BOSTON, MA - MARCH 1: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics on March 1, 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
Alright, round four. The first three have just gone so well.
With their win over the Orlando Magic in the Play-In tournament, the Sixers’ 2026 playoff position is finally set in stone. They will be the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and will take on the second-seeded Boston Celtics.
Now that they officially have a set opponent and seed, the league has also announced dates, times and TV networks for the first round of the playoffs. The first two games of the series will of course be in Boston, with Game 1 kicking off the series on Sunday, April 19. This rivalry will be kicking off a Sunday slate full of basketball as that one will tip off at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. This is also a helpful reminder that for the first time in years, local broadcast channels will not carry round one.
Game 2 will be Tuesday the 21st at 7 p.m. on Peacock and NBC Sports Network. When the series swings back to Philly for Game 3, the series will be shown on a third different platform. That’ll be the 24th at 7 p.m. and that one will be on Amazon Prime. Game 4 will be on the 26th, again at 7 p.m., and this one will just be on regular NBC.
If the series goes any further, and that is a big if, Game 5 would be on the 26th in Boston. Game 6, if necessary, would be on the 28th in Philly. If things get really crazy, Game 7 would take place on May 2. Times and TV networks haven’t been announced for those last three — the league has to wait and see how many series progress that far first.
With the No. 7 seed, the Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google.
This marks the 23rd playoff series between the @celtics and @sixers — the most frequent matchup in NBA history.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half at State Farm Arena.
It really wasn’t that long ago that Jalen Brunson was still considered a sidekick at best, a second-round talent, widely labeled as overpaid — upon signing with the Knicks in 2022 — before becoming the best bargain in the NBA.
Brunson joined a team that had made the playoffs once in nine years and became Bernard King to a generation, improbably making it so that it is no longer blasphemy to evoke the Brooklyn legend who appeared to walk on water.
Entering the Knicks’ fourth straight postseason, few players make a fan base feel as comfortable in the final minutes as Brunson does. Few players seem so prepared for this moment and this stage. There is no reason to think this year will be any different.
Jalen Brunson shoots over Dyson Daniels during the first quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Hawks at State Farm Arena on April 6, 2026 in Atlanta. Getty Images
But Brunson’s first hurdle could be the toughest he faces this spring, matching up with Atlanta’s 6-foot-7 defensive stopper — Dyson Daniels.
“He’s a great defender,” Brunson said following Wednesday’s practice. “He’s very smart and he’s able to use his wingspan and create havoc on and off the ball. He does a lot of great things for their team and puts them in position to be successful.”
Daniels followed last season’s All-Defensive First Team selection by ranking second in the league in turnovers forced and tying for fourth in steals per game (2.0).
The 23-year-old Australian will make his playoff debut Saturday at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of their first-round series, having spent more time defending Brunson over the past two seasons than any other player in the league, according to NBA tracking data.
Daniels’ length — including a five-inch height advantage over Brunson — and athleticism have created issues for the Knicks star, including Atlanta’s NBA Cup quarterfinal win at the Garden last season, when Brunson was held to 15 points. Brunson and Daniels’ teams have split eight meetings over the past three seasons, with Brunson posting a -24 plus/minus in those matchups.
Last season, Daniels also boasted that Brunson wouldn’t want to see him as a defender, speaking of a developing on-court rivalry. The Knicks captain responded by averaging 31.6 points in their past five meetings. One game featured a Brunson game-winner over Daniels at the Garden. Another saw Brunson uncharacteristically taunt Daniels after the Hawks wing fouled out.
This season, Brunson has averaged 29.3 points and 7.7 assists in three games (two wins) against the Hawks but has struggled from the perimeter, hitting less than 30 percent of his 3s.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him,” Brunson said last year. “With trash talk or not, being competitive, that dude can hoop.” During the Knicks’ first conference finals run in a quarter-century, Brunson opened by torching Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, one of the league’s best athletes. In the second-round upset of the defending champion Celtics, Brunson handled Jrue Holiday, one of the best perimeter defenders of his era.
The best may bring out his best.
“They’ve been playing great,” Brunson said of the Hawks. “We’ve gotta be ready for the challenge. I’m definitely excited. I think it’s gonna be great for us and it’s gonna be a hard-fought battle.
Jalen Brunson makes a move on Dyson Daniels during the first half of the Knicks’ win over the Hawks on April 6, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered the absence of Joel Embiid to beat the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday night and secure the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Sixers moved on to a first-round series that begins Sunday at Boston.
Desmond Bane and the Magic aren’t done yet. They will host Charlotte on Friday night, with the winner earning the No. 8 seed in the East and a first-round matchup with Detroit.
The Hornets held on to beat Miami 127-126 when Miles Bridges blocked Davion Mitchell’s attempt at a winning layup at the buzzer. Charlotte’s LeMelo Ball will play, although he was fined $35,000 for what the league said was an uncalled flagrant foul when he tripped Bam Adebayo, causing a back injury that forced the Miami star out of the game.
