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Knicks vs Hawks Win Probability for Game 6 at Prediction Markets

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The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks go to war in Game 6 tonight, with New York having a 56% chance of advancing according to prediction markets like Kalshi.

Our Knicks vs. Hawks predictions and free NBA picks have a little more faith in Atlanta getting it done on April 30.

Who will win Knicks vs Hawks Game 6?

Knicks win probability:56% (-127)
Hawks win probability:44% (+127)

Despite being the road team, New York has a 56% chance of ending this series tonight in Atlanta.

Our prediction:Hawks to win

As Knicks fans poured out of MSG after a convincing Game 5 win, the Big Apple crowd chanted, “We want Boston”.

Ah, there’s still at least one more game, folks. New York won’t shoot 57% from the field again, and Atlanta’s outside touch should improve in the friendly confines of State Farm Arena, where it shoots nearly 38% from beyond the arc.

Read more in Jason Logan's full Knicks vs. Hawks predictions.

Start trading with Kalshi today!

Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including Knicks/Hawks!

Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/336/kalshi.svg" alt="Kalshi" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)

More Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Knicks vs. Hawks at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Knicks -2.5 spread means the Knicks will cover, while "No" means the Hawks will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Knicks vs Hawks spread and total at prediction markets

OutcomeYesNo
Knicks -2.552¢ (-108)49¢ (+104)
Over 213.5 points53¢ (-112)48¢ (+108)

Our predictions:Knicks -2.5 — No and Over 213.5 points — No

As mentioned, the New York Knicks aren't shooting as well as they did in Game 5. Elimination games are always played tight, and this series is no stranger to Unders.

Other Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets available

  • Jalen Brunson 30+ points (Yes: 40¢)
  • Jalen Johnson 6+ assists (Yes: 53¢)
  • OG Anunoby 8+ rebounds (Yes: 46¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Hawks win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Knicks vs Hawks at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

  1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.

  2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.

  3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.

  4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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The Sixers can still win with this version of Joel Embiid

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Imagine not being able to enjoy Joel Embiid’s fantastic Game 5 performance in Boston.

Surely, Sixers fans have been emotionally fatigued after nearly a decade of not getting out of the second round with a slew of different roster iterations centered around Embiid. After last season’s debacle, many of them likely resigned to the team never again being able to seriously contend with Embiid as their best player.

But Tuesday night’s masterpiece from the former MVP should have reminded fans that while Embiid might not be a league MVP ever again, he can still impact winning at a high level. It’s clear to anyone who watches Embiid that he doesn’t have the same burst and athletic ability to be the elite defender he once was. Additionally, it should come as no surprise that the 7.7 rebounds per game that Embiid averaged in the regular season were a career low.

However, for most of the game on Tuesday night, Embiid was doing whatever he wanted to do offensively. In a way, the fact that Embiid had 33 points on 0-of-5 from the three-point line should be even more encouraging for Sixers fans. Embiid did his damage offensively with his midrange jumper, bullying his way through whoever Boston attempted to have guard him and making his free throws. He might not be able to constantly bully his way through opposing bigs in the future, but he could certainly do that once or twice more in this series against Boston and he’s not going to shoot 0-for-5 from the three-point line with regularity either.

What we’re getting at here is that Embiid’s game is still versatile enough offensively to score 30+ points on any given night. If you have someone that talented offensively, then that’s someone that can help you win. The narrative around Embiid this season has shifted a bit too far in a pessimistic direction. All of a sudden, the focal point of Embiid conversations was about how much of a burden his max salary is for the next three seasons that he still has under contract after the current one. His play on the court was basically ignored by the masses just because he wasn’t the MVP candidate he used to be every season.

For both the rest of this series against the Celtics and for next season and beyond, Game 5 in Boston should serve as a reminder of what the Sixers can be with Embiid still playing a pivotal role. It hasn’t happened often for Embiid in his career, but the big man was both the best player on the floor on Tuesday night and he got adequate help from his teammates. Quentin Grimes was excellent off the bench. Paul George defended well and knocked down some shots. Tyrese Maxey helped compensate for Embiid’s rebounding struggles with 10 boards of his own. VJ Edgecombe hit a few open threes. Embiid’s eight assists were no fluke.

It was a team win by a team that has for years needed to win on Embiid’s individual talent more than it should have. Can the Sixers pull out two more of those wins against the Celtics? Well, they should certainly have a lot more confidence. They’ve now won twice in Boston, the first time coming without Embiid even playing. Philadelphia is far from the deepest roster in the NBA, but it does appear as if the non-Embiid players are doing enough to not require Embiid to be Superman every night.

Most of Philly’s role players can go to free agency this summer. It’s possible that the bench is a much different collection of talent on next year’s roster. We should also point out that Kelly Oubre played in 50 games in the regular season and started 41 of them and he too can go to free agency in July. But whether the Sixers bring a lot of this roster back or not next season, fans should feel optimistic that they can give Embiid enough help to at least be competitive and worth watching with Embiid still on the roster. In other words, don’t go into the offseason thinking, “What are we going to do about all the money we still owe to Embiid?!”

As for the rest of the series, just enjoy the fact that there couldn’t be a team still left in the NBA Playoffs with less to lose than the Sixers. No one expected Philly to win this series or even get to a Game 6 for that matter. In previous postseasons, fans have rightfully questioned the team’s effort. They bowed out in embarrassing fashion in Boston in 2023. They laid down in 2022 on their home floor against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. We all know how embarrassing the ending of the Atlanta series in 2021 was. Regardless of what happens here, we’ll be able to say that they went down fighting, and finally gave Joel Embiid some much-needed help.   

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Astros Prospect Report: April 29th

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 19: Houston Astros outfielder Zach Cole (16) bats during a MLB spring training game against the New York Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (16-13) lost 5-2 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land got on the board in the 2nd inning on an Unroe RBI double. Gordon got the start and tossed 3.2 scoreless innings. The offense got another run on an Alexander walk. Mancini struggled out of the pen allowing 4 runs and the Aces picked up one more later. The offense was quiet the rest of the way as Sugar Land fell 5-2.

Note: Nelson is hitting .324 this season.

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (10-13) lost 10-4 (BOX SCORE)

Pearson made a rehab start for the Hooks but struggled allowing 4 runs over 2 innings. The offense got on the board in the 4th on a Whitaker 2 run double. In the 5th they scored 2 more runs on a Sullivan single and Guillemette groundout. Mayer pitched in relief and allowed 3 runs over 4 innings, though he struck out 8 batters. The pen allowed a couple more runs and the offense was shut down the rest of the way as the Hooks lost 10-4.

Note: Mayer has 25 K in 14 innings this season.

A+: Asheville Tourists (5-18) lost 11-6 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board in the first inning with a run scoring on a balk. They got 2 more runs in the third on a Frey 2 run HR, his first of the year. Santos got the start and went 5.1 innings allowing 4 runs, 2 earned. Asheville got a run in the 5th on a balk, a run in the 6th on a Cruz sac fly and a run in the 7th on Batista sac fly. The pen struggled though allowing 7 runs and the offense was unable to comeback as Asheville fell 11-6.

