After missing one game with a concussion, Victor Wembanyama is listed as active and will return to the court on Sunday for San Antonio as it takes on Portland in Game 4 of their first-round series.
Wembanyama exited Game 2 last Tuesday after a nasty face-first fall to the hardwood, and he was later diagnosed with a concussion and entered the NBA's concussion protocol. That process requires Wembanyama to be symptom-free after increasing levels of exertion, all monitored by a league-approved neurologist.
A return after five days is as quick as could reasonably have been expected.
Wembanyama, the 2026 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, scored 35 points, with five rebounds and a couple of blocks in the opener in this series, a San Antonio win. However, the Trail Blazers came back to win Game 2 after Wembanyama exited following his concussion. The Spurs have a 2-1 series lead after rookie Dylan Harper scored 28 points off the bench and Stephon Castle scored 33 in Game 3 in Portland — a game that was a blown chance for the Trail Blazers to get a win against a shorthanded Spurs team.
Wembanyama is one of the finalists for MVP this season after averaging 25 points and 11.5 rebounds a game this season, while shooting 34.9% from 3-point range, and lifting the Spurs to 62 wins. His return puts the Spurs in the driver's seat in their first-round series.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — The Bruins had a great chance to bounce back from their Game 3 loss against the Buffalo Sabres three days ago and even their first-round playoff series with a Game 4 win Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
The Sabres became the first team since the Hartford Whalers in 1991 to score four goals against the Bruins in the first period of a playoff game. Buffalo dominated from start to finish in a 6-1 victory to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Now the series shifts back to Buffalo for Game 5 on Tuesday night, and the Bruins must win that matchup (and the next two) to stave off elimination.
Here are four quick takeaways from the Bruins’ historic defeat.
1. David Pastrnak is really struggling
David Pastrnak led the playoffs in scoring with five points (one goal, four assists) through the first two games of the series. Was he dominating in those matchups? No, but he was making an impact at even strength and the power play.
He hasn’t given the B’s much of anything offensively the last two games, though, and it’s one of the primary reasons why Boston faces a 3-1 series deficit.
Pastrnak tallied zero points in Games 3 and 4 in Boston. He was especially ineffective Sunday with zero shots on net through two periods and one shot through 60 minutes. Nearly every time Pastrnak tried to make a move past a Sabres player, he lost the puck and the rush up ice was halted.
Pastrnak was asked postgame if he’s healthy and replied, “Yes.”
Even if he’s not 100 percent, the Bruins need him to play like a top 10 offensive player (which he is) to have any chance at mounting a series comeback. The Bruins badly need goals — they’ve scored only one in each of the last two games — and as a five-time 40-goal scorer, he has to lead the way in that department.
2. Turnovers prove costly
The Bruins were very sloppy with the puck, especially in the first period. Three of the Sabres’ first four goals were the direct result of a B’s turnover in their own zone.
Buffalo’s 10 goals scored within 10 seconds of forcing a turnover lead the playoffs.
“They did a good job getting on us quick. They had a lot of speed tonight,” Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm said. “They came out on us quick. It’s something we have to look at to try to be a little stronger on pucks and kill their speed a little bit and not play into their game.”
3. Marco Sturm’s lineup changes don’t work
Taking top prospect James Hagens out of the lineup and putting Lukas Reichel in at third-line left wing did not have the intended impact. Reichel had a golden look at the net in the second period but he couldn’t get off a shot and failed to score. He didn’t make much of an impact the rest of the game.
Hagens is 19 years old and has very limited playoff experience. He didn’t play amazing in Game 3. But his speed and high-end offensive skill set are really needed for the Bruins right now. Putting him back into the lineup for Game 5 should be a no-brainer.
Jordan Harris also replaced Mason Lohrei on the right side of the second defense pairing next to Hampus Lindholm. It was a tough night for Harris in his playoff debut. He turned the puck over in the first period and the Sabres immediately capitalized with a goal that increased their lead to 3-0. Harris had enough time and space to clear the zone but didn’t execute.
ZACH BENSON BURIES HIS FIRST #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFF GOAL 😤
Harris was on the ice for two goals against, he had two turnovers and played the fewest minutes (13:37) by far of any Bruins defenseman. The Sabres had a 12-3 edge in scoring chances during Harris’ 12:18 of even-strength ice time.
