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Hawks 109, Knicks 108: “This team is not serious people”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks reacts after dunking against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Maybe the Knicks (1-2) had no business winning this game against the Hawks (2-1). After sleepwalking through a miserable first quarter and falling behind by 18 in the second, they entered halftime down by eight, matched Atlanta’s thirty points in the third quarter, and finally seemed interested in victory late in the fourth quarter. Too little, too late. They finally managed to grab a three-point lead with a minute left, but they were fittingly outdone by CJ McCollum and yet another turnover during the final possession. Final score: 109-108.

In Game Three of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks won the paint (56 points to 40) and held their own on the glass (46-45), but it didn’t matter—they lost the game on efficiency. Atlanta shot better (45%-43%), hit threes at a much higher clip (39% to 29%), and turned New York’s 18 turnovers into easy points. Karl-Anthony Towns did his part, scoring 21 points and 17 rebounds, with a team-high +22 plus-minus; and Brunson logged 26 points on 11-of-23 shooting.

But there are plenty of candidates for scapegoat of the game, from the coach (once again taking too long to get Brunson and KAT working together effectively); Mikal Bridges tried three shots and scored zero points; Mitchell Robinson was a -18 in his 11 minutes, grabbing just four boards; and Josh Hart scored just two points on 1-of-9 shooting. Look at all this red:

Funky, clunky start. Through the first six minutes of this contest, the Birds made four of ten field goal attempts, while the Bockers made four of 12. The Knicks briefly held the lead, but promptly fell behind 13-9 by the midway point. Miles McBride (15 PTS, 5-10 3PT, 31 MIN) and Mitchell Robinson were the first substitutions. There was no improvement to report.

The visitors looked clueless—nay, feckless—shooting around 25% while watching the home team pad their lead. Only two of their players (Anunoby and Brunson) scored in the period (seriously); Karl-Anthony Towns had attempted one shot (and missed); and the team had committed five turnovers already. They attempted zero free throws until around 1:30, when Jalen Brunson stepped to the line. Not only did they appear unable to work together, but they seemed rather apathetic about it, too.

Meanwhile, the Hawks clicked into the next gear. They pushed their lead to 11 with around two minutes on the clock and finished the quarter with a 24-9 run. They were beating New York on the boards and moving the ball expertly, assisting on 10 of their 12 made field goals. Off the bench, Jonathan Kuminga (21 PTS, 28 MIN) was a perfect 4-of-4 with 10 points at the quarter’s end. On the other hand, New York couldn’t buy a three-pointer, missing 10 of their 12 attempts. Our heroes scored only 15 points in the final 12 minutes on Monday. Picking up where they left off—which is, in the mud—they managed just 21 in the first quarter. When the bell rang, the good guys were trailing 33-21.

Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson (8 PTS, 4-11 FG, 17 MIN) reported for duty to start the second quarter, but New York’s bench continued to be outscored by Atlanta’s. Encouraging sign: with Brunson taking a blow, Towns finally got on the board with a driving dunk, and after he cashed in two more close-range buckets, the deficit had been cut from 15 to 10 around the middle period. The big fella had made 4-of-5 from the field, while Brunson had shot 5-of-11.

Out of a timeout, McCollum hit a 15-foot turnaround jumper, then Onyeka Okongwu (9 PTS, 7 RBS) stole a Bridges pass for a pick-six, and so much for the momentum. Stan Van Gundy’s yapped about how he would just run pick-and-roll with Towns and Brunson, and we hoped he was sitting close enough for Mike Brown to hear him. With New York shooting 13% (2-of-15) from deep and CJ McCollum (23 PTS, 8-19 FG) operating at another level, the hole reached an ugly 18 points. Edkamlive said it after the game, but it’s just as apt to insert here: “This team is not serious people.”

From there, Towns, Clarkson, and McBride all combined for a 9-0 run, while the Hawks missed five shots. Thanks to their efforts—especially Clarkson—New York was only trailing 58-50 heading into intermission.

After a lackluster first quarter, New York finished the half with better interior numbers. They had won the points in the paint, 32-16, and the glass 24-22. The problem was all in the shooting. Atlanta shot nearly twice as well from three (44% to 21%) and lived at the line (16 attempts to New York’s 5). McCollum, shooting a tidy 6-of-10, led all scorers with 16. Brunson had 13 for the visitors, while Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges had combined to shoot 0-of-6 for no points.

The Knicks scored first out of halftime (a driving dunk by KAT), but then allowed Atlanta to rattled off an 11-2 run. Barely two minutes had passed and Brown needed a timeout to discuss all the things they probably should have discussed in the locker room. The coach replaced Bridges (a team-worst -22) with McBride, and unusual early substitution but the desperate situation called for a touch of inventiveness.

Deuce wasn’t the answer, though, and it came as no great surprise, given that the guy’s only shot 22% in the series so far. Van Gundy was right. The path to taking command of this match-up would be forged by Brunson and Towns. To wit: With Towns and Brunson stepping forward into prominent roles, an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to four.

Quin Snyder’s response was to dial up plays for Nickeil Alexander-Walker (14 PTS, 4-12 FG) and Jalen Johnson (24 PTS, 10 RBS, 8 AST), who pushed the lead to nine again with a triple and drives to the cupl, respectively. Brown decided to go small, subbing in Hart for Towns and going small, making Anunoby the tallest Knick in the fray.

Back-to-back turnovers by Brunson and McBride cost them. Down by 13 again, Brown sent Towns back in for Clarkson around the two minute mark. Since only KAT, Brunson, and Anunoby scored anything in the third period, it was a no-brainer to get Karl back in there. When the quarter finished, both teams had scored 30 points. Hawks up, 88-80.

Into the final frame, the Knicks continued to have opportunities, but blew them with one-and-dones and turnovers. Rather than uniting to mount a rally, their disjointed play continued, and they sat 10 points down with a scant nine minutes left. Brown prefers to let Brunson rest early in the quarter, but sent Captain Clutch back in, hoping to ignite something. McBride hit a triple, Johnson did the same, and the two teams continued to cancel each other out.

