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Giannis Antetokounmpo explains heated incident with Tyrese Haliburton's dad

Giannis Antetokounmpo explains heated incident with Tyrese Haliburton's dad originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Indiana Pacers knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks from the NBA playoffs Tuesday with a gentlemen’s sweep, and emotions ran high not long after.

Milwaukee held a 118-111 overtime lead and looked to extend the series in the first game after Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear.

But Doc Rivers’ side stunningly blew the cushion and lost 119-118, ending the Bucks’ season and potentially Giannis Antetokounmpo’s final game with the franchise that drafted him.

After the game, Antetokounmpo got into heated conversations with some Indiana players — and the father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.

The two were forehead to forehead for a few seconds exchanging words before being separated.

Shortly after the clip went viral on social media, new angles emerged on Haliburton’s dad appearing to provoke Antetokounmpo before they exchanged words.

Haliburton addressed the incident involving his father in his post-game conference, saying his dad was in the wrong and that he’ll reach out to Antetokounmpo to ensure there’s no bad blood.

Antetokounmpo detailed what happened when Haliburton’s dad provoked him, but Antetokounmpo didn’t know who the fan was until later and showed respect to Haliburton.

“Losing the game. The emotions run high,” Antetokounmpo explained. “Having a fan, which at the moment I thought he was a fan, but then I realize it was Tyrese’s son, which I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. It was his dad, sorry. Coming in the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, this is what we do. This is what we F-ing do. This what the F we do. This… I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Antetokounmpo also mentioned being “humble in victory,” as he has won a championship in his career while the Pacers have not.

Haliburton’s father, John, later posted to social media apologizing to Giannis, the Bucks and the Pacers.

Haliburton scored the game-winning layup in the closing seconds to avoid a Game 6, with a series against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers up next.

Meanwhile for Milwaukee, the future could get dark if Antetokounmpo chooses to leave via a trade. The Bucks don’t have a competitive roster and Antetokounmpo turns 31 in December.

With Lillard’s Achilles tear and Kyle Kuzma not providing help after Khris Middleton faded away, Antetokounmpo’s best shot at winning may lie elsewhere. Milwaukee’s pool of young talent and draft picks are both stark, too.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo explains heated incident with Tyrese Haliburton's dad

Giannis Antetokounmpo explains heated incident with Tyrese Haliburton's dad originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Indiana Pacers knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks from the NBA playoffs Tuesday with a gentlemen’s sweep, and emotions ran high not long after.

Milwaukee held a 118-111 overtime lead and looked to extend the series in the first game after Damian Lillard’s Achilles tear.

But Doc Rivers’ side stunningly blew the cushion and lost 119-118, ending the Bucks’ season and potentially Giannis Antetokounmpo’s final game with the franchise that drafted him.

After the game, Antetokounmpo got into heated conversations with some Indiana players — and the father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.

The two were forehead to forehead for a few seconds exchanging words before being separated.

Shortly after the clip went viral on social media, new angles emerged on Haliburton’s dad appearing to provoke Antetokounmpo before they exchanged words.

Haliburton addressed the incident involving his father in his post-game conference, saying his dad was in the wrong and that he’ll reach out to Antetokounmpo to ensure there’s no bad blood.

Antetokounmpo detailed what happened when Haliburton’s dad provoked him, but Antetokounmpo didn’t know who the fan was until later and showed respect to Haliburton.

“Losing the game. The emotions run high,” Antetokounmpo explained. “Having a fan, which at the moment I thought he was a fan, but then I realize it was Tyrese’s son, which I love Tyrese. I think he’s a great competitor. It was his dad, sorry. Coming in the floor and showing me his son, a towel with his face, this is what we do. This is what we F-ing do. This what the F we do. This… I feel like that’s very, very disrespectful.”

Antetokounmpo also mentioned being “humble in victory,” as he has won a championship in his career while the Pacers have not.

Haliburton’s father, John, later posted to social media apologizing to Giannis, the Bucks and the Pacers.

Haliburton scored the game-winning layup in the closing seconds to avoid a Game 6, with a series against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers up next.