In fairness, the whole team was bad, not just Harris. Now Sturm has to decide what to do with the blue line entering Game 5. Will the Bruins go back to Lohrei? Could Henri Jokiharju draw in? There aren’t many good options.
4. No home-ice advantage
The Bruins played awesome at home this season. Their 29 wins at TD Garden were tied for the second-most home wins of any Eastern Conference team in the regular season.
Finding that same success in the playoffs has proven very difficult. But it’s not just a 2026 problem.
The Bruins lost the last two games of this series at home, extending their losing streak in home playoff games to five. Boston’s last home playoff victory was Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 first round.
The B’s have lost 10 of their last 13 playoff games at the Garden dating back to the 2023 first-round series versus the Florida Panthers.
“Very disappointing,” Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy said when asked about the team’s home struggles in this series. “I don’t know if we maybe thought it would just be easy here. I don’t know what happened, but we can’t do anything about it now except look forward and realize this is still a series.”
Home-ice advantage isn’t as powerful in the NHL as it used to be, but there’s still no reason for the Bruins to play so poorly in their own building, especially when it’s not an issue the first six months of the season.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 25: General view of Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú prior the MLB Mexico City Series game between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú on April 25, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (18-8) at Arizona Diamondbacks (14-12), April 26, 2026, 3:05 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu – Mexico City, Mexico
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In BC, all eyes are on the Vancouver Canucks heading into the NHL Draft Lottery on May 5. The Canucks, who finished 32nd overall in the NHL, will enter the lottery with the highest odds of drafting first-overall. Earning the first-overall selection would make them the second professional hockey team in Vancouver to earn a first-overall pick in their respective 2026 Entry Drafts, as the Vancouver Goldeneyes clinched this feat on Saturday night.
The Goldeneyes finished their inaugural PWHL season with a record of 9–3–4–14, ultimately being eliminated from playoff contention on April 18. This activated their race for the Gold Plan, which is a system that helps decide which of the eliminated teams will be awarded the first-overall pick. From after a team is eliminated until the end of the regular season, they will continue to collect points in the standings; however, these points will instead go towards a potential draft order, with the team that collects the most points being awarded the first-overall selection in the upcoming draft.
After taking a 4–3 overtime win against the Minnesota Frost on Saturday, and having the Seattle Torrent lose in a shootout, the Goldeneyes were able to secure the rights to the first-overall pick in the 2026 PWHL Entry Draft.
The Canucks have yet to pick first-overall throughout franchise history, though their current odds should set them up well to do-so. They have made four selections at second-overall (Daniel Sedin, 1999; Petr Nedvěd, 1990; Trevor Linden, 1988; and Dale Tallon, 1970) and four at third-overall (Henrik Sedin, 1999; Dennis Ververgaert, 1973; Don Lever, 1972; and Jocelyn Guevremont, 1971).
Photo Credit: @Canucks - X
Interestingly, this would not be the first time a city’s (or overall demographic) NHL and PWHL team were both awarded the first-overall draft pick. This honour belongs to New York, as the Islanders and the Sirens both selected first-overall in the 2025 Draft, with the Islanders picking defenceman Matthew Schaefer and the Sirens selecting forward Kristýna Kaltounková.
The options at first-overall are bountiful for both the NHL and PWHL. For the NHL, forward Gavin McKenna appears to be the favourite to go first, though Ivar Stenberg has made a strong case for himself. From a PWHL standpoint, all signs point towards defender Caroline Harvey going first-overall; however, defender Laila Edwards, forward Abbey Murphy, and centre Tessa Janecke have all made notable impressions in their respective seasons.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 25: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talks to the media after the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
As long as the right buttons are pushed, we won’t complain about no starting lineup changes, Mikey.
The Knicks cooked Hawks wings in Atlanta, took a flight back home to New York, and will host a party inside the Garden on Tuesday.
Here’s the latest following a promising outing from your Knickerbockers.
"We've won a lot of games with the starting group. I didn't want to panic and just change anything"
Mike Brown talks about sticking with his starting lineup tonight and why Mikal Bridges didn't play most of the second half: pic.twitter.com/FASAYWh3zN
“It’s always what I feel like — at the end of the day — what’s best for our group. Everything I do it’s about what’s best for our group.”
