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Dodgers on Deck: Tuesday, April 28 vs. Marlins

Los Angeles, CA - March 31: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) smiles as he gets ready to throw a pitch during the first inning of a MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers continue their series against the Miami Marlins with the middle game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Shohei Ohtani takes the mound on Tuesday, needing six more innings to get back on the ERA leaderboard for at least another day. The Dodgers mulled flipping Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow in the rotation such that Ohtani could pitch on Wednesday, the day before a team off day, but decided to stay in order after Glasnow pitched eight scoreless innings last Thursday in San Francisco.

Janson Junk starts for Miami. Among the 138 pitchers with at least 20 innings this season, Junk’s 15.5-percent strikeout rate ranks 116th, so expect a lot of balls in play.

Tuesday game info
  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Marlins
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Time: 7:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
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Game 27: Chicago Cubs at San Diego Padres

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - APRIL 26: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres hits a three run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning of the MLB Mexico City Series game between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú on April 26, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Chicago Cubs (17-11) at San Diego Padres (18-9), April 27, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks Game 5 how to watch guide: TV channel, live stream, start time

All eyes are on Madison Square Garden for a crucial Game 5 between the Hawks and Knicks.

NBA teams that win Game 5 of a tied best-of-seven series go on to win the series 81.5% of the time (194-44). The team that exits Manhattan with a victory Tuesday night has a great chance of advancing to the second round.

New York was heavily favored entering the series and won Game 1 113-102, but Atlanta has shown why they are one of the stingiest and hottest teams in basketball.

In Game 2, the Hawks rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit, holding the Knicks to a season-low 15 fourth-quarter points and winning 107-106. CJ McCollum scored a game-high 32 points, including a go-ahead basket with 33 seconds left.

Two nights later, Atlanta fended off a New York rally to earn another one-point victory (109-108). McCollum's go-ahead jumper with 12.7 seconds remaining gave the Hawks a stunning 2-1 series lead.

Five years after Trae Young led the Hawks to a stunning five-game first-round series victory over the Knicks, a player Atlanta got when they traded Young to the Wizards in January is taking center stage.

McCollum, the first player since enhanced data tracking in 1997-98 with go-ahead-for-good shots in the final minute of back-to-back playoff games in the same series, is leading Atlanta in the series with 24.5 points per game. Without him, the series might be over.

The 34-year-old guard only scored 17 points in Game 4, and the Knicks comfortably tied the series after getting Karl-Anthony Towns more involved in the offense. He recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Six of his assists came on baskets scored by OG Anunoby.

"He's a special talent. He can do it all. I know if I get open, he'll find me," Anunoby said after Game 4. "It's amazing playing with a player like him."

Keep reading to learn more about Game 5 between the Hawks and the Knicks and how to watch the NBA playoffs on NBC and Peacock.

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02:00
Highlights: Knicks lock down Hawks in Game 4 to even series
The New York Knicks bounced back in a big way after consecutive losses to the Hawks, stifling Atlanta on defense to even their first-round series.

How to watch Game 5 between Hawks and Knicks

  • When: Tuesday, April 28
  • Where: Madison Square Garden in New York, New York
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Announcing team: Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Zora Stephenson
  • TV: NBC
  • Live stream: Peacock
  • Series status: Series tied 2-2

New York Knicks Game 5 preview

Running the offense through Towns worked for the Knicks in Game 4.

He thrived as a passer, unleashing his inner-Nikola Jokic and racking up the assists while only turning the ball over twice. If the Knicks can continue to utilize Towns as a facilitator, they have a better shot of winning Game 5.

Anunoby will also play a major role. The most consistent player for the Knicks this postseason, he is averaging 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds, shooting 56% from the field. He has been New York's top scorer in the past two games, tying his playoff career high with 29 points in Game 3 and scoring 22, while being a game-high +19 in Game 4.

And of course, there is Brunson. He left Game 4 in the third quarter with an ankle injury but returned, ending the game with 19 points. While he is on pace for his second-lowest scoring playoff series (25.5 points per game) among the eight he has played with the Knicks, he also is struggling defensively.