Embiid had an emergency appendectomy last week in Houston. While the 76ers haven’t given a timetable for his return, the two-time scoring champion returned to the team on Wednesday, surprising teammates in the locker room and watching the game from the bench.
Maxey, named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter for the first time in his career, scored seven straight points late in the fourth to give the Sixers some breathing room against a Magic team that wasted a chance to play this game at home with a late collapse in a loss to the Celtics in the season finale.
Bane, who averaged 20.1 points and played all 82 games, carried Orlando’s offense with 34 points. He hit a 3 that moved Orlando within two and Anthony Black hit a 3 that pulled the Magic to 87-86.
Maxey had a bit more help down the stretch.
Andre Drummond filled the void left by Embiid with 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points and Paul George had 16.
George, who served a 25-game suspension this season for flunking a drug test, hit a fadeaway jumper in the third quarter that stretched the lead to seven and prompted an Orlando timeout. He later popped the ball free and dumped it to Edgecombe, who dunked on — and got in the face of — Jalen Suggs for a 73-62 lead.
Edgecombe, the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft, was whistled for taunting and officials had to separate the teams. Oubre waved his arms toward a roaring crowd and the Sixers seemed primed to build some separation.
Up next
Game 2 is Tuesday in Boston, and the Sixers return home for Game 3 on April 24.
PHILADELPHIA — Tyrese Maxey and his 76ers teammates sent feelers out to Joel Embiid about the recovering All-Star center attending the play-in game.
Embiid had been absent since his emergency appendectomy last week and the Sixers thought it would lift his spirits if he was part of their playoff push.
Unsure of his answer hours ahead of tipoff Wednesday night against Orlando, Embiid surprised his teammates by walking into the locker room about an hour before the game. He provided an emotional boost to Maxey and the Sixers just by showing up.
Tyrese Maxey, who scored a team-high 31 points, shoots a floater during the host 76ers’ 109-97 win over the Magic on April 15, 2026 in the NBA play-in tournament. NBAE via Getty Images
“I gave him a big hug,” Maxey said. “I was glad to see him.”
Maxey took over in the fourth quarter, much the way Embiid did in so many crucial games over the years.
Maxey scored 31 points, and V.J. Edgecombe added 19 points and 11 rebounds in the Sixers’ 109-97 win over the Magic that gave Philadelphia the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Sixers begin their first-round series Sunday at Boston.
Maxey, named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career, scored seven straight points late in the fourth to help the Sixers put away the Magic.
“It was just me deciding I wanted to be aggressive,” Maxey said. “I had some really good looks that I missed early in the third, that I made in the first half. So I was just really confident I was going to make some shots.”
Maxey — the Sixers’ career 3-point leader — hit three 3s and made 11 of 25 shots as the Sixers made the playoffs a year after they went 24-58.
Joel Embiid, who is out after recently undergoing an emergency appendectomy last week, gave his 76ers teammates a boost by attending their win over the Magic in the NBA play-in game. AP
“He’s been doing a bit of that lately as far as understanding we need kind of his greatness at the right time,” coach Nick Nurse said.
The Sixers had leaned on Embiid’s greatness over the years — but also came to understand that playing without the oft-injured former MVP is part of the deal in Philadelphia.
The team hasn’t given a timetable for Embiid’s return from his appendectomy. The two-time scoring champion sat in on a video session Wednesday and watched the game from the bench.
Maxey is going to need to excel for the Sixers to have a shot against the Celtics.
VJ Edgecombe, who scored 19 points, looks to knock the ball away from Orlando’s Anthony Black during the second quarter of the 76ers’ win over the Magic in the NBA play-in tournament. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Sixers fans chanted “We want Boston!” in the waning moments, but it might be best to pay heed to series history — the 76ers have lost their last six playoff series against the Celtics. Philadelphia last topped Boston in a series in 1982.
That’s a worry for the next practice. Maxey walked off the court to a roaring crowd — including Allen Iverson — and teammates swarmed him to show their appreciation.
“I promised some guys we were going to get in the playoffs,” Maxey said.
One bright spot out of last season’s dismal finish was getting the No. 3 pick in the draft. The Sixers — who drafted a string of busts during their lengthy rebuild — appear to have made a wise move by selecting Edgecombe out of Baylor.
The 20-year-old opened the season with 34 points against Boston, the third-most points for an NBA player in his first game. He was just as impressive in his first play-in game with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Edgecombe was whistled for taunting after a dunk in the third quarter and officials had to separate the teams.
“I was tweaking a little bit tonight,” Edgecombe said. “I guess it happens when you let a kid play such a high-intensity game. I was out there having fun. If I’ve got to play wild for us to win, I’ll play wild.”
Coincidentally on Jackie Robinson Day across Major League Baseball, Cincinnati Reds' rookie Sal Stewart continued a rookie season surge that has him on the fast track to winning the award named after the player who broke the game's color barrier 79 years ago.
