulty in the final minutes of the quarter, letting Cleveland close the quarter in the lead. Scottie was a big factor in the first, finding his own shot and distributing, imposing his will on the game.
In the second, the Raptors took their biggest hit so far with Ingram heading to the changeroom. Later it was announced he wouldn’t return as he continues to battle heel inflammation that he has struggled with since the late stages of the regular season. Already missing Quickley, this seemed like just another disadvantage for Toronto, but Ingram has struggled greatly, and this opened more minutes for Ja’Kobe who answered the call and made some big shots. The Raptors were able to outscore Cleveland by 11 in this frame, making tough defensive plays. It helped that it seemed like all of their shots were falling as well, letting them head to the locker room with a comfortable lead.
Ja'Kobe Walter had a HUGE first half 🔥
Walter came off the bench and ALREADY has a new postseason career-high 17 points (5-8 3PM)!
In the third, Cleveland answered Toronto’s challenge, with their bigs controlling much of the scoring early on. The Raptors simultaneously went through a scoring drought, all but eliminating the lead they held coming into the quarter. Every time Cleveland got close though, Toronto was somehow able to answer, capitalizing on turnovers or getting out and running to rebuild their lead. Rinse and repeat.
There was a fair amount of chippiness in this series that slowly seems to be bubbling up. A little bit of shoving, a little bit of exchanging words, and eventually a crowd or two forming through different stages of the game all indicate the longer this series goes on, the more tensions will escalate.
In the fourth, Cleveland finally managed to secure a lead, as Toronto came up empty on their first nine shots of the quarter. They blew the lid off though, coming up with big shots just as Cleveland started to pull away. With the game within just two points, it seemed like they were able to hold on and have a chance.
Perhaps a lack of discipline or maybe a bit of fatigue set in, but they allowed the Cavs to run away with the game by simply not doing any of the things they’d been doing all game that were working. The second and third effort on the boards, the help defence forcing turnovers, the second chance opportunities. They’d lift a shot, brick it, and then hustle back on defence. Their long range shots weren’t working (but continued jacking them), they were coughing it up in the paint, and couldn’t come away with the ball. They got the defensive stops, but converting in the clutch wasn’t in the cards tonight.
Toronto played the game of fouling for extra possessions, but it wasn’t enough with the lead Cleveland already had.
Now, they will regroup and review what went wrong in this game and return to their own home crowd, hoping to force a game seven. This chance will come Friday, May 1, as Toronto hosts the Caveliers.
Apr 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23) follows through on a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
After the bats woke up in the first game of the series with the Nationals, David Peterson and Sean Manaea collectively got shelled in another terrible loss, 14-2. On Gary Cohen’s birthday no less.
The Mets were down from the top of the first, when Peterson allowed singles to three of the first four hitters in the game, which resulted in the first run of the game. A passed ball and an RBI ground out made it 2-0 before the Mets came to the plate.
The Mets loaded the bases in the bottom of the first against Cade Cavalli, but Tyrone Taylor struck out to end the frame without any scoring. The Mets added their first run in the bottom of the third when Juan Soto hit an opposite-field solo home run.
Peterson started to tire in the fourth. After striking out CJ Abrams, he walked Jacob Young and allowed back to back singles to Daylen Lile and Joey Wiemer, scoring Young. Two more walks with a strikeout sandwiched in between made it 4-1, and Peterson was done. Sean Manaea entered the game and promptly forced in a run when he hit Curtis Mead. Brady House then hit his first career grand slam, and it was 9-1. The pain continued.
The Mets put men on in almost every inning, but only managed to score in the fifth, when three straigth singles to lead off the inning led to Bo Bichette scoring the second run of the game. However, a Francisco Alvarez double play and a Brett Baty strikeout ended the bases loaded, no-out threat right quick.
The Nats continued to tattoo Manaea, adding a tenth run in the sixth and two more in the seventh. That would be enough for Carlos Mendoza, who pulled him in favor of Carl Edwards Jr. An infield single, a strikeout, a walk, and a single by Young brought in the thirteenth run of the game for Washington.
At one point, Edwards had struck out five Nationals in a row, but that streak was ended when Curtis Mead hit a solo home run, making it 14-2.
