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MLB power rankings: Phillies can't stop the bleeding as NL East hole grows

Chuckle at the New York Mets, if that's your thing. Gawk at the five-car pileup that is the Boston Red Sox organization, which decided to kneecap its paragon of stability.

Yet if you're looking for the messiest big-market failure as April draws to a close, the Philadelphia Phillies might fill the bill.

They didn't lose a dozen games in a row, like the Mets, just 10. Yet a one-night reprieve gave way to perhaps their most discouraging setback yet - a 6-2 loss to the front-running Atlanta Braves in which starter Aaron Nola was very bad and the lineup utterly powerless to counteract lefty Chris Sale.

Nola has a $172 million guaranteed deal and they can't simply make his 6.03 ERA go away like they did Taijuan Walker. And in a season of league-wide parity, they now own the biggest deficit in the major leagues - 10 ½ games behind the Braves - and dropped another 10 spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

2. New York Yankees (+1)

  • Luis Gil was sent to the minors, but Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are on the comeback trail.

3. Atlanta Braves (+1)

  • Only the 1997 team can top their 20-9 record at this stage.

4. San Diego Padres (-2)

  • Lucas Giolito finally finds a home in diminished Padres rotation.

5. Chicago Cubs (+6)

  • Ten-game win streak halted by Dodgers, who did not need any special rules to do so.

6. Cincinnati Reds (-)

  • Losing Eugenio Suárez to the IL hurts less when Sal Stewart remains unstoppable.

7. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

  • Konnor Griffin hits first homer on night Paul Skenes threatens to throw perfect game. Exciting times!

8. Detroit Tigers (+1)

  • Spencer Torkelson homers in five straight games, first Tiger to do so since legendary Marcus Thames in 2008.

9. Tampa Bay Rays (+6)

  • Junior Caminero's two-homer night included drives of 435, 450 feet.

10. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)

  • Very quietly, Mike Soroka off to 4-0, 2.60 ERA start.

11. Milwaukee Brewers (-6)

  • In a three-way tie for last with 19 homers.

12. Cleveland Guardians (-4)

  • Angel Martínez's first career multi-homer game comes with a pair of blasts off Max Scherzer.

13. Seattle Mariners (-)

  • Kade Anderson watch: One earned run, 30 strikeouts in 18 ⅔ innings at Class AA.

14. Miami Marlins (-)

  • Win every other day and it's real easy to build big leads over the Phillies and Mets.

15. Texas Rangers (+1)

  • Don't look now, but Josh Jung has a .920 OPS.

16. Toronto Blue Jays (+1)

  • Pitching the eighth inning means Jeff Hoffman loses his light show intro.

17. New York Mets (+1)

  • Move up a spot only because the Phillies are more embarrassing.

18. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

  • Kyle Bradish averaging nearly three walks per start.

19. Athletics (+1)

  • Have won four consecutive series away from Yolo County.

20. St. Louis Cardinals

  • Outfield prospect Joshua Baez has six homers at Class AAA.

21. Los Angeles Angels (-)

  • Catcher Logan O'Hoppe suffers wrist fracture.

22. Philadelphia Phillies (-10)

  • What if they're simply this bad?

23. Boston Red Sox (-1)

  • Alex Cora their first manager to get fired during the season since Jimy Williams in 2001.

24. Minnesota Twins (-)

  • Have lost nine of 10, perhaps an inevitable bit of regression.

25. San Francisco Giants (-)

  • Daniel Susac's injury puts onus on Patrick Bailey to hit, once again.

26. Washington Nationals (+1)

  • Foster Griffin tosses seven shutout innings and looks more and more like a real find.

27. Houston Astros (-1)

  • Christian Walker's revival (seven homers) one of the few bright spots.

28. Kansas City Royals (-)

  • It took more than 100 at-bats, but Bobby Witt has himself a home run.

29. Colorado Rockies (-)

  • Overworked bullpen prompts Chase Dollander's first start of season - and he pitches seven shutout innings.

30. Chicago White Sox (-)

  • Noah Schultz strikes out eight in third major league start..