Meanwhile for Milwaukee, the future could get dark if Antetokounmpo chooses to leave via a trade. The Bucks don’t have a competitive roster and Antetokounmpo turns 31 in December.

With Lillard’s Achilles tear and Kyle Kuzma not providing help after Khris Middleton faded away, Antetokounmpo’s best shot at winning may lie elsewhere. Milwaukee’s pool of young talent and draft picks are both stark, too.

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Tatum makes more NBA playoff history with dominant Game 5 vs. Magic

Tatum makes more NBA playoff history with dominant Game 5 vs. Magic originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

There’s consistent excellence, and then there are Jayson Tatum’s last three playoff games with the Boston Celtics.

Tatum delivered a brilliant all-around performance Tuesday night in Game 5 of Boston’s first-round playoff series with the Orlando Magic, racking up a game-high 35 points on 10 for 16 shooting (4 for 5 from 3-point range) to go along with eight rebounds and 10 assists. Tatum also went a perfect 11 for 11 from the free-throw line to help the Celtics rout the Magic 120-89 and win the series 4-1.

That effort earned Tatum a place in the record books, as he’s the first player in NBA history to make 10-plus free throws without a miss in three consecutive playoff games. Here’s a look at Tatum’s stats in his last three games:

  • Game 3: 36 points, 12 for 12 FT
  • Game 4: 37 points, 14 for 14 FT
  • Game 5: 35 points, 11 for 11 FT

That’s right: Tatum went 37 for 37 at the free throw line over a three-game span and missed just four free throws in the entire five-game series (37 for 41).

The Magic, who allowed the fewest 3-pointers per game to opponents this season, made a concerted effort to limit the Celtics’ 3-point attack. But Tatum countered by aggressively getting to the basket and drawing fouls, then making them count at the charity stripe.

“He did a great job of staying patient and going through his progressions,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said of Tatum after the game. “At the end of the day, every game is different. Every team is different. You have to be ready to answer the call. And I thought he did that.”

Tatum’s history-making wasn’t limited to his free throws, either: According to Celtics stats guru Dick Lipe, the All-Star forward is the first player ever to have at least 35 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, four 3-pointers and a shooting line of at least 60 percent from the floor, 80 percent from 3 and 100 percent from the line in one game — regular season or playoffs.

As for Tatum’s three straight playoff games with 35-plus points? He’s only the second Celtics player to accomplish that feat, joining Hall of Famer Larry Bird (1987 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Detroit Pistons).

Tatum’s dominance in Games 3, 4 and 5 is all the more impressive considering he missed Game 2 with a right wrist injury after suffering a bone bruise in Game 1. The ailment clearly didn’t impact him the rest of the series, however, as he was the catalyst for Boston overcoming a physical Orlando team and advancing to the second round.

The Celtics await the winner of the New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons series, which the Knicks lead 3-2. Game 6 of that series is set for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Yankees hit three straight HRs to start game against Orioles, a month after doing it vs. Brewers

BALTIMORE — The New York Yankees became the first team in major league history to open a game with three consecutive home runs more than once in a season when Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge and Ben Rice went deep off Baltimore’s Kyle Gibson in the first inning on Tuesday night.

New York started the bottom of the first of its March 29 game against Milwaukee with three homers in a row. In that game, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and Judge needed only three pitches to hit three homers.

On Tuesday night, the Yankees hit three of the game’s first five offerings out to right field.

It was an ugly return to the majors for the 37-year-old Gibson, who made 30 starts for the St. Louis Cardinals last season before Baltimore signed him to a one-year, $5.25 million contract in late March. He’d been working in the minors since then before being called up before Tuesday’s game.

After Rice’s home run made it 3-0, Gibson retired Goldschmidt on a grounder before Bellinger also homered. Anthony Volpe’s RBI double made it 5-0 before the first was over.

Rice homered again in the second to make it 6-0.

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Spurs’ Stephon Castle is runaway winner of NBA Rookie of the Year award

Stephen Castle was not the wire-to-wire winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year award, however, by the time the race neared the finish line, he had run away from the rest of his class.