Two small bits of Mets minutia/Immaculate Grid information: Austin Slater made his first appearance as a Met, flying out in his only at-bat and playing left field, and Luis Torrens made his first appearance since 2021 (and first as a Met at first base).
The Mets hope to take the series tomorrow afternoon with Freddy Peralta facing Miles Mikolas.
Big Mets winner: Juan Soto, 17.0% WPA Big Mets loser: David Peterson, -30.0% WPA Mets pitchers: -44.0% WPA Mets hitters: -6.0% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Juan Soto’s home run, 11.3% WPA Teh sux0rest play: C.J. Abrams’s first inning single, -9.2% WPA
It took five games, but the Detroit Pistons found their offense — just in time to extend their season.
That started, as it has all year long, with Cade Cunningham, who dropped 45 points on 13-of-23 shooting. Except he wasn't alone — Orlando's Paolo Banchero matched him shot-for-shot and scored 45 as well, including six 3-pointers. It was an epic showdown between the back-to-back No. 1 picks.
45 POINTS FOR CADE.
45 POINTS FOR PAOLO.
2nd time EVER two opponents have dropped 45 in a postseason game... Pistons keep their season alive in an ALL-TIME battle between the 2021 and 2022 No. 1 picks pic.twitter.com/BvRX27ZP8S
Cunningham got more help in Game 5 than he has all series — the Pistons played with the desperation of a team trying to stave off elimination. Tobias Harris added 23, but the real key was the Pistons finally shot the ball well as a team — 48.8% overall and 35.7% from beyond the arc. A Detroit team that had an offensive rating below a point per possession through the first four games showed out, posting a 119.6 offensive rating in Game 5.
The result was Detroit never trailing and hanging on at the end for a 116-109 victory at home, forcing a Game 6 in Detroit on Friday night. No. 8 seed Orlando still has a 3-2 series lead and will look to close out the series at home, but there is life in the No. 1-seeded Pistons.
Game 5 was just different than the series up to this point.
Through four games, this series resembled a rock fight classic Eastern Conference playoff basketball, then Game 5 was an offensive explosion. For both teams.
Detroit had the ninth-best offense in the NBA in the regular season, and it looked like it on Friday night, in large part because Cunningham finally got some help. He also put up 27 in the first half, including eight from the free throw line. Jalen Duren looked better than he has this postseason with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Duncan Robinson added a dozen as well.
As good as things were going, the Magic were always within striking distance thanks to Banchero, and despite Franz Wagner being out with a strained calf (his status for Game 6 is unknown).
Anthony Black scored 19 off the bench for the Magic, and Desmond Bane had another strong game with 18 points. As a team, the Magic shot 44.7% from beyond the arc and recorded their best offensive rating of the series at 113.
It just wasn't enough because of Cunningham. Orlando will look to get a few more stops at home on Friday night.
Apr 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliersguard Dennis Schroder (8) steals a ball from Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half of game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers fought back from a double-digit second-half deficit to regain control of the series. Eleven fourth-quarter points from Dennis Schroder and multiple clutch shots from Evan Mobley carried the Cavs to a 125-120 victory to take a 3-2 series lead over the Toronto Raptors.
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson decided to make a change with his starting lineup: Dean Wade was out, Max Strus was in. The idea behind this move was to primarily juice an offense that couldn’t get anything going in either Game 3 or 4.
This move didn’t produce instant results. The Cavs were outscored by nine points in the first five minutes with the starting lineup on the floor. They weren’t physical defensively, and the insertion didn’t provide the offensive boost Atkinson was likely hoping for.
Momentum changed after the initial subs came in. Dean Wade and Sam Merrill provided an immediate spark, but the real story was James Harden playing some of his best basketball since coming to Cleveland.
Harden carried the Cavs through the opening quarter. He poured in 14 points in that frame to help the Cavs secure a narrow 38-34 lead after one.
Cleveland gave that advantage away at the beginning of the second quarter.
Atkinson decided to give Thomas Bryant his first minutes of the series at the start of the second quarter, and it didn’t go well. The Raptors picked on him defensively and neutralized any advantage he would’ve created inside because they could cheat off Mobley.