The Reds waited 22 years for one of their rookies to win the Jackie Robinson Award, also known as the Rookie of the Year.
Jonathan India broke through in 2021, now Stewart is the betting favorite five years later.
According to the Reds, Stewart's six RBI are tied for the second-most by a Reds rookie in a single game since rookie rules were established in 1958.
"Don't throw it over the plate to him," fellow rookie Rhett Lowder. "He's a beast."
Elly De La Cruz added: "I like everything (about Stewart's game). He's a really good hitter."
De La Cruz, who hit a 442-foot homer of his own Wednesday, is the youngest player in Reds' history to post a multi-homer game in 2024 at 22 years, 88 days old. Stewart is just 41 days older.
Stewart's six RBI helped the Reds, who entered the night 27th in baseball in scoring, post a season-high eight runs. The five-run cushion was the largest of the club's 11 wins thus far.
"We have such a deep lineup and we're gonna show that. We're gonna prove that" Stewart said. "I've said it over and over again. I'm excited for what this lineup can do."
How does Sal Stewart stack up against other MLB rookies?
According to an odds tracker for all MLB awards, Stewart was +220 to win the National League Rookie of the Year award going into Wednesday's tilt.
He's one of five players listed at less than 15-to-1 to win the award, along with New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, Pittsburgh shortstop Konnor Griffin, St. Louis shortstop JJ Wetherholt and Miami outfielder Owen Caissie.
Stewart's seven homers are most among MLB rookies and tied with Brandon Lowe and Aaron Judge for second most in the league. After Wednesday's win, he leads MLB in slugging percentage. He's also top 5 in total bases, extra-base hits, OPS and RBI.
Griffin, who made his MLB debut April 3, is hitting .189 with five RBI. Wetherholt is hitting .227 and hit a pair of homers in the Cardinals' win over Cleveland Tuesday. Caissie is hitting .245 for the Marlins but has just one hit in 17 at-bats since going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI against Cincinnati April 9.
McLean, the only pitcher in the top 5 in the betting odds for the award, is 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA over four starts.
"His confidence is really high. He uses all of the field. He's just a really good hitter," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "It's early. Let's let it play out. He's done a tremendous job."
Stewart echoed that not-so-fast mentality with 88.9% of the regular season still remaining.
"The game's over now. I'll enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow, we gotta come out here and look for a sweep," Stewart said. "I'm super happy to help the team win and I put my team in a good position."
If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Curry has been dealing with lingering injuries this season, including a runner’s knee that sidelined him for more than two months, so the sight of him headed into the locker room prompted concerns that he had reaggravated the injury.
Moments later, however, Curry was back on the bench, talking with teammates.
“Oh don’t worry about me,” Curry told the Amazon Prime sideline reporter as he walked back to the bench. “I’m good.”
Curry played 8:13 in the first quarter and went 1-of-5 from the field, for 3 points. He finally returned to the court with 7:59 to go in the second quarter.
He proved there wasn't anything to worry about. Curry finished with a game-high 35 points as the Warriors pulled out a dramatic 126-121 victory.
TAMPA BAY, Fla. — The Rangers capped the 2025-26 season with a 4-2 win over a pseudo Lightning team that rested some of their top players for the playoffs ahead.
“That sucks,” captain J.T. Miller told The Post of finishing his first campaign as captain under such circumstances before the game Wednesday morning. “It’s the only reason you want to play, compete for the trophy. And so we didn’t achieve our goal. We failed there.”
Access the Rangers beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting withMollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.
This failed season didn’t just earn the Blueshirts an early summer for the second year a row.
It prompted an organizational redirection and reassessment that took precedence over the last three months. The reconstruction work has already begun, but maximizing the offseason — NHL draft, free agency, etc. — will be pivotal in moving the needle as the Rangers strive to redefine the team and return to contending status quickly.
After Wednesday’s win, the Rangers’ final draft lottery odds are now in the Flames’ hands. If Calgary defeats the Kings in their season finale Thursday night, the Rangers will secure the third-best odds to win the top-overall pick in the draft lottery May 5.
A Flames loss would bump the Blueshirts down to the fourth-best odds.
Mika Zibanejad (center) celebrates with Alexis Lafrenière (left) and J.T. Miller after scoring a second-period goal on April 15, 2026 at Benchmark International Arena. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
While fans dreamed off potentially drafting projected first-overall pick Gavin McKenna, the Rangers went 6-4 in their last 10 games of the season. Fun returned to a locker room that had been starved of it since before last season.
Rookies like Gabe Perreault, Adam Sykora, Dylan Garand and Jaroslav Chmelar gave the final weeks meaning in more ways than one.
Perreault scored his 12th goal of the season in the second period, when he flung the puck through traffic to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead.
The goal tied Perreault with the Blues’ Dalibor Dvorsky and the Wild’s Danila Yurov, who both played over 70 games this season compared to the Rangers rookie’s 40.