Castle was the landslide winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year award, getting 92 of a possible 100 first-place votes on his way to becoming the second consecutive San Antonio player to win the award (Victor Wembanyama won a year ago).

The last team with back-to-back Rookies of the Year? The Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015 and 2016 with Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.

No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher of Atlanta finished second, while second-round pick Jaylen Wells of Memphis finished third in the voting of a select panel of media members. The Wizards' Alex Sarr and the Grizzlies' Zach Edey rounded out the top five.

Castle was considered one of the leading candidates to win ROY from the moment San Antonio drafted him. However, he started the season as the No. 3 option (at best) in the Spurs offense, which meant he wasn’t putting up numbers. Castle averaged 5.6 points a game off the bench in October, and by December he was averaging an inefficient 10.3 points a game (with an unimpressive 46.6 true shooting percentage). What kept him playing was his defense, because from Day 1 he was asked to guard opponents’ top perimeter scorers and held his own for a rookie.

With Chris Paul as a mentor, Castle grew and evolved as the season progressed — he was named the Rising Stars MVP for All-Star Weekend and competed in the Dunk Contest. By the end of the season, when Victor Wembanyama was in street clothes, Castle had grown into the primary offensive threat in the Spurs' offense. After the All-Star break, with the ball in his hands, Castle averaged 17.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5 assists a night (in March, Castle was averaging 19.5 points a night with a 54.6 true shooting percentage, close to the league average).

Like Castle (but even more so), Zaccharie Risacher started the season slowly and came on at the end, averaging 16.3 points a game in March. Jaylen Wells had a consistent year for the Grizzlies, playing in critical games throughout the season (his teammate, Zach Edey, came in fifth in the voting and could easily have made this list).

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NHL Suspends Panthers' Aaron Ekblad For Two Games

Aaron Ekblad (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad for the next two games on Tuesday.

Ekblad laid a high hit on Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Monday. Ekblad’s forearm landed on Hagel’s face. Hagel was forced to leave the game, and Bolts coach Jon Cooper said Hagel won’t play in Game 5.

“Ekblad takes his right hand off of his stick, raises his elbow, pulls it back and uses the extended arm to deliver a blow that strikes Hagel in the head with force, causing an injury,” NHL player safety’s video explanation said.

“This is a direct blow to an opponent’s head with an extended elbow delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline,” the video said.

Cooper Frustrated After Hagel Injured In Game 4 'It’s Getting Tiresome Answering Questions About A Hit Every Single Game'Cooper Frustrated After Hagel Injured In Game 4 'It’s Getting Tiresome Answering Questions About A Hit Every Single Game'Jon Cooper sounded frustrated. But he also sounded defeated.

Ekblad played his second game of the series on Tuesday after returning from a 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Ekblad scored a crucial goal in the Panthers' dramatic Game 4 comeback. He and Seth Jones scored a goal each within 11 seconds to take a 3-2 over the Lightning late in the third period, eventually winning 4-2 and taking a 3-1 series lead.

The 29-year-old has a minus-three rating in his two appearances and averaged 21:16 of ice time.

There have been a handful of disciplinary actions from NHL player safety involving this series. Hagel was suspended for Game 3 after a heavy hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Florida D-man Niko Mikkola was also fined $5,000 for boarding Zemgus Girgensons in Game 4.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad suspended 2 games for elbowing Brandon Hagel

Dec 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period at Amalie Arena. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

The first-round playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning has had no shortage of physicality.

On Tuesday, the NHL Department of Player Safety made yet another ruling in regard to a play that occurred during the series.

Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for two games for elbowing Tampa's Brandon Hagel during Game 4 on Monday night.

There was no penalty called on the play, which led to Tampa Head Coach Jon Cooper having a heated interaction with one of the officials on the ice.

"One, two, three, four," Cooper yelled while pointing to each of the four officials on the ice. "There's four of you. Holy f---!"

Hagel has since been ruled out of Game 5.

"He's not playing tomorrow," Cooper said Tuesday. "And you know why."

The big, controversial hits have been a trend in this series.

In Game 2, Hagel caught Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov with a high check during the third period that cost him a one-game suspension.

