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Today in White Sox History: April 22

On this day 86 years ago, Vallie Eaves set a club record that still stands, with 12 walks — and left the game in line for the win!

1900
After a loss debuting in the American League on April 21, the White Sox split the weekend and got in the winning column with a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in front of a Sunday crowd of 15,000 fans at South Side Park.

The deciding run came in the seventh inning, snapping a 3-3 tie, when left fielder Dan Lally singled home right fielder Herm McFarland on a hit-and-run. Lally, McFarland and shortstop Frank Shugart all collected two hits apiece in Chicago’s 11-hit attack. Starter Roger Denzer got the complete game victory.

1940
In his season debut, sixth career game and fourth career start, Vallie Eaves set a White Sox record that still stands, with 12 walks over 7 2/3 innings in a 6-5 loss vs. Detroit. The rookie fell behind in the second inning after four walks, a wild pitch, a double and triple — but escaped the inning down just 2-0! Another three walks and a wild pitch saw Eaves get the hook in the eighth inning — amazingly, the righty left the game with a 5-3 lead and ended up with an adequate game score of 46, given his seven strikeouts. He walked in two of Detroit’s three runs on his watch, but it was Clint Brown out of the White Sox bullpen who blew the game, and Eaves’ shot at his first White Sox win.

Just 13 pitchers have ever thrown more than 12 walks in a single game, with two of them coming against the White Sox — including a 14-walk game, tied for fourth-most ever.

1955
It was the first time the White Sox ever played in Kansas City, and outfielder Jim Rivera would make it a memorable night by scoring what would be stand up as the deciding run in the 5-4 victory. Chico Carrasquel had the biggest night for the victors, going 4-for-5 with a double and a home run. Chicago improved to 5-2 on the season.

And stay tuned to Today in White Sox History, because the very next day packed an even bigger wallop.

1959
In one of the most bizarre innings in baseball history, the White Sox got 11 runs in the seventh inning of a 20-6 win at Kansas City.

The uniqueness of it was that fact that those 11 runs scored on only one hit! It took 45 minutes to play the half-inning, with Johnny Callison getting the only Sox hit. Jim Landis made two of the three outs, both on comebackers to the pitcher.

Through six innings, the White Sox trailed Kansas City, 6-1. Here is the play-by-play of the historic proceedings from there:

  1. GORMAN REPLACED WARD (PITCHING)
  2. Ray Boone reached on an error by DeMaestri [Boone to first]
  3. Al Smith reached on an error on a sacrifice bunt by Smith [Boone to second]
  4. Johnny Callison singled to right [Boone scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Smith scored (unearned) (error by Maris), Callison to third]
  5. Luis Aparicio walked [Aparicio stole second]
  6. Bob Shaw walked
  7. EARL TORGESON BATTED FOR SAMMY ESPOSITO
  8. FREEMAN REPLACED GORMAN (PITCHING)
  9. Torgeson walked (walk was charged to Gorman) [Callison scored, Aparicio to third, Shaw to second]
  10. Nellie Fox walked [Aparicio scored, Shaw to third, Torgeson to second]
  11. Jim Landis forced Shaw (pitcher to catcher) [Torgeson to third, Fox to second]
  12. Sherm Lollar walked [Torgeson scored (unearned), Fox to third, Landis to second]
  13. BRUNET REPLACED FREEMAN (PITCHING)
  14. Boone walked [Fox scored (unearned), Landis to third, Lollar to second]
  15. Smith walked [Landis scored (unearned), Lollar to third, Boone to second]
  16. Callison was hit by a pitch [Lollar scored (unearned), Boone to third, Smith to second]
  17. LOU SKIZAS RAN FOR CALLISON
  18. Aparicio walked [Boone scored (unearned), Smith to third, Skizas to second]
  19. Shaw struck out
  20. BUBBA PHILLIPS BATTED FOR TORGESON
  21. Phillipswalked [Smith scored (unearned), Skizas to third, Aparicio to second]
  22. Fox walked [Skizas scored (unearned), Aparicio to third, Phillips to second]
  23. Landis grounded out (pitcher to first)

If you made it to the end, all told that’s 11 runs, one hit, three errors, three left on base, 10 walks and one hit-by-pitch.

The 11 runs in the seventh inning are the most the Sox have ever scored in that frame. The 20 runs scored is tied for fifth-most in franchise history.

Ironically, this game came almost exactly four years after the White Sox scored their most-runs ever in a game, 29, on April 22, 1955 — against these same Kansas City Athletics!