"At the end of the day, that’s why it’s a team game," head coach Mike Brown said after Game 4.

Atlanta is attacking the star guard, and if New York wants to be leading this series 3-2, Brunson likely will have to step up his defensive game — or score enough to make it not matter.

Another storyline to watch in Game 5 is Mikal Bridges. The 29-year-old played just five minutes in the second half of Game 3, failing to record a point all night. Miles McBride has stepped up amid Bridges' struggles, but Brown kept Bridges in the starting lineup in Game 4 and likely will do the same Tuesday night.

"We've won a lot of games with the starting group. I didn't want to panic and just change anything. Obviously, we changed some stuff strategy-wise, but I didn’t want to change anything with the starting group because I didn’t feel a need to," Brown said.

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01:29
Towns: Knicks understood magnitude of Game 4
For Karl-Anthony Towns, the New York Knicks have to exceed the moment, and coming into Game 4 understanding the magnitude of it delivered a big win to even their series with the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks Game 5 preview

The Hawks could use some McCollum magic in Manhattan.

But they also could use a Nickeil Alexander-Walker wake-up game. The NBA's most improved player has struggled from the floor in this series, shooting just 5-22 (22.7%) on two-pointers, lower than half his regular season efficiency (career-high 52.5%).

Atlanta likely will try to play a little faster and have more energy in Game 5. The Hawks had zero fast-break points through three quarters of Game 4, ending the game with just seven. They had 20 fast-break points in their Game 2 and 3 wins over the Knicks. And they averaged 18.1 fast-break points in the regular season, third in the NBA behind only the Raptors and the Heat.

“I think they just punked us. We didn’t match their intensity from the jump," Jalen Johnson said after Game 4.

A player who has brought the intensity all series is Jonathan Kuminga. He has emerged as one of Atlanta's X-factors since a midseason trade from the Warriors. Coming off the bench all four games this series, he scored 19 points in Game 2 and 21 in Game 3, both wins. He only scored 10 points in Game 1 and eight in Game 4, both losses.

"Jonathan's just been all in. Whatever that looks like on a given night, and it's something we've talked about as a team," head coach Quinn Snyder said after Game 3. "Are you prepared to sacrifice what needs to be sacrificed on a given night in a playoff game?"

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the first round and 11 games in the conference semifinals across NBC, NBCSN and Peacock. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.

Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?

Peacock’s NBA playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including the first round, the conference semifinals and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.

How to sign up for Peacock

Sign up here to watch all of our live sports, shows, documentaries, classic matches and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, originals, news, 24/7 channels and current NBC & Bravo hits — Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for!

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Jasson Dominguez trying to make the most of potentially limited Yankees chance he ‘deserves’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Jasson Domínguez of the New York Yankees looking up after hitting a home run, Image 2 shows Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees hits a double
Jasson Domínguez will get another chance for the Yankees after getting called up from Triple-A.

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jasson Domínguez is back in a Lamborghini after crushing it in a Corolla.

And while the luxury car may just be a rental, Domínguez is looking to make the most of it.

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The 23-year-old outfielder — who, upon being optioned to Triple-A on the penultimate day of spring training, compared going back to the minors after spending last year in the majors like driving a Corolla after being in a Lamborghini — was called up to join the Yankees on Monday before they eventually placed Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list with a “low-grade” right calf strain.

How long of a run Domínguez gets remains to be seen — the Yankees might need to open a roster spot as soon as Friday if Anthony Volpe is deemed ready to return from the IL, and Stanton may not be a long-term absence — but at least for this series against the Rangers, Domínguez has a chance to prove he belongs again.

Jasson Domínguez reacts after hitting a home run during a Yankees spring training game in March. AP

“Down there in Triple-A, that’s what you work for,” Domínguez said Monday before serving as the designated hitter and going 1-for-4 in a 4-2 win at Globe Life Field. “You want to get back to the majors. Now that I’m here, trying to enjoy my time and help the team.”

Domínguez, who was squeezed out of an everyday role in the second half last year and then faced the same situation to start this season with Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger both back in the fold, has impressed everyone around the Yankees with how he has handled the situation.

