Umpire C.B. Bucknor was injured by a foul ball in the second inning and left the game between Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in Milwaukee. (John Fisher / Getty Images)
Umpire C.B. Bucknor's difficult week continued on Wednesday when he left a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers after a foul ball hit him flush in the face mask.
Tampa Bay's Nick Fortes fouled a 100-mph fastball from Milwaukee's Jacob Misiorowski straight back. The ball struck Bucknor, who immediately turned and dropped to his knees.
The Brewers' training staff checked on Bucknor before he left American Family Field. Chad Fairchild, who had been working as the first base umpire, took over behind the plate.
Bucknor's troubles began Saturday when the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox challenged eight of his six ball/strike calls. Six were overturned by Major League Baseball's new ABS challenge system, including back-to-back strike three challenges by Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez that delighted the crowd. At one point, Bucknor's chin dropped to his chest.
Bucknor, who has been an MLB umpire since 1996, ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora after calling Trevor Story out on a check swing. The call ended the eighth inning with two runners on base and the Red Sox trailing by one run.
"He has one job to do. It wasn't his best day," Cora said about Bucknor after the game.
Bucknor, 63, found himself in another swirl of controversy as the first base umpire on Tuesday. Jake Bauers of the Brewers reached base after Rays shortstop Ben Williamson made a throwing error, and Bucknor called Bauers out for failing to touch first base.
The replay clearly showed that Bauers had stepped on the bag, and the call was reversed.
"Yeah, grateful for that," Bauers told reporters about the replay review. "I don't know what happened. Just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score."
While it is unclear why Bucknor missed the call at first base, the rash of overturned ball/strike calls is emblematic of the adjustments umpires and players are making to the automated ball/strike challenge system.
From 1995 to 2005, the MLB rule book defined strikes as the area over home plate from the midpoint between the shoulders and the top of the pants, down to the bottom of the knees. ABS, however, defines the top of the zone as 53.5% of a player’s height, and the bottom of the zone is 27% of the player’s height.
ABS uses tracking technology — 12 Hawk-Eye cameras — to determine the precise location of a pitch relative to a batter’s specific strike zone. The cameras measure balls and strikes from a two-dimensional plane set in the middle of home plate.
Challenges can be made by the catcher or batter, who tap their head to indicate they want an ABS verdict. In the first few days of the 2026 season, catchers turned 59 of 92 challenges (64.1%) into favorable rulings. Batters were less successful, turning 33 of 78 challenges into favorable rulings.
In 2003 and 2006, Sports Illustrated surveys of active MLB players declared Bucknor as the worst umpire in MLB. A 2010 survey of players by ESPN also ranked Bucknor last.
Apr 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (2) is doused with water after his walk off game winning RBI single during the tenth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
First, Andrew Painter had a highly successful debut.
Now, Justin Crawford has himself a walkoff hit, giving the Phillies a much needed victory at home, evening their record at 3-3.
One would have thought it was going to be a lot easier the way the game started. Trea Turner walked, stole a base and scored on a Kyle Schwarber double.
However, the second inning saw Cristopher Sanchez struggle with his command a bit and the Nationals continue their series trend of barely getting the ball out of the infield to scrape across a run and tie the game at one. The Phillies had a chance to untie it in their half of the second, loading the bases for Trea Turner, but a line drive to center field and the threat was over.
The chance would find Turner again in the fourth when he had two in scoring position and two out, but a meek fly ball and the feeling of “here we go again” started washing over everyone watching it. The game stayed that way until the sixth when the Nationals pushed a run across with two outs to take a 2-1 lead. In the seventh, Washington added on when Brad Keller, on in relief for another day, got two outs and induced a groundball for a potential third out, only to be overturned by replay. Two batters later…
The ninth is when the real fireworks began. Turner and Schwarber got one with one out, Harper flied out with two outs and Alec Bohm was walked to load the bases. Edmundo Sosa, brought in as a substitute earlier in the game, delivered with an RBI to tie the game at five.
It stayed this way into extra innings with Jhoan Duran on the mound to preserve the tie ballgame. He got the first out, then was aided by a sparkling defensive play by Sosa to keep the game tied.
With the chance to win it in the tenth, Realmuto singled ghost runner Brandon Marsh to third, meaning Justin Crawford had a chance to make his first stamp on the team. He delivered in a big way.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich hit a go-ahead, two-run single in a six-run eighth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-2 on Wednesday.
Garrett Mitchell added a two-run double during the decisive rally, Blake Perkins drove in a run with a groundout and David Hamilton capped the inning with an RBI single as Milwaukee (5-1) broke open a 2-2 game.