This allowed the Raptors’ offense to get going. Toronto rattled off 40 points in the second quarter, led by 11 points from Ja’Kobe Walter, and the team went 5-8 (62.5%) from beyond the arc.
Turnovers were once again a problem for the Cavs in the second quarter. After a lights-out first quarter, Harden turned it over four times himself. As a team, Cleveland gave it up six times in the quarter, leading to 14 Toronto points off turnovers.
This all resulted in the Cavs going into the half with a seven-point deficit.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Let ‘Em Know shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Brandon Ingram left the game in the second quarter with a heel injury that kept him out the rest of the game. He scored just one point on 0-2 shooting in 11 minutes.
The Raptors pushed their advantage to 12 at the start of the third quarter. The Cavs fought back to keep the game within reach, and then cut the deficit to just three at the end of the quarter, thanks to a three and dunk by Mobley just before the clock expired.
A Jaylon Tyson three-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter tied the game. The Cavs took their first lead since midway through the second quarter with a Mobley triple. Dennis Schroder took over from there.
After being an afterthought for the first four games of the series, Schroder made his presence felt. He ran the offense in the fourth quarter and carried the team over the finish line. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter on an efficient 5-8 shooting.
Schroder’s emergence came at the expense of Donovan Mitchell’s minutes. Mitchell was held to just six and a half minutes in the final frame and didn’t re-enter the fourth quarter until under three minutes left in the game.
It was a weird game for Mitchell. There were spurts — particularly in the third quarter — where he was his usual aggressive self. Still, this wasn’t typical playoff form. He finished just four of his 10 shots in the paint. Mitchell had 19 points on 7-17 shooting with three assists.
Harden and Mobley led the Cavs with 23 points apiece. Harden went 7-13 from the field with nine rebounds and five assists. Mobley had six points in the fourth quarter.
RJ Barrett led the Raptors with 25 points on 9-19 shooting with 12 rebounds and five assists. Walter had 20 points on 7-16 shooting. Scottie Barnes had 17 points on 6-16 shooting with 11 assists and eight boards.
It’s been a hard-fought series that hasn’t necessarily been pretty throughout. The same warts that have plagued the Cavs throughout this era of basketball have cropped up at the worst times. Still, they have a chance to close out this first-round series as it shifts back to Canada.
Five weeks into the season and with a sky-high payroll, the mismatched disaster that is the Mets roster was overmatched again in a 14-2 loss to the lowly Nationals at Citi Field that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate.
“We have to be better,” Carlos Mendoza said after his team’s 16th loss in 19 games. “There’s no excuses. It’s been a long period of time here that we’re not playing well. We’ve got to fix it.”
Whether that’s even possible is a serious question.
With their latest defeat, when they allowed a season high in runs, the Mets fell to 10-20.
David Peterson reacts as he walks back to the dugout at the end of the first inning of the Mets’ 14-2 blowout loss to the Nationals on April 29, 2026 at Citi Field. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
That’s a half-game behind their NL East rivals, the Phillies, who were rained out and remained 10-19.
The weather was not as kind to the Mets faithful, as a few thousand masochists stuck around on a miserable, wet night in Queens to watch … what, exactly?
David Peterson delivered his latest awful start, as the lefty’s ERA as a starter jumped to 8.10 after allowing seven runs in just 3 ²/₃ innings.
Another rotation castoff, Sean Manaea, was called upon to replace Peterson and gave up a grand slam in the fourth.
And the offense, which briefly awoke during a seven-run fourth inning in Tuesday’s win, went back to its typical ineptness against Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli.
Sean Manaea reacts after giving up a grand slam to Brady House during the Mets’ blowout loss to the Nationals. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
The lone exception to the collapse was Juan Soto, who looked to be in peak form.
He homered in a second straight game and added a single and a double.
But as everyone from Mendoza to David Stearns to Soto himself has said, even Soto can’t carry the team by himself.
The Mets, though, apparently wanted to test that theory against the Nationals, as Soto — serving as the DH again as he deals with left forearm discomfort — provided just about the only positives for a Mets team that’s now dropped four of five.
And there are five months to go.
