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Austin Reaves cleared to return for Game 5 vs. Rockets

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 2: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2, 2026 at Paycom Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

You can never doubt Austin Reaves’ heart.

After an initial recovery timeline that would have him out 4-6 weeks, Reaves returned to the court last week and will return to the lineup just under a month after suffering his injury, joining the Lakers for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday.

As has been the case, Reaves was a gametime decision for Game 5. In both Game 3 and Game 4, Reaves went through pregame warm-ups before being ruled out. On Wednesday, he went through pregame warm-ups and was ruled available.

In the days leading up to Game 5, it became more and more clear that Reaves was likely to make his return. The Lakers came into the playoffs not expecting Reaves or Luka Dončić to play in the opening round. While Luka is no closer to returning, they’ve at least gotten back one of their best players in Austin.

It took multiple weeks and the Lakers had to win some playoff games without him, but Austin Reaves will be joining the team for competitive matchups once again.

Now, he is back, giving the Lakers a huge injection of offensive firepower. He averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game this season. His rebounding and scoring totals are career-highs for the five-year guard.

It’s been nearly a month since Reaves has played in a Lakers game. He suffered his injury during a loss against the Thunder. Afterward, his MRI confirmed that he had a Grade 2 oblique strain, and the projected recovery period was 4-6 weeks.

The Lakers have found plenty of playoff success in Reaves’ absence. They’ve been able to survive and extend their season in time for him to come back, which was a goal Lakers head coach JJ Redick established before the postseason began.

Despite the Lakers’ short-term success, long-term wins will only come with Reaves on the floor. Shockingly, that is coming perhaps sooner than expected.

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

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Malachi Moreno selected in new 2026 NBA Mock Draft by ESPN

Are the Kentucky Wildcats in danger of losing Malachi Moreno to the NBA Draft?

When Moreno first announced he was testing the NBA waters, many assumed that he’d ultimately withdraw and return to school. While that’s still the likeliest outcome, his NBA stock appears to be higher than anticipated.

The latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has Moreno going 43rd overall to the Brooklyn Nets, right in the middle of Round 2. While it’s still pretty far from a first-round selection and guaranteed money, it does give Moreno something to think about if he feels confident that he’d be one of the 60 selections in this year’s draft.

Elsewhere, Jayden Quaintance went 15th overall to the Chicago Bulls, while no other Wildcats from this past season were selected, though Ugonna Onyenso, who finished his career at Virginia, went 50th overall to the Toronto Raptors.

I’d still wager on Moreno returning for his sophomore season, especially with the 2027 draft class looking significantly weaker than this one. A sophomore leap could very well put him in the first-round range of next year’s draft.

In other words, it’s far too early to panic about potentially losing Moreno to the NBA, but it will be interesting to watch the pre-draft process unfold for him, especially if he gets invited to the NBA Combine in Chicago on May 10-17.

Go add us to your “Preferred Sources” on Google to get all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views! And Go CATS!

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Brandon Ingram injury update: Raptors star knocked out of Game 5 vs Cavs

The Toronto Raptors held their own in their crucial first-round game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, even taking a lead into the half.

But not only did the Raptors lose Game 5, 125-120, they may have lost one of their key players due to injury.

Star forward Brandon Ingram, who led Toronto in scoring during the regular season, was ruled out for the second half with right heel inflammation, an issue that he has been managing since after the All-Star break.

“Brandon, as you guys know, has been dealing with his heel,” Raptors coach Darko Rajaković told reporters after the game. “He reaggravated the heel on one play. We tried to re-tape him. At halftime, he tried to activate it to see if he could be ready for the second half, but he was not able to come and play the second half.

“So tomorrow we will know more when we do more evaluation.”

Ingram played 11:22 in the first half, but was subbed out with 7:32 left to play in the second quarter and immediately went back to the locker room; he did not return to the floor for the rest of the period.

During his time on the court, Ingram was limited to just 1 point on 0-of-2 shooting, with 2 assists, 1 rebound and 1 block.