Brown also elected to glue Bridges to the bench in the fourth, putting his chips on McBride instead. When McBride swished his second trey of the quarter, our heroes were finally within four points again. Seven minutes left.

The clouds were parting in Georgia, and a sliver of sunlight was peeking through. With four minutes left, Towns was stuffed by Johnson, but Anunoby chased down the loose ball and heaved from the corner to make it 101-99.

Yet again, CJ McCollum hit a midrange dagger, but OG responded with another triple, then McBride hit one, and it was tied at 105 with a little over a minute left. Towns blocked a McCollum reverse drive, and Cap cooked at the other end with an and-one drive. Knicks finally lead, 108-105, with under one minute left.

Towns blocked Johnson at the other end, but the Hawk managed a put-back to make it a one-point game with 53 seconds to go. Coming out of Quin Snyder’s time out, McCollum burned just three seconds to sink a 15-footer. The Peaches were ahead again by one. 12.5 seconds.

For the final possession, Bridges was back in to inbound the ball, but he couldn’t reach Brunson. When it finally did, he drove into a double-team along the baseline. Cap tried to pass the rock to Hart trailing in the paint, but it caught Josh off-guard, Kuminga chased it down, and that was the ballgame, 109-108.

Up Next

These two square off again in Game Four on Saturday. Rest up, Knickerbockers.

Box Score

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Former Blackhawks Winger Is On Fire This Postseason

With their 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 3, the Carolina Hurricanes now have a commanding 3-0 series lead. With this, the Hurricanes need just one more win to advance to the second round.

Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall has been one of the reasons behind the Hurricanes great start to the playoffs, as he is on fire right now for the Metropolitan Division club. 

In three playoff games so far this spring with the Hurricanes, Hall has recorded one goal, four assists, and five points. This included him recording two assists in Game 3 for the Canes. 

Hall also put together a very strong performance for the Hurricanes in Game 2, as he scored a goal and recorded an assist. With this, there is no question that the former Blackhawks forward is making a real impact for the Hurricanes early on this series. 

Seeing Hall having a strong start to the playoffs is not necessarily surprising, as he showed this season with the Hurricanes that he can still be a solid offensive contributor at this point in his career. In 80 games this season with Carolina, the former Blackhawks forward had 18 goals, 30 assists, and 48 points. 

In 56 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks, Hall had 11 goals, 17 assists, and 28 points.

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Flyers Veteran Center Is Heating Up At The Perfect Time

The Philadelphia Flyers currently have a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. There are many reasons behind it, and veteran forward Sean Couturier is one of them.

Couturier has been turning back the clock for the Flyers so far this postseason, and the truth is in his stats. In three playoff games, the 2011 first-round pick has recorded three assists and a plus-2 rating. This included him recording two assists in Game 3 for the Flyers, with one of them being on defenseman Nick Seeler's game-winning goal in the second period. 

With this, there is no question that Couturier has been playing some strong hockey for the Flyers early on this postseason. It is undoubtedly good news for the Flyers, as the 6-foot-4 forward is one of their most important players. If he continues to produce offensively and make an impact with his defensive play, the Flyers should stay in good shape from here. 

In 42 career playoff games over his NHL career, Couturier has recorded 10 goals, 15 assists, 25 points, and a plus-3 rating. It will be interesting to see how he builds on them as this series continues. 

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Colorado Surges, Kings On The Brink Of Elimination After Game 3 Loss

Artturi Lehkonen delivered a crucial insurance goal midway through the third period, helping the Colorado Avalanche pull away for a 4–2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.

With the victory, Colorado takes a commanding 3–0 lead in the first-round playoff series. The Avalanche haven't picked up a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs since their Stanley Cup championship in 2022, when they dominated the Nashville Predators.

Gabriel Landeskog set the tone early, Cale Makar added his trademark burst from the blue line, and Brock Nelson chipped in another timely finish as Colorado dictated the pace for long stretches.

Logan O'Connor prior to Game 2. t

Scott Wedgewood was calm when it mattered most, turning aside 24 of 26 shots to help put the Avalanche one win away from advancing.

Los Angeles didn’t go quietly. They haven’t all series. The Kings outshot Colorado 12–7 in the opening period and got goals from Adrian Kempe and Trevor Moore, while Anton Forsberg delivered another strong effort in net. But despite the push, the result feels all too familiar—Los Angeles now sits one loss away from a first-round exit for the fifth straight season.

This time, though, it won’t be the Edmonton Oilers delivering the coup de grâce.

First Period

Nearly four minutes in, Forsberg had to be sharp early, flashing the glove on a slick redirect from Lehkonen that looked labeled for the corner.

Colorado broke through at 5:29 thanks to a gritty sequence. After a hard-fought puck battle behind the net, the puck kicked out to Landeskog, who spun and fired from a sharp angle. It wasn’t pretty, but it didn’t need to be—the puck ricocheted off the end boards, clipped Forsberg’s right skate, and trickled across the line for a 1–0 lead.

The Kings got their first chance to respond on the power play with just over five minutes left after a cross-checking call on Manson, but Colorado’s penalty kill held firm.

Moments later, Manson took a heavy hit into the Kings’ bench from Edmundson and tumbled awkwardly, eventually heading down the tunnel. The period closed with another penalty—Byfield went off for elbowing Drury—but the Avalanche carried their one-goal edge into the intermission.

Second Period

Manson didn’t return right away to start the second, and Colorado couldn’t take advantage of the remaining power-play time.

When he did come back, the game quickly turned chaotic. A shot from the right circle created a scramble in front, and Moore was credited with the tying goal after the puck deflected through traffic. On the same sequence, a high stick from Manson caught Moore up high and drew blood. What was initially called a double minor was trimmed to two minutes once the goal stood.

Not long after, Manson disappeared down the tunnel again, clearly laboring, while Malinski also made a brief exit before returning to the bench.

Colorado regained control midway through the period. At 12:12, Makar stepped into space and wired a wrist shot through a maze of bodies, the puck sneaking past a fully screened Forsberg and into the top corner to restore the lead.