Brice Turang tied it earlier with a two-run homer in the third after the Rays took the lead on Yandy Díaz’s two-run shot in the top half of the inning.
Milwaukee starter Jacob Misiorowski (1-0) struck out seven and allowed four hits and two runs in six innings. The right-hander walked two before handing the game to the bullpen. Grant Anderson, Aaron Ashby and DL Hall combined for three scoreless innings, with Hall striking out three in the ninth.
Tampa Bay (2-4) starter Drew Rasmussen allowed one run and two hits while striking out eight in five innings.
The Brewers’ eighth-inning surge opened after Joey Ortiz reached on a fielding error by shortstop Carson Williams. Turang’s sacrifice bunt was mishandled at first base, putting runners on first and second. William Contreras then singled to load the bases.
Yelich followed with a ground-ball single to right field that scored Ortiz and Turang for a 4-2 lead. Mitchell’s double to right brought home two more runs before Perkins’ RBI groundout and Hamilton’s single extended the lead to 8-2. Milwaukee went 5 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Griffin Jax (0-2) took the loss after allowing five runs in the eighth inning.
Umpire C.B. Bucknor left the game in the second inning after being struck in the mask by a foul ball off Nick Fortes’ bat on a 100.2 mph fastball from Misiorowski.
Up next
Chad Patrick (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will make his second start of the season against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, while Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Tampa Bay on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.
Apr 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Rockies right fielder Tyler Freeman (2) reacts after win over the Toronto Blue Jays after the tenth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
What began as a pitcher’s duel resulted in an extra-inning victory for the Colorado Rockies as they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 to conclude their first road trip of the season.
Despite an offense that struggled to connect, the Rockies’ pitching matched the reigning American League Champions and secured their first series victory of 2026. By contrast, the Rockies didn’t win their first series until June of last season.
Five for Freeland
It took one cycle through the rotation, but the Rockies finally got a starting pitcher to go five innings. Kyle Freeland worked through plenty of traffic but managed to navigate five innings while giving up one run on five hits. He was the definition of attacking the strike zone, throwing 60 of his 88 pitches for strikes, and ended up allowing just one walk while punching out six.
The lone run against Freeland came in the third inning on a one-out single to right field by Davis Schneider that scored Myles Straw. With runners on second and third, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was hit by a sweeper on the tip of his back foot to load the bases. Freeland escaped with a strikeout of Kazuma Okamoto, followed by a soft lineout by Alejandro Kirk. The knuckle-curve was quite effective on the day as he threw it over 25 times.
Unfortunately for the Rockies, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was just as effective. The Colorado native was on point from the get-go and was perfect through the first four innings. He ended up going six innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 Rockies hitters.
With 21 strikeouts, Gausman set a franchise record with the most strikeouts through the first two starts of the season by a Blue Jays pitcher. He is also the first pitcher since at least 1901 with 21 or more strikeouts and zero walks through his first two starts of a season. Gausman’s splitter and fastball were lethal as he carved up the Rockies and generated 19 swing and misses.
The Rockies got their first base runner against Gausman courtesy of a leadoff single from Ezequiel Tovar in the fifth inning. T.J. Rumfield then hit a dribbler on the infield that Toronto flipped to second base for a force out. Tovar was initially called out, but a replay challenge overturned the ruling, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Gausman then struck out Jordan Beck and Brett Sullivan before getting Brenton Doyle to ground out to end the inning.
Troy Johnston had a one-out double in the sixth inning, but Hunter Goodman and Willi Castro struck out to end that threat.
Bullpen Relief
The bullpen was excellent for the Rockies as they prevented the Blue Jays from scoring another run. Antonio Senzatela followed Freeland with two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Victor Vodnik and Brennan Bernardino dealt scoreless innings with Jimmy Herget nailing down the save in the bottom of the 10th. The pen allowed just two hits over five innings of work.
The Rockies struck out a whopping 17 times in 36 at-bats while drawing just three walks. They managed six hits, including the aforementioned double, while going 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
Johnston led the day with a two-hit performance, while five Rockies had two or more strikeouts. The only starter that didn’t strike out was Rumfield. Still, the team continued its running ways, stealing two bases, bringing the team’s total to 10. Jake McCarthy’s stolen base in the eighth proved most beneficial as he was then able to score on Johnston’s RBI single and tie the game at one.
Still, when it mattered most, Tyler Freeman, just activated from the injured list, poked an RBI single to center field in the top of the 10th to drive in the winning run for the Rockies.