1972
In the first game of a doubleheader against the Royals at Comiskey Park, White Sox pitcher Wilbur Wood reached on a fielder’s choice and scored the only run of the game thanks to an error, in the 1-0 win. Wood went the distance, allowing seven hits in a game that lasted less than two hours.

The Sox also won the second game, 3-2, thanks to a home run from Carlos May in the eighth inning.

1991
Frank Thomas hit the first White Sox home run in new Comiskey Park, a two-run blast in the fifth inning, off of Ben McDonald. It was also the first-ever night game played at the park and the first save earned by a White Sox pitcher there (Bobby Thigpen). The White Sox defeated Baltimore, 8-7.

1998
Ray Durham tied a major league record by reaching base safely three times via error in a 14-7 win over a sloppy Cleveland club that committed five errors overall. Durham reached base six times in the game, getting three additional hits, as well as scoring four runs and knocking in two.

Amazingly, Durham also advanced bases on the two other errors in the game, once advancing to third due to a wild throw on a steal of second base, and also getting all the way home when his triple forced another error.

Four of the five errors were committed by future White Sox: Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Jim Thome (two).

2000
The White Sox and Tigers had a brawl that reminded many longtime fans of the fights from the 1950s with the Yankees. This one lasted for almost 30 minutes and saw eight players from both sides get kicked out, along with Sox manager Jerry Manuel. A record number of 16 players would be fined and subsequently suspended.

The brawl started after Detroit pitcher Jeff Weaver hit Paul Konerko in the fourth inning, and Carlos Lee in the sixth. Sox pitcher Jim Parque then drilled Detroit’s Dean Palmer leading off the seventh, and the fight was on.

One of the lingering memories was relief pitcher Keith Foulke suffering a gash on his face courtesy of a sucker punch thrown by either Karim Garcia or Bobby Higginson; Foulke needed five stiches to close the wound. Tigers catcher Robert Fick was seen taunting White Sox fans in the bleacher seats in right field, and got deluged with beer over it.

The Sox won the game, 14-6, and used it as a rallying point for the rest of the season, as they went on to win 95 games en route to a division championship.

2024
The nightmare White Sox season continued, as they were shut out in Minnesota, 7-0, dropping their record to an unbelievable 3-19. It was the eighth time in the first 22 games the team was held without a run, which had never happened before in baseball history.

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Mikal Bridges: Knicks must 'bring that fire' into Game 3 against Hawks in NBA playoffs

After dropping a heartbreaking Game 2 to the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks hit the road for a pivotal Game 3 in Atlanta on Thursday night. 

Before leaving town, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges met with reporters on Wednesday, looking back on exactly what went wrong in Game 2.

The Knicks, of course, led by double digits entering the fourth quarter, but were outscored 28-15 in the final 12 minutes, falling 107-106 as a buzzer-beater attempt by Bridges came up short.

While a 2-0 lead would feel a lot more comfortable for the Knicks than having the series tied heading into Atlanta, Bridges explained that there’s still plenty to take away from the disappointment of the last game.

“You always want to get better in a win, but sometimes you need a loss to dive in on the things that you’re not doing well,” Bridges said. “That’s a good team, too, so it’s not like it’s going to be easy. Just gotta learn from it and bring that fire to the next game.”

So what exactly did go wrong for the Knicks in that second half? According to Hart, the team didn’t play with the same physical edge as they brought in the first six quarters of the first-round series.

“I feel like we didn’t have that physicality that we did Game 1 and in the first half. I think that was the biggest thing,” said Hart, who finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. “When you lose that physicality, then you allow them to kind of move at their own pace and dictate their offense, instead of you dictating it. We just have to make sure we’re physical and pay attention to detail and focused for a full 48 [minutes].”

“That’s a game we should have won,” Hart added. “Watching the film, obviously it reenforces that. You see just a small area that you had a little bit of slippage on, and that affects the outcome of the game. Obviously, we’ve got to make sure we’re locked in and focused for a full 48. It’s the playoffs. Basketball is a game of runs. You can go up 12, 14, and this team, they’re going to battle and they can go on a run and cut it to four. Now you just have to make sure you’re focused and locked in to punch back.”

The series now heads to Atlanta for the next two games, with the Hawks stealing homecourt advantage in the best-of-seven by splitting the two games at The Garden. 

And while the Knicks won’t be playing in front of their home fans, Hart explained that sometimes going on the road can help bring a team together even more, especially in the playoffs.

“I think we have a really good group of guy, who especially during this time, we don’t care about anything else but winning,” Hart said. “We don’t care about point, touches, minutes, anything like that. We’re focused on winning the game, and when you have a collective group of guys who are willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the team, that’s where special things happen. And I think we have that kind of character in the locker room. 