The Rangers top line with Perreault, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière has been a sort of revelation in recent weeks — one that head coach Mike Sullivan will no doubt continue exploring next season so long as all remain on roster.
While Zibanejad’s power-play goal in the middle frame gave the Rangers a three-goal cushion, Tye Kartye scored the first two of the game to establish the upper hand.
Garand stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced in his third career start and second career win.
“I never want to go back to the American League, honestly,” Garand said. “I’m so hungry to be here. I want to be in this league and a part of this organization.”
Taylor Raddysh drew into the Rangers lineup for the first time since March 27.
It was a special night for Raddysh, who got to square off against his brother, Darren, for the first time since they lost their father, Dwayne, to pancreatic cancer.
Zibanejad nearly cleaned up the team awards this season.
In addition to winning the fan-voted Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, Zibanejad was named team MVP by the media and the Players’ Player by his teammates.
Braden Schneider was this year’s recipient of the 2026 John Halligan Good Guy Award, which is given to a player for their “outstanding cooperation with the media throughout the season.” The Rangers beat writers decide the winner every year.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Wyatt Johnston scored the decisive shootout goal and the Dallas Stars posted their third consecutive 50-win season with a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Justin Hryckowian and Esa Lindell each had a goal and assist, and Mavrik Bourque also scored for the Stars. Dallas finished 50-20-12 in reaching 50 wins for the seventh time in franchise history.
Jake Oettinger stopped 21 shots and two of Buffalo’s four shootout opportunities.
Zach Benson had a goal and assist and Josh Norris and Alex Tuch — with his 200th career goal — scored for Buffalo. Colten Ellis made 25 saves, then allowed three goals on Dallas’ four shootout attempts.
RANGERS 4, LIGHTNING 2
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) —Tye Kartye scored two goals and had an assist as New York beat Tampa Bay in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Gabe Perreault and Mika Zibanejad — on the power play — also scored for New York, which snapped a three-game losing streak, while Dylan Garand made 29 saves in his first start since March 27. Zibanejad also had an assist.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Corey Perry scored for the playoff-bound Lightning, who rested several key players. Brandon Halverson made 17 saves.
PANTHERS 8, RED WINGS 1
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Mike Benning got his first two NHL goals, Wilmer Skoog, Mikulas Hovorka and Ludvig Jansson all got their first NHL points, and Florida closed out their injury-plagued season by routing Detroit.
Luke Kunin had two goals for Florida, while Vinnie Hinostroza, Cole Schwindt, Cole Reinhardt and A.J. Greer all also scored for the Panthers. Skoog, Marek Alscher and Matthew Tkachuk — playing for the first time since he and his wife welcomed their first child earlier this week — each finished with two assists.
Justin Faulk had the goal for Detroit.
SENATORS 3, MAPLE LEAFS 1
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Drake Batherson and Warren Foegel scored power-play goals and Ottawa — resting six players for the playoffs — beat Toronto in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Dylan Cozens added an empty-net goal and James Reimer stopped 19 shots against his former team. Ottawa finished 44-27-11 to take the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. It will open its first-round series against Carolina on the road.
William Nylander scored for Toronto. Dennis Hildeby made 35 saves after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies on Tuesday.
BLACKHAWKS 5, SHARKS 2
CHICAGO (AP) — Defenseman Louis Crevier scored twice in the final period, Ryan Greene and Nick Lardis also added third period goals, and Chicago rallied in their season finale to beat San Jose.
Crevier, with the first multigoal game of his career, tied the game at 2 by converting a backhand pass from Connor Bedard 3:51 into the period, then added an insurance goal on a 60-foot slapshot midway through the period.
Greene scored his 12th of the season between Crevier’s goals, beating Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the slot at 8:35. Bedard also set up Lardis’ goal.
San Jose’s Mario Ferraro opened the scoring with a wrist shot that deflected off the left skate of Chicago defenseman Ethan Del Mastro 8:09 into the first period.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4, KRAKEN 1
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitch Marner broke a third-period tie and the Vegas won the Pacific Division for the fifth time in their nine-year history, beating Seattle to close the regular season.
Two points ahead of Edmonton entering the night, Vegas needed only a point to win the Pacific and set up a first-round series against Utah. Edmonton will finish play Thursday night at home against Vancouver.
Reilly Smith had two late goals, Shea Theodore also scored and Carter Hart made 22 saves to help Vegas win its third straight. The Golden Knights finished 39-26-17, going 7-0-1 since John Tortorella took over as coach for the fired Bruce Cassidy.
Shane Wright scored for Seattle, and Nikke Kokko stopped 22 shots. The Kraken have lost two straight to fall to 34-36-11 with a game left Thursday night at Colorado.
Ball seemingly tripped Adebayo — the league called it "unnecessary and reckless contact" — during the second quarter of Tuesday night's game, causing Adebayo to fall and creating what the league called “a significant injury risk.”
Ball will not face a suspension, however.