Ingram has struggled a bit during the postseason and entered the night averaging just 14.8 points per game, which was well below his season average of 21.5.

“It’s something that’s on and off,” Rajaković continued. “He was doing well, and he just reaggravated it on that play.”

The Raptors, at least initially, appeared to be well-equipped to handle Ingram’s absence; at the half, Toronto had five different players reach double-figures in scoring, with guard Ja’Kobe Walter leading the way with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Ingram injury update, status for Raptors-Cavaliers Game 5

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Rockets Head To Game Five In LA

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 26: Reed Sheppard #15 and Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets react during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

April 29, 2026

Location: CryptoDotComStaplesForum, Los Angeles California

TV: ESPN

Radio:KBME Sports Talk 790 / KLTN 102.9 (en español)

Online: ESPN

Time: 9:00 PM CST

Probable Starting Lineups

Rockets: Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun

Lakers: Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Lebron James, Deandre Ayton

As expected, Austin Reaves returns to play tonight in Los Angeles, and Kevin Durant is out for the Rockets.

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Game #30, Athletics vs. Royals Game Thread

Athletics pitcher Luis Severino gets the start against the Kansas City Royals tonight in West Sacramento. | Scott Marshall-Imagn Images

The A’s let one slip through their fingers last night against the Royals, but the good news is the two teams are back at it tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The lack of clutch hitting was the key last night, so let’s hope the guys in Kelly Green & Gold can mash when it counts in today’s matchup.

Luis Severino gets the start for the Athletics today. Severino, the 32-year-old righty out of the Dominican Republic is 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts in 2026. He’s struck out 32 in 31.1 innings so far. Severino has a career 5-1record with a 3.67 ERA against the Royals with 32 K’s across 41.2 innings. He’ll go up against 34-year-old righty Michael Wacha for the Royals. Wacha is 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA this year over five starts. Over the course of his career, he has started three games against the Athletics and gone 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA and twelve strikeouts.

Wacha will face this lineup for the A’s tonight:

Severino will face this batting order for the Royals tonight:

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

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Royals vs. Athletics game 29 thread

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals rounds the bases after he hit a three-run home run against the Athletics in the tenth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 28, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game two of the series in Sacramento is tonight, and the Royals have an opportunity to lock down their second series win in a row. Winning five out of six, and scoring quite a lot of runs in the process, has really calmed the doom and gloom down. Now the team needs to keep going strong as they try to climb back out of the early hole that they dug for themselves.

Tonight that means we will see Michael Wacha versus Luis Severino. The two veterans have had very different seasons so far. Wacha has been great to start the season posting a 2.51 ERA over his first five starts. He is probably not going to stay quite that good according to the underlying metrics, but he is still looking like a solid starter for the club to depend on. Severino, on the other hand, has a 5.17 ERA and is walking a little over 6 per 9 innings. His peak years of Cy Young contention are now in the distant past, but there is still talent and velocity in that arm, though we hope this is not the start that he finds it.

The Royals will be without Pasquantino, which means Carter Jensen is moving up in the lineup.

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Is the tide shifting towards Steve Kerr returning to the Warriors?

Steve Kerr laughing while standing next to Steph Curry.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors talks with Stephen Curry #30 on the sidelines against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter during an NBA Cup game at Chase Center on November 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California. 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 Eakin Howard/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s been nearly two weeks since Steve Kerr huddled with Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the waning moments of the Golden State Warriors season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns. Kerr seemed intent to keep the sentiments that he uttered to his Hall of Fame-bound players a secret, though Curry, Green, and the league’s microphones had other plans.

In the aftermath of that loss, Kerr said that he would take “a week or two” to decide his future, and choose between a hiatus from the sidelines, or a 13th season at the helm of one of the sport’s model franchises.