The Rockies have the day off on Thursday before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game set at Coors Field on Friday. Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.23 ERA) will take the mound in the home opener and face off against Aaron Nola (0-0, 5.40 ERA) for the Phillies.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 26: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates as he walks back to the dugout during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Thursday, March 26, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Brewers picked up another win on Wednesday afternoon, wrapping up their season-opening homestand with another series win behind a solid pitching performance and a late offensive surge.
Jacob Misiorowski got off to a strong start, setting down the top of Tampa Bay’s lineup in order bookended with a pair of strikeouts. Drew Rasmussen had similar success in the bottom of the inning, putting Milwaukee down 1-2-3 with a strikeout of Christian Yelich.
After picking up a pair of strikeouts to begin the second, a foul tip off the bat of Nick Fortes (on a 100-mph fastball) flew directly into home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor’s mask, who fell to his knees and was visibly shaken up. Bucknor eventually got up and walked off the field under his own power, flanked by members of the Brewers’ training staff. It was a pretty scary moment, so hopefully Bucknor is alright.
After the delay, Misiorowski gave up a single to Fortes and a walk to Chandler Simpson, but he got out of the inning with the game still scoreless. After Rasmussen worked around a single and steal by Garrett Mitchell, Misiorowski found himself struggling in the third.
Miz hit the leadoff man, Richie Palacios, to put a runner on with nobody out. Up next was Yandy Díaz, who lofted a fastball over the right field fence for a two-run homer, putting Tampa up 2-0. Misiorowski then got a flyout before giving up a double to Jake Fraley, but he struck out the next two batters to keep the deficit at two.
The Brewers didn’t take long to respond in the bottom of the inning, as David Hamilton reached on a throwing error by Junior Caminero before swiping second base. After Joey Ortiz hit a deep fly ball that was caught by a sliding Cedric Mullins on the warning track, Brice Turang got a hold of one and put it into the Brewer bullpen to knot the game at 2-2. Caminero had another throwing error one batter later, but Rasmussen struck out the next two to keep the score at 2-2.
In the fourth, Miz allowed a one-out single to Simpson, who was wiped out at second on a spectacular diving play and throw by Turang. He then walked Palacios but got out of the inning with a soft grounder by Díaz.
Fresh off hitting a bomb, Brice Turang makes a nice diving snag
Rasmussen continued right where he left off in the fourth, striking out Milwaukee’s outfield trio of Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Blake Perkins in order on just 12 pitches. Misiorowski was even more efficient in the top of the fifth, inducing three flyouts on just six pitches.
That would be indicative of the quiet innings to come, as Rasmussen worked around a Turang walk in the bottom of the fifth, Miz set the Rays down in order in the sixth, and Rasmussen’s replacement, Ian Seymour, allowed a leadoff single but then got a double play and strikeout for a clean bottom of the sixth.
Misiorowski’s day was over after six frames, as he allowed two runs on four hits and a pair of walks with seven strikeouts. He was slightly overshadowed by Rasmussen, who went five innings with two runs allowed (only one earned) on two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts.
Grant Anderson took over for Miz in the seventh, setting the Rays down 1-2-3 before Seymour did the same in the bottom of the inning. Aaron Ashby allowed a leadoff walk in the eighth but got an inning-ending double play, and this one would be decided in the final at-bat for each team.
Griffin Jax got the ball in place of Seymour in the eighth, and immediately found himself struggling, with no help from his defense to boot. Ortiz singled (note: this was originally ruled an error, but the scoring was changed the next inning) to start the frame, and Turang followed with a sacrifice bunt. But Caminero failed to make the catch at first — his third error of the day — and both runners were safe.
The ball kept rolling from there, as William Contreras singled to load the bases with no outs. Yelich, who delivered the huge go-ahead hit in the eighth on Sunday, did exactly the same today, singling in both Ortiz and Turang to give Milwaukee the late 4-2 lead. Jake Bauers followed with a walk to once again load the bases.
Mason Englert took over for Jax, and he didn’t fare any better, allowing a two-run double to Mitchell — making it 6-2 Brewers — before Perkins brought in another with a groundout.
DL Hall got the ninth and picked up a trio of strikeouts while working around a hit by pitch and single.
It was another solid day for the Crew, as they moved to 5-1 on the season. Ashby took the win with his scoreless eighth, while the staff as a whole scattered five hits, three walks, and a hit batter, giving up two runs (both credited against Misiorowski). Offensively, Turang, Yelich, and Mitchell led the way, as all three picked up a pair of RBIs. Perkins and Hamilton added an RBI each, and Turang and Mitchell had the only extra-base hits on a homer and double, respectively.