Note: Holy is hitting .281 this season.

  • Yeriel Santos, RHP: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
  • Alain Pena, RHP: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
  • Nate Wohlgemuth, RHP: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (10-13) won 5-1 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Wakefield RBI single. In the 3rd inning, Neyens added an RBI double. The offense picked up 3 more runs in the 4th on a Ramirez RBI single and Cole 2 run double. Potter got the start and pitched well striking out 3 over 3 scoreless innings. He was relieved by Oakes who allowed 1 run over 4.2 innings while striking out 6. Rosario closed it out with 1.1 scoreless innings.

Note: Neyens has a .831 OPS this season.

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Jason Alexander – 8:05 CT

CC: James Hicks – 6:35 CT

AV: TBD – 5:35 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

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Thursday Morning Links

Morning, all!

Wyatt Langford is gearing up for a return this weekend, but weather and other externalities are making it hard for him to get live at bats in either a rehab start or simulated game.

Josh Smith is getting a chance to “reset,” and Ezequiel Duran will be starting at second base for multiple games for the first time this season.

Brandon Nimmo left yesterday’s game with a tight right hamstring but says he isn’t expecting to miss any games because of it.

Nimmo has a history of hamstring issues and says that the important thing is to not try to push through it or it will get worse.

The Rangers chase rate is among the lowest in the league on the road and among the highest in the league at home, leading Evan Grant to ask if Globe Life’s park effects are all in the Rangers’ heads.

Evan Grant looks at the Rangers 15-16 record at the end of April and finds cause for optimism, saying that it was a tough month and we saw things that bode well for the rest of the season.

Nathan Eovaldi pitched the way we expect Nathan Eovaldi to pitch last night, shutting out the Yankees over seven innings and giving the offense a chance to close out the series with a win.

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Knicks may have to play Game Six without key wing

Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) defends an in-bounds pass to New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Knicks heat into Game Six in Atlanta with a chance to close out their first round series, but might have to do so without an essential piece.

Josh Hart exited Tuesday’s 126–97 Game Five humiliation of the Hawks in the fourth quarter and never returned to the bench. Afterward, Mike Brown didn’t have much to offer on the subject. On Wednesday night, New York added Hart to the injury report, listing him as questionable with a lower back contusion.

Hart seemed to tweak something in the first half but gutted it out before being pulled for good with 6:27 left. With the Knicks hammering the Hawks, he probably could have ducked out sooner. Despite the injury, he finished with nine points, five boards, and four assists in just over 30 minutes.

So far this postseason, Hart has averaged 10 rebounds, 9.4 points and 4.8 assists. His defense has been murder on Atlanta, and he has given them a taste of their own medicine with eight steals.

It’s not the first back issue for Hart over the past year. Mr. Mike & Ike suffered a lower back injury when he slipped on the court during the preseason opener in early October. That caused him to miss the beginning of the regular season, including the opener against the Cavs.

Although the Knicks’ injury report is otherwise clean, we suspect that most of the starters are dinged up. Forever turning ankles, Jalen Brunson limped his way to a 39-point performance in Tuesday’s annihilation of Atlanta; Karl-Anthony Towns was seen favoring his knee(s) in the game; and OG Anunoby, the MVP of the series, sprained his left ankle late in the season and was most recently listed as probable before Game Two. Iron Man Mikal Bridges seems fine.

If Josh can’t play, New York still has the wing depth to cover with Anunoby and Bridges. Hart’s versatility, however, especially in their switch-heavy defense, is tough to replicate and has been a key to their success all year. Given the stakes—our heroes could close out the series tonight and start prepping for round two—we know that Hart will want to play. But the Knicks may think bigger picture and try to convince him to rest.

Think Josh should play? Rest? Air it out in the comments below.

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How the 76ers exposed Celtics’ drop coverage

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For the first time this season, the Celtics allowed their opponents an efficiency above 70% on both layups and floaters. This wasn’t caused by a high transition volume, but rather by a half-court defensive collapse. The Sixers posted a 1.19 points-per-possession efficiency in non-transition situations, their third-highest mark of the season. Only Washington and Chicago provided weaker opposition to Phily this year.

Where did that collapse come from, and why has the pick-and-roll defense been such an issue in these latest games? Let’s go back to the film and figure it out.

On this first play, you will recognize a set that the Celtics run often, and they should be ready to defend it, as they have been practicing it for years now under Joe Mazzulla.

You can see here why Jordan Walsh has sometimes struggled in on-ball defense. His anticipation and screen navigation aren’t good enough to consistently stay connected to the ball handler. However, in drop coverage like the Celtics are playing, the on-ball defender needs to stay attached to his man to avoid a defensive breakdown.

Then comes Quentin Grimes’ back screen on Nikola Vucevic, which creates another problem. The big man can’t execute the drop because he is also caught in the screen. It then becomes Payton Pritchard’s job to slow down the drive, but he commits his steps too early, allowing Tyrese Maxey to go around him.

On this possession, Baylor Scheierman comes high enough to protect against a right-hand drive while still staying close enough to Paul George to contest a potential shot. However, the weakside help from Jaylen Brown is nowhere to be found.

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But Jordan Walsh isn’t the only one who struggled with screen navigation. Derrick White also had a hard time keeping up with Tyrese Maxey, and navigating (moving?) screens from Joel Embiid is always tough.

Then comes the big-man issue: the Celtics don’t have a center who can backpedal and execute solid drop coverage, especially on high ball screens. Watch Neemias Queta’s feet and hips—it’s a mess, and Maxey can beat him in a second, while Jayson Tatum takes too long to commit as the strong-side helper.

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There are several possessions where it’s hard to understand the defensive decision-making. Here, Tatum doesn’t impact either the drive or the passing lane, Brown’s body orientation opens a freeway for Paul George, and Vucevic doesn’t disrupt the two-man action at all.

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The screen navigation issues are where it all starts because they give the ball handler far too much freedom. Look at the lack of intensity on this possession from JB. He jogs and doesn’t fight over the screen, which gives PG space and momentum to attack Vucevic, who is known for poor rim protection. Again, there is no commitment or help from the weakside by either White or Tatum.

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Here again, the defensive shell breaks after another ball-screen action. Jayson Tatum can’t keep up with VJ Edgecombe, which triggers help from Sam Hauser, who forgets about Kelly Oubre behind him. When the Sixers wing cuts, he has enough space to finish and draws another shooting foul from Queta.

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To avoid Joel Embiid’s screening action, the Celtics switch Jaylen Brown onto the big man, but the size mismatch is too significant and quickly forces Queta to help, leading to yet another shooting foul.

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Nonetheless, because drop coverage against Embiid screening actions has been so problematic, the Celtics will likely need to adjust their coverage—or execute it far better than what we saw in Game 5.