“The challenge is coming back tomorrow with a good attitude, a good mindset, work hard and try to take care of tomorrow’s game,’’ Peterson said. “It’s easy to let things compound. It’s easy to get caught up in it, but the only way to get out of it is to take it one day at a time and attack and win tomorrow.”
As Mendoza said before the game: “We’ve got to play better baseball, period. Regardless of who we’re playing, we’ve got to start winning series. We haven’t been able to do that for a long period of time now.”
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez reacts after he strikes out looking against the Washington Nationals in the first inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
And they may have even made it harder on themselves Wednesday during their rare win Tuesday, when Mendoza went to Tobias Myers — who has pitched well out of the bullpen — for two innings with an eight-run lead.
So the right-hander was unavailable to either open for Peterson — who started because Washington had two left-handers among their top four hitters — or take over for him in the fourth.
Honestly, it’s hard to fathom any combination of pitchers or position players — short of cloning Soto — would have helped the Mets on Wednesday.
An announced crowd of 32,624 — and fortunately, not nearly that many actually showed up — made its displeasure known throughout the latest defeat.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change against the Washington Nationals in the seventh inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
As there has been with alarming frequency this season at Citi Field, the booing could be heard at some point during nearly every inning.
With five months to go in what’s already been an interminable season, the Mets surely have hit rock bottom.
But as they’ve proven consistently so far this year, there’s apparently always lower to go.
Apr 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the second half uring game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
With Franz Wagner ruled out for Orlando with a calf strain, Detroit looked to capitalize inside. Jalen Duren was working inside early and the Pistons were in the bonus quickly with nine minutes left in the first. They got back to playing basketball the Detroit way with seven offensive rebounds and 12 second chance points. They led Orlando 38-26 after the first quarter.
The game turned into the Cade Cunningham vs Paolo Banchero show in the second quarter. Banchero was doing it all for Orlando as he looked to step up with Wagner’s injury, but Cade was a man on a mission. He had nine straight points at one point and finished with 20 points in just the second quarter alone. A couple bad fouls at the end of the quarter by Detroit gave Orlando a 7-0 run to give the Pistons a 66-60 lead heading into halftime despite Detroit holding a 17-point lead earlier.
There were two scares to start the second half as both Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris rolled ankles. Duren picked up his fourth foul halfway through the quarter and Ausar was in the locker room, but Thompson returned to the floor shortly after. He found Tobias Harris in transition for a dunk then Cade for a three – so strange how good things happen when Ausar’s on the floor! Detroit took a 89-79 lead heading into the final frame.
Thompson had a nice behind-the-back move and drive on Jalen Suggs followed by two threes from Javonte Green and Duncan Robinson to push Detroit’s lead back to 16. Orlando battled back as Cade knocked down free throws for his 40th point to put Detroit up nine with five minutes to go. Banchero turned into a flamethrower from deep, hitting four threes in the final quarter and two late to make it a 112-109 game, but Cunningham hit Desmond Bane with a nasty step back midrange jumper that would end up being the dagger to force a Game 6 back in Orlando. Detroit would win 116-109.
I mean, give it up to Cade freakin’ Cunningham – he had 45 points on an incredibly efficient 23 shots, along with going 14-for-14 from the free throw line. Cade set a new franchise record as his 45 points were the most in Detroit Pistons playoff history. He also knocked down five of his eight three-point attempts. This guy is the real deal.
Tobias Harris continues to be the steady vet, and frankly, Detroit’s #2 option in this series. He finished with 23 points and eight rebounds while shooting 50% from the field. Duncan Robinson and Jalen Duren each finished with 12 points.
This might’ve been one of the most impressive games of Ausar Thompson’s career. He finished with six points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals, and two blocks. He was everywhere defensively and continues to be a difference maker on both sides of the court. He flashed some more ball-handling ability tonight and it’ll get more comfortable to him with time, but there’s no doubt he has been Detroit’s second most important player in this series.
While Paolo Banchero also had 45 points, it’s a good strategy to let him shoot the ball 31 times. To show how much of an anomaly this game was for him, it was the first time all season that he attempted double-digit threes while also being the first time he has made more than five of them. Frankly, the fact that Paolo had one of the best sharpshooting games of his career and Orlando still couldn’t get the job done should be good news for Detroit.