"I apologize on that one," Ball told reporters after the game. "I got hit in the head and didn’t really know where I was, but I’m going to check in on him to see if he’s OK and everything."
Adebayo suffered a lower back injury as a result of the fall and did not return to the game, which the Hornets won 127-126 in overtime. The foul took place with 11:13 left in the second quarter of the game.
Ball was fined an additional $25,000 for his use of “profane language” during a postgame television interview.
When do the Charlotte Hornets play next?
LaMelo Ball and the Hornets will play at the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, April 17. The game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Drake Batherson and Warren Foegel scored power-play goals and the Ottawa Senators — resting six players for the playoffs — beat Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Dylan Cozens added an empty-net goal and James Reimer stopped 19 shots against his former team. Ottawa finished 44-27-11 to take the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. It will open its first-round series against Carolina on the road.
William Nylander scored for Toronto. Dennis Hildeby made 35 saves after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies on Tuesday.
Toronto went 32-36-14, ensuring a bottom-five finish that will allow it to retain its first-round pick in the upcoming draft. The Maple Leafs were 0-6-1 in their last seven.
Nylander cut it to 2-1 midway through the third when he backhanded a bouncing puck from the slot past Reimer.
Batherson opened the scoring early in the first with his 33rd goal of the season. Foegele made it 2-0 late in the second period.
Anthony Volpe played a baseball game Tuesday night for the first time since he underwent shoulder surgery to deal with a torn labrum last October. It was in Somerset, not Yankee Stadium. And he only played long enough to take two at-bats. But he was out there again, and he felt that was worth celebrating.
"It was great. Like, so much fun to be back out there,” Volpe said. “It felt like a big milestone. We appreciated it for what it was.”
Whatit was is the beginning of a build-up that his manager, Aaron Boone, said will likely continue in the minor leagues through at least next week. He said Volpe will play five-plus innings in Somerset again Thursday and Friday, take a day off Saturday, then play again Sunday. Minor league teams do not play on Mondays, so the Yankees currently plan to use that as a rest day before transferring Volpe’s rehab to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he will continue to increase workload.
“Probably four or five games next week, then we’ll kind of evaluate and see where we’re at from there,” Boone said.
Volpe admitted it will be difficult for him to wait through such a deliberate build-up before returning to the big leagues, though he conceded he wants to experience a variety of in-game occurrences – running the bases, diving for a ball, etc. – so he knows how the shoulder will feel during and after each of them.
“I wish I could play more to test it more, but it felt amazing,” Volpe said. “I feel like we have a great routine to warm everything up and get ready, so it feels good.”
The Yankees have mostly relied on Jose Caballero to play shortstop in Volpe’s absence, with a few appearances from Ryan McMahon sprinkled in as well. That combination left the Yankees tied for the worst shortstop OPS in baseball entering Wednesday night’s game -- .471, tied with the Boston Red Sox.
Exactly what a now-healthy Volpe will be offensively remains to be seen, but he certainly enjoyed a good test of his readiness Tuesday: Both of his at-bats came against rehabbing Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. He struck out both times.
“He looked sharp,” Volpe said. “But I feel like I saw it okay. It was a treat for sure.”
Speaking of injured aces, two Yankees who qualify for that title should be taking steps forward in the next few days.
Carlos Rodón, who threw three innings and 50 pitches in his last live batting practice session, will pitch to live hitters in Somerset on Saturday, Boone said. Gerrit Cole, meanwhile, threw his regularly scheduled side session before Wednesday’s game. The team later decided that Cole will pitch in a game Friday at Somerset. The veteran threw three innings in a live batting practice session last weekend.
Exactly when both will return to the majors remains unclear, though Boone said earlier this week he still estimates Rodón is ahead of Cole. But both pitchers are firmly in the building-stamina phase of their rehabilitation process, which means if everything continues to go well, they can both now count their remaining absence in weeks, not months.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 26: Cole Mathis #16 of the Mesa Solar Sox bats during the game between the Mesa Solar Sox and the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday, October 26, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
For those of you asking. Jaxon Wiggins was placed on the injured list today. The Cubs say that they’re hopeful it will be a short trip.
Porter Hodge will have elbow surgery and is out for the season.
Dylan Carlson elected free agency.
Left-hander Marino Santy was promoted to Double-A Knoxville from High-A South Bend.
Paul Campbell pitched the first four innings in his Cubs’ organization debut. Campbell allowed a two-run home run in the fourth, but otherwise acquitted himself well. His final line was two runs on four hits over four innings. He struck out four and walked no one.
Unfortunately, Tyler Beede did not have as good of a Iowa debut. He came on to pitch the sixth inning and didn’t managed to get through it. Beede got the loss after allowing four runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. One of those hits was a three-run home run. Beede did not have a strikeout.
Catcher Casey Opitz made his season debut and went 2 for 3 with an RBI single and a squeeze bunt. He scored once in addition to the two RBI.
Shortstop Ben Cowles went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI single.
DH BJ Murray was 2 for 4.