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Phillies a huge disappointment in NL East standings

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Around the Empire: Jasson Dominguez promoted ahead of series vs. Rangers

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees high fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during a spring training game at Sloan Park on March 24, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

MLB Trade Rumors | Mark Polishuk: Jasson Domínguez is being called up to the big-league roster from Triple-A ahead of the upcoming series against the Rangers. He fills the spot opened by Luis Gil’s demotion to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and could factor into the DH and outfield pictures with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined with a calf injury. After getting optioned to the minors out of spring camp, Domínguez has performed well to open the season, slashing .306/.404/.471 with three home runs, 13 RBIs, eight stolen bases, a 135 wRC+, and almost as many walks as strikeouts in 22 games. His defense will not come under as much scrutiny with the 23-year-old slated to mostly DH, and he’ll look to improve upon his 103 wRC+ in 122 games last season. The Yankees will face three righties in this upcoming series against the Rangers, allowing the switch-hitting Domínguez to contribute from his superior side.

The Athletic | Brendan Kuty ($): Gil’s demotion to Triple-A opened the spot on the roster for Domínguez’s call-up. He got shelled for six runs in four innings in the series finale against Houston and always looked like the first name to be called with Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole nearing their returns to the rotation from injury. Until Rodón is ready to return, the Yankees will likely use Ryan Yarbrough in a spot start, though they are also weighing calling up one of their top prospects including Carlos Lagrange or Elmer Rodríguez (they are at least able to skip his next start due to the Thursday offday).

Aaron Boone and Matt Blake said they hope Gil can work on finding a consistent release point and better command in the minors. His path back to the majors is uncertain with Will Warren and Ryan Weathers ahead of him in the rotation pecking order. In four starts, Gil is 1-2 with a 6.05 ERA, 8.43 FIP, more walks than strikeouts, and -0.4 fWAR across 19.1 innings.

MLB.com | Steve Schaeffer: Domínguez’s promotion coincides with lingering uncertainty over the severity of Giancarlo Stanton’s calf injury. He was removed from Saturday’s game in Houston with right calf tightness after feeling discomfort running the bases and missed the final two games of the series. The team said they will make a final decision on Monday as to whether he will go on IL. In 24 games, Stanton is hitting .256/.302/.422 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, and a 101 wRC+.

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees have made several ill-advised ABS challenges over the last few weeks and have had to institute a fining system for particularly egregious decisions. To hold each other accountable for wasting challenges, players are fining themselves $500 for a challenge on a pitch that is fully inside of the strike zone, Jazz Chisholm Jr. even fining himself $1,000 for challenging a strike right down the middle against the Astros on Saturday. The Yankees have made the second-most challenges in baseball but own the ninth-worst success rate (43-percent). Boone has even indicated that some players might have their ABS challenge privileges revoked if they don’t follow the guidelines laid out by the team at the start of the year, Boone notably calling José Caballero into his office for a “stern” one-on-one meeting about wasting challenges.

New York Post | Greg Joyce: The Red Sox front office made waves when they fired manager Alex Cora and much of his staff on Saturday, Triple-A skipper Chad Tracy replacing him yesterday in a win over Baltimore. Cora had been at the helm of the team for eight years and won the 2018 World Series, but with the Red Sox in last place, Cora had to go. Also getting the axe is former Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson — his second midseason firing in just a few years — and Jason Varitek, who had been serving as the club’s game planning and run prevention coach (the longtime catcher was reassigned within the organization). Boone is close friends with Cora from their time working together on ESPN broadcasts, and revealed he reached out with words of support for his now-former rival manager.

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Flyers look to clinch first round series over the Penguins in game 5

Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division)

Pittsburgh; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT

LINE: Penguins -136, Flyers +115; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flyers lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers look to clinch the first round of the NHL Playoffs over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game five. The teams meet Saturday for the ninth time this season. The Penguins won the last meeting 4-2.

Pittsburgh has gone 41-25-16 overall with a 14-7-9 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Penguins rank third in NHL play with 290 total goals (averaging 3.5 per game).

Philadelphia has a 43-27-12 record overall and a 15-10-5 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Flyers rank seventh in league play with 322 total penalties (averaging 3.9 per game).

TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has 29 goals and 45 assists for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin has six goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

Owen Tippett has 28 goals and 23 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has scored six goals with six assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-6-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 5.5 assists, 4.7 penalties and 13.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game.

Flyers: 8-2-0, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, five penalties and 12.4 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game.

INJURIES: Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).

Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body), Emil Andrae: day to day (upper-body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Mammoth take 2-1 lead into game 4 against the Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division) vs. Utah Mammoth (43-33-6, in the Central Division)

Salt Lake City; Monday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Golden Knights -117, Mammoth -103; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Mammoth lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Utah Mammoth host the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Friday for the seventh time this season. The Mammoth won the previous matchup 4-2. Lawson Crouse scored two goals in the win.

Utah is 43-33-6 overall and 23-16-3 at home. The Mammoth have a 21-10-1 record in games they score at least one power-play goal.

Vegas is 39-26-17 overall and 19-15-8 in road games. The Golden Knights are 38-6-11 in games they score at least three goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Clayton Keller has scored 26 goals with 62 assists for the Mammoth. Crouse has six goals and three assists over the past 10 games.

Mark Stone has 28 goals and 44 assists for the Golden Knights. Mitchell Marner has four goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mammoth: 6-4-0, averaging 3.6 goals, 6.1 assists, 4.1 penalties and 8.5 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.

Golden Knights: 7-2-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.3 assists, 3.1 penalties and 6.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.

INJURIES: Mammoth: Barrett Hayton: out (upper-body).

Golden Knights: William Karlsson: out (lower body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Buffalo hosts Boston with 3-1 series lead

Boston Bruins (45-27-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division)

Buffalo, New York; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Sabres -175, Bruins +146; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Sabres lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres host the Boston Bruins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Sunday for the ninth time this season. The Sabres won the previous matchup 6-1.

Buffalo has gone 50-23-9 overall with a 19-7-4 record in Atlantic Division games. The Sabres have given up 240 goals while scoring 283 for a +43 scoring differential.

Boston has gone 45-27-10 overall with a 12-15-3 record in Atlantic Division games. The Bruins serve 11.9 penalty minutes per game to rank second in the league.

TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Doan has scored 26 goals with 26 assists for the Sabres. Alex Tuch has seven goals and five assists over the last 10 games.

David Pastrnak has 29 goals and 70 assists for the Bruins. Morgan Geekie has scored seven goals and added two assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Sabres: 7-2-1, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.5 assists, 5.3 penalties and 13.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game.

Bruins: 3-5-2, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.5 assists, five penalties and 13 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.

INJURIES: Sabres: Jiri Kulich: out for season (ear), Sam Carrick: out (arm), Josh Norris: day to day (undisclosed), Justin Danforth: out for season (kneecap).

Bruins: Viktor Arvidsson: day to day (upper-body).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Spurs win again on Wembanyama's play-off return

Victor Wembanyama celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs win game four of their NBA play-off series against the Portland Trail Blazers in April 2026
Victor Wembanyama recently became the NBA's first unanimous winner of the defensive player of the year award [Getty Images]

Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return for the San Antonio Spurs to help them to the brink of a series victory in the NBA play-offs.

The France international missed game three against the Portland Trail Blazers after suffering concussion in the previous match on Tuesday.

But he was cleared to play on Sunday and scored 27 points as the Spurs won 114-93 in Portland to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The NBA's defensive player of the year added 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four steals on returning and later admitted to being "very disappointed" with aspects of the NBA's concussion protocol.

"I won't get into the details," he said. "Ask me again at the end of the season."

The 22-year-old added: "I had lots of emotions before the game - excitement, frustration. I let it all out tonight."

The concussion protocol requires 48 hours of rest followed by a gradual return to physical activity and daily neurological tests.

A player must then be cleared by his team and the NBA's concussion programme director in order to resume playing.

De'Aaron Fox scored a game-high 28 points for the Spurs, who are second seeds in the Western Conference and can clinch the series back in San Antonio on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers can do the same as they return home on Tuesday, with the Houston Rockets having won 115-96 to prevent the Lakers sweeping the series.

Kevin Durant (ankle) missed his third game of the series for Houston but all five of their starters reached double figures, with Amen Thompson scoring a game-high 23 points.

Joel Embiid made his first appearance of the series for Philadelphia but could not prevent the 76ers losing 128-96 at home to the Boston Celtics.

Boston's Payton Pritchard scored 32 points off the bench - a career high for the play-offs - while Jayson Tatum claimed 30 points and 11 assists.

The Celtics, the Eastern Conference's second seed, now lead 3-1 and can clinch the series in Boston on Tuesday.

Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes each scored 23 points as the Toronto Raptors held on for a 93-89 win at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Eastern Conference rivals are now level at 2-2, with game five taking place in Cleveland on Wednesday.

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Premier League and FA Cup semi-finals: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action

Sánchez plays long game for McFarlane, Southampton can take heart, Arteta tries to gain edge and Isak will come good

One moment from their FA Cup semi-final to Chelsea will haunt Leeds. When Tosin Adarabioyo stretched for a through ball and couldn’t quite get there, quarter of an hour in, everything seemed to slow down. There was Brenden Aaronson with just Robert Sánchez to beat, with the chance to put Leeds ahead against a side that hadn’t scored in five Premier League games and had seemingly lost all confidence. Even at the time it felt a huge moment. The US international didn’t do much wrong, but Sánchez made a fine save with his foot. That, it turned out, was the game. There were other opportunities – most notably Anton Stach’s drive that Sánchez saved spectacularly and the Dominic Calvert-Lewin header just after that, aimed straight at the keeper. They came after Chelsea had taken the lead and the emotional tone was set, though. Sometimes one chance can define a game. Jonathan Wilson

FA Cup semi-final report: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds

Jonathan Wilson: Chelsea chaos theory delivers another trophy chance

FA Cup semi-final report: Manchester City 2-1 Southampton

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Neither the Lakers or Rockets understood Deandre Ayton’s ejection in Game 4

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers is ejected during the third quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ejections for Flagrant 2 fouls typically are pretty egregious and easy to understand. By definition, they involve excessive force, which rarely leaves doubt about an ejection.

And yet, when Deandre Ayton was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Alperen Şengün during the third quarter of Game 4, which the Lakers were already losing handily en route to defeat, literally nobody understood why.

Şengün and Ayton were battling in the post when the latter’s arm slipped up the former’s back and caught him in the back of the head. It was a pretty clear Flagrant 1 foul, even if it was also a bit of bad fortune for Ayton, who clearly was bracing himself for contact.

However, James Williams had other ideas and, after review, ejected him from the game.

After the game, literally nobody understood why Ayton was ejected. First, his teammates — led by Marcus Smart calling it “some BS” — and coaches defended him, as you’d expect.

“On the [Ayton] thing, [Ayton] has got such a sweet, just like kind soul,” head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “[I] know that wasn’t dirty or intentional. It looked, from our vantage point, like he was trying to brace himself with that off arm, I think it was his left arm, but trying to brace himself against Şengün’s body.

It looked like his arm just kind of slipped and, obviously, hit him in the head. I don’t know that a [Flagrant] 2 was warranted. I don’t think that [Ayton] would ever do anything malicious.”

“I think he was bracing for Şengün on the post-up,” LeBron added. “Then, obviously, you see that his arm slipped going up and then hit him in the head. The refs said they didn’t see it that way and made the call. You have to be pretty damn good at it to elbow someone like that on purpose.”

To his credit, Ayton was apologetic about the play, though he was also adamant it was an accident after his arm slipped.

“I really was trying to brace for contact with Şengün,” Ayton said. “We’re both sweaty guys. I just slipped off his shoulder. Literally, my elbow hit him right there above his shoulders. It looked crazy on camera. I’m not no guy who’s a dirty player or plays like that. If anything, me trying to play dirty, I’ll damn near hurt myself.

“I just hope he’s alright and didn’t think it was intentional…The outcome of what the results were, I accept it. But definitely wasn’t intentional. I don’t play like that.”

To make matters worse, even the Rockets didn’t understand or agree with the ejection.

For some reason, there was no pool report after the game, so there is no official comment from the officials or Williams.

A Flagrant 2 foul does not carry an automatic suspension, though a suspension can be added later if it’s a particularly bad foul. While the league will review the play, there’s a far greater chance it’s downgraded to a Flagrant 1 than Ayton being suspended.

But this speaks to a great issue the league has with officiating right now, as recently called out by Devin Booker. And do you know who the official was that Booker called out by name? James Williams.

This is now back-to-back games with officiating controversy from him. It’s unacceptable to keep putting him in playoff games.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Even the Rockets thought Deandre Ayton's controversial ejection was 'soft'

Los Angeles Lakers' Deandre Ayton (5) walks back to the locker room after receiving a flagrant foul 2.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton walks off the court after being ejected in the third quarter of the Lakers' 115-96 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 4 on Sunday night. (Karen Warren / Associated Press)

Deandre Ayton has a simple explanation for his first career ejection.