“Phenomenal,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He deserves a lot of credit. I think one thing the last four months has revealed is Jasson Domínguez’s character. Because when we did some of the things we did this winter, there was all the talk and writing on the wall maybe that he was going to potentially start in Triple-A. All he did was come and work. Showed up early to spring training ready to go, had a good spring and then has gone down to Triple-A.

“As a young player, when you’ve been here and had some success at the big league level and you got to go back, a lot of times you see guys struggle and not do well or pout a little bit. He hasn’t done any of that. He’s worked hard, he’s performing and he deserves to be here right now.”

Entering this season, the two biggest weaknesses in Domínguez’s game were hitting right-handed against lefties and playing consistent defense in left field.

He has made real strides on the former — hitting .389 (7-for-18) with a 1.172 OPS — while the latter remains a work in progress.

Jasson Domínguez hits a double during a July 2025 for the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg

“He’s been raking at Triple-A,” Aaron Judge said. “I think he was definitely upset not making the team out of camp. I think he’s going to show up here ready to prove some people wrong and send a message, so I’m excited about it.”

Domínguez’s success against left-handers is important because it would make him more viable on the big league roster full time.

The Yankees already have enough left-handed hitting outfielders, but if Domínguez proves his gains from the right side are real, he could vie for the fourth-outfielder role currently held by Randal Grichuk.

“There’s very good reasons on the team for me to go to Triple-A. I understand it,” Domínguez said. “It’s been good. Trying to get better at the things I have to get better [at].”

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Game Thread: Suns vs. Thunder, Game 4

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 25: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action during the first half in Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 25, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Game 4.

Is this the end?

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Yankees Injury Notes: the latest on Anthony Volpe, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon

Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided some injury updates prior to Monday’s game in Texas… 

Anthony Volpe

The Yankees still don’t know if Volpe will be ready to rejoin the team when they take on the Orioles over the weekend.

Volpe is set to continue his rehab in Double-A on Tuesday and Wednesday, then they’ll see how he’s feeling from there. 

The young slugger has been swinging a hit bat thus far during his rehab, hitting .308 with a homer and three RBI across eight minor league games. 

He’s played shortstop in all of those games, and has committed just one error. 

Volpe has missed the first few weeks of the season as he continues working his way back from shoulder surgery he underwent in October. 

Carlos Rodon

There had been some thought that with Luis Gil being sent down, Rodon would be ready to return the next time the team needs a fifth starter on May 5. 

However, Boone quickly shot down that idea.

The left-hander is set to make his second rehab outing on Thursday, jumping up to Double-A after a successful High-A outing on Friday.

He allowed just one hit and struck out four across 4.1 scoreless innings. 

Rodon reached up to 65 pitches (43 of which were strikes), so the hope is that he’ll be able to stretch out to around 75 in this next outing. 

He’ll likely need a couple of more appearances before coming back. 

Gerrit Cole

Taking the ball the day before Rodon will be Cole. 

The Yanks continue playing things safe with their ace on his road back from Tommy John, but he is set to shift his rehab back to Somerset on Wednesday. 

Cole began the assignment there before being bumped down to High-A last week, where he allowed two runs across 4.1 innings of work. 

He’s now allowed five runs (four earned) over his first two appearances. 

Rodon is expected back first, but Cole will also likely require a handful more outings before the Yanks are comfortable working him back into the mix. 

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Pirates celebrate Konnor Griffin's 20th birthday with a bouncy house

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a lot to celebrate recently. The team entered play April 27 at 16-12, just two games back of the NL Central lead in the most competitive division in baseball to start the year. They're coming off a series win over division rival Milwaukee and reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes is looking dominant as ever after his lackluster Opening Day start.

However, the Pirates wanted to take the celebrations up a notch, and since rookie Konnor Griffin's 20th birthday was April 24, the team made sure to bring the celebration to the locker room ... by ordering a bounce house.

As evidenced by the video, this wasn't the first time the Pirates had considered getting a bounce house in the locker room. Skenes had thought of that very act not long ago. Now, the Pirates have seen it through.