Tensions boiled over later in the frame when Helenius drove MacKinnon from behind, sending him hard to the ice. The officials handed out matching minors, a call that didn’t sit well given the force of the hit.

The Kings pushed hard late, tilting the ice and forcing Wedgewood to stay busy, but Colorado bent without breaking. Despite being outshot 19–15 through two, the Avalanche carried a 2–1 lead into the third.

Third Period

Early in the third, Byfield took his second penalty of the night, hauling down Makar as he cut toward the net. It was a necessary foul, but Colorado’s power play once again came up empty.

Seconds after the kill, the momentum flipped again—this time for good. Kulak was whistled for interference, and while Los Angeles looked poised to capitalize, Lehkonen struck shorthanded. On a clean 2-on-1 rush, he snapped a shot that deflected off Kempe’s skate and slipped through Forsberg, stretching the lead to 3–1 and silencing the building.

From there, Forsberg did everything he could to keep it close. Pad save, blocker save, rebound control—he gave the Kings a chance.

They finally found life late. With just over four minutes remaining, a tripping call on Drury opened the door. Los Angeles pulled the goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage, and Kempe redirected a shot past Wedgewood to cut the deficit to one.

The push was on, and the building had energy again.

But it didn’t last.

After pulling the goalie a second time, a miscue at the blue line proved costly. Nelson jumped on the loose puck and buried it into the empty net, sealing the 4–2 final and pushing Colorado to the brink of a sweep.

Up Next

The Avalanche will have a chance to pick up the four-game sweep on Sunday when they take on the Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. local time. 

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Are Knicks in trouble after Hawks take 2-1 series lead in NBA playoffs?

Are the New York Knicks in trouble?

For the second time in three nights, the Atlanta Hawks upset New York in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, and now the Knicks have fallen behind in the series, 2-1. In Game 2, it was a historic blown lead in the fourth quarter. With New York’s 109-108 loss Thursday, April 23, it was an inability to complete an attempted comeback after trailing most of the game.

So, as for the question above. In short, the answer is yes.

For one, the Hawks — a balanced team with players who fit specialized roles — are playing with confidence and competing. They’re being led by veteran guard CJ McCollum (who has 81 points this series), they have a pair of dynamic, two-way wings in Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and they have a bench that is suddenly rising to the occasion.

And, if we’re just playing the odds, history shows the massive importance of Game 3s. In the history of Best-of-7 series, the winner of Game 3 following a 1-1 tie has gone on to win the series 74% of the time.

NBA PLAYOFF BRACKET: Scores, schedule and odds for first-round games

New York’s offense has been something of a mess. Similar to last season, the Knicks rely far too much on Jalen Brunson, particularly in the clutch. Brunson is New York’s best closer, so this does make some practical sense. But the issue is the operation and the way a lot of these shots are created.

The ball often stagnates, which leads to other players standing around, waiting for Brunson to make his move.  

Thursday night, when New York couldn’t inbound the ball to Brunson successfully on the last play of the game, the entire play broke down, forcing Brunson to try to play hero ball.

“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said after the game. “Missed opportunity, for sure.”

Karl-Anthony Towns, who did score 21 points Thursday night, has had inconsistent quarters, and coach Mike Brown often doesn’t do a good enough job of incorporating him as the clear No. 2 option.

And, rather inexplicably, Brown seemingly didn’t correct for an issue in Game 2 that helped spark the Atlanta avalanche that overwhelmed New York: once again, he began the fourth quarter with both Brunson and Towns on the bench at the same time.

Though Brown adjusted and inserted them both back in with 9:25 left to play in the period, it took the beginnings of a Hawks run for him to abandon that strategy.

And while OG Anunoby did bail out New York Thursday with 29 points, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, a pair of starters, combined to score just 2 points on 1-of-12 shooting.

▶ WATCH: Knicks vs. Hawks Game 3 highlights

On defense, the Knicks have a glaring problem; throughout the entire series, Atlanta has been hunting Brunson, seeking him out in matchups. Hawks guard McCollum made that abundantly clear when a reporter asked him after Game 2 if he liked that matchup.

“What do you think?” McCollum asked the reporter, who shrugged his shoulders and responded in the affirmative.

“Yeah,” McCollum said, with a little extra emphasis.

This continued Thursday night; McCollum, who scored 16 points in the first half, many of them after targeting Brunson.

This is not all to say that the Knicks are going to lose this series; there’s plenty of runway left here for New York to course correct and solve their issues.

But time is running out, and the margin for error has become tenuously thin.

Game 4 Saturday, April 25, also in Atlanta, suddenly is as close to a must-win as it gets.

“The reality is it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Brown told reporters after the game. “Stuff’s going to happen. There are plenty of teams have been down 1-2. I even think Oklahoma City was down 1-2 and they ended up winning (the NBA Finals). I’m not saying we’re going to win it or anything like that, but the reality is it’s seven games and you take one game at a time. Each game is its own entity and that’s what I told the group.

“Now, this should sting because we gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball. So it should sting. But we need to feel it and get ready to be locked in for the next game, which we will be.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knicks lose Game 3 to Hawks. Is New York in trouble in NBA playoffs?

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Purple Row After Dark: Potential pitching decisions coming

Mar 4, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Seth Halvorsen (54) throws against the United States in the second inning at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Rockies have some potential pitching scenarios on the horizon that may force some interesting decisions.

First, there’s Ryan Feltner. The righty left Thursday’s game with right triceps tightness after only two innings of work. He gave up two runs on two hits with one strikeout and one walk on 40 pitches. After the game, Feltner admitted it wasn’t a new problem.

“We have been working on it in the training room for the past few days. It just got a little more tight than we would have liked in the second inning there, so we took precaution,” Feltner said. “It felt good in the bullpen and it felt good in the first inning. It was just more of a general tightness in the second inning.”

On the bright side, Feltner seemed optimistic and said his goal is to still make his next start.

“Concern is relatively low, but there is no official prognosis right now,” Feltner said.