Barkov did not return following the hit, but was fine for Game 3 two nights later. 

During that Game 3, Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk was essentially sent off for good, receiving a five-minute major in the final minutes of the game, after hitting Tampa's Jake Guentzel at center ice.

The difference between the hits and supplemental discipline is that Guentzel had just touched the puck while Barkov never had it, the Department of Player Safety takes that into account.

As the series has progressed, both head coaches, Tampa's Jon Cooper and Florida's Paul Maurice, have been asked about the hits.

At first, the coaches had a cheeky back-and-fourth as Cooper repeated a Maurice quote about Florida players only hitting guys with the puck.

Now, as the series has progressed, it seems the time for lightheartedness is over, based off an interaction Cooper had with a media member after Game 4.

"I think it's getting tiresome answering questions about a hit every single game," Cooper said. "I'll ask you, you asked me the question, why are you asking me the question? Do you have anything to say about it? If anybody in here has something, stand up and let me know."

When the room remained silent, Cooper said, "Alright, let's move on."

As for Maurice, he did address the Ekblad hit when asked about it postgame, but didn't have much to say about it.

"I think I want to be consistent with what I've said on Hagel," Maurice said. "I saw it. I've seen it before, saw it last year. And then we'll all coach, the players will play, the refs will make the calls, and the league will do with it what they will. I don't want to use this platform to start making my case on this. Everybody's got a job to do. I'll stay in my lane."

That lane will take Maurice and the Panthers back up to Tampa for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

A win means Florida will advance to the second round for the fourth consecutive postseason.

A loss means the Panthers will host Tampa in Game 6 on Friday.

Stay tuned.

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Revisiting Mike Sullivan's Milestone Wins With Penguins

Mike Sullivan, 2017 Stanley Cup Final - Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Mike Sullivan is the winningest coach in Pittsburgh Penguins history, finishing his ten-year tenure behind the bench with a 409-255-89 record in 753 games. Those totals don't include his postseason numbers, which are 44-38 in 82 games, including two Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017.

Of course, when you have a roster with three bona fide Hall of Famers like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury, the wins tend to come a little easier. However, thanks to his longevity, Sullivan was able to not only break Dan Bylsma's win record but also become the only Pittsburgh head coach to collect 300 and 400 wins.

Here is a look back at all his milestone victories leading the black and gold. 

Win #1 - Nov. 19, 2015 vs. Colorado Avalanche (4-3)

Sullivan won his first game as Penguins head coach when they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 at CONSOL Energy Center. In the game, Ian Cole had two helpers, while Crosby, Malkin, Chris Kunitz, and David Perron had goals. Fleury made 28 saves for the win. 

Win #100 - Dec. 16, 2017 at Arizona Coyotes (4-2)

Carter Rowney opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal, and Crosby secured Sullivan's 100th win with the Penguins with an empty net goal. Meanwhile, Malkin had a goal and an assist with Olli Määttä chipping in another lamp lighter. Matt Murray earned the win between the pipes. 

Win #200 - Jan. 7, 2020 at Vegas Golden Knights (4-3)

Dominik Kahun had a goal and an assist while Kris Letang had two helpers to help Sullivan secure win #200 versus the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3, at T-Mobile Arena. Pittsburgh also got goals from Patrick Hörnqvist and Brandon Tanev, while Tristan Jarry made 31 saves. At the other end, Fleury had 12 saves in the loss. 

Win #253 - Oct. 16, 2021 vs. Chicago Blackhawks (5-2)

Sullivan became the franchise win leader with his 253rd victory on Oct. 16, 2021, against the Chicago Blackhawks. In the 2021-22 home opener, the Penguins erupted for four first-period goals en route to a 5-2 win at PPG Paints Arena. 

Inside the Numbers: Mike Sullivan's Decade As Penguins Head CoachInside the Numbers: Mike Sullivan's Decade As Penguins Head CoachOn April 28, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they mutually parted ways with head coach Mike Sullivan. As the winningest coach in franchise history, it's a monumental day for the organization, which will begin its search for a new leader for the first time since 2015.

Pittsburgh got goals from Brock McGinn, Drew O'Connor, Teddy Blueger, Danton Heinen, and Jason Zucker. Both McGinn and O'Connor had two points, while Jarry made 18 saves in the win. Interestingly, Fleury took the loss for the Blackhawks, giving up four goals in just 11:25 before being pulled.

Win #300 - Oct. 20, 2022 vs. Los Angeles Kings (6-1)

Jeff Petry scored a goal and had two helpers to help the Penguins defeat the Los Angeles Kings at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 20, 2022, to get Sullivan his 300th win. In the highest-scoring milestone victory of his coaching career, Pittsburgh also got goals from Jeff Carter, Jake Guentzel, Ryan Poehling, Rickard Rakell, and Jan Rutta. Once again, Jarry earned the win, making 39 saves. 

Win #400 - Mar. 9, 2025 vs. Minnesota Wild (3-1)

In one of the final matchups between the Penguins and their former goalie Fleury, now with the Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh won 3-1 thanks to Crosby's two goals, giving Sullivan his 400th win as head coach. Of course, Malkin had the other Penguins goal as Jarry led the way with 29 saves. 

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Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. exits Orioles game with apparent injury

Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. exited Tuesday's game against the Orioles with an apparent injury.

With the Yankees already up 4-0, Chisholm took a first-pitch cut and fouled off a ball from starter Kyle Gibson. Chisholm looked uncomfortable and took a few steps out of the batter's box. He straightened his back and favored his side. He spoke to the trainers but Chisholm continued the at-bat and two pitches later, lined a double down the right field line. Chisholm slid into third base with a double (and an error on the right field), third base coach Luis Rojas immediately signaled to the dugout that the infielder needed to come out.

Oswald Peraza replaced Chisholm at third base and eventually came in to score on an Anthony Volpe double.

The Yankees later announced Chisholm left with "right flank discomfort."

This story is still developing...

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Political Tensions Between Canada And U.S. Won't Affect Rivalry Between Sabres, Maple Leafs Fans

Buffalo Sabres fans (left), and Toronto Maple Leafs fans (right) -- Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Images)

In the wake of Canada's federal election on Monday, there is going to be continued speculation about the relationship between Canadians and Americans. However, one thing is pretty clear -- the tensions between political leaders is unlikely to affect the time-honored, stress-tested connection between Buffalo hockey fans and their Canadian counterparts. 

The truth is, for as long as the Sabres have been around -- and well before it -- there have been scores of Buffalonians and Western New Yorkers who've loved hockey. And if Toronto Maple Leafs tickets weren't so exorbitant , we'd be seeing many Buffalonian traveling to Toronto to see the Buffalo Sabres play, the same way many Torontonians and Southern Ontario residents make the trip to Buffalo when the Maple Leafs play there. And nothing that happens politically is going to change that.

The Leafs consistently bring out hundreds, if not thousands of their fans to games no matter where they play. It's a result of being an Original Six team, it's a result of a team being from Canada's largest city, and it's a result of the tribal pride people have in the Blue & White. And having the ability to take a brief ride down the Queen Elizabeth Way to convene with their fellow Leafs supporters is a luxury Leafs fans aren't going to give up anytime soon. 

Even with the punishing current exchange rate for the American dollar, Canadian Leafs fans can rest assured ticket prices for Leafs/Sabres games in Buffalo are far cheaper than they are for games in Toronto. And so you're going to continue to see Torontonians at the rink in Buffalo for the foreseeable future. It makes financial sense for Leafs fans to travel for an hour or so, and let's face it -- those trips are one of the ways Leafs fans deepen their bond with one another. (And the way Toronto traffic has devolved, it can take you an hour to travel from one part of the city to another, so the journey to Buffalo might wind up being about as long as it is between Point A and Point B in Toronto.)

Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of ChangeSabres Facing An Off-Season Of ChangeThe Buffalo Sabres, at their season-ending press availability, were all singing from the same hymn book, and the song was Bruce Hornsby’s “Gonna Be Some Changes Made”. The questions that will be utmost in the minds of a frustrated fanbase will be what kind of changes, and in the end, will those changes have the desired effect of ending the club’s 14-year playoff drought. 