No one could fully read the tea leaves, but in the first week it sure started to feel like Kerr was going to spend 2026 Opening Night on a coach in his Southern California home, legs kicked up, and a cold one in his hand. A few days after the loss, Green said “it felt like that was it,” when speaking about the moment he shared with Curry and Kerr. Warriors insider Monte Poole said he felt the odds were slim that Kerr would return.

And then, of course, there’s the historical precedent. Usually when someone takes a step back and a few weeks to evaluate their future, it results in a change of direction. The “take a week or two” for a coach is like couples therapy in a relationship: it’s doing due diligence for something that, more often than not, already has a predetermined fate.

But that might not be the case in Kerr’s situation, and it feels like the tide is starting to turn, and the momentum has shifted towards a Kerr return. An article published on Wednesday by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne, and Anthony Slater reports that Kerr met with Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. for a few hours on Monday, and that the trio will meet again next week. That points to something fairly obvious: if Kerr wanted to leave, he would have done so already.

The ESPN report, and others in recent days, paints the picture of a team that is fairly unified in their desire to re-sign Kerr, and a coach who just isn’t sure what he wants to do (ESPN described it as “Kerr will take a previously planned golf trip to close out this week as those around him continue to describe Kerr as torn about his own side of the choice”).

Some of his conflict, admittedly, might stem from those conversations with Lacob and Dunleavy. Reports have suggested that the Warriors not only want Kerr to sign on for multiple years to give the team long-term stability amid roster retooling, but also would like him to modernize his offensive scheme, work more closely with the analytics department, and revamp his coaching staff. Kerr is too much of a company man to force his own employment against anyone’s wishes, so deciding whether or not he wants to coach under those parameters might be the biggest thing for him right now.

For now, we wait. The longer this goes on, the greater the odds of Kerr returning for a few more years, and presumably lining up his retirement with Curry and Green’s. The fact that his decision hasn’t been made, and the fact that he’s meeting with the team a second time, suggests that he does, indeed, still love and enjoy coaching. Ultimately, that seems the factor that’s most likely to win out in the end.

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Dodgers trade for Tyler Fitzgerald weeks after Giants give up on him

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 17: Tyler Fitzgerald #49 of the San Francisco Giants at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oracle Park on August 17, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tyler Fitzgerald had one glorious five-week stretch for the San Francisco Giants in 2024 where he hit 13 home runs in 26 games. He fell off so badly that the Giants traded last season’s primary second baseman to the Toronto Blue Jays in early April. But now Fitzgerald is ready to revive his career with one simple change: He’s been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers tapped their most reliable trade asset to scoop up Fitzgerald: Cash. Cash considerations, to be specific, which we think means they sent their check to the Blue Jays inside a thoughtful greeting card.

There’s a lot of reasons that the Giants gave up on Fitzgerald. He slashed .217/.278/.327 last season in an injury-marred year where he got demoted to Triple-A. His power disappeared but his strikeout rate stayed high. This year, Fitzgerald has struck out in more than a third of his plate appearances in the minors, with his defense looking steadily worse in his age-28 season.

So why should anyone expect him to thrive as a Dodger? Because the Giants gave up on him, and as per the blood sacrifices made from 2010-14, the baseball gods will curse the team until penance is paid and Rusty the Robot rises from his watery grave in McCovey Cove.

It’s also because Fitzgerald is the type of multi-positional utility player that has over-performed with the Dave Roberts Dodgers. Chris Taylor had similar numbers to Fitzgerald in his own age-26 season in 2017. There’s just something about being a middle infielder willing to practice shagging flies in the outfield that leads to wild success in Chavez Ravine. Just ask Taylor, or Kike Hernandez, or Tommy Edman, or Gavin Lux, or Howie Kendrick.

It could be that Fitzgerald will have a Mike Benajmin-like fade into obscurity for Giants shortstops who got insanely hot for short stretches (Benjamin had 13 hits over two games in 1995). But it seems like fate has placed Fitzgerald in Dodger Blue to punish the Giants for giving up on him, like how Michael Conforto got a World Series ring last season with the Dodgers (though he was terrible).