How did Konnor Griffin perform on his birthday?

Griffin balled out on his birthday, so perhaps the bouncy castle will become a new tradition.

The highly-touted rookie went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and his first major league home run in Pittsburgh's 6-0 win over Milwaukee.

Konnor Griffin stats

Although Griffin went bananas on his birthday, the top prospect has struggled to start his big league career, slashing just .224/.286/.316 with one home run through 22 games.

Griffin remains one of the fastest players in baseball though, boasting a sprint speed in the 99th percentile of the league and one of the best bat speeds in baseball as well.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Konnor Griffin gifted a bounce castle for 20th birthday

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Pistons vs. Magic Game 4 Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 25: Jalen Duren #0 and Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons talk during the game against the Orlando Magic during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Well, here we are. I’m not worried, are you? Who cares anyway? Just because the Detroit Pistons had one of the winningest seasons in franchise history. And Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren entered All-NBA conversation. The No. 1 seed? Big deal. Why should that mean your team can be the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic? The Pistons face a 2-1 deficit on the road. They are still waiting for Duren to show his face in this playoff series. Trying to keep its turnovers down before the two dozen threshold. Daniss Jenkins has pumpkined in the playoffs, and the fan base is in existential crisis. Let’s have some fun watching playoff basketball.

Game Vitals

When: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
Watch: Peacock/NBC
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (1-2)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Orlando Magic (2-1)

Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

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Juan Soto’s paltry numbers since injury return exposing a Mets issue

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows New York Mets player Juan Soto #22 batting against the Colorado Rockies, Image 2 shows New York Mets' Juan Soto smiling in black Mets jersey and red gloves, with a Minnesota Twins catcher out of focus in the background
Teams have been pitching around Juan Soto during the Mets' struggles.

Juan Soto’s return to the Mets was much anticipated last week, but it has hardly jump-started an ailing lineup.

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A team in need of juice isn’t receiving it.

Soto is 3-for-15 (all singles) in his five games since returning from a right calf strain, and his nakedness within the lineup is evident: he’s drawn six walks over that stretch as opponents hardly seem intimidated by the options behind him.

“You can make a case, right?” manager Carlos Mendoza said when asked about teams pitching around Soto. “You pitch around him, and that is kind of what we’re seeing here.”

It certainly hasn’t helped that Francisco Lindor strained his left calf last Wednesday only four innings into Soto’s return from a nearly three-week IL stint.

Juan Soto reacts after drawing a walk during the Mets’ April 23 game. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

Lindor, who has been relegated to a walking boot, won’t be back anytime soon.

Bo Bichette has served as the leadoff hitter, removing him from the spot behind Soto in the batting order.

It has left Mendoza to tinker with Luis Robert Jr. and Francisco Alvarez behind Soto.

Neither has produced enough to dissuade pitchers from working around Soto.

After the Mets got swept in a doubleheader Sunday against the Rockies — and scored one run over the 18 innings — Soto was careful to avoid pointing fingers, but it was clear he understood how exposed he’s appeared in the lineup.

Another key component, Jorge Polanco, is on the IL with a right wrist contusion.

The Mets signed the veteran Polanco largely as a lineup replacement for Pete Alonso, who served as Soto’s primary protection last season.

Even before the wrist injury, Polanco was hobbled by Achilles bursitis.

He owns an ugly .532 OPS over 61 plate appearances, primarily as the DH. 

Juan Soto swings during the first game of the Mets’ April 26 doubleheader. Getty Images

“I can’t tell you they are pitching around me,” Soto said. “I had a couple of pitches today to do damage and I couldn’t come through. Definitely, they don’t want to give up extra-base hits, so definitely they are being a little careful, not only with me, but with other guys you have to be careful with in this lineup. It’s part of the game.”

The Mets entered Monday last in MLB with a .625 OPS and it wasn’t particularly close; the equally disappointing Phillies were ranked one spot ahead of them with a .656 OPS.

When Soto returned Wednesday, the hope was that he would provide pop to a sorely deficient lineup. Soto delivered a career-high 43 homers last season, when he finished third in the National League MVP voting.