“When you go on the road, it’s just those guys in the locker room and no one else. So sometimes being on the road kind of helps you band together.”

Hart, Bridges and the rest of the Knicks tip off Game 3 with the Hawks in Atlanta on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

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Game #24 GameThread: Jays @ Angels

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 22: A detail view of a MLB baseball during the game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 22, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game three of three with the Angels.

When I went to watch games in Anaheim, I really enjoyed the stadium. It was the first ballpark I’d been to that basically had a shopping mall in it. I remember looking in the Oakley store at over priced sunglasses and one of the sales person said I could get my name (or whatever I wanted) sketched into the lenses, for just another $40 bucks. It seemed really weird to me. But people were doing it.

We stayed in a hotel that was close enough to the ballpark to walk over, which was good, because traffic was nuts around there.

I should be back home for this game, with any luck and West Jet’s cooperation. Which means this is the last GameThread I have to put together a month ahead of time. I’ve never had this many scheduled posts before. Hopefully they all went up exactly as I planned.

Go Jays Go.

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Shohei Ohtani vies to maintain an edge over Rafael Devers

Apr 21, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) warms up before a game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Showcasing just how much he was held back last season, his first coming back from elbow surgery, Shohei Ohtani could tonight against the Giants complete at least half of his innings total in last year’s regular season. The back-to-back NL MVP has three starts on the year, completing exactly six innings in each of them with a 2-0 record, part of a rotation that has been one of the best in baseball.

Ohtani will face a Giants offense that, despite the win on Tuesday, hasn’t exactly been at its finest this season, and that mainly goes through the struggles of Rafael Devers, who did play a key role in their 3-1 win on Monday with one RBI. Signed to be the leader of this attack, Devers only has four extra-base hits IN 93 at-bats this season, and if his track record against Ohtani is to be taken into account, the outlook for tonight’s game favors the Dodgers.

Players who first crossed paths when they were both in the American League, Ohtani with the Angels and Devers with the Red Sox, have faced each other 12 times—Devers is two for 12 against Ohtani with no home runs and no runs batted in. Still with a small sample on the mound as a Dodger, Ohtani doesn’t have a lot of experience against this Giants lineup. Other than Devers, Matt Chapman is the only Giant with double-digit at-bats against Ohtani, hitting two homers in 19 of them.

After sitting down quietly despite a bombardment of walks against Landon Roupp—who, by the way, hadn’t allowed a home run all season long—the homer-happy Dodgers face the favorable matchup of Tyler Mahle, responsible for 25% of the long balls conceded by the Giants’ pitching staff (6 of 24).

Wednesday’s game info

  • Teams: Dodgers at Giants
  • Ballpark: Oracle Park, San Francisco
  • Start time: 6:45 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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New Portland owner Tom Dundon's penny-pinching ways talk of league, he does not care

On the court, the Portland Trail Blazers are impressing with their athleticism and play in their first-round series against San Antonio — there is a real path forward for this team to be a threat in the West.

However, in league circles, it's the Trail Blazers moves off the court that have everyone taking — and mocking — the franchise. Specifically, reports of penny-pinching by new owner Tom Dundon. While more rumors are swirling around the league than we have room to discuss here, there are a few of these incidents that have become public:

•Portland was the only team not to bring their two-way players on the road for their first-round playoff series, something first reported by Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. Traditionally, those players are considered part of the team — Caleb Love played 49 games for the Trail Blazers this season — even if they are not on the active playoff roster.
• The Trail Blazers shrunk the size of their traveling party for road trips, which included the team photographer and digital reporter not making trips.
• Portland made support staff check out of their hotel rooms early and wait nearly four hours in the lobby of a hotel to avoid late check-out fees. That included the team masseuse, who had nowhere to set up and work on players, reports Jason Quick of The Athletic.

However, the big rumor has been that they are trying to hire a coach on the cheap. As one source told NBC Sports, Portland is trying to hire an NBA coach on a mid-major coach's salary. There were reports that Dundon spoke to multiple college coaches and was reportedly trying to hire a coach for about $1.5 million a season, well below the roughly $4 million average starting salary for an NBA coach (the league average for a coach is closer to $7 million). Tiago Splitter has done an admirable job after being forced to take on the head coaching job one game into the season, following Chauncey Billups' arrest as part of a federal gambling probe. In a move that breaks with NBA etiquette, Dundon has searched fairly publicly for a new coach while Splitter still has the job.