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Basketball recruiting 2026 team rankings: Kansas lands top player, but another program is No. 1

The transfer portal has changed college basketball, look no further than Michigan's remade roster that led the Wolverines to the national championship this April.

But high school recruiting still remains important. Don't believe us? Look at the 2026 NBA Draft. Nine of the top 10 projected picks in this year's draft were in the 2025 recruiting class.

Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 player in the 2026 class, committed to Kansas on April 28, giving Bill Self yet another blue-chip prospect in a recruiting class that includes five players inside the top 150.

Rock Chalk: With Tyran Stokes commitment, Kansas just pulled off offseason’s biggest win

Who has best haul so far? College basketball transfer portal team rankings

But that's not enough to put the Jayhawks atop USA TODAY Sports' 2026 recruiting team rankings. See who picked up the top spot and check out the full top 25 below.

Player rankings are the average position from 247Sports, Rivals/On3, ESPN and Prep Hoops rankings.

1. Duke (4 commits)

  • PF Cam Williams (Phoenix, AZ); No. 4.6
  • PG Deron Rippey Jr. (Blairstown, NJ); No. 9.6
  • SF Bryson Howard (Frisco, TX); No. 14.8
  • C Maxime Meyer (Bradenton, FL); No. 78

2. Arkansas (4 commits)

  • SG Jordan Smith Jr. (Fairfax, VA); No. 3.6
  • SG JJ Andrews (Little Rock, AR); No. 18.8
  • SF Abdou Toure (West Haven, CT); No. 19
  • PF Miikka Muurinen (Finland); No. 55

3. Kansas (5 commits)

  • PF Tyran Stokes (Seattle, WA); No. 1
  • PG Taylen Kinney (Atlanta, GA); No. 18.5
  • C Davion Adkins (Fort Lauderdale, FL); No. 55.3
  • SF Trent Perry (Branson, MO); No. 106.3
  • SG Luke Barnett (Santa Ana, CA); No. 138

4. USC (3 commits)

  • PF Christian Collins (Bellflower, CA); No. 6.3
  • PF Adonis Ratliff (White Plains, NY); No. 18
  • C Darius Ratliff (White Plains, NY); No. 22.5

5. Michigan (6 commits)

  • PG Brandon McCoy Jr. (Chatsworth, CA); No. 13.5
  • PF Quinn Costello (Boston, MA); No. 33
  • SF Lincoln Cosby (Montverde, FL); No. 42
  • SG Joseph Hartman (Gainesville FL); No. 96.3
  • SF Malachi Brown (Knoxville, TN); N/A
  • C Marcus Moller (Spain); N/A

6. Michigan State (4 commits)

  • SG Jasiah Jervis (White Plains, NY); No. 28.8
  • C Ethan Taylor (Shawnee, KS); No. 30
  • PG Carlos Medlock Jr. (Branson, MO); No. 43.5
  • PF Julius Avent (Oradell, NJ); No. 86

7. Missouri (3 commits)

  • G Jason Crowe Jr. (Ingelwood, CA); No. 10.3
  • PF Tony Bryant (Orlando, FL); No. 24.5
  • SG Aidan Chronister (Fayetteville, AR); No. 81.3

8. Alabama (3 commits)

  • SG Qayden Samuels (Forestville, MD); No. 28.8
  • SF Jaxon Richardson (Orlando, FL); No. 31
  • SG Tarris Bouie (Geneva, OH); No. 51.8

9. Oklahoma State (4 commits)

  • PF Latrell Almond (Petersburg, VA); No. 30.5
  • SF Anthony Felesi (Hurricane, UT); No. 40.5
  • SF Jalen Montonati (Owasso, OK); No. 76.5
  • G Parker Robinson (Atlanta, GA); No. 142

10. Maryland (4 commits)

  • SF Baba Oladotun (Silver Spring, MD); No. 12
  • G Kaden House (Chandler, AZ); No. 44.3
  • PF Adama Tambedou (Putnam, CT); No. 119.3
  • SF Austin Brown (Lufkin, TX); No. 161

11. Texas (4 commits)

  • SF Austin Goosby (Dallas, TX); No. 30
  • SG Bo Ogden (Austin, TX); No. 40.5
  • G Joe Sterling (Studio City, CA); No. 113
  • C Coleman Elkins (Blairstown, NJ); N/A

12. Purdue (5 commits)

  • PG Luke Ertel (Fortville, IN); No. 46.5
  • SF Jacob Webber (LaPorte, IN); No. 59.3
  • C Sinan Huan (North Bethesda, MD); No. 73
  • C Jamyn Sondrup (Springville, UT); No. 138
  • PF Rivers Knight (LaPorte, IN); N/A

13. Arizona (2 commits)

  • SG Caleb Holt (Fort Lauderdale, FL); No. 4
  • SG Cameron Holmes (Goodyear, AZ); No. 40.8

14. Baylor (2 commits)

  • G Dylan Mingo (Glen Head, NY); No. 5.3
  • SF Elijah Williams (San Antonio, TX); No. 45

15. Illinois (5 commits)

  • SG Quentin Coleman (St. Louis, MO); No. 31.3
  • SG Lucas Morillo (Boston, MA); No. 53.5
  • G Ethan Brown (Rolla, MO); No. 139
  • PF Landon Davis (Waukee, IA); No. 172
  • PF Zavier Zens (Milwaukee, WI); N/A

16. Houston (2 commits)

  • C Arafan Diane (Norwalk, IA); No. 17.3
  • G Ikenna Alozie (Glendale, AZ); No. 44.8

17. UConn (2 commits)

  • SF Colben Landrew (Marietta, GA); No. 22.5
  • G Junior County (Mount Pleasant, UT); No. 48.3

18. Tennessee (4 commits)

  • SF Chris Washington Jr. (Murfreesboro, TN); No. 49.3
  • SF Ralph Scott (Bradenton, FL); No. 58
  • SF Manny Green (Ellenwood, GA); No. 106
  • PG Marquis Clark (Chicago, IL); No. 179

19. Indiana (3 commits)

  • SF Vaughn Karvala (Scottsdale, AZ); No. 57.8
  • SF Trevor Manhertz (Arden, NC); No. 69
  • G Prince-Alexander Moody (Forestville, MD); No. 85

20. Florida State (7 commits)

  • C Marcis Ponder (Springfield, VA); No. 61.8
  • G Martay Barnes (Orlando, FL); No. 81
  • SG Brandon Bass Jr. (Windermere, FL); No. 107.3
  • SF Collin Paul (Fort Lauderdale, FL); No. 108.3
  • PG Jasen Lopez (Hollywood, FL); No. 136
  • SG Elisee Assui (Italy); N/A
  • SG JD Jones (Paradise Valley, AZ); N/A

21. Mississippi State (3 commits)

  • C Tristan Reed (Branson, MO); No. 56.5
  • G Willie Burnett III (Washington, DC); No. 88.3
  • SF Jalyn Collingwood (Springfield, VA); No. 126.7