“We’re both sweaty guys,” the Lakers center said after his accidental elbow to the back of Alperen Sengun's head resulted in his ejection from Sunday’s loss to the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers center was assessed a flagrant foul 2 with 5:41 remaining in the third quarter of the 115-96 Game 4 loss. It “looked crazy on camera,” Ayton acknowledged, but it was not malicious.

Ayton said he was bracing for contact against the 6-foot-11, 243-pound Sengun and Ayton’s arm simply slipped off Sengun’s shoulder and hit his head. It didn’t affect Sengun at all: he finished with 19 points and six rebounds on six-of-12 shooting as the Rockets forced a Game 5 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. PDT at Crypto.com Arena.

Read more:Turnover-plagued Lakers fail to pull off sweep in Game 4 loss to Rockets

“I’m not no guy who is a dirty player or plays like that,” Ayton said. “If anything, me trying to play dirty, I’ll damn near hurt myself. I just hope he’s all right and they don’t think it was intentional.”

Sengun and Rockets coach Ime Udoka both said the flagrant 2 call — which characterizes an act as “unnecessary and excessive” — was “soft.” Sengun said he didn’t expect Ayton to be ejected for the play. When crew chief James Williams declared that Ayton would be sent off, the Lakers center simply dropped his head and walked to the locker room. Injured Rockets star Kevin Durant, who missed the game with a bone bruise in his sprained left ankle, waved goodbye from the Rockets bench.

"We’re proud of the way he handled it, and I think that just speaks volume about who he is and his progression," Lakers guard Marcus Smart said. "He’s learning, he’s continuing — it probably would have been justifiable if he went off, right? But to keep his composure and stay positive, I think that’s only going to help him and this team.”

Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and Deandre Ayton (5) go up for a rebound against Houston forward Tari Eason.
Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and Deandre Ayton (5) go up for a rebound against Houston forward Tari Eason during the first half Sunday. (Karen Warren / Associated Press)

It was the first time Ayton was ejected in his eight-year NBA career. The center, to the chagrin of many in the NBA, has long been known more for his finesse touch shots than physical play. Lakers coach JJ Redick called Ayton, “a sweet, just, like, kind soul.”

Lakers coaches and teammates have tried to encourage him to increase his intensity and aggressiveness. General manager Rob Pelinka even made a custom shirt with half of Ayton’s face next to the face of a lion.

Ayton answered the call Sunday with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was one of the Lakers’ only forms of consistent offense in the blowout loss. Outside of Ayton and Rui Hachimura, who shot six for 10 with 13 points, the Lakers were shooting 31.3% from the field in the first three quarters. They trailed by as many as 26 points as Smart and LeBron James, veterans who led the team to a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, looked worn down with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined.

“It’s been tough for DA,” said Smart, who had nine points, five assists and four turnovers. “We’ve been hard on him. He’s been hard on himself. You guys have been hard on him. ... He’s been taking it, embracing it and trying to get better and better. Today he showed that. He came out, we relied on him a little bit more. He made plays for us.”

Ayton soon had company in the Lakers locker room after teammate Adou Thiero and Rockets guard Aaron Holiday were both ejected after receiving two technical fouls with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. They got tangled up under the basket and exchanged words briefly.

Thiero, who entered the game midway through the fourth quarter when the Lakers cleared their bench, made a memorable playoff debut by scoring his first postseason basket with an emphatic alley-oop dunk over Dorian Finney-Smith. But the premature ending to his first postseason appearance was “uncalled for,” James said.

“It made no sense,” said James, who had 10 points and nine assists but eight turnovers. “... I don't think that was warranted. Give him two technicals? The kid just got in the game.”

At the end of the physical game, players from both teams jawed back and forth at midcourt after the final buzzer. Much of the Lakers bench and some coaches approached to help diffuse the situation. Redick said he was simply poking his head into the situation the way people might turn their heads to gawk at commotion in a bar. When he determined nothing was happening, he left.