This is the one area source really pushed back to Quick of The Athletic.

"Of all the things reported on Tom, the one thing that is not true is the coaching thing, that he is trying to get someone for $1 million to 1.5 million," a team source said. "It's just not true. He's talked to everybody, and of course, some coaches he talks to would be less expensive than others. The goal is to find the best person."

None of this talk bothers Dundon, according to reports. While most owners might be shamed and change their behavior because of all this, Dundon appears unfazed, as one source told Quick at The Athletic.

"I ought to tell you, I don't think he gives a rat's ass what is said about him," a league source told The Athletic. "Most owners care. They insulate themselves because they care very much about their image and profile. He doesn't give a f***. He doesn't even flinch with this stuff."

It's all a shock to the system in Portland because long-time owner Paul Allen was lavish with the perks, from big ones like a specially-modified private charter plane for the team to the fact that players got their cars washed and detailed during practice.

It was not financially prudent (not that it impacted Allen, one of the Microsoft co-founders). Still, as Bill Oram of The Oregonian noted, it's not easy to get free-agent players to commit to Portland or to stay once they arrive. Rainy Portland, somewhat isolated on the NBA map up in the Pacific Northwest, is a very different vibe for players who might have grown up on the East Coast. The perks and the way the organization treated players helped — if the perks and amenities are stripped away, will it be even harder to get players to come? Will the Trail Blazers have to overpay to get players with options?

That said, Dundon had the same playbook with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes — he may not have spent on the things around the team, but he has always been willing to spend on players and talent. And, the Hurricanes are currently in the NHL playoffs for the eighth consecutive year — that kind of run of success would win fans over in Portland. Winning cures a lot of ills in any organization.

That may be what Dundon is banking on, and his young team has shown signs of promise this season and already in the playoffs. Plus, next year, they get Damian Lillard back.

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Cavaliers vs Raptors Same-Game Parlay for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 3

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The Cleveland Cavaliers are making teams nervous in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland has looked like the best two-way team in the East and takes a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 of its opening-round matchup with the Toronto Raptors.

My Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions won’t get in the way of the road team, backing them to win again while getting strong production from their stars.

Here are my best NBA picks for Thursday, April 23.

Our best Cavaliers vs Raptors SGP for Game 3

The Cleveland Cavaliers have looked great on both ends of the floor in two strong wins over the Toronto Raptors. While Toronto will be more competitive back in Canada, there’s just too much firepower for Cleveland, and the Raps haven't been getting the best from their starters.

Donovan Mitchell has amassed 62 points through the first two games, which means Toronto will try to take him out of the equation in Game 3. That added pressure makes “Spida” more of a passer, and he’s been excellent at trusting his teammates this season.

Cleveland center Jarrett Allen boasts a massive edge in size against Toronto, especially if the Raptors roll out a small-ball lineup again. Allen can dominate inside and is projected for 13+ points in Game 3.

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76ers vs Celtics NBA Playoff Game 3 Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 24

The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a big road upset in Game 2, beating the Celtics, 111-97. The series is tied 1-1 as they head to Philadelphia.

In his second career playoff game, rookie VJ Edgecombe went off for 30 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey poured in 29 points and 9 assists. Philadelphia shot 49% from three (19/39) compared to 26% from Boston (13/50). Joel Embiid started his strength and conditioning program with the 76ers after being nearly two weeks removed from an emergency appendectomy. It doesn't appear Embiid will be ready for the first round series.

Jaylen Brown led the game in scoring with 36 points, while Jayson Tatum double-doubled again with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Boston's starters went 11-of-38 from three (28.9%) and four of them combined for four total free throw attempts. The Celtics will need more from its role players in Game 3 at Philadelphia. Boston was 3-1 coming off a loss last year in the playoffs and 3-0 in the year prior.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game Details and How to Watch Live: 76ers vs. Celtics

  • Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
  • Time: 7 PM EST
  • Site: Xfinity Mobile Arena
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: Amazon Prime Video

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game Odds: 76ers vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Boston Celtics (-305), Philadelphia 76ers (+245)
  • Spread: Celtics -7.5
  • Total: 215.5 points

This game opened Celtics -7.5 with the Total set at 215.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups: Celtics vs. 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

  • PG Tyrese Maxey
  • SG VJ Edgecombe
  • SF Kelly Oubre Jr
  • PF Paul George
  • SF Adem Bona

Boston Celtics

  • PG Derrick White
  • SG Jaylen Brown
  • SF Sam Hauser
  • PF Jayson Tatum
  • C Neemias Queta