On keeping Bridges in the lineup:
“We’ve won a lot of games with the starting group. I didn’t want to panic and just change anything. Obviously, we changed some stuff strategy-wise, but I didn’t want to change anything with the starting group because I didn’t feel a need to.”
On featuring Towns more prominently:
“We just switched our early offense. So with us switching our early offense up the way we did, the ball went to his hands quite a bit.”
“Just trying to find different ways to find KAT the ball. And obviously, one of the ways is playing through the elbow. A couple post-ups. So try to move him around, whether he’s at the top of the floor or the elbow or the block. So try to move him around.”
On team play despite struggles:
“At the end of the day, that’s why it’s a team game.”
“Sometimes guys like [Brunson] can struggle but the one thing he continued to do, they got to pay attention to him. They sent double teams at him, which gave other guys wide-open looks. And he set good screens. No matter who it is — if KAT is struggling, he’s got to find other ways to help us win. If Jalen’s struggling to shoot it, he’s got to find other ways to help us win. If OG is struggling to shoot it or not getting enough touches, or Mikal, whoever it is, they just got to keep trying to find different ways to help us win. Jalen did. He created double-teams, Deuce got some wide-open looks. If they’re going to keep doubling him, we got to make sure we knock the shot down.”
“No matter who it is – if KAT is struggling, he’s gotta find other ways to help us win. If Jalen’s struggling to shoot it, he’s gotta find other ways to help us win. If OG is struggling to shoot it or not getting enough touches, or Mikal [Bridges], whoever it is, they just gotta keep trying to find different ways to help us win. [Jalen] created double-teams, [Miles McBride] got some some wide open looks. If they’re gonna keep doubling him, we gotta make sure we knock the shot down. He’s setting great screens. We gotta keep doing those little things when we’re not shooting the ball at the highest level. Jalen did that [in Game 4].”
On spacing and McBride’s impact:
“One of our biggest concepts is spacing. You can do what you want to do — but if all five guys aren’t spaced correctly, it’s going to be tough to get looks. So our group was spaced correctly. Deuce was physical. You can be physical offensively and physical defensively without fouling. Deuce was physical with our screen setting, and we need to be physical with our screen setting. And then after that action, we were aggressive with who had the ball. But we could be aggressive because the spacing is there. So that’s the result of that in the second half and we got to keep exploring not just that combination but any combination knowing at the end of the day our spacing and physicality are big things for us when we do that stuff.”
On creativity and resilience:
“[Atlanta is] making us better, making us think. So we have to be creative while not giving our guys too much by taking advantage of things that we find out every second of the game, over the course of the game. Obviously, the biggest thing is you see the resiliency of our guys, the fight in our guys, and that has to stay there, especially during this time of the year. In both one-point games, we’ve given ourselves a chance. If this bucket goes in down the stretch for us instead of for them, it’s a different story.”
On protecting Brunson defensively:
“We mix it up so Jalen is not always on [the ball-handler]. When he is, we got to make sure we continue to mix up our defensive coverages.”
“We can’t give them a heavy dose of something throughout the game because they have really good players. And when you have really good players, you get in a rhythm and you’re able to take advantage of what the defense is doing. Which is what we were doing in terms of sometimes putting them on, sometimes taking them off. And sometimes hitting right away and sometimes not. So sometimes mixing it up is the best thing.”
On next-play speed and transition defense being key in the Game 4 win:
“When we hit the ground, we’ve gotta get back up and play with next-play speed right away. We can’t take time to get down because they spread the floor. Dyson [Daniels is] to the rim. You’ve got to stop Dyson at the rim after then, and they spray it, and we’re not there to [contest] the threes. So that’s more important. Then — that’s probably the first step. The second step is to crash the right way. And then, we’ll be fine.. They crash from anywhere. You know, there are a lot of teams that crash from anywhere.”
On riding McBride late and sitting Bridges:
“At the end of the day, I just felt that [McBride] had it rolling. They were gonna double Jalen [Brunson]. When they did, [McBride] hit some big 3s. So if a guy has it rolling, he may have a chance to stay out on the floor, that’s all it was.”
On Josh Hart’s defense:
“Yeah, Josh was really good on the ball. Josh is a guy with quick feet, he’s strong and when he gets locked in he’s locked in.”