“Hilarious,” Smart said with a smirk of the postgame skirmish. “Very hilarious.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Hawks, Knicks tied 2-2 heading to game 5

Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Knicks -6.5; over/under is 213.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 2-2

BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Hawks visit the New York Knicks for game five of the Eastern Conference first round with the series tied 2-2. The Knicks defeated the Hawks 114-98 in the last meeting on Saturday. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 22 points, and CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 17.

The Knicks are 35-17 in Eastern Conference games. New York averages 116.5 points and has outscored opponents by 6.4 points per game.

The Hawks are 27-25 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta is 7-8 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Knicks average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 more made shots on average than the 12.9 per game the Hawks allow. The Hawks score 8.4 more points per game (118.5) than the Knicks allow (110.1).

TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Brunson is shooting 46.7% and averaging 26.0 points for the Knicks. Anunoby is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Jalen Johnson is averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 3.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 7-3, averaging 113.5 points, 43.7 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 8.7 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.7 points per game.

Hawks: 5-5, averaging 114.9 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 8.8 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points.

INJURIES: Knicks: None listed.

Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Celtics look to secure series victory over the 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (56-26, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT

LINE: Celtics -11.5; over/under is 215.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics look to clinch the Eastern Conference first round over the Philadelphia 76ers in game five. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 128-96 in the last meeting on Sunday. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 32 points, and Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 26.

The Celtics are 36-16 against conference opponents. Boston leads the Eastern Conference in rebounding, averaging 46.4 boards. Nikola Vucevic leads the Celtics with 8.4 rebounds.

The 76ers are 27-25 in conference play. Philadelphia ranks ninth in the NBA scoring 16.9 fast break points per game. VJ Edgecombe leads the 76ers averaging 8.0.

The Celtics are shooting 46.7% from the field this season, the same percentage the 76ers allow to opponents. The 76ers average 8.7 more points per game (115.9) than the Celtics give up to opponents (107.2).

TOP PERFORMERS: Jaylen Brown is averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Jayson Tatum is averaging 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists over the past 10 games.

Tyrese Maxey is averaging 28.3 points, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 16.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 8-2, averaging 118.0 points, 45.8 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.0 points per game.

76ers: 4-6, averaging 104.1 points, 43.3 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.3 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: None listed.

76ers: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Antonio tries to secure series in game 5

Portland Trail Blazers (42-40, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. San Antonio Spurs (62-20, second in the Western Conference)

San Antonio; Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Spurs -12.5; over/under is 215.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Spurs lead series 3-1

BOTTOM LINE: The San Antonio Spurs look to clinch the Western Conference first round over the Portland Trail Blazers in game five. The Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers 114-93 in the last meeting on Sunday. De'Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 28 points, and Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26.

The Spurs are 36-16 in Western Conference games. San Antonio is third in the league averaging 119.8 points and is shooting 48.3% from the field.

The Trail Blazers are 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Portland has a 23-18 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

The Spurs are shooting 48.3% from the field this season, 1.2 percentage points higher than the 47.1% the Trail Blazers allow to opponents. The Trail Blazers average 115.5 points per game, 4.0 more than the 111.5 the Spurs allow to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Victor Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks for the Spurs. Fox is averaging 19.6 points over the last 10 games.

Avdija is averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Trail Blazers. Jrue Holiday is averaging 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 7-3, averaging 118.4 points, 46.3 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.1 points per game.

Trail Blazers: 5-5, averaging 110.8 points, 43.2 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.4 points.

INJURIES: Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).

Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard: out for season (achilles).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Ryan Poehling scores early in OT, Ducks push Oilers to the brink with 4-3 win in Game 4

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks

Apr 26, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) in a face off during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks pushed Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to the brink of first-round elimination with a 4-3 victory in Game 4 on Sunday night.

Jeffrey Viel tied it with 6:29 left in regulation for the Ducks, who rallied from an early two-goal deficit and another third-period hole before taking a 3-1 series lead with their third consecutive victory over the back-to-back Western Conference champion Oilers.

The Ducks completed their NHL-best 10th multi-goal comeback of the season when Poehling’s sharp-angled shot hit an Edmonton skate in front and reluctantly trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry, who had played well in his first playoff start for his new team. Poehling celebrated immediately, even though he wasn't totally sure the game was over.

“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I'm like, ‘I think so?’ But yeah, I thought so right away."