Soto has homered only once in 46 at-bats this season.

If it’s any consolation to the Mets, last season Soto homered only three times before April 30, over 112 at-bats.

Soto’s scarce power would be easier for the Mets to digest if there were other big bats in the lineup.

But Alvarez (four) is the only Mets player with more than two homers. Soto (.831) and Alvarez (.760) are the only Mets regulars with an OPS above .700.

“It’s just a matter of time that they are going to wake up and bring the best out of themselves,” Soto said. “I know they are trying their hardest to be their best and be out there and perform. But sometimes things don’t go your way. That’s where you are professional: Keep your head up and keep moving forward.”

In the meantime, Mendoza — fighting to keep his job amid a slide in which the Mets have lost 15 of 17 games — is searching for his own answers.

“It’s hard to explain when you have that many guys that are going through it at the same time,” Mendoza said. “It’s just not a good showing — not good at-bats up and down. You have a guy here and there, but we are not hitting the ball hard consistently and it’s hard to explain, because usually you get three or four guys going through it, but you get four or five guys that can carry you, but right now it’s hard to describe.”

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The elusive playoff balance Knicks must find in critical Game 5

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Josh Hart of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks, Image 2 shows Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs

It’s a mindset that the Knicks believe helped them change course in the series. But it’s also a mindset that can be difficult to recreate when the circumstances don’t match it. 

After their Game 4 rout of the Hawks on Saturday — which evened the series at 2-2 — multiple Knicks pointed to a level of “desperation” and “urgency” that they played with, having entered the game trailing 2-1 in the series. Beforehand, Miles McBride said they felt like they were “playing for our lives.” 

And it was noticeable, as the Knicks came out with a tenacity that had gone missing earlier in the series. But returning home to Madison Square Garden with the series tied, it could be difficult to manufacture that mindset without the weight of a deficit. 

“No, this is what we work all year for, what you work all summer for, for an opportunity to play in the playoffs,” Jalen Brunson said after practice Monday. “There’s not a lot of motivation left that’s needed, really. It’s just, this is the opportunity for teams to go and put their names in history if they want it. So, that’s the only motivation.”

This Knicks core has been a group that constantly seems to need a bit of a wake-up call before they get their act together. During the regular season, there were the constant slow starts to games, which often didn’t end up hurting them due to their status as the best fourth-quarter team in the league. They had to endure a stretch in which they lost nine of 11 before they got back to looking like how a contender is supposed to look. In this series, they had to fall behind 2-1 before delivering their best performance of the season.

It’s like they need to face a bit of adversity to play their best. 

“I believe they’re ready,” coach Mike Brown said Monday. “This group’s a relentless group. They’re an experienced group. They perform best, it seems, when their backs are against the wall. So I believe our guys are ready.”

Josh Hart of the Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round One Game Four on April 25, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NBAE via Getty Images

Playing well when their backs are against the wall is an admirable trait, but the repeated need for a wake-up call is something that can certainly come back to bite them. In the regular season, when teams are more so going through the motions, they found it easier to overcome early deficits and step on the gas when needed. 

In the playoffs, where intensity is higher and opposition is better, a lack of intensity from the jump is much harder to overcome — as proven by their failed comeback attempt in Game 3. 

Maintaining the right mindset throughout an entire game is something that has largely eluded this core going on two seasons now. 

Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

“It has to be even higher, honestly. … We just have to have a higher level of desperation because we know they’re not gonna come in and try to ease into this game,” McBride said Monday. 

“This is the playoffs. Nobody’s just gonna hand you a win, hand you a game. Obviously, our two losses were very close games. But you don’t lose the games always at the end of games. It’s a possession here in the first half, or you missed a box-out or somebody did a run to the lane and there wasn’t anybody to kick it out to. It was the little things like that that we’re more focused on and have to be focused on going forward.”

The experience advantage is one area the Knicks do have an edge over the Hawks. Younger teams — particularly underdogs like the Hawks — can find it hard to keep their emotions in check and instead play out of control. That the Knicks have been there, done that is supposed to give them a leg up. 

So, balancing that sense of desperation with poise is important. 