Here’s Opitz’s safety squeeze.
See, small ball does work! The second RBI of the night by Casey Opitz makes it 4-0 I-Cubs in the fourth! pic.twitter.com/mD0zweUawG
Four Knoxville pitchers combined on the five-hit shutout. Yennri Rojas started and gave up just one hit over 3.1 innings. Rojas did walk four while striking out two.
Jace Beck pitched the next 2.2 innings and got the win. Beck surrendered one hit while walking two. He struck out six.
Evan Taylor pitched the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed two hits but didn’t walk anyone and struck out one.
Marino Santy handled the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single but nothing else. Santy struck out one.
Right fielder Alex Ramirez was 3 for 5 with a double. He scored twice and drove in one.
DH Ethan Hearn was 2 for 4 with a two-run double. He went 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. Hearn also stole a base.
Miguel Useche added an insurance run with a pinch-hit home run in the top of the ninth.
Starter Kevin Valdez struggled tonight, giving up three in the first inning and two in the fourth. His final line was five runs on five hits over 3.1 innings. Valdez walked two, hit one batter and struck out three.
Ethan Bell relieved Valdez in the fourth and while he did let two (out of three) inherited runners to score, he didn’t allow any runs of his own and took home his first South Bend win. Bell allowed no runs and no hits. He walked one and struck out one over 1.2 innings.
Ethan Flanagan pitched the final four innings without giving up a run for the save. Flanagan allowed just two hits while striking out seven and walking no one.
Right fielder Kade Snell gave South Bend the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth with an two-run single. Snell also had an RBI ground out earlier in the game and a sacrifice fly later. That gave him four RBI on a 1 for 4 game. Snell also stole a base.
First baseman Cameron Sisneros clubbed a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was his second on the year. Sisneros went 3 for 4 with two RBI.
Catcher Owen Ayers tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run. It was his fourth home run already this season and third in as many games. Ayers went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored.
Second baseman Drew Bowser was 2 for 3 with a walk. He scored once.
An RBI triple for Leonel Espinoza. He was 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored twice.
Starter Dominick Reid surrendered three runs on four hits over 3.1 innings. He walked three and srtuck out five.
Eli Jerzembeck provided solid relief after not giving up a run over 2.2 innings. He allowed two hits and walked one while striking out four.
Ben Johnson pitched the top of the tenth, didn’t allow a run and got the win. After balking the automatic runner over to third with no outs, Johnson escaped with a walk, a caught stealing and two strikeouts. Johnson walked two batters total.
First baseman Cole Mathis provided most of the offense tonight with two two-run home runs. The first came in the bottom of the first and the second one was in the third. Mathis now has six home runs in just 11 games. He just missed a home run later in the game and had to settle for a double. Mathis went 4 for 5 with the double and two home runs.
Left fielder Jose Escobar singled home the winning run in the bottom of the tenth. Escobar was 3 for 4 and was hit by a pitch.
Shortstop Ty Southisene was 1 for 2 with two walks. He scored one run.
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves smiles after the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the first two games of this series, the Braves had to weather an offensive barrage from the Marlins. They didn’t do so effectively in the series opener, and needed a huge hit from Dominic Smith to even the series last night. Tonight, though, it was largely smooth sailing through Marlin-infested waters, as Bryce Elder mostly cruised and the Braves jumped out to an early lead and more or less left the opposition in their wake.
Elder’s first frame was a bit rocky, as he walked Xavier Edwards and then grazed Otto Lopez to put two on with one out. Not to worry, though, a routine flyout and then a slider-slider-slider strikeout of Connor Norby ended that threat. Elder then struck out two more in a perfect second and let his defense help him to a perfect third, before another two strikeouts started the fourth. Norby collected the first hit off Elder with a plonked double down the right-field line, but Michael Harris II flagged down a hard-hit liner by Owen Caissie to keep Miami off the board.
Chris Paddack struck out both Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin in a perfect first, but the Braves got to him in the second. Ozzie Albies hooked the first Paddack pitch he saw Chop House-ward for a solo homer. The trio of Mike Yastrzemski, Smith, and Mauricio Dubon followed with singles to plate another run; Paddack struck out Acuña to end the inning with two in scoring position.
After that, things were quiet until the fifth, where they got slightly dicey. Graham Pauley did a nice job connecting on a good Elder slider and thwacked it for a one-out double. Deyvison De Los Santos followed with a soft bouncer that Dubon charged, rushed, and threw wide of the bag. Elder then had a very unfortunately-timed lapse in command, issuing a walk (six pitches, but none anywhere near the zone) to load the bases, with Edwards coming up. Elder threw two four-seamers to Edwards. The first missed its spot but nestled in for a strike. The second was fought off and bounced weakly to Dubon, who raced to second and fired on the first — aided by a big stretch from Matt Olson, the initial call was safe at first, but it was quickly overturned on replay review to keep Miami off the board once again.