On the worrisome side, Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer added a bit more concern than just the tightness, adding there was “some nerve stuff going down to his fingers. We’ll see on the follow-up.”

If Feltner’s injury ends up sidelining him for a while, what should the Rockies do with their rotation?

Keep in mind that Kyle Freeland is eligible to come off the IL on April 28.

In the bullpen, there is Seth Halvorsen. The right-hander was called up on Thursday and made his 2026 debut by throwing one scoreless inning with no hits, two strikeouts and one walk.

A roster spot was opened up for Halvorsen when Jimmy Herget was placed on the paternity list. Halvorsen has been crushing it in Triple-A, where he has posted a 1.80 ERA with two saves, 12 strikeouts and five walks in nine appearances (10 innings). 

What if Halvorsen continues to dominate and makes a strong case to stay in the Colorado bullpen? Who gets sent down when Herget comes back?

Tell us what you think of these scenarios in the comments!

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker penalized $35,000 by league office

I do not think anyone is surprised by this, but it is worth noting. Following the Phoenix Suns’ loss in Game 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Devin Booker spoke out about the officiating. It was a physical game, and there were some egregious calls that stood out. You could feel his frustration after the final buzzer.

“In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James [Williams] was terrible tonight,” Booker stated after the game. “Through and through. It’s bad for the sport, bad for the integrity of the sport. People are going to start viewing this as a WWE, you know, if they’re not held responsible.”

Based on those comments, you know the fines would come. Because how dare he question the almighty celestial entity that is NBA officiating?

In a statement by the league, where they announced that Booker would be fined $35,000 for his comments, they stated, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis of bias or misconduct by game officials.” But they also added that they, “determined Booker’s technical foul at 2:05 in the third quarter was improperly assessed and therefore it has been rescinded.”

Umm, there was no misconduct by the officials, but they still improperly assessed a technical foul, which, if you’re being honest, lives in the same neighborhood as misconduct. Did James Jones proofread that statement before it went out? Because it reads like nonsense. The league is fining Booker for reacting to them being right, which somehow makes the whole thing feel even more ridiculous.

Technical fouls that were assessed to both Dillon Brooks and Lu Dort were rescinded as well.

Essentially, “we didn’t do anything wrong, but also, let’s rescind everything we got wrong”. Moronic.

I think Booker speaking up has a purpose. This is a series where expectations are low, but that does not mean you accept how the game is being called. As things shift back to Phoenix for Game 3, there is a good chance the whistle tightens up. Officials tend to respond in these spots. That can cut both ways. Oklahoma City plays with a lot of physicality, and that could be limited. At the same time, Phoenix may not get every call either. What it does do is create a more balanced environment, one where the Suns can lean into their own physical style.

Booker knew what he was doing. He took the fine, made his point, and put something on the record. Considering he has not called out officials in his 11-year career, it carries some weight.

We will see how much on Saturday at 12:30 in Phoenix.

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Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Sep 7, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers, fresh off a tough walkoff loss to the Tigers in a Thursday afternoon rubber match, are headed back to Milwaukee for another homestand. They’ll welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates for three games beginning Friday night, their first series against an NL Central opponent this season.

In baseball’s deepest division to this point, the Brewers sit in last place at 13-11. The Pirates are right in the middle of the pack at 14-10, 1.5 games behind the Cubs and Reds, who are tied at the top. Pittsburgh has split the first two games of their current series with the Rangers, and they’re playing the series finale in Texas tonight.

The Brewers remain without outfielders Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich, first baseman Andrew Vaughn, right-handed starter Quinn Priester, and relievers Rob Zastryzny and Jared Koenig. Reliever Craig Yoho was reactivated earlier Thursday and was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Chourio, Priester, and Vaughn are all semi-close to returning, as Chourio and Vaughn have resumed activities and Priester began a rehab assignment this week. Yelich, Zastryzny, and Koenig all have expected returns in May.

Pittsburgh is without right-hander Jared Jones, who is out until May or June with a UCL sprain. Infielder Jared Triolo is the only other player on the injured list, with a return TBD as he resumed baseball activities this week.

After a hot start offensively, the Brewers have cooled off considerably over the last few weeks, though they did have a 12-run outburst in Detroit this week. Jake Bauers and Gary Sánchez are tied for the team lead with five homers apiece, with Brice Turang right on their tails at four homers. Turang leads the team offensively, as he’s hitting .280/.412/.512 with 18 RBIs, 20 runs, and seven steals. William Contreras and Garrett Mitchell are the only other Brewers with an OPS over .700, as soft-hitting David Hamilton, Sal Frelick, Greg Jones, Brandon Lockridge, Luis Matos, Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, and Luis Rengifo round out the roster (only Frelick has a homer). As a team, the Brewers are hitting .241/.342/.368 (.710 OPS ranks 15th), with 19 homers (tied for 25th), 124 runs (seventh), and 35 steals (first).

Oneil Cruz (eight HRs) and Brandon Lowe (seven HRs) lead a power-heavy, rebuilt Pittsburgh offense. Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna are the other major additions for the Pirates, with old friend Bryan Reynolds still in the fold. Spencer Horwitz, Nick Gonzales, Henry Davis, Jake Mangum, Nick Yorke, and rookie Konnor Griffin round out the regulars, with Joey Bart and Billy Cook rounding things out. As a team, the Pirates are hitting .250/.334/.391 (.725 OPS ranks seventh), with 28 homers (tied for 10th), 123 runs (eighth), and 24 steals (seventh).

Grant Anderson and Aaron Ashby remain atop Milwaukee’s bullpen with 13 appearances each, with DL Hall, Abner Uribe, Angel Zerpa, and Trevor Megill also with 10-plus appearances. Jake Woodford and Carlos Rodriguez round out the ‘pen. Ashby (2.93 ERA, 24 Ks), Hall (2.31 ERA, 14 Ks), and Anderson (2.63 ERA, 11 Ks) have been the most successful of those arms. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.98 team ERA (13th), including a 3.65 starter ERA (11th) and a 4.36 bullpen ERA (17th). They rank 16th with 212 strikeouts over 212 1/3 innings.