Injury Report: Celtics vs. 76ers

Boston Celtics

  • None

Philadelphia 76ers

  • Joel Embiid (abdomen) is OUT for Game 3

Important stats, trends and insights: 76ers vs. Celtics

  • Boston is an NBA-best 50-34 ATS 
  • Boston is an NBA-best 50-33 to the Under
  • Boston is an NBA-best 26-15 on the road
  • Boston is 26-15 to the Under on the road
  • Philadelphia is 45-40 ATS and 20-22 ATS as the home team
  • Philadelphia is 44-41 to the Under and 22-20 to the Under as the home team

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s Celtics and 76ers’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Celtics’ Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Celtics -7.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 215.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

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5 Sixers thoughts after their upset Game 2 win in Boston

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 21: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 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

After being all the way out, Sixers fans are all the way back in after their Game 2 stunner in Boston. Tying the series up 1-1 against the Celtics, I’m soaking it up. Before Game 3 rolls around, here are some choice thoughts I have about the Sixers…

Tyrese Maxey took charge when the Sixers needed it most

I’ll be honest. I was a tad disappointed with Tyrese Maxey for a good chunk of Game 2. His raw shooting stats (11-28) weren’t up to par and, in the second half, he was repeatedly indecisive when he should’ve been the one playing hero for the team.

When Boston cut the Sixers lead to merely two points in the fourth quarter, I was terrified. I had watched this all unfold more times than I’ve seen Seinfeld reruns. Maxey, however, flipped the narrative of his evening after that. On consecutive possessions, Maxey drilled three-pointers, padding the Sixers’ lead to eight as the team never looked back.

VJ Edgecombe is rightfully stealing the headlines with his 30-point performance as a 20-year-old rookie in just his second-ever playoff game, but Maxey had the guts to get the job done when everyone in the Delaware Valley was counting on him.

The Sixers found their three-point shot in Game 2

Speaking of three-pointers, the Sixers had a laughable effort on that front in Game 1. They shot just 17 percent from deep, making only four of their 23 long-range attempts. No team in the postseason in 2026 is winning while making just four triples, but the volume is what annoyed me the most. They needed to hoist those bad boys up in the hopes of having some wild shooting variance that could have them steal a game or two.

That’s exactly what happened on Tuesday. The Sixers attempted 39 threes and made 49 percent of them. That was the game! Sure, they’re not going to be making nearly half their three-pointers for the remainder of this series, but let it fly in an attempt to have some luck fall their way, not unlike a mid-major program keeping a blue blood school on their toes during March Madness.

The wild adventures of Adem Bona continue on

I guess head coach Nick Nurse will continue trotting out Adem Bona as the nominal starting center even if Andre Drummond is playing more minutes than him nightly in the postseason, but, sheesh, he is a frustrating player to watch. I’m aware Bona is just a 23-year-old former second-round pick in his sophomore NBA campaign, but this is the playoffs against the Celtics! All those qualifiers go out the window when you’re fighting for your postseason livelihood on the road in Boston!

There have been multiple occasions already in this series where Bona was dribbling in transition and disaster happened to the surprise of literally no one. I’m intrigued by the possibility of Bona being an energetic backup big man down the line, but the time is not now for that.

I get that Nurse, who I can’t say I’m a huge fan of from the jump, is limited on what he can do while Joel Embiid is out and the other options are a 32-year-old Drummond or a small-ball look with Dominick Barlow, but it’s beyond frustrating to watch Bona’s gaffes when the stakes are this high.

Can Embiid return this weekend in South Philadelphia? It would be a remarkable turnaround as he recovers from an emergency appendectomy, but his presence is certainly missed to say the least.

The Wink Seen ‘Round the World

Edgecombe delivered an instantly iconic moment in Sixers lore, drilling a late three to continue putting the Celtics in a hole and then proceeded to wink in a way that was perfectly captured on television:

The kid has aura!

Is he a superstar “in the making” or one already? Let’s see how the next few games play out…

Will it be a Boston takeover this weekend?

While they were no sarcastic “We Want Boston!” chants from Celtics fans on Tuesday night given that the Sixers were in control for most of the game, Sixers fans will likely be seeing more of those folks sooner than they’d like. I fear that there will be an irritating amount of Celtics fans in the building for Games 3 and 4 in South Philly.

It will be the weekend, so it’ll be easier for them to make the trip down here, to say nothing of the bandwagon fans who exist in the region. Add in the fact that Sixers fans are fairly burnt out on the team, Game 2 victory aside, and that Boston has championship aspirations with their squad and we could be in store for a little too much green in the Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd.