22. Stanford (5 commits)

  • SF Aziz Olajuwon (Bradenton, FL); No. 67
  • SG Julius Price (Santa Maria, CA); No. 92
  • SG Elias Obenyah (Richmond, CA); No. 101.5
  • PG Slim Rogers (Corona, CA); No. 105.7
  • PF Drew Anderson (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA); No. 156

23. Vanderbilt (3 commits)

  • SF Ethan Mgbako (Mouth of Wilson, VA); No. 73.5
  • PG Anthony Brown (Washington, DC); No. 77
  • C Jackson Sheffield (Hoover, AL); No. 113.8

24. Georgia Tech (4 commits)

  • G Kayden Allen (Glen Head, NY); No. 59.8
  • PF Moustapha Diop (Atlanta, GA); No. 100.7
  • G Kaiden Bailey (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA); No. 124.5
  • PG Haiden Harper (Auburn, AL); N/A

25. West Virginia (4 commits)

  • PG Miles Sadler (Scottsdale, AZ); No. 24
  • C Amadou Seini (Scottsdale, AZ); No. 129
  • C Aliou Dioum (Scottsdale, AZ); No. 138.5
  • G Keonte Greybear (Lewisville, TX); No. 183

Just missed: Ohio State, Pitt, Wake Forest, Iowa State, Gonzaga

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball recruiting 2026 class team rankings: Rich get richer

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Yankees vs Orioles: 5 things to watch and series predictions | May 1-4

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees open a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx on Friday...

5 things to watch

Return of Anthony Volpe?

Volpe is on the cusp of returning. The Yankees haven't announced whether the shortstop will be activated off the IL this weekend or if he will even start right away, but it's something that's worth monitoring.

Volpe is seemingly ready to come back after he hit .303 with a homer, three RBI, and two stolen bases across 10 minor league games. 

Whenever Volpe returns, the everyday lineup will get a shakeup. Will that affect how manager Aaron Boone uses his players, and how will the utility players like Jose Caballero and Amed Rosario respond?

And speaking of...

Jose Caballero's playing time to take a hit?

If Volpe gets his starting shortstop job back, that means Caballero will be more of a bench player.

It's a shame considering Caballero has had a strong start to the 2026 season. Through 30 games, Caballero is slashing .267/.313/.400 with an OPS of .713 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He's also been very good defensively. 

The calls for Volpe to be on the bench will be louder if he doesn't get off to a good start when he returns, but that will especially be the case if Caballero gets benched. 

What benefits Caballero is his versatility. In his career, he's played second base, shortstop, third base, and in the outfield. With Ryan McMahon's continued struggles, Rosario could see starts at the hot corner against a left-handed starter. 

Jasson Dominguez's status

Dominguez was called up to give the Yanks a bat after the youngster killed it down in Triple-A and when Giancarlo Stanton landed on the IL. But now Dominguez could be landing on the IL as well.

New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) prepares to take batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark.
New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) prepares to take batting practice before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. / Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Dominguez suffered a left elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers, and will receive more imaging when he gets back to New York.

Will Dominguez be able to just sit and wait for his elbow to heal, or will the Yankees need to make another move? If Dominguez does land on the IL, who will be called up? Volpe could take Dominguez's spot on the roster and leave Max Schuemann on the team until Stanton returns.

However the injury news falls for Dominguez, it's a shame for the youngster who has worked his way back to the team and was hoping to prove that he belongs.

Can David Bednar dominate again?

Bednar has been very effective this season, but he's been more cardiac-inducing than dominant of late.

In his last two outings (Monday and Tuesday against the Rangers), he's allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits and a hit batter. He eventually locked down saves in both games, but the Yankees could use easier ninth innings this weekend.

Of his 13 appearances this season, he's allowed one or fewer baserunners just five times. 

Starting rotation continues to roll

The Yankees' rotation is one of the best in baseball and they hope to keep that going in this four-game series.

Using Elmer Rodriguez on Wednesday gives the rotation an extra day of rest, which could benefit them all. Will Warren and Ryan Weathers take the mound to start the series and hope to build on their last starts. 

Max Fried, after not allowing a run in his last two starts (14 innings), will take the mound on Sunday. With Garret Crochet on the IL and Tarik Skubal not pitching to his usual Cy Young level, another dominant start would put Fried at the top of early Cy Young race. 

And speaking of the top pitchers in the AL, Cam Schlittler is making waves in the early going. He outdueled Jacob deGrom on Tuesday and will take the mound for the series finale on Monday. 

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Aaron Judge

The captain has three home runs in his last seven games and that'll continue this weekend.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Cam Schlittler

Schlittler is just on a roll. It's hard to imagine the Orioles putting an end to that streak of great starts.

Which Orioles player will be a thorn in the Yankees' side?

Gunnar Henderson

The shortstop has nine home runs entering play Thursday, and the lefty could utilize the short porch. 

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Sixers appreciate George doing ‘everything' through roller coaster of Celtics series

Sixers appreciate George doing ‘everything' through roller coaster of Celtics series  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

In a Sixers-Celtics series of brilliant highs and terrible lows, Paul George has been steady.

For his teammates, George’s two-way play has certainly not flown under the radar.

“He does everything,” Joel Embiid said Tuesday night in Boston after the Sixers beat the Celtics and forced a Game 6. “It starts on defense. He’s been guarding (Jaylen Brown), (Jayson Tatum), just going back and forth. He’s an amazing defender, making it tough on those guys. … He just does a little bit of everything and we need all of it.”

Through five games of the Sixers’ first-round playoff series, George has averaged 17.2 points. He’s scored between 16 and 19 in every game and done so quite efficiently, shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range. George has also chipped in 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. 

“He’s smart (defensively), he’s quick, he’s long, he’s athletic, he’s determined,” Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said Tuesday. “And I think his offense still is growing and his confidence is still growing a bit.”

George’s second season as a Sixer was derailed when the NBA suspended him 25 games in late January for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.

The nine-time All-Star wing saw a major silver lining in the suspension, noting that he felt in a “much better place physically” after the time off. Including the Sixers’ play-in tournament victory over the Magic, George has played in 16 consecutive games. During that stretch, he’s largely been the player the Sixers envisioned when they signed him to a four-year, $212 million contract in the summer of 2024.

Veteran leadership has been part of the package with George. Though he’s comfortable going with the flow, George hasn’t been silent at all. Tyrese Maxey mentioned that the 35-year-old was one of the Sixers who told him that his three field goal attempts in the first half of the team’s blowout Game 4 loss was an “unacceptable” number.

Maxey played a strong Game 5, posting 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. 

“I thought he was aggressive,” George said in the visiting locker room at TD Garden. “I thought he was looking for his shot, looking to go downhill and be aggressive. And that’s what we need. When we’re locked in as a group, he’s playing at his best and he’s aggressive offensively. I thought he was everything and all of that from start to finish tonight.”

Asked about the internal conversations that helped the Sixers bounce back from their brutal Game 4, George kept it simple. 

“Rebounding and defending,” he said. “Those were really the two things that we needed to do to give ourselves a chance.”