The series is now 3-2 heading back to Orlando as the Pistons will need to find a way to claw out another win. If they can win Friday night, Game 7 will take place in Detroit on Sunday.
DETROIT — Cade Cunningham came through for the Pistons when they needed him. With Detroit teetering on the brink of elimination, Cunningham outdueled Orlando’s Paolo Banchero in a sensational scoring matchup of former No. 1 overall picks.
Cunningham had a franchise playoff-record 45 points and the top-seeded Pistons held off the eighth-seeded Magic for a 116-109 win on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series, avoiding elimination for at least a couple of days.
“We dug ourselves a hole and now it’s time to climb our way out,” Cunningham said. “It’s possible.”
Orlando leads the series 3-2 and will get a second chance to advance at home on Friday night. If the Pistons win their first road game of the series, they will host a decisive Game 7 on Sunday.
Banchero also scored 45 points for a playoff career high — but missed 7 of 12 free throws — and fell one point short of equaling the franchise postseason record shared by Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard.
The Magic were outrebounded by 16 and made just 16 of 30 free throws.
“We got to be better on the glass and obviously, better on the free-throw line,” said Banchero, drafted No. 1 overall by Orlando in 2022. “If we make our free throws, we got a real chance of winning the game. We lost by seven, and missed 14 free throws. That’s the game.”
Cunningham set a single-game playoff scoring record for Detroit that had stood since Dave Bing had 44 points in 1968. Isiah Thomas approached that mark with a 43-point performance in 1988.
Cade Cunningham, who scored a team-high 45 points, drives by Anthony Black during the Pistons’ 116-109 Game 5 win over the Magic on April 29, 2026 in Detroit. Getty Images
In NBA history there was only one other playoff game with two players scoring 45 or more.
Donovan Mitchell scored 51 points for Utah in a win over Denver in 2020, while the Nuggets’ Jamal Murray had 50 points.
When Detroit drafted Cunningham first overall in 2021, it was hoping he would have games like this one.
He was 13 of 23 from the field, made a playoff career-high five 3-pointers and was 14 of 14 at the line.
“We’re going to see this a long time,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s going to do a lot of special things.”
The 24-year-old Cunningham came up short in late-game situations with the ball earlier in the series and in last year’s first-round series against the New York Knicks, but he was clutch in key moments to extend the matchup with the Magic.
The Pistons never trailed, going ahead by 17 points in the first half and by 15 early in the fourth quarter.
The Magic pulled within three points on Banchero’s sixth 3-pointer with 1:09 left.
On the ensuing possession after Ausar Thompson hustled for an offensive rebound, Cunningham made a step-back, 16-foot jumper to help seal it.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who scored a team-high 45 points, drives past Daniss Jenkins during the first half of the Pistons’ Game 5 win over the Magic. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
“Not everybody is blessed with those opportunities to have pressure and have things on the line like that,” Cunningham said. “I’m just thankful for it and trying to make the most out of it.
“We’ve had a great season so far and none of us want it to end.”
The Pistons are hoping to bounce back from the brink of elimination as they did against the Magic two-plus decades ago.
Detroit’s comeback in 2003 as a No. 1 seed against eighth-seeded Orlando was the first of seven times NBA teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit this century.
The Nuggets were the last team to pull off the feat six years ago — in the same series that featured Mitchell and Murray each scoring 50-plus point — and they became the first team in the league to do it twice in one postseason.
“You don’t want to put yourself in this situation, but this is what we expected,” Bickerstaff said. “When our backs are against the wall, we come out swinging. We come out kicking. We come out scratching, biting, clawing.”
Cricket Australia’s plan to privatise the Big Bash League has been put on hold after Queensland Cricket joined New South Wales in rejecting the $600 million proposal.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) and left fielder Nathan Church (27) and right fielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
At times it wasn’t pretty, but the St. Louis Cardinals got it done again as they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night 5-4 thanks to Andre Pallante, two doubles from JJ Wetherholt and a game-saving catch by Nathan Church.
Let’s start with the excellent start from Andre Pallante as he went deeper into Wednesday night’s game than any of his appearances this season. He tossed 6 strong innings giving up only 1 run before he turned the game over to the bullpen. More on that almost dumpster fire later.