Don’t expect Fitzgerald to go back to his slugging ways right away with the Dodgers. He’ll wait until he can start hitting balls into McCovey Cove when the Dodgers visit again on the last weekend of the season, invariably knocking the Giants out of the wild-card race. Can’t wait!

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Aaron Boone details ‘difficult decision’ to DFA Randal Grichuk

New York Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) after hitting a double, with an umpire beside him.
Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) hits a double to drive in a run against the Boston Red Sox.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The decision to designate veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk for assignment Wednesday came just as the 34-year-old was starting to heat up, batting 6-for-16 after starting the year 0-for-15.

The Yankees had signed the right-handed hitter to a minor league deal in camp before he made the team to help them against lefties.

“Difficult decision, just because I feel like Randal’s come in here and fit in really well,” Aaron Boone said before the 3-0 loss to the Rangers. “I feel like, despite numbers-wise a slow start, he’s shown us the at-bats we’ve wanted to see from him when he’s got his opportunities against left-handed pitching.

Yankees left fielder Randal Grichuk (34) hits a double to drive in a run against the Boston Red Sox. David Butler II-Imagn Images

“But just the fit right now, feel like with me not catching [Ben] Rice much, [Paul Goldschmidt] being backup first baseman, not having that position flexibility right now with the guy on the bench that Max [Schuemann] brings, think it just makes sense for our club right now to be a little bit better fit.

“But Randal, and I even told him [Tuesday] night, he can still do this. He can still play this game at a high level. It was hard though, because he fit in well with this group.”

Anthony Volpe played in a 10th rehab game Wednesday at Double-A Somerset, going 2-for-4 while playing a full nine innings at shortstop for the second straight day.

The Yankees have said they will reevaluate Volpe on Thursday, which is Day 17 of a maximum 20-day rehab clock, but Boone was cagey on whether the shortstop would be activated Friday.

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“We’ll see,” Boone said. “We got this game and he’s playing in Somerset today. We’ll see.”

Gerrit Cole made his third rehab start Wednesday afternoon, building up to 60 pitches (45 strikes) across 5 ²/₃ innings with Double-A Somerset. He gave up three runs on three hits and no walks while striking out three. Cole has only walked one batter across 14 ¹/₃ innings on his rehab assignment so far.

“It was nice to get six ups, so it was a good day,” Cole told reporters in Somerset. “Lot of strikes, that’s good. Not a lot of large misses, and consistency out of all the offerings today, which was nice.”

The former AL Cy Young Award winner is expected to need at least a few more rehab starts before potentially being activated in mid-to-late May.

An umpire asked Elmer Rodríguez to change his glove after the second inning Wednesday, which the rookie right-hander did but was unsure why it was necessary. Making his MLB debut, Rodríguez was sporting a blue, red and white glove, as a tribute to his native Puerto Rico, but then used a black glove for the final two innings.

“Thankfully I had one here,” Rodríguez said. “He just told me I could change it for the next inning and that was it.”

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Dallas Captain Jamie Benn Fined By NHL For Cross-Checking

The Minnesota Wild (3-2) took a 3-2 series lead with a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars (2-2) in Dallas on Tuesday.

Game 6 is set for Thursday back in Minnesota at 6:30.

In Game 5, Stars' captain Jamie Benn was at it again with his behind-the-play antics.

Benn, 36, has zero points in five games and is a minus-5. He has just one goal in his last 23 playoff games. 

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday that they have fined Benn $2,604.17, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Wild forward Ryan Hartman during Game 5 of the teams’ First Round series in Dallas

The incident occurred at 14:45 of the third period. Benn was assessed a minor penalty for cross-checking.

Hartman was assessed a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. This is the sixth cross-check Benn has delivered with full force. It was the first one that resulted in a penalty and the first one that resulted in the NHL taking notice.

But that slap on the wrist of $2,604.17 won't stop Benn's antics. He has been fined or suspended in four out of the last five playoffs. He was suspended in 2023 for cross-checking.