Paddack departed after a two-out single by Acuña in the fifth. Baldwin followed with a single off new pitcher John King, but the Miami reliever froze Olson on 1-2. After a leadoff single started the sixth, Elder got two groundouts, but neither could be converted to a double play. Skipper Walt Weiss then lifted Elder in favor of Dylan Lee, who walked pinch-hitter Austin Slater but then caught Heriberto Hernandez looking on a 3-2 slider right down the pipe. Elder finished the game with more or less a return to form to his earlier, Bryce Eldar-level of pitching, with a 7/2 K/BB ratio in 5 2/3 innings. Things felt a little rocky for him because his three free passes (remember the hit by pitch) came with men on, but the slider was absolutely on point tonight both in terms of command and in terms of results, with a whiff rate north of 50 percent.
Elder left the game when it was 2-0, but that quickly changed. Austin Riley connected for his first homer of the year, a 400-footer to left center, on King’s first pitch of the sixth. After an easy Tyler Kinley frame in the seventh, the Braves basically engaged in a bit of batting practice against Andrew Nardi: Acuña doubled (on basically a missed sliding catch), Baldwin singled, and Olson obliterated a hanging slider to make it 6-0. Riley added a double for good measure, but was stranded.
With the game now resembling a rout, the Braves went to Osvaldo Bido for the eighth, and …. egh. Liam Hicks had a two-run homer, Norby reached on a bad throw to first by Riley, Bido uncorked two wild pitches, and Slater walked (again), before Weiss had seen enough and sent Robert Suarez in to restore order. The first batter Suarez faced hit yet another dinky bouncer to Dubon, who took a chance and threw to second — but Albies couldn’t corral the throw. Not to worry, though: Pauley, as the tying run, got beat on a changeup and hit into an easy double play.
The Braves went 1-2-3 against Calvin Faucher in the bottom of the eighth, and Raisel Iglesias easily wrapped up the game. He struck out pinch-hitter Agustin Ramirez on three pitches, clipping the zone with a four-seamer to end the at-bat. He then threw three straight changeups and got three straight whiffs from Jakob Marsee. Edwards ruined the potential immaculate inning with his PA that resulted in a single up the middle, which was a shame because Iglesias ended the game on his third three-pitch strikeout of the night: Lopez waved weakly at a buried changeup to seal yet another series win for the Braves.
Every Brave had a hit except Harris, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Though the Braves went without a walk, they hit three homers, so, y’know, whatever. They’ll try to keep things rolling after Thursday’s off day in a big weekend set in Philadelphia.
LaMelo Ball was assessed an after-the-fact flagrant foul 2 and fined $35,000 for "making unnecessary and reckless contact with Miami Heat center-forward Bam Adebayo that created a significant injury risk," the NBA announced on Wednesday.
That means he will not be suspended and will play Friday night when Charlotte travels to Orlando for a win-and-you 're-in play-in game. Ball was fined an additional $25,000 for "using profane language during a live postgame television interview," bringing his total fined for Tuesday night's game to $60,000.
The play in question happened in the second quarter, when Ball drove the lane and threw up a shot that Simone Fontecchio blocked. Ball went to the ground, Adebayo grabbed the loose ball, and Ball reached over and hit Adebayo's leg, leading to a nasty fall.
The play where Bam Adebayo got taken out. LaMelo Ball was complaining to the referees afterward. pic.twitter.com/xbKAhslFHB
Adebayo left the game not to return, and Charlotte went on to beat Miami 127-126 on a Ball driving layup in overtime.
If Ball had been called for a flagrant 2 foul during the game he would have been ejected. The play was not reviewed (because there was no foul call and play continued on the other end of the court).
"I didn't see it [when it happened], but I don't think it's cute," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame. "I don't think it's funny. I think it's a stupid play. It's a dangerous play...
"He should have been thrown out of the game for that. There is no place in the game for that."
Ball apologized after the game.
"I apologize on that one," Ball said. "I got hit in the head and didn't really know where I was. But I'm going to check on him and see if he is OK and everything."
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Ah screw it, bring on the Celtics.
The Sixers out battled the Orlando Magic 109-97 in the first round of the Eastern Conference Play-In tournament Wednesday night. They have now earned the seventh seed in the East and will take on Boston in the first round of the playoffs, beginning Sunday afternoon.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 31 points, shooting 11-of-25 from the floor along with six assists. Paul George put up 16 points, five assists and two steals on six-of-16 shooting.
In his first postseason game, VJ Edgecombe went for 19 points, shooting 7-of-16 from the floor while pulling down 11 rebounds. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 19 as well while Desmond Bane led all scorers with 34.
Joel Embiid (appendectomy surgery recovery) and Johni Broome (knee surgery recovery) were out for the Sixers while Orlando was down Jonathan Isaac (knee sprain).