“We understood that in a pivotal game like tonight, we needed to be our best. I thought we not only met the challenge but we exceeded the expectation in the moment, and that’s what you expect a team that has experience like us to do.”
“I thought we did a great job coming out with more tenacity. More desperation I think is the proper word.”
On having more playmaking opportunities:
“I just feel like opportunities presented themselves, and my teammates made it happen today. They made great cuts and allowed me to make those plays you guys are talking about, playmaking. So, shout out to my teammates making great moves to the basket and allowing me to utilize my skill.”
On sharing the moment with his teammates:
“To be able to have this moment is great, but it’s more important to be able to have this moment with this team, my teammates and brothers in this locker room. It means a lot. And like Magic, I just always talk about impacting winning, and to be able to amplify my teammates is one of the biggest honors I got.”
On the Knicks’ experience helping them in these moments:
“That’s what you expect from a team with the kind of experience we have. Experience teaches you a lot.”
“Obviously, the sense of urgency was there. Down 2-1, giving away two games that we should have won. We had that sense of urgency from the jump.”
On the Knicks’ locker room character:
“I don’t think it’s anything encouraging about it. I think it just reinforces the kind of guys that we have in this locker room. We’ve put ourselves in this position. I know the character we have [and] we were ready to answer back today and, like I said, be ready to build off of it for Game 5.”
“I think it just reinforces the kind of guys that we have in this locker room. We’ve put ourselves in this position. I know the character we have we were ready to answer back today and like I said, be ready to build off of it for Game 5.”
On Towns’ skill set:
“He’s a hub. He’s a guy that can score the ball, but also pass the ball and find guys when they’re open. We have to continue to do that. He’s one of those guys who can take over a game.”
“I think we refocused and understood what was gonna be needed tonight. Most importantly, just not being afraid to fail is a mindset we need to have. Go out there, leave it all on the table.”
On Towns’ impact:
“He really put us in position to win.”
On his sideline exchange with Rick Brunson:
“There’s no debate there. That was two competitors.”
“He’s a special talent. He can do it all. And I know if I get open, he’ll find me. No matter how tight the window is, he’ll be able to find it. It’s amazing playing with a player like him.”
On the importance of rebounding for his game:
“It’s a team effort, for sure. We want to control the boards. And then just depending on who I’m guarding. When I’m on the perimeter, sometimes it’s harder to get rebounds. But making an emphasis on coming in, crashing the boards, helping the team finish possessions.”
On dealing with pain following mid-season surgery:
“Honestly, it’s just been dealing with pain. You know, I had surgery, and there’s things you just gotta fight through. There’s no excuses from out there. I’m expected to do a job.”
On his expectations despite that pain:
“Like I said, it’s no excuses. I expect a lot out of myself, more than anybody else, honestly. And I try not to listen to how I’m feeling day to day. Because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter; if I’m supposed to get a stop, I gotta get a stop. If I’m supposed to make a shot, I gotta make a shot. So I try not to think about it. Reality is, I’ve gotta go out there and perform.”
On the playoff urgency:
“Yeah, I mean obviously you’re playing Game 42 of a regular-season game, it’s a different feel. So I’d say mentally, physically, film-wise, whatever we have to do to prepare, communicating, holding each other accountable, we can’t push it off. Everything has to be put on the line, put on the table, we’ve got to just run with it. Everybody’s banged up, everybody is dealing with something, but it’s just the time of the year where you’ve got to put it aside.”
On championship motivation:
“I’d say any year you don’t win a championship you should have an ambitious summer to finish off one of these seasons right with a championship. For me, it’s any year we didn’t win it, I’m thinking, I’m pulling from my second year, my third year — I want to win a championship. Not just for selfishly, but for this city, for the guys I fight with, the staff that’s helped us all year and the people behind the scenes.”
On moving without the ball to keep finding opportunities:
“My teammates have done a great job just finding me. I’ve been moving without the ball probably better. That was a big focus of mine, just to figure out where I could get shots moving without the ball, aside from being on the ball.”
“He was being a quarterback. Exactly what he talked about of what he needs to be. We need that every time he’s out there.”