The St. Louis Cardinals got on the board first when JJ Wetherholt continued his homecoming party doubling to the opposite field in the 3rd inning which scored Urias making it 1-0 Cardinals.
St. Louis would add to their lead in the top of the 5th inning when Alec Burleson hammered a 411 foot home run to left-center giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t roll over as they answered in the bottom of the 5th inning cutting into the Cardinals lead 3-1. Victor Scott’s speed would become a factor in the top of the 7th inning when he stole a base and scored on a single by Ivan Herrera increasing the Cardinals lead to 4-1.
Herrera would score on a single by Jordan Walker also in the top of the 7th inning making it 5-1 St. Louis and they would need that additional run because…the bullpen. Ryne Stanek would come in for the bottom of the 7th inning and he was ineffective and that’s being kind. He walked Konnor Griffin then gave up a single to Bart. Griffin would advance to third on a wild pitch by Stanek. Ryne followed that up with a walk to Cruz to load the bases. Manager Oli Marmol went to the bullpen for emergency help in the form of JoJo Romero. He would immediately give up a single to Yorke scoring 2 runs cutting the St. Louis lead in half 5-3. Reynolds was then walked, but JoJo was fortunately able to get O’Hearn on a strikeout followed by a groundout by Ozuna to end the bottom of the 7th.
George Soriano was brought in for the bottom of the 8th inning, but drama followed him, too, not all of his doing. Gonzalez singled followed by a walk to Horwitz. Mangum grounded into what should have been at least a force-out if not a double play to Masyn Winn, but he bobbled it for an error leaving everyone safe. Cruz would ground out on a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out to JJ Wetherholt, but a run scored on the play making it 5-4 Cardinals.
Riley O’Brien came in for the save in the bottom of the 9th and he succeeded – barely. After getting Reynolds to ground out to start the 9th, O’Hearn hit a bloop single to left. Riley struck out Ozuna for the second out, but the final out would be dramatic. Gonzalez hit a ball to deep left that looked like it would be a walk-off winner for the Pirates, but Nathan Church did a very Nathan Church thing.
St. Louis will go for the 4-game sweep against Pittsburgh on Thursday as Hunter Dobbins will take the mound for his first St. Louis start against a guy you’ve probably heard of named Paul Skenes. First pitch scheduled for 11:40am central time Thursday.
Victor Wembanyama is putting a new spin on Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit, “It’s My Party.”
In it, she sings, “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to.”
Wembanyama, 22, essentially said the same thing when he addressed fans who have criticized and mocked him for crying following emotional wins for the Spurs in an interview with French outlet L’Équipe.
The Spurs superstar recently received attention from fans who noticed him crying after a comeback victory over the Clippers last month.
Victor Wembanyama raises his arms and acknowledges the fans before leaving during the second half of the Spurs’ series-clinching Game 5 win over the Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
On Tuesday, he was visibly emotional on the bench as San Antonio clinched its opening-round series in five games over the Trail Blazers.
When the French outlet asked Wemby about it, he had no problem defending his show of emotions.
“That’s a tough question. I think it’s first and foremost a fear of judgment,” he told L’Équipe reporter Maxime Aubin. “Like this feeling that you have to act a certain way, social codes, I guess. Personally, I refuse to carry the burden of having to hide my emotions.”
Wembanyama has become a massive star — both in his literal stature and popularity — through his first three seasons in the NBA.
During the postseason, he’s averaged 21 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.0 blocks through four games.
Victor Wembanyama reacts during the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ Game 5 series-clinching win over the Trail Blazers. Getty Images
As for the emotion after the win on Tuesday night, Wembanyama explained it as having felt like the Spurs had passed a “step.”
“It feels like a step passed, step 1 done. I’m personally happy to see things are moving forward in the right direction,” he said.
San Antonio is going through its first playoff run since the 2018-19 season, and it’s hard to imagine any Spurs fan having any issue with the big man’s emotional displays as the team keeps winning.
The Spurs will face the winner of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 29: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves reacts with Ozzie Albies #1 after hitting a walk-off two-run homer in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Truist Park on April 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Tigers needed their ace tonight, and they got him.