Isaac Mattson and Gregory Soto lead the Pittsburgh bullpen with 13 outings each, with closer Dennis Santana right behind them at 12 appearances. Mason Montgomery, Justin Lawrence, Yohan Ramírez, Evan Sisk, and Wilber Dotel round out the active arms. Mattson has a 1.32 ERA and 10 strikeouts, Soto has a 2.13 ERA and 19 strikeouts, and Santana has a 0.75 ERA, nine strikeouts, and a pair of saves. Lawrence (6.55 ERA) and Montgomery (4.82 ERA) have both struggled, while the rest of the depth chart has held their own. As a staff, the Pirates have a 3.50 team ERA (sixth), including a 3.07 starter ERA (third) and a 3.65 bullpen ERA (10th). They rank fifth with 232 strikeouts over 226 1/3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Friday, April 24 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Brandon Woodruff (2-0, 3.42 ERA, 3.73 FIP) vs. RHP Paul Skenes (3-1, 3.27 ERA, 3.46 FIP)

Woodruff gets the ball in the series opener on Friday night in his fifth start of the season. Through four outings, Woodruff has spanned 23 2/3 innings with a 3.42 ERA, 3.73 FIP, and 20 strikeouts. He’s coming off arguably the best start by a Brewer this season, as he went seven innings with one run allowed on three hits and a walk, striking out four on 92 pitches. In 19 career appearances (17 starts) against Pittsburgh, Woodruff is 8-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 115 strikeouts over 97 1/3 innings. That includes a pair of starts last season, when he totaled 10 innings with no runs allowed and 12 strikeouts.

The reigning NL Cy Young winner, Skenes is now in his third MLB season with the Pirates. He’s made five starts so far, with a 3.27 ERA, 3.46 FIP, a 3-1 record, and 23 strikeouts. Those numbers are deceiving, though, as five of the eight runs he’s allowed this season came in his first inning of work against the Mets on Opening Day — in four April starts, he has a 1.27 ERA over 21 1/3 innings. His last outing was just four innings, as he allowed no runs on three hits, striking out five on 64 pitches against the Rays (before a rain delay shortened his outing). In four career starts against Milwaukee (including three last season), Skenes has a 1-2 record, a 3.86 ERA, and 27 strikeouts over 21 innings.

Saturday, April 25 @ 6:10 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (1-2, 3.04 ERA, 3.63 FIP) vs. RHP Mitch Keller (2-1, 2.79 ERA, 3.31 FIP)

Misiorowski has had a solid start to the season, but he doesn’t have much to show for it. He has a 1-2 record through five starts, but he’s leading the league with 42 strikeouts in just 26 2/3 innings. The issue for Miz to this point has been the big inning, which has plagued him in both of his losses this year. Last time out, he went five innings against the Marlins, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks, striking out nine. All three of those runs came in the first inning in a 5-3 loss. Miz made two starts against the Pirates last season (including a head-to-head battle with Skenes), totaling 12 innings with one run allowed and 16 strikeouts, picking up the win both times.

Keller, 30, is in his eighth MLB season, all with Pittsburgh. He’s never been “great,” with a 4.46 career ERA and 3.99 career FIP, but he’s been a constant in the Pirates’ rotation over the last four seasons, making at least 29 starts every year since 2022. Through five starts this season, he’s turned in the best numbers of his career, with a 2.79 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and 19 strikeouts over 29 innings. His last outing spanned seven innings against the Rays, as he allowed two runs on five hits and no walks, striking out five in a win. In 12 career starts against Milwaukee, Keller is 1-7 with a 5.31 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 62 2/3 innings.

Sunday, April 26 @ 1:10 p.m.: LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1, 3.06 ERA, 4.27 FIP) vs. RHP Carmen Mlodzinski (1-1, 3.28 ERA, 2.37 FIP)

Harrison has made four starts this season but totaled only 17 2/3 innings, striking out 18 while sporting a 3.06 ERA and 4.27 FIP. His last start was his shortest of the year, as he went just three-plus innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks, striking out three on 72 pitches against the Tigers. He made one start against Pittsburgh while with the Giants back in 2024, going six scoreless innings (five hits, no walks) with seven strikeouts in a no-decision.

Mlodzinski, 27, is in his fourth MLB season with the Pirates, and he’s also having a solid start to the year. Through five appearances (four starts), he has a 3.28 ERA, 2.37 FIP, and 26 strikeouts over 24 2/3 innings. His last outing was his worst of the season, though, as he allowed five runs on six hits and two walks, striking out six over 4 1/3 innings in his first and only loss of the year. Mlodzinski has made 12 career appearances (all in relief) against the Brewers, with a 2-1 record, a 3.52 ERA, and 13 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings.

How to Watch & Listen

Friday, April 24: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Saturday, April 25: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Sunday, April 26: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

This is probably the best Pirates team we’ve seen in a while, but the Brewers haven’t lost a season series to them since 2018 (and they’ve won eight straight dating back to last June). I’ll take Milwaukee to win two of three this weekend.

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Knicks surge late, but fall to Hawks in Game 3 on CJ McCollum's go-ahead jumper

The Knicks were defeated by the Hawks 109-108 in Game 3 of their first-round matchup on Thursday night. 

Atlanta now leads the series, 2-1. 

Here are some takeaways...

- The Knicks' offensive struggles from the fourth quarter of Game 2 carried over to the opening quarter of Game 3. New York started slow and never quite found their footing, shooting just 35 percent from the field, including 1-for-10 from three, while turning the ball over six times to put themselves behind early. 

Jalen Brunson (11) and OG Anunoby (10) were the only Knicks to score, combining for all 21 of the team's points.

Atlanta started slow as well, but quickly found their footing, shooting 60 percent from the field and 75 percent from three as a team to open up an 11-point advantage after the opening 12 minutes. The Hawks received early contributions from up and down their bench, outscoring New York's reserves 18-0.