“Experience teaches you a lot,” Karl-Anthony Towns said after Game 4. “Just because we won one game, the playoffs is always, you win a game, you’re the best team in the world; the highs are high. And when you lose, you’re the low of lows and the worst team ever. So, just staying on the way and being in the middle ground and just consistently trying to find ways to get better and improve as the series moves along. Next game is gonna be the most important game, the most desperation we need to present to the fans and to ourselves.”

Play desperate, but also play under control. 

That is the pendulum in front of the Knicks. 

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Cooper Flagg Wins Rookie Of The Year; Kon Knueppel Comes In 2nd

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets talk after the game at American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026 in Dallas, 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. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Monday was a great day for Duke Basketball and the Brotherhood, as Cooper Flagg won the NBA Rookie of the Year award over former Blue Devil teammate Kon Knueppel.

Flagg won 412-386. VJ Edgecombe came in third, with 96 points.

It was crazy to watch Flagg dominate players who, in some cases, were 10-15 years older than he was. His future seems limitless, and that’s true for Knueppel as well. The conversation around that guy has changed dramatically. Remember when he was seen as a stretch at the #4 pick? Not so much anymore.

Congratulations to both guys. They’re great representatives of Duke.

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Dallas' Cooper Flagg wins NBA Rookie of the Year in historically close race

Entering the season, Cooper Flagg was projected to run away with Rookie of the Year. He was the No. 1 pick and on a team that entered the season expecting to be playing in postseason games right now.

"This season turned out a lot different than I expected..." Flagg said on NBA Showtime on Peacock on Monday. "Being thrown into the fire like that, I think, will help me in the long term."

During his up-and-down season, it looked for long stretches like Flagg's college roommate at Duke — Charlotte's Kon Knueppel — would take the award. Voeters were clearly divided to the end, but a late slide by Knueppel and a monster final few weeks of the season by Flagg swung the vote back to him.

Flagg was named NBA Rookie of the Year on Monday in the second-closest race since the league started tracking the voting (2003).

Knueppel came in second in the voting, with Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe — who would have won it a lot of years — coming in a distant third.

Flagg had 56 first-place votes and 44 second-place votes, and Knueppel essentially flipped that, with 44 first-place votes and 55 second-place votes (one voter had Edgecombe second).

This was the second-closest ROY vote ever, the only closer one was in 2022 when Scottie Barnes just edged Evan Mobley (with Cade Cunningham third).

Edgecombe had 93 third-place votes. The Spurs' Dylan Harper had five third-place votes and the Grizzlies' Cedric Coward had one.

Flagg made history with the win — he stands with guys in the GOAT debate for his rookie season. Flagg joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies to lead their team in total points, rebounds, assists and steals. Flagg also is the second-youngest NBA Rookie of the Year winner, behind only LeBron James.

Flagg averaged 21 points a game, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists a game. He set an NBA record with a 51-point game in April against Orlando, and Flagg had three other games with 40+ points.

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Cooper Flagg wins NBA 2025-26 Rookie of the Year

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks waits for the rebound on January 29, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, 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 Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The NBA announced on Monday night that Dallas Mavericks do-everything forward Rookie of the Year for the 2025-26 season. Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 33.5 minutes per game in 70 games in 2025-26. He started every single game in his rookie campaign.

Flagg joins former Maverick Luka Doncic and current head coach Jason Kidd as award winners, with Doncic winning the 2018-19 season and Kidd splitting the award with Grant Hill during the 1994-95 season.

He became the third rookie of the last 45 years to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists, joining Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic. Flagg joins Michael Jordan as the only rookies to lead their teams in points, rebounds, assists, and steals since steals were added to the record book in 1973-74. He led all rookies in 25-point games, 30-point games, 35-point games, 40-point games, and had the first 50-point game for a rookie since Brandon Jennings.

It was a tightly contested race between Flagg and his former Duke roommate Kon Knueppel. Flagg finished with 55 first-place votes and 44 second-place votes. This narrowly edged out Knueppel in one of the more debated about Rookie of the Year races in several years.