I hope that’s not the case, but, naturally, I’m always fearing the worst!

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Friars make surprise move to bolster rotation depth

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Lucas Giolito #24 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The San Diego Padres addressed their rotation needs about as quickly as the Friar Faithful could hope for.

The Padres announced this morning that they have signed right-hander Lucas Giolito to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027. In a corresponding move, Bryan Hoeing was moved from the 40-man roster to the 60-day IL.

One start seems to have been enough for knuckleballer Matt Waldron, who will likely be replaced by the now-signed Giolito. The move is great for the Friars, and it’s perfect timing.

With Nick Pivetta indefinitely confined to the injured list, and Griffin Canning and Joe Musgrove still somewhat far off, Giolito is a perfect filler for the Padres.

Best case scenario, he breaks out and puts up an even better year than his 3.41 ERA mark from 2025. That mark tied his career-best (2019) when pitching 20-plus starts in a season. Giolito’s biggest strength for the Padres is that he can eat innings. He’s a truly solid starter who can keep San Diego in games.

The amount of his contract hasn’t been announced yet, and that will determine how beneficial this deal is for the Friars. San Diego general manager A.J. Preller has been known to overpay in the past — and starting pitching is at a premium — but the details of the contract are likely to be made public soon.

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Luka Dončić set to begin on-court work ‘soon,’ no update on return timeline

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The path to seeing Luka Dončić back on the floor with the Lakers is long and unknown.

Ever since he went down with a hamstring strain against the Thunder back in early April, he’s done everything possible to return, including traveling to Spain to get treatment on his injury.

Luka remains out indefinitely and isn’t expected to return during the first round of the playoffs. Still, head coach JJ Redick did provide a morsel of good news on his superstar player before Game 2 against the Rockets.

“No update on the timeline for either of those guys,” Redick said. “Austin has started a return to play [process], but we don’t have any timeline update for him. Then Luka, I think, is going to start some court work here soon, but again, no update on a timeline for him.”

Things might be moving slowly for both Dončić and Austin Reaves, but slow motion is better than no motion.

Both players have been seen at the Lakers’ practice facility, and if the Lakers keep winning, they’ll have a chance to make a postseason appearance for the purple and gold this season.

Redick has mentioned that the Lakers need to extend the season long enough for Dončić to return, and so far, both parties are doing their part.

The Lakers are up 2-0 in their series against the Rockets and Dončić continues to make strides towards returning.

The value of Luka to this Lakers team cannot be overstated. He is the NBA’s scoring champion and was presented with his trophy along with the Western Conference Player of the Month Award for March during Game 2 against the Rockets.

Despite the eagerness to see Luka playing in the playoffs with the Lakers, this patient approach is necessary. Luka already dealt with a hamstring strain earlier this season, and this one is even more serious. He is the franchise player, and until he is 100%, he can’t play in competitive basketball games.

Still, the hope is that he can come back if the Lakers can advance past this opening round, and so far, that’s looking possible.

Hopefully, the next update we get is even more positive, and a timeline will emerge then.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Victor Wembanyama's concussion puts Spurs in peril the Lakers avoided without Luka Doncic

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) sits on the court after a hard fall during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Portland Trail Blazers in San Antonio, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Spurs center Victor Wembanyama sits on the court after falling and suffering a concussion in Game 2 of a playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

Towering superstar Victor Wembanyama toppled onto his face Tuesday night — timberrr!!! — and the NBA playoff scenario immediately became as scrambled as the San Antonio Spurs' 7-foot-4 center's thoughts must have been moments after he suffered a concussion.

Without Wembanyama for nearly three quarters, the Spurs fell to the underdog Portland Trail Blazers, 106-103, with the first-round series tied 1-1 and headed to Portland for Game 3 on Friday.

Meanwhile, without superstar guard Luka Doncic, the Lakers powered past the Houston Rockets, 101-94, to take a 2-0 series lead. Guard tandem Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard combined with the ageless LeBron James to make up for the absence of injuries to Doncic as well as fellow starting guard Austin Reaves.

Peering forward, an extended absence by Wembanyama would seem to place the Spurs in serious jeopardy of a first-round exit. After all, "Wemby" is the league's defensive player of the year in addition to averaging 25 points and 11.5 rebounds a game. He is a two-way force of unprecedented magnitude.

Meanwhile, the Lakers have responded to the loss of Doncic so well that Times columnist Bill Plaschke declared "believe it, this series is already over" after their Game 2 victory Tuesday night. The absence of Doncic and his 33.3 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds a game was masked by the exceptional play of teammates.