The Brewers get their first off day on Thursday before beginning a two-city interleague road trip this weekend. They’ll first head to Kansas City to take on the Royals. First pitch in Friday’s game is at 6:45 p.m. CT, airing exclusively on Apple TV, though you can also listen on the Brewer Radio Network.
In three days, the Michigan men’s basketball team will continue its push for a national championship with a matchup against fellow No. 1 seed Arizona in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines’ departure to Indianapolis came with a scare, though.
Michigan point guard Elliot Cadeau was evaluated by team medical personnel for a possible allergic reaction to something he ate as the team prepared to leave Ann Arbor for Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 1, a team spokesman told the Detroit Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network.
Cadeau was determined to be “fine” by doctors, though out of an abundance of caution, he was continuing to receive medical supervision and would not be leaving for the Final Four until later in the day Wednesday.
Video taken from outside of Michigan’s practice facility during the celebratory send-off showed a covered body being carried away on a gurney and loaded into an ambulance.
NEW... a member of the Michigan Wolverines basketball team needed medical attention as the team prepared to depart for the Final Four this afternoon from Ann Arbor. Sources say an allergic reaction. Player, said to be fine, expected to join the team later. VIDEO: Jon Hewett pic.twitter.com/uF3h1h1Mf0
In his first season with the program since transferring over from North Carolina, Cadeau has been the primary distributor on one of the best teams in the country. The 6-foot-1 junior is averaging a team-high 5.8 assists per game and is Michigan’s fourth-leading scorer, at 10.2 points per game. He has had 33 assists in his team’s four NCAA tournament wins, the second-highest total of any player in the event.
Heading into their meeting with Arizona in the Final Four, the Wolverines have pieced together one of the best seasons in the program’s proud history, going 35-3 under second-year head coach Dusty May. The 35 victories are a program single-season record.
EVANS, Ga. (AP) — Arkansas junior Maria Jose Marin birdied her final two holes Wednesday for a 7-under 65 to share the lead with 17-year-old Soomin Oh of South Korea in an opening round of great weather and low scoring at Champions Retreat in the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Asterisk Talley, the 17-year-old Californian who was runner-up in the ANWA a year ago, holed a greenside bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 18th hole as she made the turn and shot 66.
The conditions were ideal, and most of the 72-player field seized on the opportunity. Eight players were at 67 or lower, and 31 players broke par.
Marin, the 19-year-old Colombian who won the NCAA title last year, finished on the back and poured in an 8-foot birdie putt to get off to a much better start than a year ago, when she failed to make the 36-hole cut.
The second round Thursday is at Champions Retreat, and the top 30 and ties advance to the final round Saturday at Augusta National. All 72 players get to play at the home of the Masters on Friday.
“I feel like last year ... it was a lot of learning,” Marin said. “There was a lot of tears, and of course this tournament means a lot to me. Not making the cut, it hurt a lot. But I learned that I’ve got to stay with my two feet on the ground, that I have to be really patient with my game, that if things are not going my way, I don’t have to push it, that I just have to wait for golf to do its thing.”
Oh, the runner-up in the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific earlier this year, also played bogey-free. She was on the front edge of the green on the par-5 ninth, facing a 70-foot eagle chance to take the lead. She did well to lag it 4 feet beyond the cup and holed that to share the lead.
Andrea Revuelta and Vanessa Borovilos joined Talley at 66. The group at 67 included Meja Örtengren and Amelie Zalsman, the 17-year-old Floridian who earlier this year won the prestigious South Atlantic Women's Amateur.
Revuelta and Örtengren are among all five players from Stanford in the field, four of whom broke par. The exception was U.S. Women's Amateur champion Megha Ganne, who was stunned by two double bogeys in her opening four holes and crashed to a 77.
This is Ganne's sixth time playing the ANWA, which already has become as prestigious as any amateur event in women's golf, mainly because of where the final round is played.
Talley first rose to some level of national prominence in 2024 when she reached the championship match of three USGA events, including the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Girls Junior. Talley is coming off a tie for 29th last week in the Ford Championship on the LPGA.
Her bunker shot for eagle sent her out at 31.
“I was honestly just trying to barely get it on the green and let it roll out all the way to the flag,” Talley said. “I knew it was going to be pretty fast. I was honestly just trying to get it within 10 feet, and it ended up going in, so it was pretty cool.”
She had to settle for eight pars and a birdie on the front to finish one off the lead, though comfortable to make sure she has a tee time at Augusta National on Saturday.
“I wasn’t making many mistakes, but I wasn’t doing anything amazing on the back nine,” Talley said. “I think it was just pretty much just hitting fairways and greens and not getting very close to the hole at all times.”