An extensive video review revealed no reason to overturn the judgment on the ice that the puck had barely crossed the goal line underneath Jarry’s skate. Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch was unconvinced.

“I can’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I can’t see the line. ... The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive.”

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Edmonton.

Cutter Gauthier and Mikael Granlund scored power-play goals in the second period for the Ducks, who have scored 20 goals in four games to begin their team's first Stanley Cup playoff series in eight years. Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots and made a pair of spectacular saves on McDavid in the final minutes.

“We're just playing so connected right now, and we're doing a good job of doing the right things,” said Anaheim defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who leads the NHL in postseason scoring with eight points after recording two assists in Game 4. “We're all just feeling great, and I think we're all competing to the best of our ability, and it's just paying off right now.”

Evan Bouchard scored a tiebreaking goal early in the third period and Jarry made 34 saves for the Oilers. Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored first-period goals.

Edmonton nearly won it late in regulation, but Dostal made a sprawling pad save to deny McDavid on a late breakaway — and Dostal added another big stuff of McDavid in the final minute. The Oilers’ superstar center, who is suspected to be dealing with an injury, had two assists in Game 4.

Jarry struggled for Edmonton right after arriving in a midseason trade with Pittsburgh, losing his job to Connor Ingram. But with the Oilers struggling mightily to stop the fast, exciting Ducks, Knoblauch made the switch and got a solid effort from Jarry, who hadn’t played since April 8.

The Oilers also improved their defensive structure after a shambolic Game 3 – and yet the energetic, hungry Ducks still pumped in four more goals despite never leading.

Kapanen silenced the raucous sellout crowd at Honda Center 38 seconds after the opening faceoff with his fourth goal in four games. Nugent-Hopkins then scored just Edmonton’s second power-play goal of the series.

The Ducks began yet another comeback with vicious wrist shot from Gauthier, their 22-year-old top scorer. Anaheim’s once-awful power play has scored in eight consecutive games.

Granlund and Leo Carlsson then teamed up for a fluid give-and-go to tie it.

Bouchard ripped a wrist shot for a tiebreaking goal just 4 seconds into an Oilers power play, but the Ducks’ fourth line tied it again, with Viel punching home a rebound of John Carlson’s shot for his second career playoff goal.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

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Schedule for Lakers vs. Rockets first round playoff series

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 18: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Tari Eason #17 of the Houston Rockets during the game at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For the second year running, the Lakers will enter the playoffs with home court advantage. Unfortunately, the odds of this series playing out better than the last remain low.

The Rockets await the Lakers this postseason, but the LA side they will meet is a much different one than the one they played during the regular season. Gone are Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, leaving a gaping hole for the purple and gold to fill.

It’ll create an interesting challenge for head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James, which they’ll hopefully have seven games to solve…unless the solutions come sooner and the series only goes four games.

But however long the first round match-up goes, we have everything you need. Here is the schedule released so far, all times Pacific.

Game 1

Date and Time: Saturday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.

TV Channel(s): ABC

Location: Los Angeles

Game 2

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

TV Channel(s): NBC

Location: Los Angeles

Game 3

Date and Time: Friday, April 24, 5:00 p.m.

TV Channel(s): Prime

Location: Houston

Game 4

Date and Time: Sunday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.

TV Channel(s): NBC

Location: Houston

Game 5

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m.

TV Channel(s): ESPN

Location: Los Angeles

Game 6

Date and Time: Friday, May 1, 9:30 p.m.

TV Channel(s): Prime

Location: Houston

Game 7 (if necessary)

Date and Time: Sunday, May 3, TBD

TV Channel(s): TBD

Location: Los Angeles

This will be continually updated as the NBA announces TV information and game start times, if necessary, so bookmark this page and stay tuned to Silver Screen & Roll for the latest!

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Player Grades: Lakers vs. Rockets

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 26: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round One Game Four on April 26, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

There was lots to dislike about the Lakers’ performance in Game 4.

The offense looked stuck in mud. There was an alarming amount of turnovers and nearly all of them were live ball, which ruined any chance of a win. That will be discussed in the coming days on this site.

But I’d like to mention that god awful officiating. And not even in a sense of play-to-play calls or one player getting superstar calls or baiting officials. It was the big things that were just very dumb and bad.