To continue their comeback and take Thursday night’s Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Sixers know they need George to play just as he has the whole series. 

“He’s been excellent on defense,” Nurse said Wednesday. “He’s in a physical battle a lot of times with Brown on both ends. They’re really battling each other.

“There’s a lot of screens to get through, there’s a lot of push-offs, there’s a lot of isolations, there’s a lot of actions. … If (Brown) doesn’t have the ball, they’re setting flare screens for him. If he’s down the floor, they’re setting pin-downs, cross screens. They’re posting him, they’re running him in screen-and-rolls, they’re getting him at the nail for isos. … (Brown) right now is up there with the best of the league, but I think Paul has taken that challenge and done a good job. 

“He’s good off the ball, too. He’s a really good defender and he’s been good in this series.”

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Closing thoughts on the 2025-26 Penguins playoff experience

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins playoff run and 2025-26 season came to an end on Wednesday night with a 1-0 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. It is a frustrating loss, mostly because the Penguins were the better team for most of the game, including the third period and overtime. It was the third consecutive game in the series where they got better, played better, and seemed to be tilting the ice in their favor. Each game it felt like there was a big breakthrough about to happen, and then they simply ran out of time for it to happen.

If it had gone to a Game 7, you would have had to have liked their chances.

But there will be no Game 7, and it is not really because of what happened on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

It is because of what happened in Games 1-3, and specifically in Games 1-2 on home ice.

Those games count just as much as the later games, and in some ways they count even more. When you put yourself into a 3-0 hole, you are leaving yourself with no margin for error the rest of the way. Literally, zero margin. You have to be nearly perfect and get some breaks. The Penguins made it interesting, they made it dramatic, and I have no fault with the way they played to close out the series. They just put themselves in a bad spot. You can not do that if you are going to win in the playoffs.

It also does not negate the positives from the season.

Like I said on Tuesday, not every season has to end with a championship or a No. 1 overall pick to be meaningful. You can enjoy a fun, unexpected season and walk away from it feeling good. You can appreciate the ride. And this was one hell of a ride that nobody expected when the season began.

Outside of that stretch in December where they lost eight games in a row and blew some unimaginable leads, this team was consistently awesome. Even that ugly stretch of games was important for the storyline because their ability to bounce back from that losing streak, and the way they accumulated some of those losses, was a testament to the mindset they had and showed all year. Nothing phased them. Nothing shook them. Most teams that go down 3-0 fizzle out in four or five games. They were a shot away from a Game 7 on home ice. It is okay to walk away from that feeling good when the season began with the team being labeled as “the only team trying not to win,” and having the third-worst playoff odds in the league.

They also found some dudes for the long haul.

Ben Kindel is a dude and got a taste of what the NHL and playoff hockey are all about.

Egor Chinakhov looks like a dude. I am not down on his playoff performance that much. It is frustrating he never broke through and found that goal, but he was at least noticeable and in scoring positions.

They found some players that look like they have a chance to stick around. Elmer Soderblom has a place here. Harrison Brunicke is going to be here next season. Sergei Murashov is going to be here next season. Both got a taste of NHL life and gave you a glimpse of what they can do. You should be excited for it. Especially Murashov.

The season did not take on the look or feel that everybody expected, but it was hardly a waste.

Not only do they have more people coming from within, they have an outstanding salary cap situation and tradable assets going into the summer. I have no idea what is going to happen this summer and who it is going to involve, but it is going to be one of the more fascinating offseasons we have seen in a while.

We have weeks to discuss all of that. For now, let’s just take some quick thoughts on what we just watched in the first round.

1. The Penguins lost this series on the power play

This was the difference and the thing I am going to keep going back to when it comes to where it all went wrong. They had opportunities. They had chances to swing games. And they not only failed to do so, they usually sucked the life out of games and ruined momentum. The two worst examples of it were in Games 1 and 2 and Game 6. In the first two games at home they were barely able to even enter the zone. In Game 2, they missed early opportunities to score the first goal and then gave up a back-breaking shorthanded goal in the third period with a chance to tie the game. In Game 6, they again missed some big opportunities to break through and score the first goal.

Aside from the lack of production, it just never felt like they were particularly close to scoring. The numbers back that up. They generated just 7.73 expected goals per 60 minutes of power play time, 12th among the 16 playoff teams as of Thursday. That number would have ranked 31st in the NHL during the regular season. The Penguins, for that matter, generated 9.19 expected goals per 60 minutes of power play time, 11th most in the NHL.

Perhaps even more concerning is the fact the Penguins power play ALLOWED 2.30 expected goals per 60 minutes (including a shorthanded goal). That is an appalling number. No other team in the playoffs has allowed more than 1.77. No team in the regular season allowed more than 1.39 per 60 minutes of power play time.

The power play did them in.

It did them in by not scoring enough, by giving up a game-changing and series-changing goal, and by sucking momentum away from them and toward the Flyers.

Too many times in this series it looked like the power play we saw the past few years. Stationary. Not enough chances. Too much perimeter passing. Easily the most disappointing part of the series from a Penguins perspective.

2. Anthony Mantha can not be back

What a roller coaster of a season this has been. He arrived with the expectation of being a trade chip. He ended up having a career year, scoring 33 goals, setting a career high and leading the team in goals. Then he delivered one of the most underwhelming, no-show playoff appearances I can ever recall from a Penguins player. Non-factor does not even begin to describe this playoff showing from him, and the fact he has now played 20 career playoff games and not scored a single goal is a tough look.

Also a tough look: Flubbing a potential game-winning chance in overtime with a muffin backhand shot, and then standing at the side of the net like it is a regular season practice with your stick on your knees while everybody else digs for the puck.

If opposing general managers really were watching him closely this offseason as a pending unrestricted free agent, he did not do himself any favors.

3. Arturs Silovs is chaotic

What do you do with this guy?

He is still young.

He still has limited NHL experience so the jury is still out on him.

He is a goalie, so trying to project future performance is as useful as trying to predict what the weather is going to do four weeks from now.

He went through stretches this season that made you say, “hey, this guy might be a player.” He went through stretches that made you say, “how is this guy an NHL goalie?” Through all of those stretches his rebound control and puck-playing skills were a constant wild ride.

But man did he deliver in the playoffs when he got his opportunity. As limited as his resume is, he has already developed a reputation as a big-game player and he only built on that over the past three games.

I will admit that he was the biggest concern that I had in the Penguins ability to make this series or potentially win it. But he played great.

4. The Big Three Era

Sidney Crosby is going to be back, but we have no idea whether or not Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang will be. If one, or both, of them is not, what a run it has been.

Since the start of the 2005-06 season no team in the NHL has won more playoff games than the Penguins.

No team has been in more Stanley Cup Finals.

Only one team has won as many Stanley Cups.

Hard to find fault with any of this. The best and most successful 20-plus year run in the history of the franchise. These guys were the centerpieces of it all.