Charles Barkley says he would of put a hit out on Jaden McDaniels if he scored when the game was over vs his team 😳
“Imma put a hit on him. I’m not goin to lie, I have put a hit on guys. If we’re down 20, you don’t do it. If a team is up on me 20 points and a guy shoots a 3,… https://t.co/UaHZqxuOdrpic.twitter.com/0cuEjnf39Y
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 24: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of Game Three of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on April 24, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.
It was satisfying to see the Silver and Black take control of the game late on Friday night and win going away behind Dylan Harper’s breakout performance and Stephon Castle’s dominance as the pair of young fellas scored 60 points and overcame another great performance from Jrue Holiday, who has been the Blazers’ best player in this playoff series. Scoot Henderson reverted to the mean and lost his composure a bit in the second half after being called for a technical foul in the second half of Game 3. Deni Avdija was inefficient all game long, and was less effective at foul baiting as the refs seem to be moving on from making bad calls to not making calls at all, including an obvious miss on a Stephon travel in the first half. They did reverse a call on review where Avdija jammed his face into the shooting motion of a De’Aaron Fox drive to the hoop, and earned a chipped tooth and a foul on Fox for his effort. After review, the foul was reversed, but the chipped tooth remained, at least until he visited a dentist after the game.
Victor Wembanyama is still listed as questionable for concussion protocol as of this morning, so the Silver and Black may have to play without him. A win this afternoon will give the Spurs a 3-1 lead heading back to San Antonio for Game 5, which would be great for San Antonio, while the Trail Blazers desperately need to not let that happen. From what I’ve been reading, the strategy for Rip City is to make the game MORE physical, which will probably involve some wrestling at center court. The Spurs will have to avoid getting into the mud with the home team and not let them junk up the game too much, while also matching force with force. It’s going to be fun to watch. LET’S GO SPURS!
Game Prediction:
Keldon Johnson breaks out with a 20 point game, after Robert Williams III (Time Lord) has to leave the game because of Daleks in the arena.
San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers, First Round, Game 4 April 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM CT Streaming: ESPN app TV: ESPN Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.
Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) warms up before game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
After suffering a concussion in Game 2 and missing Game 3, Victor Wembanyama has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol and will play in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama has cleared concussion protocol and will play in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers (3:30 pm ET on ESPN), per me and @malika_andrews. pic.twitter.com/kEkfdLGL4I
The concussion was a result of Wemby banging his chin on the court after losing his balance when Jrue Holiday pulled the chair early in the second quarter of Game 2. He missed the rest of the game, which the Spurs lost, as well as Game 3 in Portland, which the Spurs won thanks to historical performances from Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, as well as an admirable job filling in from the always-reliable Luke Kornet.
Wemby, who said he felt ready before game 3 but did not clear the NBA’s protocols, did pass today’s tests and was cleared an hour before tip-off, which will be at a little after 2:30 PM CT on ESPN. The Spurs lead the series 2-1.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 30: A detailed view of the shoes of Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium on April 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers continue their homestand by welcoming the Miami Marlins to town beginning Monday night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has five quality starts in five tries this season, with a 2.48 ERA and 3.63 xERA, but only has two wins, thanks to getting exactly one run of support in three of those starts. Chris Paddack starts for Miami.
The Marlins are in second place in the National League East almost by default, with expected contenders in New York and Philadelphia each already suffering double-digit losing streaks this season.
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Lakers Game 4 computer picks
Deandre Ayton Over 10.5 points (-120)
Projection: 12.81 points
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Marcus Smart Under 4.5 assists (+100)
Projection: 3.55 assists
This is another five-star play according to our projections, and this one makes a little more sense. Austin Reaves is questionable for tonight, and if he comes back, it'll eat up a bunch of Marcus Smart's potential assists.
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Luke Kennard Under 3.5 rebounds (-150)
Projection: 3.16 rebounds
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Rockets Game 4 computer picks
Amen Thompson Over 16.5 points (-125)
Projection: 18.43 points
Don't let the Houston Rockets' 3-0 deficit fool you, Amen Thompson has brought his best. He's cleared this line in two of three games, finishing with 16 in Game 2.
In a do-or-die game, Thompson will bring the heat.
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Jabari Smith Jr. Over 1.5 assists (+115)
Projection: 1.87 assists
Jabari Smith Jr. is yet to eclipse this total, but he gets way too many touches and floor time not to bet it at plus money. Our model likes him to set up two buckets tonight.