Oddly, many in the national media, namely those who value advanced metrics, insisted that Knueppel was the Rookie of the Year and that the race was not remotely close. Of course, the final tally of votes says otherwise, but Knueppel did have a wildly efficient season, leading the league in made three pointers and helping lift a Charlotte Hornets team out of the league’s basement.

The argument for Kon boiled down to team success and efficiency. The argument for Flagg relied more on traditional counting stats paired with role; Flagg was the best Dallas player, thrust into that role after Anthony Davis went down and Kyrie Irving out for the season. What Mavericks fans were treated to was a rookie season that may well be better than Luka Doncic’s. Flagg scored 51 in a game!

In the end, the Rookie of the Year race was a bright spot for the hardcore Mavericks fans who stuck with the team despite many losses and occasional bad basketball. Hopefully, this award is the first of many at the NBA level for a player who seems on the path to superstardom.

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On This Date: Bill Lindsay Scores Most Iconic Goal In Panthers History, Clinching Florida's First Playoff Series

We’ve hit another significant date in Florida Panthers history.

This time, the moment that occurred on this particular date was one that remained the lasting image of any early success found by the franchise for decade upon decade.

We’re talking, of course, about the diving, series-clinching goal scored by Billy Lindsay during Game 5 of the first playoff series the Panthers ever played, against the Boston Bruins.

The game was played on Saturday, April 27, 1996 at Miami Arena in Downtown Miami. 

With the game tied at three late in the third period, Lindsay picked up the puck in the neutral zone and zoomed up the right-side boards.

With the puck on his stick, Lindsay drove toward the net and past Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, who tripped Lindsay just as he reached the goal.

Lindsay managed to tip the puck between the legs of Bruins goaltender Bill Ranford as he slid through the crease and out the other side.

Miami Arena exploded in jubilation, and the Panthers went on to knock out the Bruins in five games.

Florida then took out the high-flying Philadelphia Flyers in six games and the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins in seven, making the team’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance in just its third season of existence.

Unfortunately, the lack of playoff success in the coming decades would keep the image of Lindsay’s goal as the quintessential moment of ultimate Panthers postseason glory, a reminder of their improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Stay tuned for more reminders of fun Panthers playoff successs in the coming weeks and months. 

In the meantime, let us know in the comments where you were when Lindsay scored his remarkable goal and how you remember seeing it go down!

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Jasson Dominguez earned opportunity back up with Yankees: ‘He deserves to be here’

Jasson Dominguez tried not to think too much about getting back to the big-league level as he opened the season back down in Triple-A. 

The young outfielder just took things day-by-day and went out and did his job. 

By doing that, Dominguez was able to perform well enough to earn his call back up to the Yankees ahead of Monday night’s series opener against the Rangers. 

With Giancarlo Stanton sidelined as he awaits results on an MRI on his calf, Dominguez immediately slots into the lineup batting sixth as the DH.

“As a young player when you’ve been here and you’ve had some success and you have to go back, a lot of the times you see guys struggle and not do well or put their head down and pout, he hasn’t done any of that,” Aaron Boone said.

“He’s worked hard, he’s performing, and he deserves to be here -- with Giancarlo down and us facing three righties over the next three games we feel that he fits into our lineup really well.”

Dominguez certainly has earned his spot back in the majors, as his pair of multi-hit showing in Sunday’s doubleheader raised his average to .326 through 24 games. 

The 23-year-old is also getting on-base at an impressive .415 clip while racking up three homers, five doubles, 16 RBI, and striking out just 14 times.

“I had a very good spring training and I’m just continuing that same routine into the season,” Dominguez told YES Network’s Meredith Marakovitz. “I feel good with that, and I think that’s what has helped me keep it going.”

The Yankees are still waiting to see how things go with Stanton, but Boone expects that we could see Dominguez playing the field at some point this week.

While he’s had a rough time out there in the past, he also feels he’s take a step forward in both center and left over the first few weeks of the season.

“I’ve been getting better at it,” Dominguez said. “The more reps that I take, the more fly balls that I see, the more I’m gonna get better at it -- I’ll be ready for whatever they ask.”