Tarik Skubal was as advertised. Outside of one blemish to start the game, he did not allow a Braves runner in scoring position in his seven innings of work. It would’ve been a well-deserved, tip-your-cap type of win.
But the 2026 Braves simply won’t be denied. Pitching by Ritchie, Lee, and López kept them in it, and our patience was richly rewarded with a Matt Olson walk-off home run to clinch another series win for Atlanta.
JR Ritchie’s first inning set the tone for his home crowd debut: serviceable, but not as dominant as what we’d seen in the DC matinee. The Tigers worked deep counts and didn’t go down 1-2-3 in any inning he pitched. In the first inning, he worked around a Gleyber Torres walk and Colt Keith single, but got two K’s to strand them.
In the bottom half of the first, the Braves drew first blood against Skubal by way of a Drake Baldwin single and an Ozzie Albies home run that looked identical to the one he hit to left field last night.
However, Ritchie would give those runs back in the top of the second in a two-out rally by Detroit. Wenceel Pérez, who spoiled last night’s shutout with a homer off Aaron Bummer, doubled to left. Ritchie walked the recently-recalled nine hole hitter Jace Jung. Hitting machine Kevin McGonigle’s single made it 2-1. An ill-advised pickoff attempt would tie it up 2-2.
Unfortunately, Skubal settled in to shut down the Braves, sending us to the third. Riley Greene’s leadoff homer would give the Tigers the lead, 3-2.
The next few innings would be largely uneventful. Drake Baldwin notched a second hit off Skubal, Ritchie worked around runners on the corners in the fourth. In their respective innings, Matt Olson and Michael Harris II tried to set the table for a Braves offensive rally, only to be erased by double plays by Austin Riley and Jonah Heim, respectively.
Ritchie came back out for the sixth and walked Kerry Carpenter, but got Spencer Torkelson to fly out before exiting to an appreciative ovation from the fans at home. Ritchie’s final line: five and a third innings pitched, five hits, three earned runs, four walks, and the homer to Greene. It wasn’t as efficient or commanding as his performance against the Nationals, but selfishly, I hope he is able to stick around to start in his hometown vs Seattle next week.
Dylan Lee, back from his one-day stint on the paternity list, finished off the sixth and set them down in order in the seventh.
Midway through Matt Olson’s at bat in the seventh, Tarik Skubal summoned his coaches and trainers and seemed to indicate that he was feeling something in his elbow or forearm. But after seemingly easily convincing him that he was fine enough to stay in, he looked more than fine as he struck out Olson, Riley, and Dubón in order.
Reynaldo López came trotting out of the bullpen to relieve Lee and only needed eight pitches to retire the Tigers in order. Efficient, but sideyeing that velo a little as he irons out his mechanics. Another thing to watch? Michael didn’t seem comfortable after gloving a sharp lineout.
Former National Kyle Finnegan came in to face the Braves in the eighth. He struck out Mike before Walt Weiss went to his bench to pinch-hit for White and Heim. Mike Yastrzemski flew out, and Dominic Smith worked an ABS-assisted walk. Ronald walked and the table was set for our clutchest boy, Drake Baldwin. It was looking promising as he fouled off pitch after pitch and the speedy Jorge Mateo ready to rev the wheels and tie it up on a base knock. But it wasn’t to be as he grounded out to end the inning. Disappointed, but not in you, sweet Drake. Never in you.
Reynaldo went back out for the top of the ninth and threw another nine pitches to get three outs.
Old friend Kenley Jansen took the mound for the Tigers looking for a save to add to his illustrious career. But he must still harbor some love for his ATL days, as he walked Ozzie on six pitches and getting the leadoff man aboard for Matt Olson. Matt had been hitting the ball pretty hard all night without much to show for it. Austin Riley lurked on the on deck circle. But all Riley had to do was watch it go off the bat of Matty O.
Bring out the Dubble Bubble bucket hat! This one feels especially good after Tarik Skubal did Tarik Skubal things for so much of the evening. That’s another series win, and an extension of the winning streak vs Detroit we mentioned earlier.
The Braves will go for the sweep in some brunch baseball tomorrow. Elder and Valdez will face off starting at 12:15 pm ET.