Read more:Plaschke: It’s over! Lakers prove they’re better than the overmatched Rockets

Does that make Wembanyana more valuable than Doncic? Does it raise Wembanyana's NBA Most Valuable Player credentials to the level of fellow finalists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic?

That's a topic worth debating on another day. For now, the pertinent questions are how severely Wembanyana is injured and how long will he be sidelined. The Spurs and Trail Blazers play Game 3 on Friday night, Game 4 on Sunday and Game 5 on Tuesday night. The median time lost to concussion in the NBA is seven days.

“He has a concussion and he is in the protocol,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said afterward. “We’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps.”

A player in concussion protocol must have at least 48 hours of inactivity and undergo neurological testing while meeting certain criteria without symptoms before being cleared to play. A decision on clearance will come from the NBA concussion protocol director Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher in consultation with the Spurs' team doctor.

The injury occurred early in the second quarter. After backing into the paint with the ball, Wembanyama turned to explode toward the basket. Portland defender Jrue Holiday executed a maneuver termed “pulling the chair” — moving completely away from the Spurs center, who clearly was expecting contact.

Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor. He stayed down for several seconds before sitting up and putting his hands on his face. Television analyst Reggie Miller exclaimed, "He is dazed." Wembanyama finally stood and jogged directly to the locker room. He did not return.

Read more:Luka Doncic providing Lakers a big playoff boost, even from the bench

Meanwhile at Crypto.com Arena, Doncic and Reaves cheered from the bench throughout the Lakers' inspired dismantling of the Rockets. Smart scored 25 points and Kennard added 23.

“I know we just kind of flipped the switch,” Kennard said. “We told each other, this is what we got right now. We’ve got to believe in what we have.”

Added Smart: “The word is, ‘elevate’ for us, and that’s all we’ve been trying to do, is elevate our play on both ends."

Wembanyana's backup is Luke Kornet, who has played for six teams since going undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2017. He was effective during a 14-minute stint in the Spurs' Game 1 victory over Portland and had 10 points and nine rebounds in Game 2 after Wembanyana exited. He'll need to step up the way Smart and Kennard have for the Lakers.

Injuries are inevitable. How teammates respond when a superstar is sidelined provides insight on multiple levels. So far, the loss of Doncic — and Reaves — has been overcome by the Lakers while the loss of Wembanyama could cripple the Spurs.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Cavaliers vs Raptors Prediction, Picks & Bets Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3

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Can the Toronto Raptors slow down the Cleveland Cavaliers?

That’s the million-dollar question as this Round 1 series swings north of the border, which is more like $1.4 million CAD when you do the currency exchange.

Cleveland has a 2-0 chokehold on Toronto, which is trying desperately to solve the Cavaliers’ constant carousel of scoring threats.

Donovan Mitchell is the biggest thorn in the Raptors’ paw... errr claw. 

He’s combined for 62 points in the first two games of the series, but my Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions for Game 3 see Mitchell as more of a playmaker.

My NBA picks like “Spida” to set up his teammates and top his assist prop on Thursday, April 23.

  • UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
  •  

Cavaliers vs Raptors prediction

Who will win Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 3?

Cavaliers: Cleveland has been one of the better two-way teams in the postseason so far.

The Cavs' scoring depth has been on full display, but they have also topped up their defensive intensity, giving Toronto's offense little to work with. 

Immanuel Quickley’s absence is felt at point guard, and his status for Game 3 should be monitored closely.

Cavaliers vs Raptors best bet: Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists (+125)

Donovan Mitchell was the tip of the spear for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening two games, attempting 43 shots for a total of 62 points.

The scary thing is that, unlike in past postseasons, Cleveland doesn’t need Mitchell to shoulder that much of the load.

With James Harden joining him in the backcourt, the pressure is off Mitchell to get good looks every time down the floor. He can allow the offense to move through him rather than to him. 

And with the Toronto Raptors opting to run a small-ball lineup at Cleveland’s heavy screen schemes in the second half of Game 2, Mitchell is now seeing more pressure above the arc.

Mitchell, who averages just shy of six dimes per game, uses his gravity as a scorer to manufacture space for others. The Raps will have to pick their poison, hedging hard to take away Mitchell’s outside threat, but, in the process, making him more of a distributor.

Although Mitchell had just nine potential assists in Game 1, that metric spiked to 13.0 in Game 2, manifesting in five actual assists (three in the 2H).

This Game 3 prop opened with the Over 4.5 assists heavily juiced at many sportsbooks, but early action has been backing the Under. Most shops are now dealing this result between -105 and +108, and bet365 is offering strong value to buy back the adjustment at +125.