First, Deandre Ayton being ejected was one of the crazier refereeing decisions I’ve seen this year. It was pretty clear what happened in that play with Ayton trying to brace himself and his arm slipped up Alperen Şengün’s back and into his head. It looked bad, but in the modern NBA, basically everyone agreed that it was a Flagrant 1.

Except James Williams, who threw Ayton out of the game for a Flagrant 2 foul. It was a decision that includes ignoring a large amount of context of the situation to come to that conclusion.

Then, he watched Marcus Smart get Draymond Green-ed and determined the kick was actually more to his thigh, so it’s fine? I’m sure if he had talked to Marcus, his high-pitched voice would have told him it wasn’t to his thigh.

He capped off his wonderful night by throwing out Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday in the final minutes because he needed to make sure everyone knew he was the star of the show. Thiero and Holiday were getting a little chippy under the basket, but it was Holiday entirely being the aggressor. It was a textbook away-from-the-play foul. In no scenario did that warrant an ejection.

The NBA has an officiating problem that badly needs addressed.

Anyway, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

33 minutes, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 8 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-9 FG, 0-3 3PT, 6-6 FT, -18

This is up there with one of the worst games LeBron’s played as a Laker. The context of him being 41 years old coming up against a young, desperate Rockets side trying to avoid a sweep should be taken into account, but he was really, really bad.

Grade: F

Rui Hachimura

30 minutes, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 6-10 FG, 1-2 3PT, -18

Rui had a pretty decent night offensively, but Houston and Amen Thompson were able to exploit his lack of foot speed defensively. Amen is in a good rhythm the last two games and the Lakers will need to adapt.

Grade: B

Deandre Ayton

25 minutes, 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 9-12 FG, 1-1 FT, -19

Ayton is the only one who can really come away from this one with his head held high. He had a pretty egregious turnover to end the first quarter but he also looked like the only way who gave a damn before his ejection.

Grade: A

Marcus Smart

31 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, 3-8 FG, 0-2 3PT, 3-3 FT, -20

While Smart had some ugly turnovers — including replicating his early-season faux pas by not stepping out of bounds to inbound the ball — and a couple of plays that made it look like the minutes from Friday were catching up with him, he was also racing around the court as well. You can’t fault the effort. You can fault the execution.

Grade: C+

Luke Kennard

32 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 3-8 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-1 FT, -13

While Luke had a couple of nice moments early in the game, overall, he came back down to Earth in the two games in Houston. He’s in an outsized role and being asked to do a lot, in his defense. Hopefully a return home will help him bounce back.

Grade: D

Jake LaRavia

16 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2-5 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, -14

I get that LaRavia is another player in an outsized role, but, man, this has been a really brutal postseason for him. And this was his best game of the playoffs, too. His length and defense is keeping him in the rotation, but it’s getting hard to justify him getting many minutes.

Grade: D

Jaxson Hayes

15 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 4 fouls, 1-2 FG, 0-2 FT, -4

We went back to the version of Hayes that was jumping at pump fakes and committing some really bad fouls. This was a rough game. Again, role players tend to play better at home, so hopefully there’s a bounce back game coming.

Grade: F

Jarred Vanderbilt

14 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-1 FT, -1

Vando’s stat line is a little bit of fool’s gold because most of his scoring came in garbage time. Seeing him moving around the baseline and in the paint was interesting, but it’s hard to use him that way with an actual center on the court.

Grade: C+

Bronny James

15 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 2-5 FG, 1-4 3PT, -1

This was easily the most comfortable Bronny looked this season. He did a great job being a connecting piece offensively in the first half. He attacked closeouts, found the open player and chased down loose balls. His second stint was warranted, even if it bled into garbage time.

Grade: B+

Adou Thiero, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., Maxi Kleber

Nothing much from this group. Adou had a nice alley-oop finish and Knecht hit a three. But it all came in garbage time.

JJ Redick

Well, JJ, the ball is now in your court. After three wins, the Lakers are now the team that will have to make adjustments. The offense hasn’t looked good for six quarters now and that’s to speak nothing of the rampant turnover issues.

After scheming their way into big games for Kennard and Smart, the pair have been held in check the last couple of contests. The Lakers need them, so can JJ get them going again?

They’ll need to in order to finish off this series. Also, for the love of everything holy, stop having LaRavia bring the ball up the court.

Grade: C-

Sunday’s inactives: Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.