Apr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen (57) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Early season schedules are a peculiarity, and a getaway game on an early April afternoon is one of those things. The Rays were licking their wounds from a rough loss on Tuesday night—but a blessedly solid outing from the returning Shane McClanahan—and were hoping to come away with a series win before hitting the road. They would be leaning on Drew Rasmussen to handle the pitching, while the Brewers were counting on the young and exciting Jacob Misiorowski.
With two strong pitchers out today, scoring was always going to be at a premium. The Rays went 1-2-3 in the top of the first, then the Brewers did the same in the bottom of the inning.
In the second, there were two back-t0-back outs, but then the game fell into a delay as a 100mph fastball got foul tipped right into the mask of home plate umpire CB Bucknor, taking him to the ground. The delay continued as Bucknor was removed from the game. Chad Fairchild came in to replace him, going with a three-man crew instead.
Tough break here for umpire, CB Bucknor. Hopefully, he is okay. 🙏🏼
The delay didn’t seem to hurt Nick Fortes at all as he extended the inning for the Rays with a single. Chandler Simpson followed that up with a walk, but the Rays failed to take advantage of the opportunity and a groundout ended the inning. In the home half, Garrett Mitchell hit a one-out single. Mitchell then stole second, but his hustle would go unrewarded as the next two batters failed to make anything happen.
Richie Palacios got hit by a pitch to start the third, and then Yandy Diaz accepted the challenge and lobbed a home run to right field, putting the Rays up 2-0.
With one out, Jake Fraley hit a double, but two outs then followed to leave him stranded. In the home half, David Hamilton laid down a leadoff bunt, which I would normally really make fun of, however Junior Caminero came in to get the dribbling infield hit and then completely overthrew first, so Hamilton was safe and the play was ruled an error. Joey Ortiz hit a long fly ball that really looked like it might be trouble and Hamilton was already rounding third when Cedric Mullens made an incredible catch in center, sending Ortiz to the dugout and Hamilton back to first. Hamilton then stole secnd. Sadly, Brice Turang then did exactly what Ortiz wanted to do and hit a home run to tie the game up 2-2. William Contreras then reached on a throwing error by Caminero, the second in this same inning. Two outs followed, thankfully keeping the second error from doing any additional damage.
Simpson got a one-out single in the top of the fourth. Ben Williamson then hit into a force out, eliminating Simpson at second but the Brewers failed to turn the double play. Palacios then walked. Even with two runners on, though, the Rays didn’t manage to score any runs. Rasmussen was back on his game in the home half, getting the Brewers out in order.
The Rays went 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning Turang got a two-out walk, but the Brewers couldn’t turn around a run.
With one out in the sixth there was some contention over whether or not Nick Fortes was safe at first as it seemed like Jake Bauers might have come off the bag. The Rays challenged the play, but the call on the field was upheld. Drew Rasmussen’s day was done going 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HR on 89 pitches. Overall a really good outing for Rasmussen, whose only major issue was the Turang home run, which he got back into the groove from almost immediately. He actually set a career high of consecutive strikeouts, getting six in a row. He was replaced by Ian Seymour, who gave up a leadoff single to Christian Yelich. Bauers then grounded into a double play to eliminate the threat. A strikeout ended the inning.
Misiorowski was done after six, being replaced by Grant Anderson. Anderson got the Rays out in order in the top of the seventh. The Rays returned the favor in the home half, getting the Brewers out 1-2-3.
Aaron Ashby was next out of the Brewers’ pen, he gave up a leadoff walk to Jonathan Aranda. There was some pinch work to be done with both a pinch hitter and pinch runner, but a flyout and double play ended the inning. In the bottom of the inning there was plenty of ugly fielding after about a million positional shiftsm including a new pitcher in Griffin Jax. Joey Ortiz reached on an error by Carson Williams who missed a liner that took an ugly little hop. Turang then laid down a sac bunt that Ben Williamson got to first nicely, but Junior Caminero failed to get a grip on the ball, another error for Caminero. Contreras singled to load the bases, followed by a single by Yelich that brought in two runs. Jake Bauers walked and there were still no outs in the inning. Mason Englert replaced Jax, then Mitchell doubled to score two more. A pop out finally got one out, but then a ground out scored another run. Hamilton singled, scoring another run. The Rays would finally get the last out of the inning, but the score was now a very tilted 8-2.