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Braves minor league recap: Dixon Williams homers, drives in three for Rome

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 21, 2026: Dixon Williams #63 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the second inning of a Spring Breakout game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

It was a lackluster day down on the farm, but there were a handful of individual performances to highlight. So let’s dive into Wednesday’s action.

(18-11) Gwinnett Stripers 9, (14-15) Charlotte Knights 10

  • Sean Murphy, DH: 1-5, RBI, 2 R
  • Luke Williams, 2B; 2-4, HR, RBI, 2 R
  • Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B: 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R
  • Elieser Hernandez, SP: 5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, BB, 3 K

Box Score

Despite holding a three-run lead headed into the home half of the seventh inning, Gwinnett failed to hold on to it, resulting in the one-run loss to Charlotte as the Stripers dropped game two of the series.

Gwinnett jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning thanks to an RBI-groundout off the bat of Jair Camargo which scored Brett Wisely.

After Charlotte tied things up in the bottom of the frame, the Stripers retook the lead in the top of the third — scoring three runs to take a 4-1 lead.

Whenever you score nine runs on 10 hits, the odds for winning are probably going to be heavily in your favor. That was not the case for Gwinnett on Wednesday.

The biggest detriment came in the form of starting pitching, as Elieser Hernandez got the start on the mound and proceeded to give up six runs on nine hits while striking out three before he was pulled in the sixth inning.

As the score suggests, Gwinnett’s offense more than held its own on the night. Luke Williams launched his third homer of the year in the top of the sixth inning — a solo shot that traveled 391-feet over the left field wall.

On a defensive note, first baseman Aaron Schunk made an incredible play in the bottom of the third inning where he tracked down a fly ball in foul territory and made the catch despite his momentum carrying him over the dugout railing. Somehow Schunk held on to the ball and made the out in what was a stellar play.

Sean Murphy — who continues to rehab in an attempt to make his way back to the big league roster — also came through with an RBI-single in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 6-6 as well.

It’s been a rough go of it for Murphy on his rehab stint as he’s only posted an OPS of .469 in 10 games. However, he may be turning a corner as he has five hits in his last three games, including a pair of doubles and 4 RBI.

(12-10) Columbus Clingstones 5, (10—12) Montgomery Biscuits 6

  • Ha-Seong Kim, SS: 1-2, SB
  • David McCabe, DH: 2-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R
  • Adam Zebrowski, C: 2-3, HR, RBI, R
  • Garrett Baumann, SP: 5 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K

Box Score

It was yet another rough outing for Garrett Baumann, as the tall righty suffered through a lackluster start again for Columbus as the Clingstones — like their triple-A counterparts — came up short in the one-run loss.

Across five innings of work, Baumann surrendered six runs on eight hits while also issuing four walks and striking out three. In 22.1 innings on the mound this season, Baumann has allowed 22 runs (20 earned) on 30 hits, while giving up at least one homer in each of his five starts thus far. He is carrying an ERA of 8.06 after Wednesday’s outing.

While his strikeout rate is up a click at 23.4%, Baumann’s walk rate has also skyrocketed along with it; going from 6.4% to end the 2025 season, to 13% in 2026. His fly ball-home run ratio is also trending in the wrong direction, as 30% of balls hit in the air against Baumann leave the yard.

It’s as close to a disastrous start to a season as you can get for Baumann, who was hoped to be on the verge of taking that next step toward becoming the next elite starting pitching prospect in Atlanta’s system. Instead, he has taken several steps backwards and could be on the verge of being sent down to high-A Rome with the hopes he gets things back on track.

Otherwise, Baumann may be destined for a bullpen role if he’s not able to make things work as a starter. Regardless, it’s extremely concerning.

Getting back to Wednesday’s action, David McCabe stole the show at the plate for Columbus, as the designated hitter went 2-5 with a home run and a double to pace the Clingstones’ offense. McCabe also drove in two of Columbus’ five total runs on the night.

Ha-Seong Kim also made his much-anticipated debut as he begins his own respective rehab assignment.

Going 1-2 with a single, Kim also managed to swipe third base eventually and by all accounts looked healthy.

On defense, Kim only had one ball hit to him before he was removed in the sixth inning, but he managed to field it cleanly.

(12-11) Rome Emperors 9, (15-8) Bowling Green Hot Rods 4

  • Dixon Williams, CF: 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
  • Logan Braunschweig, RF: 3-4, 2 RBI
  • Eric Hartman, 0-3, R, 2 BB
  • John Gil, DH: 0-2, 2 RBI, R, BB
  • Cedric De Grandpre, SP: 5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K

Box Score

The Emperors rode an early hot start — in which they scored all but one of their nine total runs in the first four innings — to a victory to get back above .500 on the season.

Cedric De Grandpre got the start on the mound and arguably put up one of his best performances thus far. Across five innings of work, De Grandpre did allow three runs, but managed to strike out eight on the day while keeping his offense in the game.

Of course, it wouldn’t take much to keep the bats in it as Rome outhit Bowling Green 11-4.

Dixon Williams continued his hot start at the plate following his delayed start to the season, as he went 2-5 with a homer and three RBI on the day for Rome. Going 2-5 with a homer and three RBI, Williams raised his season OPS to .953 with his stellar performance on Wednesday as he continues to get up to speed after starting the season on the injured list.

One thing to keep an eye on is Isaiah Drake, who was removed from Rome’s game in the top of the second inning on Wednesday and replaced by Logan Braunschweig. While there has been no official report as to why he was replaced, Braunschweig put up a solid night by going 3-4 with two RBI to his credit.

(13-11) Augusta GreenJackets 0, (8-16) Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 6

  • Tate Southisene, 2B: 2-4
  • Juan Mateo, DH: 2-3, 2B, BB
  • Derek Vartanian, SP: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

Box Score

Long story short: it simply wasn’t Augusta’s night on Wednesday as the GreenJackets were shutout in the loss.\

Derek Vartanian got the start and while he was somewhat solid — five innings pitched while allowing two earned runs on three hits and six strikeouts — his offense failed to provide him with any meaningful support on the day.

Overall, Augusta was was outhit 7-5 as the GreenJackets simply failed to string together any sort of meaningful offense on Wednesday.

One positive was Tate Southisene, who managed to go 2-4 on the night, while Juan Mateo — who went 2-3 with Augusta’s only extra-base hit in a double — also put up respectable numbers for the GreenJackets on Wednesday as well.

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Zyhir Hope homers in Tulsa win

TULSA, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 19: Zyhir Hope #13 of the Tulsa Drillers swings the bat during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field on April 19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Experiencing both ends of a 4-3 result in a day with only three games, as the matchup between Great Lakes and Peoria got rained out, the Dodgers’ minor league affiliates lost two out of three.

Player of the day

While James Tibbs III deserves an honorable mention for his 3 for 5 efforts that ultimately couldn’t help the Comets escape a loss against the Express, it’s the duo of Zyhir Hope and Frank Rodriguez who get the nod here. Playing in a low-scoring game against the Missions, Hope and Rodriguez were responsible for virtually the entirety of the Drillers’ offense.