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Alperen Sengun Over 19.5 points (-125)
Projection: 21.17 points
Alperen Sengun just dropped 33 points, and our model likes him to have another productive game. The big man rose to the occasion without Kevin Durant, and he may have to again with his team's season on the line.
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How to watch Lakers vs Rockets Game 4
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
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BALTIMORE — As Craig Breslow sank into his chair to explain away the most stunning decision in Boston Red Sox history since Mookie Betts was dealt away from Fenway Park, the club’s chief baseball officer wore a morose and weary look on his face.
Alongside him, Sam Kennedy, the team’s typically cheery president and CEO and conduit to owner John Henry, was reading the Beantown obituary for Alex Cora, fired as the club’s manager in a stunning move less than 24 hours earlier on Saturday, April 25. On one hand, Kennedy dished out the finest ingredients one could find in a C-suite word salad ("Painful but necessary," and "a new start begins today") and on the other acknowledging Cora will "go down as one of the greatest managers in Red Sox history."
As Kennedy spoke and Sunday morning unfolded, a few things became apparent:
This was Breslow’s decision to fire Cora and five more coaching staff members, including franchise icon Jason Varitek, Not Kennedy’s. And not principal owner John Henry, who kept alive his six-year streak of not talking to the media.
As a later conversation with shortstop Trevor Story would reveal, Breslow’s clubhouse explanation of the firing, held just moments before the media briefing, did not go well.
And Cora’s firing only illustrated the ugliest side of what should be the most successful franchise in baseball this century: Hardly anyone, no matter how successful, gets out of Boston on their own two feet.
Not Terry Francona and Theo Epstein, smeared and unceremoniously sent elsewhere after delivering Boston two World Series championships in 2004 and 2007. Not Dave Dombrowski, architect of the greatest of the Red Sox’s four world champions in 2018.
Not Betts, traded after a mild contract impasse to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he’d win three more championships as his Boston tenure fades further in the background.
And now Cora, rookie manager for that 119-win 2018 team, ostensibly one of the most secure managers in baseball, owner of a three-year contract extension that pays him $21.75 million through 2027.
A 10-17 start would be his undoing, the most recent indignity a three-game sweep by the rival New York Yankees, which set in motion the mind meld between Breslow, Kennedy and Henry that resulted in respected Class AAA manager Chad Tracy’s promotion to the big club.
To be clear, the players love Tracy, are rooting for him, want to salvage these last 135 games of the season. At the same time, tight-lipped as they tried to be, it was hard to avoid the notion that this was a franchise adrift.
"It’s kind of up in the air what the true direction is," Story said before Sunday’s game. "And those are conversations that need to be had, and they'll be had today.
"I came here to win, and I came here to be successful, and we had a flash of that last year. We were looking to build on it, obviously, not off to a great start, but some of the direction needs to be cleared up a little bit."
Clarity did not come in a brief pregame meeting with Breslow, Kennedy and Henry.
"I spoke. They spoke," Story said. "We'll have our talk. We haven't had it yet."
Indeed, Story was out of Sunday’s lineup and said he had an immediate date with Breslow. Yet it’s not likely Story will be assured of franchise direction with words, when actions have said so much more.
'He had our backs'
Story was signed by previous GM Chaim Bloom to a six-year, $140 million before the 2022 season. By September 2023, Bloom was gone.
Bloom had succeeded Dombrowski, kicked to the curb in September 2019, less than a year removed from the last Red Sox championship team, led by Betts and J.D. Martinez and a pedal-to-the-medal front office.
After Bloom, Breslow – a World Series champion with Boston’s 2013 team – was tabbed to run baseball ops. The past two post-Dombrowski regimes have only dabbled in negotiations with franchise-type players, with just one winter of true aggression: Breslow’s trade acquisition of ace Garrett Crochet and signing of Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal with two opt-outs.
Just like that, Boston made the playoffs, though it was dispatched by the Yankees in the wild card series. Yet that progress was met by a winter of discontent: Bregman fled for the Chicago Cubs, who offered him a bit more money and a no-trade clause.
Rookie Marcelo Mayer and Caleb Durbin – likely more suited to a utility role – would hold down second and third base. Accordingly, the Red Sox have spent most of this young season in last place in home runs and OPS.