- Unlike Game 2, Mike Brown had Karl-Anthony Towns open the second quarter with the second unit. The big man was able to get going, recording his first three buckets of the night and pulling in four boards to help keep the Knicks within striking distance after Atlanta pushed the lead all the way out to 15. 

Just when it looked like the Hawks recaptured the momentum led by CJ McCollum's 11 second-quarter points, they missed their final five shots of the half, and the Knicks put together a late run highlighted by back-to-back Miles McBride threes to cut the deficit down to eight at the break. 

Both Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges were held without a point in the first half.

- The third was another stretch of back-and-forth runs. Atlanta pushed the advantage out to 15 coming out of the locker room before the Knicks came surging back to cut it all the way back down to a two-possession game, but the Hawks countered once again and got it back to eight heading into the fourth. 

Brown switched Hart onto McCollum for the first time, and he held him to just two third-quarter points.

- New York went without Brunson and Towns to open the fourth, and while they were able to keep the deficit to just 10 points, that lineup struggled once again. The first four possessions of the final frame featured three consecutive misses from three-point land and the team's 14th turnover of the night before the dynamic duo came back in.

The Knicks refused to go down quietly, using a late surge to help cut the deficit back down to just one possession. After struggling early, they were able to find their touch from behind the arc, as Anunoby and McBride knocked down clutch threes down the stretch of regulation. 

Brunson's lay-in plus the foul gave New York a three-point lead with just over a minute left. Atlanta answered with a bucket, then came up with a massive stop on the other end, before McCollum knocked down a fadeaway jumper to put them back in front with 12.5 remaining.

Brunson turned the ball over on a sloppy possession, as New York suffered its second straight loss. 

- The captain finished with 26 points on 11-of-23 from the field, Anunoby led the team with 29, and Towns had 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Hart and Bridges combined for just two points. McBride took advantage of his opportunity, knocking down five threes off the bench. 

Game MVP: CJ McCollum

McCollum was once again a thorn in the Knicks' side, knocking down the late winner.

Highlights

What's next

The teams go to battle again in Atlanta in Game 4 of the series on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

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Knicks lose another heartbreaker to Hawks on final-second Jalen Brunson turnover in Game 3

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looses the ball to Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the fourth quarter, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after he is called for a foul during the fourth quarter, Image 3 shows Jalen Brunson (11) reacts on the court during the third quarter
Knicks lose

ATLANTA — Jalen Brunson had the ball in his hands with a chance to win. 

Captain Clutch came up empty. 

Trailing by one point in the final seconds, Brunson turned the ball over as the Knicks’ comeback fell short in a 109-108 loss to the Hawks in Game 3 Thursday night at State Farm Arena. The Knicks now trail the series 2-1. 

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looses the ball to Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) during the fourth quarter on April 23, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after he is called for a foul during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Brunson threw his hands up in exasperation as his pass trickled away from Josh Hart and Hawks-colored confetti fell from the rafters. After trailing by 11 with 8:06 left in the game, the Knicks had a chance to flip the script and pull off their own late-game stunner after collapsing in Game 2. 

But in the biggest moment, they didn’t even get a shot off. It took a while to get Brunson the ball — and when he finally got it, the Hawks doubled him in the corner with Onyeka Okongwu and Jonathan Kuminga. Brunson’s pass bounced past Hart, and that was that. 

And it was CJ McCollum, the biggest Knicks villain this series, yet again who twisted the knife into the Knicks’ hearts. After going quiet in the second half, he drilled the go-ahead bucket with 12.7 seconds left. It has been McCollum, not Brunson, who has owned this series. 

Jalen Brunson turned the ball over in the final seconds to seal the Knicks’ loss. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“This should sting,” coach Mike Brown said after the game. “Because we gave ourselves a chance, knowing that we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. 

“We need to feel it and get ready to be locked in for the next game, which we will be.” 

OG Anunoby hit a 3-pointer with 3:50 left to cut the Knicks’ deficit to just two points. He soon after hit another 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one point. Miles McBride — on the floor in place of the benched Mikal Bridges — hit a 3-pointer to tie the game with 1:41 left.

Brunson’s and-1 gave the Knicks a 3-point lead with 52.6 seconds left. He then had a chance to ice the game on the next and penultimate possession, but air-balled after the offense broke down with 16.4 seconds left. Then came McCollum’s dagger. Then came Brunson’s game-ending turnover.  

“I wish I had a better answer for you,” Brunson said when asked to explain the last two possessions. “I got nothing right now.” 

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) goes up for a shot between New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

In truth, it wasn’t just Brunson who came up empty. The Knicks as a whole came up empty. 

They shot just 43.0 percent from the field and a paltry 28.6 percent from 3-point range. They committed 18 turnovers. In the first half, they were unable to slow down the Hawks defensively. 

Brunson finished with 26 points, but he was overburdened, missed all five of his 3-pointers and had three turnovers. He was also torched by McCollum again, forcing the Knicks to switch their coverage. McCollum had 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field in the first half. It was Hart, who switched onto McCollum in the second half, who managed to slow him down. 

Until the final moments, at least. 

“It hurts more that we put ourselves in position to win but we just didn’t close the show,” Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I think that’s why everyone is emotional. It’s tough, but we’ve got to keep our heads up. It’s OK to be disappointed. That means we care. We’ve got to get the next one.” 

In Bridges’ growing list of lowlights, this was right at the top. He went scoreless, having missed all three shots he took, and committed four turnovers. He was a game-worst minus-26. 

And he was benched twice — in the third quarter and the fourth quarter.

Hart, other than his good defense, had nine rebounds and six assists. But he had just two points and was 1-for-9 from the field. 

Towns and Anunoby were the only starters with steady offensive production. McBride hit five threes off the bench. 

“Right now,” Hart said, “there’s no room to feel sorry for ourselves.” 

Jalen Brunson (11) reacts on the court during the third quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

After the Knicks fell behind with 5:59 left in the first quarter, they trailed until McBride tied the game with 1:41 left in the game. Their deficit reached as much as 18 points. For the vast majority, it was one-sided. The late comeback should not mask the larger issues the Knicks are having in this matchup. 