DL Hall came in for the Brewers. Cedric Mullins was hit by a pitch to start the top of the ninth. With one out, Simpson singled. The Rays were unable to take advantage of the baserunners though, and the game wrapped up with no extra runs scored.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 06: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at the TD Garden on February 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Boston Celtics (50-25) at Miami Heat (40-36) Wednesday, April 1, 2026 7:30 PM ET TV: ESPN, NBCSB, FDSN Sun Regular Season Game #76 Road Game #39 Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WQAM 104.3, Sirius XM Kaseya Center
The Celtics continue their road trip with a stop in Miami to take on the Heat. This is the 4th, and final, game between them this season. The Celtics won 129-116 in Boston on December 19. They won 119-114 in Miami on January 15. And, they won 98-96 in Boston on February 6. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season. They won the two games played in Miami and won one and lost one in Boston. The Celtics are 89-54 overall all time against the Heat and they are 43-30 in games played in Miami.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 3.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, 8 games ahead of 6th place Toronto, and 9 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 31-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 24-14 on the road and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.
The Heat are 9th in the East, 15 games behind 1st place Detroit, 3 games behind 5th place Atlanta, 2.5 games behind 6th place Toronto, 1.5 games behind 7th place Philadelphia and half a game behind 8th place Orlando. They are tied with 10th place Charlotte. They are 24-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 24-14 at home and 3-7 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
After completing a 3 game home stand, The Celtics are on the road for a 4 game trip that began with a win in Charlotte and a loss in Atlanta and will finish up in Milwaukee. They will then play two games at home against Toronto and Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando.
The Heat are playing in the 2nd game of a 3 game home stand. They beat Philadelphia on Monday and will complete the home stand on Saturday against Washington. They then play 2 games in a row in Toronto before a game at Washington. They will finish the season at home against Miami.
After missing Monday’s game against Atlanta, both Jayson Tatum and Neemias Queta are off the injury report. Nikola Vucevic remains out as he rehabs from surgery on his index finger. Ron Harper, Jr is questionable with an ankle sprain. For Miami, Norman Powell is out for the 3rd straight game due to an upper-respiratory illness. Andrew Wiggins is questionable with a toe injury. Terry Rozier is out after being arrested for a gambling scandal.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs Davion Mitchell
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesDavion Mitchell | Getty Images
SG: Jaylen Brown vs Tyler Herro
Jaylen Brown | NBAE via Getty ImagesTyler Herro | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Pelle Larsson
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesPelle Larsson | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Jordan Walsh Baylor Scheierman Max Shulga John Tonje Charles Bassey (10-Day)
2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr Injuries/Out Nikola Vucevic (finger) out Ron Harper, Jr (ankle) questionable
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Miami Heat Reserves Kasparas Jakucionis Myron Gardner Jaime Jaquez, Jr Keshad Johnson Nikola Jovic Dru Smith Kel’el Ware Simone Fontecchio 2-Way Players Trevor Keels Vladislav Goldin Jahmir Young Injuries/Out Norman Powell (illness) out Terry Rozier III (not injury related) out Andrew Wiggins (toe) questionable
Head Coach Erik Spoelstra
Key Matchups Jaylen Brown vs Tyler Herro Herro is averaging 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 48.6% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc. Herro is streaky but can put up points in a hurry. He played in just one of the 3 games between these teams this season. He finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 3 steals while shooting 60% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to be ready to defend him both in the interior and on the perimeter and need to do better than they did in that last game.
Neemias Queta vs Bam Adebayo Adebayo is averaging 20.1 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 43.8% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field and 31.0% from beyond the arc. In 3 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.2% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and off the boards.
Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Andrew Wiggins Wiggins is averaging 15.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He is shooting 47.5% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. He didn’t play in the first game against the Celtics but in the other two games, he averaged 21 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 57.7% from the field and 61.5% from beyond the arc. He is a good shooter and so the Celtics need to defend him well. He is questionable for this game and if he can’t play, then Simone Fontecchio may get the start here.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense will always be the biggest key to winning every single game. The Celtics are 4th with a defensive rating of 111.5. The Heat are 9th with a defensive rating of 112.7. The Celtics need to defend the perimeter since the Heat attempt 37.7 threes a game and shoot threes at 35.7%. They also have to defend the paint as the Heat are 3rd with 54.5 points in the paint per game. The Celtics need to work harder than the Heat on defense and make that their priority.
Rebound – Along with defense, rebounding is always a key to winning. As Pat Riley once said “No rebounds, no rings.” The Celtics average 46.5 rebounds per game (4th) while the Heat average 46.6 rebounds per game (3rd). When the Celtics have more rebounds then their opponents, they are 38-11 when they have fewer rebounds, they are just 9-13. It takes effort and hustle to get rebounds and the Celtics need to give more effort than the Heat to grab rebounds if they want to win this game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead. The Heat are known for playing hard against all of their opponents. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for the heat to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort and if the 3’s aren’t falling, get into the paint.
Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are best when they keep the ball moving and find the open man. They struggle when they try to do too much individually. The Celtics are 32-2 when they have 25 or more assists in a game. They have to move the ball an find the open man without a lot of hero ball. The Heat are 5th in the league with 20.1 points off turnovers per game so the Celtics have to make careful passes and be careful not to turn the ball over.
X-Factors On the Road – The Celtics are on the road for the 3rd game of a 4 game road trip. The Celtics need to stay focused on playing hard and as a team and not be distracted by the hostile crowd or the unfamiliar court or the fatigue that comes from travel. They lost their last game and need to stay focused to get back in the win column in spite of playing on the road.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the game.
After a double-digit loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics will look to take out their anger on the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center.
My Celtics vs Heat predictions expect them to do just that.
Here are my free NBA picks for this Eastern Conference matchup on Wednesday, April 1.
Celtics vs Heat prediction
Celtics vs Heat best bet: Celtics -4.5 (-110)
The Boston Celtics' top trio of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White have shared the court just six times over the last 10 games. The team is 5-1 straight up when all three play together, and the C’s won each of those games by five points or more.
Boston has traveled well this season, going 24-14 ATS on the road and 14-8 ATS as the road favorite. The Celtics have owned the head-to-head matchup with the Miami Heat, winning six and covering in five of the last seven regular-season contests.
Boston’s love of the three-point shot will be beneficial tonight against Miami’s lackluster perimeter defense. Boston has made and attempted the third-most three-pointers and ranks ninth in 3-point percentage this season.
Over the last 10 games, the Heat have surrendered the 10th-most made three-pointers and the sixth-highest three-point percentage.
Boston loves to shoot the three-ball, but volume has been King for the C’s, as the team ranks fifth in field goal attempts but just 20th in field goal percentage. Over the last 10, Miami has given up the fifth-most points and the eighth-highest field goal percentage.
The Celtics have dealt with multiple key injuries in recent matchups, but the team is expected to be mostly healthy tonight in a primetime matchup with the Miami Heat. The talent in the starting five, quality depth, and advantage in the long-range shooting department give Boston the edge in South Beach.
Celtics vs Heat same-game parlay
Boston’s top-ranked defense should be able to limit Miami’s formidable offensive attack, and the Celtics’ slow pace will limit the Heat’s possessions, meaning fewer opportunities for the home team to score. Boston has hit the Under in 26 of 38 games on the road this season.
Jaylen Brown has soared as Boston’s leader this season, averaging a career-best 40.9 PRA, including 41.9 on the road. He’s reached the Over on this combo line in six straight and seven of his last eight, and he’s reached 40+ PRA in 22 of 31 road contests
Celtics vs Heat SGP
Celtics -4.5
Under 229.5
Jaylen Brown Over 39.5 P/R/A
Our "from downtown" SGP: From deep
Tatum has nailed multiple triples in all 11 games played this season, reaching 3+ five times, including two of his last three.
White has hit three or more treys in 37 of 71 games, and he’s reached that mark in two of three tilts with the Heat. He’s averaging 2.7 three-pointers per game.
Payton Pritchard is canning 2.6 shots from beyond the arc per game, and he’s gone for 3+ in 35 of 73 games overall. He knocked down four triples in his last matchup with Miami.
Hauser is averaging a career-best 2.5 three-pointers on a career-worst 38.2% shooting from long distance. He’ll gain an advantage against an exploitable Heat perimeter defense, and he’s hit three or more three’s in each of his last two against Miami.
Celtics vs Heat SGP
Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 threes
Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
Payton Pritchard Over 2.5 threes
Sam Hauser Over 2.5 threes
Celtics vs Heat odds
Spread: Celtics -5 | Heat +5
Moneyline: Celtics -210 | Heat +175
Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Celtics vs Heat betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in 36 of their last 50 games (+20.60 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Heat.
How to watch Celtics vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Celtics vs Heat latest injuries
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Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers former player Orel Hershiser reacts before throwing the ceremonial first pitch before game four of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES — Within the first three weeks of the Major League Baseball season, you’ll have been able to hear Orel Hershiser call Dodgers games on three different television networks. The longtime Dodgers star will be a part of the ESPN telecast of the Jackie Robinson Day game against the New York Mets on April 15 at Dodger Stadium.
Hershiser will join former Mets pitcher Ron Darling — who, like Hershiser, is a current television analyst for his former club — in the booth alongside Joe Buck calling play-by-play for ESPN, in an exclusive telecast for the network.