Fining him $2,604.17 isn't an acceptable justification for this decision and will only allow him to continue this.

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New Orleans' DeAndre Jordan wins NBA's teammate of the year award

NEW YORK (AP) — New Orleans’ DeAndre Jordan won the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award Wednesday, edging Portland’s Jrue Holiday and Houston’s Jeff Green.

Jordan finished with 1,445 points in voting by 385 current NBA players. Holiday — a three-time winner — finished with 1,437 points and Green had 1,420.

A panel of league executives selected 12 finalists, six from each conference, to be considered for the honor. Jordan adds the award to a list of accolades that includes three All-NBA selections, two All-Defensive Team picks, one All-Star nod, an Olympic gold medal from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and a championship with Denver in 2023.

The award pays tribute to the player deemed the league’s best teammate “based on selfless play, leadership on and off the court as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment to the team.”

It has been presented since 2013 and is named for Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, teammates on the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals from 1955-58. Stokes suffered a brain injury in the final game of the 1957-58 regular season, fell into a coma days later and was paralyzed. Twyman became Stokes’ legal guardian and advocate, and supported him for the rest of his life.

Other players nominated for the award this season were Toronto's Garrett Temple, Charlotte's Pat Connaughton, New York's Jalen Brunson, Boston's Jayson Tatum, San Antonio's DeAaron Fox, Detroit's Duncan Robinson, Oklahoma City's Jaylin Williams, Orlando's Desmond Bane and the Los Angeles Lakers' Marcus Smart.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

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Where to watch Kansas City Royals vs. Athletics: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 29

The Kansas City Royals (12-17) face the Athletics (15-14) in the second game of their series. The Royals won the series’ opener 4-3 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Scheduled starting pitchers are Michael Wacha for Kansas City, with a 2.51 ERA, and Luis Severino for the Athletics, with a 5.17 ERA.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 29

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT

  • Where: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA

  • TV Channels: NBCSCA, Royals.TV

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Kansas City Royals: 12-17 (No. 5 in AL Central)

  • Athletics: 15-14 (No. 1 in AL West)

  • Spread: Athletics +1.5

  • Moneyline: Athletics -115 (51.1%) / Kansas City Royals -105 (48.9%)

  • Over/Under: 10.0

Kansas City Royals: Michael Wacha (2-1, ERA: 2.51, K: 28, WHIP: 0.93)
Athletics: Luis Severino (1-2, ERA: 5.17, K: 32, WHIP: 1.56)

Weather: 80°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 14,111 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

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Where to watch Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 5 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 29

The Houston Rockets will try to get their season alive against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round playoff series. The Rockets avoided elimination with a 115-96 victory in Game 4. The Lakers hold a 3-1 lead in the series. One more victory and they will advance to the second round to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.

  • Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers -185 (61.9%) / Houston Rockets +150 (38.1%)

  • Over/Under: 208.5

Game 1:Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Game 2:Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Game 3:Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT)
Game 4:Rockets 115, Lakers 96
Game 5: Wed., April 29 at Los Angeles (10 p.m., ESPN)
Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Houston (TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Los Angeles (TBD)

*if necessary

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Where to watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons Game 5 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 29

The Orlando Magic are trying to close out the Detroit Pistons in their NBA first-round playoff series. One more victory by the Magic and they will advance to the second round to face the winner of the Toronto Raptors-Cleveland Cavaliers series. The Pistons are favored by 10.5 points, with the over/under set at 211.5.

  • Spread: Detroit Pistons -10.5

  • Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -425 (77.3%) / Orlando Magic +320 (22.7%)

  • Over/Under: 211.5

Game 1:Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2:Pistons 98, Magic 83
Game 3:Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4:Magic 94, Pistons 88
Game 5: Wed., April 29, at Detroit (7 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 6: Fri., May 1, at Orlando (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3, at Detroit (time and network TBD)

*if necessary