And for that, Cora – 620-541 as Red Sox manager, greatly respected in the industry, largely revered by his players – was fired?
No wonder the reaction of every Red Sox polled Sunday led with one word: Shocked. Particularly with the news dropping in the late afternoon hours following a 17-1 victory over Baltimore.
Reliever Garrett Whitlock said he found out when Story FaceTimed him after he’d gone to bed. Story got a call directly from Cora. Second-year star Roman Anthony found out via "a simple announcement from the team."
And Tracy was summoned to exit Worcester’s dugout Saturday to field a call from Breslow. The Class AAA manager was now managing the big club.
The aftershocks would soon hit the roster in Baltimore.
"I can only speak for myself. I'm shocked," says Whitlock, who was snared in the Rule 5 draft from the New York Yankees in 2021 and grew into an elite set-up man. "AC was my second call when I got Rule 5’d over here, and when they told me I made the team, (Varitek) broke down and cried.
"That meant a lot to me, too."
Cora’s human touch and deftness handling the media ingratiated him to the organization. So much that they brought him back after a one-year sidelining after his role in the Houston Astros sign-stealing saga was revealed.
They made it all the way to the ALCS that year.
"He had our backs every single day," says Story. "He was very truthful with the players, and took bullets for us and did everything you can ask for and more as a manager, and just can't express how thankful I am to have had played for him.
"I got a lot of love for that guy."
And what of the club’s top leadership?
'I committed to Bres'
If one thing was clear about the Red Sox franchise in the Bloom-Breslow era, it is this: Boston is no longer a destination.
The club could not get a foot in the door in negotiations with superstars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. The club is estimated by Forbes to be worth $5.25 billion, and with its own television network, is far better positioned than 90% of major league franchises from a revenue standpoint.
Yet under Fenway Sports Group, the club has often finished second or worst in bidding for talent. That’s what made the whiplash of the past 15 months – signing Bregman, alienating and then trading slugger Rafael Devers, losing Bregman, fielding a pop-gun lineup, firing Cora – so maddening.
Especially 27 games into the season. What gives?
"It really comes down to the belief that we have in the players," Breslow said of a group that includes Durbin (.531 OPS), Mayer (.661 OPS), Jarren Duran (.549 OPS, 55 adjusted) and DH Masataka Yoshida (29 homers in four seasons since Bloom signed him).
"Certainly, the performance on the field is nothing, what we expected. And beyond that, again, this is a decisive and convicted demonstration of the confidence we have in the players."
Breslow mentioned multiple times not the 27 games it took to make the decision, but rather the 135 remaining. That turnaround will fall to Tracy, who could be the interim manager briefly, or for a long time, replaced by an exterior option or not, Breslow said.
Perhaps a compass would help.
"It’s a shocking feeling, right?" said second-year star Roman Anthony, who returned to the lineup after a five-game absence due to a back malady.
Anthony committed long-term to the Red Sox, signing an eight-year, $130 million contract before his rookie year was over. He has little choice but cast his lot with those who made that commitment.
"I committed to Bres," says Anthony. "I committed to Mr. Henry, I committed to Mr. Kennedy. I committed to the city and the people around me and to my teammates. And I'm gonna continue to hold that commitment, and the goal for me, and the standard for me, is not gonna change, right?
"Like, we're, again, we have 130 plus games here to go, you know, we can still win the World Series. People on the outside probably don't agree with that, and a lot of (expletive) is going on right now, but the standard for me remains the same, and my commitment to this team, this city, these people, is still the exact same."
Perhaps that might change down the road for the 21-year-old, should more regime change mark his tenure, more fruitless seasons or frustrating playoff sequences, more near-misses when it comes to splash improvements to the team.
For now, it is up to Breslow to prevent all that from happening. Kennedy made clear it was his call. And the weight of its consequences will not be going away.
The Charlotte Checkers have been eliminated in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs following a Game 3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series started perfectly for the Checkers. They defeated the Thunderbirds 8-1 in Game 1, thanks to dominant performances from several players who gained NHL experience with the Florida Panthers late in the season.