“I can’t wait to work with these two guys,” Buck said in a statement. “I loved watching them pitch and now really enjoy listening to them on the air. They’re the best at what they do, and I’ll be leaning on them a ton. To call a Dodgers game on Jackie Robinson Day makes it even more meaningful. There’s no more important figure in baseball history, and to honor him that night in Dodger Stadium will be truly special.”
April 15 is the first Dodgers game this season on ESPN. There are a few other midweek games that will be televised exclusively by ESPN, but those haven’t yet been announced.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson was on another level in March, and the NHL took notice of it.
Karlsson was named the NHL's Second Star for the month of March on Wednesday. He finished the month with nine goals and 24 points in 17 games, helping the Penguins go 8-6-3 in those games.
He had nine multi-point games in March, including four three-point games. It was his best month as a Penguin and has helped him compile 13 goals and 60 points in 70 games this season.
Karlsson's nine multi-point games in March are the most by a Penguins defenseman in a single month in franchise history.
Star status secured ⭐
Defenseman Erik Karlsson has been named the @NHL’s Second Star for the month of March.
Karlsson was putting the Penguins on his back for a good chunk of these games, especially since Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both hurt. He hasn't made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2018-19 season, when he was with the San Jose Sharks, and is looking to change that this year.
Karlsson and the Penguins will be back in action on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 21: Jonathon Long #91 of the Chicago Cubs runs to first base during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The game started out poorly for Iowa as starter Connor Noland gave up a grand slam to Rece Hinds, the fourth batter of the bottom of the first. But he settled down after that and finished the day after 4.1 innings, allowing the four runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out two.
Meanwhile, Iowa jumped on Louisville for seven runs in the top of the second inning. First, third baseman BJ Murray Jr. hit a solo home run.
Iowa made it 4-2 Louisville later in the second on a single by catcher Eric Yang. But Iowa loaded the bases with two outs and then first baseman Jonathon Long unloaded them with this grand slam.
Luke Little relieved Noland in the fifth inning and got the win because Noland didn’t go five. Little allowed one run on one hit and three walks over 1.1 innings. Little did not record a strikeout.
Iowa put this game out of reach with a five run top of the eighth inning. Long walked with the bases loaded to make it 8-6 Iowa and then DH Pedro Ramirez doubled home two.
A double from the birthday boy gets the party started in the eighth and extends the I-Cubs lead! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/f4F4LS3env
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA Division I Cabinet on Wednesday approved emergency legislation that will severely penalize coaches and schools that sign, add to the roster or allow athletic participation by an athlete in any sport who hasn't yet gone through the portal process.
Penalties include a suspension of the head coach for 50% of a season and a fine amounting to 20% of that sport’s budget.
The rule change, which was initially proposed by the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee and has been adopted for all sports in Division I, is effective immediately and applies to all transfers on or after Feb. 25, 2026.
“I am grateful the DI Cabinet approved the FBS Oversight Committee’s recommendation to impose significant penalties on head coaches and programs who circumvent transfer rules, along with immediate accountability,” Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea said. “This is a necessary step to address a critical roster management issue facing our sport and to protect the integrity of football’s transfer window.”
The “ghost transfers” issue has been on the NCAA's radar since former Wisconsin defensive back Xavier Lucas transferred to Miami without entering the portal in January 2025. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff withdrew from BYU and walked on at Tulane in July.
At the direction of the Division I Board of Directors, an Infractions Process Task Force is reviewing the infractions process and associated penalties for violations of NCAA rules. Among the topics the task force will discuss are enforcement of transfer rules and penalties associated with tampering violations. The task force is expected to provide recommendations for modernizing the infractions process later this year.
Apr 10, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Estévez (53) celebrates after the win over the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The Royals announced they have placed closer Carlos Estévez on the 15-day Injured List with a left foot contusion and have called up pitcher Steven Cruz. Estévez was hit by a line drive in his only appearance of the year on Saturday and has been wearing a walking boot since then.
Estévez looked off in his season debut against the Braves, allowing six runs while recording just one out in the 6-2 loss. He had trouble breaking 90 mph in spring training, raising alarm bells with many observers. On Saturday, he averaged 91.2 mph on his fastball, and had erratic command, particularly on his change up. He gave up three singles and two walks before giving up a walk-off grand slam to Dominic Smith. After the game, manager Matt Quatraro suggested Estévez may pitch in lower-leverage situations to ease him back after he spent some of his spring training with Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
Cruz made 47 appearances with the Royals last year, with a 3.74 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 45.2 innings. The 26-year-old right-hander gave up two hits and two runs with a walk and three strikeouts in his only appearance for Omaha.