“There’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself can be better at,” Brunson said. “Missed opportunity for sure.” 

Hart held his head in a towel in the locker room after the game. Towns held his head in his hands, staring at the floor. Brunson, at the podium, searched for answers. 

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) goes up for a shot in front of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Ring the alarm bells. Hit the panic button. 

The Knicks might not yet be on the ropes. But they’re certainly reeling. 

And now they’re firmly on the back foot. 

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Mets SNY feed bizarrely switches to Spanish-language broadcasters for area viewers

Brett Baty celebrates a two-run homer on April 23, 2026.
Brett Baty celebrates a two-run homer on April 23, 2026.

Issues with the SNY broadcast of Thursday night’s Mets game had fans saying ay caramba. 

Fans noticed early in the Mets’ final game of a three-game set against the Twins that popular broadcasters Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling were not calling the game, as the audio was replaced by Spanish-language broadcasters. 

A technical issue with Verizon Fios that is affecting customers in the tri-state area appeared to be the cause of the issue.  

A spokesperson for Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post. 

A reply from the Verizon Support X account suggested that it was “a broadcast issue with SNY.” 

“We’ve been getting many reports of the SNY channel coming through in Spanish,” the account said in response to a customer’s complaint.

“After looking into it, we found that it seems to be a broadcast issue with SNY, since other customers with Xfinity are having the same issue. We’re hoping it will be resolved quickly!”

Brett Baty celebrates a three-run homer on April 23, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

It’s the second consecutive night that the SNY broadcast has dealt with the apparent technical glitch, though some Mets fans seem to take it as a good sign after the Mets ended their 12-game losing streak.

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“I mean they won when the broadcast went to Spanish last night so I guess as a superstitious #Mets fan I can roll with this but so unsure what’s going on with SNY!?!! Is it just Fios people?!” one social media user wrote on Thursday. 

On Wednesday night, well-known media personality Keith Olbermann took notice of the language change and posted to X to complain about it. 

“So far the Mets have blown a 2-1 lead in a bid to avoid a 13th straight loss, Lindor has gotten hurt, and the @snytv audio has been replaced by Spanish PXP in the 6th, restored, and then replaced again in the 7th,” he wrote. 

Perhaps the Spanish is good luck for the Mets after they beat the Twins, 3-2, on Wednesday night off a go-ahead bloop single to right field by Mark Vientos that drove in Brett Baty. 

On Thursday night, the Mets got off to another fiery start by taking a 7-2 lead through the first five innings before allowing a grand slam in the eighth inning to tie the game at 7-7.

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Nuggets rule Aaron Gordon out of Game 3 against the Timberwolves with tightness in his calf

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon was ruled out of Game 3 of the first-round NBA playoff series at Minnesota on Thursday because of tightness in his left calf muscle.

After initially listing Gordon as questionable to face the Timberwolves, the Nuggets downgraded the 12th-year veteran to doubtful before coach David Adelman declared him out before tipoff. Spencer Jones took Gordon's place in the starting lineup, after totaling just 19 minutes over the first two games.

“Obviously it’s a downer. But it’s over. He’s not playing, so the guys that are are prepared to win," Adelman said.

Gordon, who had 17 points in Game 1, felt the injury after scoring eight points in Denver's Game 2 loss on Monday that allowed Minnesota to tie the series. The Nuggets have also been without forward Peyton Watson for the series because of a strained right hamstring.

___

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

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Cam Schlitter beats Red Sox again, leads Yankees to 4-2 win for sweep that extends winning streak to six

BOSTON (AP) — Cam Schlittler limited the team he rooted for growing up to four hits over eight innings, and the New York Yankees rallied twice to beat the Boston Red Sox 4-2 on Thursday night for a three-game sweep and a season-high six-game winning streak.

With his family cheering on at Fenway Park, Schlittler (3-1) allowed two runs — one earned — while striking out five, walking one and lowering his ERA to 1.77.

It was the longest outing in 20 regular-season starts for the 25-year-old right-hander from Weymouth, who pitched eight shutout innings to beat the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium in last year’s AL Wild Card Series.

David Bedner tossed a perfect ninth for his seventh save in eight chances, dropping the last-place Red Sox (9-16) seven games back of New York with their fifth loss in six games. Boston scored three runs in the series.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. tied the score 1-1 for the AL-best Yankees (16-9) with a fifth-inning homer off rookie Payton Tolle. Chisholm’s first home run of the season was the shortest of his big league career, a 333-foot shot around the Pesky Pole in right.

Marcelo Mayer’s RBI double following shortstop José Caballero’s second-inning throwing error and Carlos Narváez’s fifth-inning homer twice provided leads for the Red Sox.

After New York loaded the bases in the seventh off Danny Coulombe (0-1) on three singles, Cody Bellinger put the Yankees ahead with a two-run single off former Yankee Greg Weissert for just his fifth hit in 31 at-bats as a pinch-hitter. The Yankees had not had a go-ahead pinch hit while trailing at Fenway since Elston Howard on April 23, 1967.

Aaron Judge followed with an RBI single.

Tolle, called up from Triple-A Worcester and making his first major league appearance this season, struck out a career-high 11 — including his first five batters. He allowed one run, three hits and one walk in six innings.

New York faced a left-handed starter for the fifth straight game for the first time since April 21-25, 2016.

The Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton struck out a season-high four times.

Boston’s Roman Anthony was sidelined for the second straight game with back tightness.

Up next

Yankees: RHP Will Warren (2-0, 2.49) starts Friday at Houston, which goes with RHP Lance McCullers (1-1, 6.20).

Red Sox: RHP Bryan Bello (1-2, 6.75) takes the mound Friday at Baltimore, which starts RHP Brandon Young (1-0, 0.00).

 

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Yankees sweep Red Sox with late rally at Fenway

Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) is congratulated after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

For six innings, it looked like the Yankees might have finally run out of timely hits in Boston. I will not lie and say I did not put my broom back in the closet. The missed opportunities felt all too similar to the frustrating Tampa series. They stranded runners, watched Red Sox rookie Payton Tolle pitch out of repeated trouble, and trailed entering the seventh inning.