In Game 2, the Thunderbirds bounced back, picking up a 5-2 win. It was another strong start, as the Checkers jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first period, but the Thunderbirds responded in the middle frame. The Thunderbirds went into the final stanza with a 3-2 lead and added another two goals to win Game 2.
The first two matchups were fairly high-scoring affairs, but Game 3 was a defensive showdown. The Checkers once again opened the scoring thanks to a tally from Tobias Bjornfot.
The Checkers held onto their lead until late in the third period when veteran defender Calle Rosen tied the game at 1-1.
In the overtime frame, former 2016 first-round pick Julien Gauthier scored the winner, eliminating the Checkers and sending the Thunderbirds into a second-round matchup with the Providence Bruins.
Although the Checkers fell short of replicating their post-season success from last year, they still introduced several rookies to their lineup. They also saw several players, highlighted by Sandis Vilmanis, Alex Benning, and Mikulas Hovorka, play impactful minutes in the NHL.
The Savanah Ghost Pirates, the Panthers’ ECHL affiliate, are the final remaining team in the Panthers organization still alive in the playoffs. However, they are down 2-0 in their first-round series against the Blues’ ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades.
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After leading the Philadelphia Flyers in scoring after the Olympic break, Matvei Michkov has fallen flat against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Michkov, 21, has yet to record a point for the Flyers this postseason, joining Tyson Foerster as the only two forwards (who have played) in that category.
The problem, though, is that the Russian phenom isn't as physical or versatile as Foerster, and it's forced head coach Rick Tocchet to use center Noah Cates as a rogue player at times due to the line's overall ineffectiveness.
Things came to a head in a 4-2 Game 4 loss to the Penguins, when Michkov was out-attempted 14-1--yes, 14-1--at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The former No. 7 overall pick needs opportunities and possession in the offensive zone to contribute, and those opportunities have been far and few between.
Hypothetically, Tocchet's idea of having Cates and Denver Barkey fetch the puck for Michkov on the forecheck should have worked, but it hasn't. Now it's time to adjust.
At Sunday's practice at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, N.J., Michkov was observed to be taking line rushes with projected scratches Garrett Wilson and Carl Grundstrom, while rookie Alex Bump skated with Foerster and Cates.
The Flyers are up 3-1 in the series because they've gotten scoring from the first and fourth lines (Christian Dvorak and Sean Couturier units) that were meant to be handling matchup duties against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
On the other hand, the Trevor Zegras and Cates lines that were set up to have easier matchups have done very little of that, though Zegras and Travis Konecny drove the bus for the Flyers in Game 4, specifically.
So, why is Tocchet making the expected move now, with the Flyers needing some offense and with Michkov producing in key moments as recently as a week ago?
"I just think he's part of the young group. Barks went through it a little bit, Bump a little bit. You hit, not the wall, but you kind of plateau. There's a lot of pace in the playoffs," Tocchet was quoted as saying of Michkov by PHLY's Charlie O'Connor.
"I think it's OK to evaluate them every once in a while, give them a rest and stuff. Whether it's Matvei, whether it's Bumper, it doesn't really matter. I think that's the way you develop them as players."
By default, the new-look Bump, Cates, and Foerster trio should look better and more cohesive. They're better suited for the responsibilities they'll have than Barkey and Michkov were together.
What the immediate future holds for Michkov is currently unclear, but each game he went without scoring or improving made this moment increasingly likely.
Now, we'll have to wait and see how the 21-year-old responds to yet another challenging moment in his young career.
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist avoided having to go to the hospital after taking a skate to his face, though coach Glen Gulutzan had no further update Sunday.
Lundkvist suffered a deep laceration after taking an inadvertent skate to the left side of his face during the second period of Dallas' 3-2 overtime loss at Minnesota on Saturday that tied the best-of-seven first-round series at 2-2.
Stars players had the day off Sunday, when Gulutzan spoke to reporters on a Zoom call and said he was waiting for an update after a further examination of Lundkvist. But the coach said Lundkvist never had to to go the hospital for the cut.
On the play where he go hurt, Lundkvist was called for a tripping penalty. As Michael McCarron tumbled over, his skate inadvertently caught the face of the Stars defenseman, who was bleeding when he immediately went to the Dallas bench and then down the tunnel.
Lundkvist signed a two-year, $3.5 million contract that was announced just before the start of the playoffs and goes through the 2027-28 season.
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