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Hope’s two-run shot accounted for half of the Drillers’ scoring output, reaching five home runs on the year and doing so with a batting average above .300. Rodriguez reached safely in all three of his plate appearances with a solo shot, an RBI double, and a walk. By himself, Rodriguez was responsible for half of the Drillers’ four hits.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Comets were playing catch-up right from the start as starter Logan Allen got jumped to allow a three-spot in the first. Allen settled in and gave the offense ample time to get back into it, and they did by responding with three runs of their own in the fifth, only for Allen and the bullpen to immediately cough up the lead in the bottom of the same frame.

Opportunities were plentiful for the Comets, finishing the game with nine hits, one more than their opponent, and also six walks. In fact, alongside Tibbs, two other hitters had multi-hit performances. Overall, they stranded 12 base runners to go down to a 13-16 record.

Double-A Tulsa

It was a bullpen game for the Drillers, and one well-executed on their way to a 4-3 win. Lefty Evan Shaw started a game for the first time in 2026 and covered two innings before handing it over to the rest of the ‘pen. Hobbs ran into a home run issue in the fourth, allowing a pair of them, but luckily, they were both solo shots and represented the last scoring that the Missions would have.

As the pitching staff allowed just three runs, the Drillers didn’t need a whole lot to win this game, and they kept that in mind with a four-hit performance, not even half of their opposition’s total. Hope was joined by catcher and ninth-hole hitter Fernando Rodriguez in leaving the yard. The winning hit came from Rodriguez as well, with an RBI double in the seventh.

The Drillers’ production was so pedestrian, all things considered, that as the ninth-hole hitter, Rodriguez didn’t even get an extra at-bat in the game, only coming to the plate three times.

High-A Great Lakes

The game was postponed.

Class-A Ontario

Cam Leiter opened things off with a solid 1.2 innings of scoreless baseball, but Jesus Tillero didn’t have the same success as the bulk pitcher. Tillero allowed all four of the runs conceded by the Tower Buzzers in this 4-3 defeat at home, going down to an 11-11 record.

Twenty-year-old first baseman Easton Shelton hasn’t had the best of starts to his season, but he did manage to hit his third home run of the year, now with a .224 batting average. Designated hitter Chase Harlan had the best performance among Tower Buzzer hitters, with a hit, one RBI, and a couple of free passes, reaching base three times.

Transactions

The Great Lakes Loons activated right-handed pitcher Nicolas Cruz and shortstop Jordan Thompson from the IL.

Wednesday’s scores

  • Round Rock 6, Oklahoma City 3
  • Tulsa 4, San Antonio 3
  • High-A game postponed
  • Ontario 3, Lake Elsinore 4

Thursday’s schedule

  • 2:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Brooks Auger) vs.Peoria (Leonel Sequera)
  • High-A game 2: Great Lakes (TBD) vs. Peoria (TBD)
  • 4:45 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) at Round Rock (Austin Gomber)
  • 5:00 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Patrick Copen) vs. San Antonio (Fernando Sanchez)
  • 6:35 p.m. PT: Ontario (Marlon Nieves) vs. Lake Elsinore (Bryan Balzer)
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Smart moves and LeBron l’expérience turned Lakers vet duo into a perfect storm. But can they close the series?

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Marcus Smart #36 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high five during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

They didn’t have it last night in game five. The vet duo of LeBron James and Marcus Smart from the Los Angeles Lakers failed to regain the lead and outsmart the Houston Rockets Wednesday. Rockets’ Reed Sheppard took a page out of their book and turned the table on the Lakers in clutch time. But in order to win the series, the Lakers need to get back to what worked in the first three games, the one area where they kept coming out on top: basketball IQ. 

There’s a reason why people always talk about how important veterans are in basketball. In the playoffs, it’s even more the case, and we’re seeing proof of that right before our eyes in the Los Angeles Lakers-Houston Rockets first round playoff series.

As the Lakers went up 3-0 last week without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic (oblique and hamstring strain), it was in no small part due to the basketball IQ and experience of the two vets on the team: Marcus Smart and LeBron James. 

In the playoffs, the smallest details, margins and decisions can make or break a possession, a quarter or a game – ultimately a series. One possession can result in a change in momentum that ends up winning you the game. Being one game up can switch the momentum of a series completely. And here, playoff experience making quick decisions in that type of high-pressure environment can be a deciding factor. 

A great example is a much-talked about possession in game three. The Lakers were down three with 25.4 left of the game. LeBron James goes up to press and manages to poke the ball away. Marcus Smart secures the loose ball and passes it quickly back to James, who ends up making a three to tie the game and send it to overtime, which the Lakers comfortably win. 

But what came before this was even more impressive. With 33 seconds left, the Rockets had a chance to close the game up six 95-101. Just listen to the commentators. The Lakers needed a stop at this point to even have a shot at turning the tide, and Smart knows. He starts to pressure and steals the ball, then shoots a quick three and gets fouled. Three free throws and the Lakers go from being down six with 33 seconds left to being down three with 25 seconds left. 

James’ three next possession tied the game and they eventually secured the win. And remarkably the vet duo was almost entirely behind the whole thing. An incredible example of how good decision-making, high basketball IQ and understanding of the game can affect winning directly. 

LeBron James, 41, famously won four championships with three different teams through his 23 NBA seasons. Marcus Smart, 32, may not be considered a superstar like James, but he has substantial experience and playoff acumen from his time on the Boston Celtics with multiple Eastern Conference finals and an NBA Final on his resume. All of that experience clearly has  translated well on this team of hard workers, as well as with an aging superstar. 

His connection with James has been nothing short of impressive, exemplified throughout this series. James made sure to point this out too after the viral meme of him communicating with only facial expressions during one of the first games. That was to Smart. 

“You guys seen the meme after Game 1. I can look at him and he can know what the hell I’m talking about.”

When someone knows what the hell you’re talking about without having to spell it out, it’s a sure sign of chemistry and basketball IQ. And the two of them have linked up in a way that other teams could only dream of. 

Just look at the connection that goes before this perfect lob from Smart to James in a crucial clutch possession in game three again:

Leading the defensive effort and getting stops, Smart has obviously been both very important to James and his performance during this round, as well as to the team. Knowing when to act and adjust, and having the trust of his teammates makes him invaluable to this team. 

When athleticism is dwarfed by IQ 

Only the best stay around long enough to become vets in the NBA, and as time passes they have to adjust their game and play style. Everyone will eventually lose the raw athleticism they may have had earlier in their career – or at least see it be diminished by age and injuries – and have to rely more on their basketball IQ. 

That’s one of the reasons most vets are considered intelligent basketball players, because just being able to stay in the league and then understanding how to adjust after your peak makes for high basketball IQ, as well as experience, which plays a large part, too. 

And players understanding the push and pulls of a game, the importance of when to pounce, when to slow down and how to change the momentum is that special sauce that makes a basketball game – and especially a playoff series – so exciting to watch. 