Then the same formula that carried the first two games of the series showed up again: enough pitching and timely hitting. Cody Bellinger delivered the biggest swing off the bench, Aaron Judge added insurance, and the Yankees stormed back for a 4-2 win to complete their first three-game sweep at Fenway Park since September 2021.

Cam Schlittler was not overpowering in his homecoming start, but the Walpole native gave the Yankees exactly what they needed. Boston scratched across an early run on Marcelo Mayer’s RBI double in the second, and then former farmhand Carlos Narváez pushed the Red Sox back ahead with a solo homer in the fifth.

Schlittler limited the damage and kept the game close long enough for the lineup to respond. For a young starter pitching in front of family and friends near his hometown, it was another composed outing in an increasingly impressive opening month. Saying opening month for Schlittler almost feels ridiculous at this point, because he already carries himself like a four-year veteran.

The right-hander worked efficiently throughout the night, showing the poise that has quickly earned trust inside the Yankees’ clubhouse. He changed speeds, got ahead in counts, and never let the atmosphere or the moment speed him up. That type of maturity is difficult to fake, especially in Fenway Park against a rival.

The Yankees had chances well before their breakthrough. They loaded the bases in the fourth inning, only for Tolle to escape with strikeouts of Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham and a popup from Randal Grichuk. On another night, that sequence could have defined the game. However, these Yankees seem to be finding some swagger and confidence in each other.

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened the fifth inning by launching a solo homer to right field, tying the game at one and injecting life into an offense that had missed multiple earlier opportunities. The first home run of the year for Jazz snuck around the Pesky Pole and, perhaps, can jumpstart him back into his old pesky self.

The winning rally arrived in the seventh. Grisham singled and Chisholm followed with a base hit before José Caballero loaded the bases. After Austin Wells struck out, Aaron Boone called on Bellinger as a pinch-hitter. Belli delivered, ripping a two-run single to left that scored Grisham and Chisholm to put New York ahead 3-2.

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Judge followed immediately with an RBI single to right that plated Caballero. A misplay in the outfield allowed Judge to take second, and just like that, a tense one-run deficit had become a two-run Yankees lead.

Boston threatened to respond in the bottom half, but Trevor Story bounced into a momentum-killing double play started by Caballero. Schlittler’s final line was outstanding: eight innings, one earned run, four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts — the first time the Yankees have had consecutive outings of at least eight frames since May 2022. He was not overpowering, but he once again looked in complete control and outdueled a young Boston lefty. At this point, Cam may not own the city of Boston, but he certainly lives there rent free.

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Schlittler handed the ball over to closer David Bednar for the final frame. Bednar closed the door one, two, three. It earned Bednar his seventh save on the year and dropped his ERA down to 3.38.

A series sweep at Fenway is rare, but the Yankees leave Boston atop the American League East, carrying a six-game winning streak and plenty of momentum into their next test against the Astros. Friday night’s opener in Houston is set for 8:10 p.m. EDT, with Will Warren scheduled to face Lance McCullers Jr.

Box Score

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Lakers vs. Rockets Game 3 Preview: Does Houston have a counter?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21:  Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets is double teamed by Rui Hachimura #28 and Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets shifts to the latter’s homebase on Friday.

The Lakers look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in Game 3.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets

When: 5 p.m. PT, Apr. 24

Where: Toyota Center

Watch: Prime Video

Just when everyone thought the Lakers wouldn’t match their performance in Game 1, the purple and gold took their game to another level in Game 2. Not only did their offense overwhelm the Rockets, but their defense was equally impactful, leading to their second straight victory in this series. It has seemed as if Houston has been a step or two behind the Lakers and Game 3 will be their opportunity to catch up.

Now that the series shifts to Houston, the challenge only gets tougher for the purple and gold. Yes, L.A. is up 2-0 and they deserve a lot of praise for doing it without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. But now they’ll likely see a more desperate Rockets team ready to go all out to save their season. At least, that should be the expectation for Game 3.

Here’s what else the Lakers should expect from the Rockets:

A more physical and gritty Rockets team

The Rockets know they’ve been getting punked and embarrassed over the last two games so expect them to rectify that in this one. Look for them to feed off their crowd, which should give them a much-needed boost. Note that the Rockets performed quite well (30-11) on their home floor during the season, so there’s a good chance that they play significantly better in Game 3 than they did in their first two games.

It’s also fair to expect the Rockets to shoot better because that’s what often happens when a team plays on its home floor. Their role players like Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason will play with more confidence while Kevin Durant will likely look to be the hero again. The Lakers will have to be ready.

Adjustments on offense

In Game 2, the Lakers focused trapped Durant hard and mercilessly hunted Alperen Şengün on offense, daring the Rockets’ role players to step up. Expect that to be different in Game 3 with Ime Udoka countering with his own adjustments.

This is where the series gets fun as both coaches will be forced to react (or not) and counter. It’s going to be interesting to see how Udoka finds a way to make scoring easier for the Rockets, who badly need to do that if they don’t want a repeat of Games 1 and 2.

Defense to tighten up

At this point, the Rockets are likely sick of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. It’s a cliche that role players don’t perform as well on the road and it’ll be interesting to see if that applies to not just Kennard and Smart but also the likes of Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Rockets will also attempt to prevent LeBron James from controlling the pace and momentum, which he has done so well in the series thus far.

Heading into Game 3, the Rockets will most probably play their best basketball yet and how the Lakers handle them will determine the outcome of this one. The past two games showed that Los Angeles has able to handle every challenge thrown at them and we’ll see if they can continue to shock the world and keep doing just that on Friday as L.A. looks to go 3-0 in the series.

Notes and Updates

  • There is a major change to the Lakers’ injury report with Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) now listed as questionable. Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) is out.
  • For the Rockets, Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) and Fred VanVleet (ACL surgery) are out while Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) is questionable.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.