But really, sharing an appreciation for the sport of hockey will always bond together people from countries around the world. And that's one of the reasons why the connection between Torontonians and Buffalonians is so strong. We're linked by geography and weather patterns, and a history that has included a terrific rivalry between our NHL teams. That's why Toronto has its share of Buffalo Bills fans, and that's why Buffalo has its share of Toronto Blue Jays fans. We're all going to root for one another to some degree, and that's always going to stay the same, no matter what obstacles are put before us.

So if you've got any anxieties about the connection between Canadians and Americans in the Buffalo/Toronto region, lay them to rest. We're all good friends here, we all appreciate the best sport there is, and it's going to stay that way for as long as there are pucks and sticks to go around.

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Giants' comeback habit stalls vs. Padres' bullpen buzzsaw in series-opening loss

Giants' comeback habit stalls vs. Padres' bullpen buzzsaw in series-opening loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN DIEGO — LaMonte Wade Jr. reached out across the plate and made solid contact with a slider that would have been ball three, lining it down the left field line. As two Giants started racing home, San Diego Padres catcher Elias Diaz dropped his head and smacked the dirt with his fist. For San Francisco, it was a familiar scene. 

They have frustrated one opponent after another through the season’s first month, seemingly always clawing back in the late innings. By advanced metrics and the eye test, they have been as clutch as any team in baseball, but the first look at a division rival reminded them that it won’t always be easy.

The only bullpen better than San Francisco’s is San Diego’s, and while the Giants did threaten when right-hander Nick Pivetta initially exited the game, they went down in order in the final three innings, striking out four times. There would be no comeback Tuesday night, just a 7-4 loss to the Padres. 

“They just attack well, put pressure on us as a hitter and get in a pitcher’s count,” shortstop Willy Adames said. “I feel like we tried to battle today. It just didn’t end up our way. We didn’t give up until the last out, but we’re not going to come back every time, unfortunately.”

Adames got the Giants on the board with a solo shot in the fourth, his second of the season, but by that point, the Giants already trailed by three runs. It was an uncharacteristic night for Logan Webb, although against the Padres recently, he has had to get used to this.

The Padres have Webb’s number at the moment, and the nine hits they sprayed across the field felt familiar. He has given up 36 hits in his last four starts against the Padres, many of them at low exit velocities. That was the case on Tuesday. 

“I definitely think it’s something that they’re trying to do. I know that going into it,” Webb said. “I watched every at-bat against these guys and it was the same thing they did to me last year. Some stuff in there is kind of unacceptable — the two-out walk to the guy in the first inning was pretty bad, but I thought I did what I wanted to do for the most part. Balls kept finding grass and holes. It’s kind of the way it goes, that’s baseball. That’s why it’s a great game, that’s why it’s a s—-y game.”

Webb lasted just five innings in his first look at an NL West rival, but the Giants got within a run in the sixth on Wade’s double, the latest sign of life for a hitter who has had a rough April. Adames, who had his best all-around night at the plate as a Giant, started the inning with a double, and it seemed the Giants would do what they do.

Comebacks have become the norm, but after Wade got to Jeremiah Estrada — who entered with a 1.32 ERA — the Giants went down quietly. Left-hander Adrian Morejon lowered his ERA to 1.84 in the seventh. Jason Adam and Robert Suarez are both under 1.00, and they got the final six outs. 

The Giants have had the late-game advantage all year long, but that might not be the case when they face the Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’ll need to play better across nine innings, and they trailed all night in front of 47,345, the second-largest crowd in Petco Park history. 

The first taste of NL West action was a disappointing one, and a refresher course on just how difficult this division is. 

“Obviously they have a really good team and it’s a good matchup when you’re going to face your rivals in your division,” Adames said. “I feel like they got lucky today against Webby, who was very unlucky. They had a lot of bloopers their way. Those days are going to happen. We’re going to continue to battle until the end.

“We’re going to come tomorrow and try to get that win and even the series up, and go back home and try to sweep the Rockies, or win the series at least.”

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