Here’s another clutch possession by the duo, but from game two. Marcus Smart with the steal, followed by an offensive possession where they slow down the pace, just to pick it up with a quick back door cut and a perfect pass by Smart to James. Again. 

Marcus Smart’s performance in the first games of the 2026 playoffs is a great example of how small intangibles that don’t always make the stat sheet can affect a game and winning directly. So if you’re looking at the box score to give you an impression of a game, let Smart be a reminder that it’s in between the numbers that the magic actually happens. 

Find more Beyond Basketball pieces here.

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Elephant Rumblings: Shea continues to rumble!

Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates with left fielder Carlos Cortes (26) after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. | John Froschauer-Imagn Images

With just about twenty percent of the MLB season completed, the A’s remain atop the American League West Division by one game over the Seatle Mariners. It’s the slimmest of leads and with so munch of the season still to go, it’s still a meaningless position.

So, looking back what do you think is the biggest positive so far this season. To me it’s Shea Langeliers doing exactly what we hoped he would do; build on last season’s success and improve his game this year. At the end of the day today, he’s tied for second in all baseball with thirty-eight hits, tied for fifth in the MLB with eight homers and is batting .314 with a .933 OPS. Kotsay moves him all over the upper half of the lineup and he performs daily.

Aaron Civale leads the starters in ERA with a 3.23, followed by J.T. Ginn at 3.24 and then Jeffrey Springs at 3.79. Springs leads the club in Wins and Quality Starts with three of each and most innings pitched so far with 35.2.  What surprises AN readers most about this year’s pitching?

Enjoy some A’s weekday baseball! Let’s hear your thoughts! 

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2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 31

In 2025, the Cubs were relatively healthy. That’s easy to forget. The headline injuries, Justin Steele, Kyle Tucker and Cade Horton were to some of the team’s biggest stars. Nico Hoerner and a number of other offensive players had some various bumps and bruises. A couple of the starting pitchers missed some time. Javier Assad basically missed most of the season injured. As a stark contrast, the injured list has already been a revolving door for the 2026 team. Without going down any rabbit holes, I suspect that at no time in 2025 did the Cubs have this many players on their injured list at any one time.

The injuries, particularly the ongoing injury of Steele and the season-ending injury for Horton, could certainly be an excuse for this team. Losing two guys who you hoped could eventually be cornerstones of your rotation could be devastating. To be sure, there are a lot of chapters still to be written and that might well eventually be the demise of this team. Even with a host of relievers also being lost to injury, this team has once again emerged in the early going as one of the better teams in baseball.

Wednesday afternoon in San Diego, the Cubs pitching staff was dominant during seven innings. Obviously, baseball is a nine inning game. Jameson Taillon started and was dominant during six innings. But he pitched seven of them. After five perfect innings, he had a sequence of homer-walk-homer and saw a three-run lead evaporate. Corbin Martin had been terrific to date for the Cubs and was called on for the first time in a high leverage situation. But he had no command of his pitches at all and walked the bases loaded before being pulled. In short, the pitching was uneven. But on this day, seven good innings was enough.

It was enough, because the relentless Cubs offense continued its excellent work. The Cub offense now leads MLB in on-base percentage. They have the most walks and the third most hits. Their slugging percentage ranks fourth. A stat shown during the broadcast noted that the Cubs have the most plate appearances with runners on base — by a very wide margin. They had more than 10 percent more such plate appearances than any other team. This offense has been incredibly special in the early going.

In this game, the Cubs had nine hits, three of then doubles and two of them homers. They drew five walks and had a hit batter. Xander Bogaerts made a terrific play to start a double play snuffing an early rally. And the Padres got fortunate on a ball that Nick Castellanos misplayed in left field that could have cost them a run but for the ball bouncing out of play. The Cubs got five runs and it could certainly have been more. But it was enough.

The Cubs’ play in March and April doesn’t end up looking great on paper now that we have reached the end of the month. The 19-12 record is great. But the strength of schedule read .494, the lowest of any of the teams in the NL Central. Of course, that is massively weighed down by the performance of the Mets and Phillies in April. The Phillies are 10-19, which is awful. Bear in mind, though, they are a much more respectable 9-13 when they play the rest of the league. I just today listened to the Kyle Schwarber episode of Lovable Reunion and the group felt that the Phillies had a legit chance at a championship. For that to be true, that team is going to have to go on one heck of a tear.

The reality of the Cubs’ March and April is that they battled adversity and they not only survived, but they thrived. As I said earlier, there are a lot of chapters still to be written. We’ve all heard that old phrase a million times. You can’t win a championship early in the season, but you can lose one. That’s surely being said to the Mets and Phillies elsewhere. This Cubs team positioned itself to be a contender. Now, we turn to the next chapter and see if they can continue that. In a National League that has nine of 15 teams over .500 through the end of April, nothing is going to be easy.

Three Positives:

  • Matt Shaw had three hits including a double and a homer. He scored twice and drove in a run. He also what looked like a solid game at second base.
  • Jameson Taillon threw seven innings and allowed only three hits, one walk, three runs and struck out six. He was perfect through four innings and threw a perfect seventh.
  • Ben Brown pulled off a quintessential reliever accomplishment. He faced four batters and recorded five outs. That was because he inherited the bases loaded with no outs and the middle of the Padres lineup approaching. He did allow an inherited run to score, but got a double play ball on a nice play by Shaw.

Game 31, April 29: Cubs 5, Padres 4 (19-12)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

  • Superhero: Ben Brown (.515). 1.2 IP, 4 BF, K
  • The highest WPA by a Cub in 2026 to date
  • Hero: Matt Shaw (.251). 3-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 2 R
  • Sidekick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.142). 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R

THREE GOATS:

  • Billy Goat: Corbin Martin (-.353). 0 IP, 3 BF, 3 BB, ER
  • Goat: Michael Busch (-.211). 0-4, BB
  • Kid: Moisés Ballesteros (-.085). 0-5

WPA Play of the Game: With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth inning, the Padres trailed by one. Ben Brown got Manny Machado to ground into a double play. (.327)

*Padres Play of the Game: With two outs and a runner on first in the fifth inning, the Padres down two, Nick Castellanos hit a two-run homer. (.277)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 30 Winner: Pete Crow-Armstrong received 93 of 165 votes

Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)

The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.

  • Nico Hoerner +9.5
  • Michael Conforto +7
  • Moisés Ballesteros/Daniel Palencia +5
  • Matt Shaw/Pete Crow-Armstrong -8
  • Jacob Webb -9

Current Win Pace: 99.3

Up Next: The first off day after 13 straight games in which the team went 10-3. They will host the Diamondbacks (16-13) on Friday. The D-backs play in Milwaukee to finish their series with the Brewers Thursday afternoon. The two teams split the first two games in the series. Colin Rea (3-1, 4.61, 27.1 IP) is scheduled to start. Last time out, Rea was rocked for six runs on six hits and four walks in 3.1 innings in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks haven’t officially announced a starter yet for the game but if they stay on their normal rotation, it will likely be Zac Gallen.