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
First Quarter
Adem Bona got the start at center in this one. Size-wise it did make sense to stagger him against Wendell Carter Jr. and Andre Drummond against Goga Bitadze. Bona grabbed an offensive rebound and hit another off a defender. Both of those second chances led to the Sixers’ first five points of the game. Kelly Oubre Jr. started well making two of his first threes and got in an early jawing match with Paolo Banchero that earned double technicals.
It’s not a surprise both defenses looked better early. Orlando looked to have an early edge on the glass while the Sixers caused disruption via deflections. They had three early steals and scored on two of those fast break opportunities. Maxey got credit for the steal Drummond started with his deflection, but the backup center swatted away two shots in the quarter.
Orlando’s defense was able to keep the Sixers’ dribble penetration out of the lane and make them settle. Neither Maxey or George shot it well out of the gate, opening a combined 3-of-10 from the floor. Maxey found his footing a bit, knocking down a couple jumpers, forcing a Magic timeout in the process. He had a floater just rim out only to be slammed back home by Drummond. Maxey swung to an open Oubre in the corner for a three that put the Sixers up by four after one.
Tyrese Maxey with zero hesitation from long range! He's got 9 points so far in Q1 pic.twitter.com/GGfsB4HbMH
Maxey finally went to the bench to start the quarter. Of course, George and Edgecombe manned the floor with him off. Nick Nurse only went eight deep in the first half. George started it well hitting a pair of contested pull-ups. On the other end, the Magic started having an easier time getting to the basket. Franz Wagner opened the quarter with a floater before the Sixers surrendered a wide open cut and a put-back dunk.
Fouling a guy enough to get called, but not enough to make the defender miss the shot feels like something the Sixers are uniquely bad at as the Magic had a couple and-1s early in the quarter. He didn’t commit either, but Dominick Barlow picked up three fouls in a whistle-happy half.
For as much as they settled, the Sixers were also swinging the ball into a good amount of open threes that weren’t falling. George and Maxey remained the only Sixers other than Oubre to make one. They got better looks near the basket as the half closed. Maxey hit a nice floater, Oubre challenged Carter at the basket and made the layup, and Edgecombe got a layup and a foul in transition. The Magic continued to live at the line though, shooting 17 free throws in the half. After that 17th attempt, Maxey responded with a drive and kick to the corner and Drummond knocked it down, keeping the Sixers lead right at four at the half.
Fittingly, Bane opened the second half by drawing a light foul, sinking his jumper in the process. The Sixers defense responded very well to that with three straight stops, including a shot clock violation and a nice block from Bona. Moving the ball well finally paid off for the Sixers as well as Edgecombe knocked down a corner three. Oubre hit one not long after to give the Sixers their largest lead of the night at seven.
It was pretty noticeable how well the Sixers were getting to 50/50 balls compared to postseasons of years past. Edgecombe was a big reason for that. The save he made on Bona’s incredible third block was also very impressive. George poked free a steal that Edgecombe ran out and finished the play with a fast break layup. The flexing he did in Jalen Suggs’ face brought on more chippiness and the crowd to its feet, but Edgecombe got a technical in the process. It was the fifth technical assessed by this point in the game.
For as much as the crowd got into that moment, the Sixers’ momentum was halted, going scoreless for the next two and a half minutes and without a field goal for over three. It took the rebound of a Maxey airball bouncing its way to Barlow to break that streak as the Sixers couldn’t buy a jumper. Orlando chipped away from the line before some free throws started bouncing their way. Anthony Black missed a pair to give the fans free chicken before Drummond sank two, keeping the Sixers ahead by five.
Fourth Quarter
Edgecombe had his shot blocked to start the fourth, but the Sixers were able to run back with the Magic and get a stop. It was important they do that and tack on a couple baskets, because Edgecombe then turned it over trying to get it to George. Orlando finding their three-point stroke only made it easier to stay on the Sixers’ heels. Edgecombe made up for that a few plays later with a brilliant strip on Banchero.
That steal helped the Sixers settle down a bit. Edgecombe hit a jumper before Maxey ripped off seven straight points of his own. It was his longest stretch of the game where he could hit from anywhere. A lot of the foul calls may have been weak but two very poorly-timed fouls from Bona really helped the Magic stop that momentum. He fouled Banchero once the ball had already gone through the hoop, then he just shoved Carter long after the rebound had been secured.
Sixers hitting some tough buckets to start Q4, like this reverse finish from Tyrese Maxey. Tight game with 9 mins to play! pic.twitter.com/WDCZuHvnJF
The Sixers continued to leave points on the table. They gave up two offensive rebounds on a possession, then George split a pair of free throws. Drummond threw a great pass to find Edgecombe on the baseline, but they gave it right back by losing Wagner in front of the basket. For all of these scenarios though, they responded with points. They answered the Magic every time down, which is what it takes to win these games. Edgecombe tried to dunk on everyone like a maniac and had to settle for a trip to the line.
After Maxey made a tremendous block of a layup and Oubre made two more at the line, it looked wrapped up as the crowd chanted “We want Boston.” Fittingly, the actual icing on the cake was another corner three from Drummond.