Mitchell has handed out five or more assists in 10 of his last 17 games overall, and game projections give Mitchell between 4.7 and 5.4 dimes in Game 3.

Cavaliers vs Raptors same-game parlay

After two games, it really looks like the Raptors are chasing their tails on defense. There’s no easy solution to Cleveland’s inside-out offense. Toronto can’t keep pace beyond the arc and has too many starters going MIA. 

Jarrett Allen scored just 10 points in Game 2, but if the Cavs counter like I believe they will, Mitchell will find Allen for easy dump-downs and dunks inside. Allen is projected for 13+ points on Thursday.

Cavaliers vs Raptors SGP

  • Cavaliers moneyline
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists
  • Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Along Came a Spida

Mitchell has powered this 2-0 series lead with his scoring, but with Toronto trying to take him out of the equation, “Spida” will find other ways to lead the Cavaliers to victory. His assist and rebounding projections sit as high as 5+ each.

Toronto desperately needs better offense, and a trip home should help the Raptors’ cold shooting, pushing this total Over on Thursday.

Cavaliers vs Raptors SGP

  • Cavaliers -3
  • Over 219.5
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 assists
  • Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 rebounds

Cavaliers vs Raptors odds for Game 3

  • Spread: Cavaliers -3 (-110) | Raptors +3 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Cavaliers -155 | Raptors +130
  • Over/Under: Over 219.5 (-110) | Under 219.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Raptors betting trend to know

Toronto has only been a home underdog a dozen times this season (4-8 SU), with those rare spots going 7-5 Over/Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Raptors.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 3

LocationScotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
DateThursday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video, Sportsnet

Cavaliers vs Raptors latest injuries

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Todd McLellan, Steve Yzerman Set For End Of Season Availability Thursday

The Detroit Red Wings will hold their end-of-season media availability on Thursday, with team president Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan expected to address a season that ended in disappointment for the organization.

The availability comes after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for a tenth straight season, despite spending much of the year in strong position to end that drought. For large stretches, the team looked like a legitimate postseason contender as Detroit surged out of the gate and held the third-best record in the NHL at 32-16-5 through 53 games. 

However, the season unraveled in the final stretch as they would go 9-13-4 over their last 26 games, a slide that steadily erased their standing in the playoff picture and ultimately ended their postseason hopes.

The collapse also placed Detroit in an unusual spot in NHL history. The club became the first team to record at least 69 points through its first 53 games and still miss the playoffs, a mark not seen since the 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

The Red Wings face a number of significant roster decisions, including pending unrestricted free agents Patrick Kane, David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, Erik Gustafsson, and Cam Talbot. Restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson also looms as a key negotiation, with expectations of a substantial new contract.

With so many storylines converging, Thursday’s availability is expected to be one of the most closely watched end-of-season press conferences in recent franchise history as Detroit looks to regroup after another missed opportunity.

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Former Saint Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas is joining former coach Randy Bennett at Arizona State

Former Saint Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas is joining former coach Randy Bennett at Arizona State.

Bennett was named Arizona State's coach on March 23 and Murauskas announced Wednesday on Instagram that he will be following his coach to the desert.

“I followed my heart and chose the place where I trust the people and feel valued not just as a player, but as a person,” Murauskas wrote. “I want to finish my college journey with the people who made the last two years so amazing and helped me become who I am now as a person and a player.”

St. John's also made a big splash in the transfer portal, adding former Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman, and Michigan State landed 7-foot-2 Anton Bonke from Charlotte.

The 6-foot-8 Murauskas saw limited action as a freshman at Arizona before thriving in two years at Saint Mary's. The Lithuanian forward averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists as a junior and twice played in the NCAA Tournament with the Gaels.

Murauskas was one of the most sought after players in the transfer portal and had several offers before deciding to join the Sun Devils. He is the first major addition for Bennett at Arizona State since he was hired to replace Bobby Hurley.

“A lot of people think decisions in the transfer portal are only about money, but for me it is about people,” he posted.

Freeman played two seasons at Syracuse, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds. The 6-9 forward averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds last season, scoring at least 20 points eight times.

Freeman joins a program that won consecutive Big East championships and is coming off its first Sweet 16 run since 1999.

Bonke fills a critical need for the Spartans, who lose big men Carson Cooper and Jaxon Kohler and didn't want to rely solely on 7-1 incoming freshman Ethan Taylor in the post. Bonke, a junior from the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, played limited minutes at Providence before transferring last year to Charlotte, where he averaged 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball