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Royals vs Guardians, Game 35 Gamethread

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 29: Michael Wacha #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The 15-19 Royals, who are now fourth in the AL Central, welcome the division-leading (well…tied with Detroit) 18-17 Cleveland Guardians to Kansas City for a four-game series. The Royals are fresh off a sweep of the Seattle Mariners and, with a good series here, can strengthen their position within the division. The Guardians took 2 of 3 from the Athletics over the weekend and have a tenuous at best position to hold that. A four-game sweep would go a long way here.

With that, the Royals will put Michael Wacha on the mound to start. Over 37 and 1/3 innings and 6 starts, Wacha seems more or less the same guy he’s been for the past several years with the Royals, though it’s been imbalanced. His first four starts were quite good, while his last two were….not. Wacha has already faced Cleveland this season back on April 6th. He threw seven innings of one-run ball. I’d take that again.

The Guardians start Tanner Bibee, who also has pitched to about the same stats as usual, which is roughly league average. Bibee started that same game on April 6th in which Wacha was the Royals pitcher. He also gave up one run but threw only 4 and 2/3 innings. The Royals won that game on the back of homers from Jensen and India.

Perhaps the main change from that last game is that 2024 first overall pick Travis Bazzana is now playing for the Guardians. He has walked 6 times in 22 plate appearances for a 27% walk rate (he also has 1 intentional walk). Otherwise, he does not yet have an extra base hit.

For the offense, the Royals will have Jensen at catcher today and Kyle Isbel gets the day off. I’m not 100% clear why; Bibee is a right-hander, and Isbel is a left-handed hitter. Lane Thomas, a right-handed hitter, starts in CF. In the wake of India’s injury, the Royals will use Nick Loftin to plug the 2B hole.

The game starts at 6:40pm US Central time. You can watch on Royals.tv or listen via 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.

Lineups:

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Tippett, Nikishin both out again for Game 2 of Flyers-Hurricanes 2nd-round series in NHL playoffs

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin will miss Monday's Game 2 of the second-round series in the NHL playoffs.

Both players sat out Carolina's 3-0 win in Game 1.

Coach Rick Tocchet said before Monday's game that Tippett would be considered a gametime decision for Thursday's Game 3. He's dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Tippett had a team-best 28 goals to go with 23 assists in the regular season, then had one goal and one assist in the six-game series against Pittsburgh that marked Philadelphia’s first postseason appearance since 2020.

Tippett, who brings needed speed to the lineup, skated Sunday. But he spent part of that session working with goalie Aleksei Kolosov at one end of the ice while the rest of the team worked at the other end.

As for the Hurricanes, Nikishin took warmups before being scratched. He's recovering from a concussion on a jarring hit in a Game 4 win at Ottawa on April 25 that clinched a first-round sweep,

Nikishin has been skating in practices but coach Rod Brind'Amour said he didn't play Game 1 after he didn't feel quite right. Veteran Mike Reilly drew in and had two assists in Game 1.

___

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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GAME THREAD: Guardians at Royals, game 36 of 162

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 21: Cade Smith #36 and Bo Naylor #23 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 8-5 at Progressive Field on April 21, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Here’s the Royals’ lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series preview, predictions: Do LeBron, Lakers have a chance?

The Los Angeles Lakers know what they're up against.

"You want me to compare us to them? That's a championship team right there. We're not," LeBron James said of the Thunder after they beat the Lakers in February.

"I said to a bunch of people yesterday off site talking about this series, to me, the Thunder is one of the greatest teams ever in NBA history," Lakers coach JJ Redick said on Sunday, via Dan Woike of The Athletic. "It's just the reality. They're that good. I think our guys recognize that and respect that, and we know what kind of task we have in front of us."

Oklahoma City is the defending champion, with the reigning (and soon to be repeat) MVP, they have been the title favorites since before the season tipped off, showed no sign of a championship hangover and went out and won 64 games this season (the best record in the league), with the best defense in the NBA and a top-10 offense.

Not only did the Thunder sweep the season series from the Lakers, but they also won the four games by an average of 32.3 points. The gap between these teams was clear.

Can the Lakers pull off another upset? Do they need Luka Doncic to do that, and when might he return? We get into all of that in this preview.

When does the Lakers vs. Thunder begin?

Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder is set for 8:30 ET on Tuesday, May 5, at the Paycom Center in the heart of OKC. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Los Angeles vs. Oklahoma City Playoffs Schedule 2026

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Game 1: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 5 (8:30 ET, NBC and Peacock)
Game 2: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 7 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 3: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, Saturday, May 9 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 4: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 11, (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
*Game 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 13 (TBD)
*Game 6: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles, May 15, (TBD)
*Game 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, May 17 (TBD)

Player to watch: LeBron James

We should be watching and savoring every chance we get to watch maybe the greatest ever to do it, because we don't know how many more of these chances we're going to get from the 41-year-old.

With Doncic out, LeBron took on the load of being the primary shot creator for the Lakers against Houston. Through the first four games against the Rockets, he impressed, as he did in Game 6. LeBron averaged 26 points, 9 rebounds and 8.5 assists while shooting 42.9% on 3-pointers in the Lakers' four wins.

However, there were stretches — in Games 4 and 5 in particular — where he started to look like he was wearing down. That's where the return of Austin Reaves helped — he is another key for Los Angeles. The Lakers need Reaves to look like the All-Star he was early in the season.

How will LeBron hold up against physical defenders like Lu Dort in a series where the games are every other night? Can he play well enough to keep the Lakers in the series until Luka Doncic potentially returns? The Lakers are going to ask a lot of LeBron, but even at 41, he answers the call most of the time.

Keys to watch for in Lakers vs. Thunder

If/When does Luka Doncic return? Or Jalen Williams?

Behind some MVP-ballot level play from Luka Doncic this season, the Lakers had a top-10 offense in the league. Los Angeles' roster, while still in flux, was built with maximizing his skills in mind.

That said, Doncic didn't exactly thrive against the Thunder this season, averaging 15.5 points a game on 33.3% shooting (14.3% from 3) in the two games he played against them, with Dort as his primary defender. Still, Doncic is one of the five best offensive players in the league, he has a history of coming up big in the playoffs, and if the Lakers are going to have a chance in this series, they need him.

Which is why the report from ESPN's Shams Charania on Sunday that Doncic is not close to returning is not good. Officially, Doncic is week-to-week. "He's doing more on the court, but still not doing full-contact workouts," Charania said. That's not a great, and if he's out for the first three or four games of this series — as it appears he will be, at the very least — the Lakers may be in too big a hole to climb out of even if he does return.

The Thunder played much of the season without Jalen Williams and kept winning, but they could use his defense (traditionally, he has gotten the LeBron assignment) and secondary ballhandling against a Lakers defense that likes to press (and may have to blitz a lot in this series). Williams is week-to-week as well, and the only update we got came from Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. "He's chipping away at his rehab. He's doing a good job," Daigneault said. That said, Williams should be close.

Can the Lakers hit enough 3-pointers?

For the season, the Lakers didn't take many 3s — bottom 10 in the league — but when they did, they made a respectable 35.9% of them (14th in the league). If Los Angeles is going to keep pace with Oklahoma City's scoring this series, it needs a lot more attempts and more 3-pointers to fall.

With Chet Holmgren as the anchor, in the games against the Lakers this season the Thunder crowded the paint on defense and dared them to shoot over the top. The chances were there, but during the four meetings this season the Lakers shot 30.3% against OKC. The return of Reaves to the rotation should help, as will Luke Kennard playing well, but the Lakers need guys like Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart (from the corner, ideally) to launch and make 3s, too.

Can the Lakers’ defense hold up?

The Lakers played much-improved defense as the season wore on, but stopping Oklahoma City is on an entirely different level. There's Gilgeous-Alexander, who will get downhill and either finish or draw a foul. There is Holmgren, who is 7-foot, can post up, face up, hit 3s or finish lobs at the rim. There are shooters all over the court at all times. It's a big ask for the Lakers, but they need to play their best defense, put pressure on SGA and the Thunder ball handlers like Ajay Mitchell, force some turnovers and just slow the Thunder down.

Part of slowing OKC down: The Lakers have to take care of the ball. They were inconsistent against the Rockets, and Houston picked up some easy transition buckets (but missed plenty, too). The Thunder are more of the same, but when they get the ball out in transition, they finish. The Lakers can't afford to give up all those easy points.

Prediction: Thunder in five

I was at a couple of those matchups between these teams this year, and the talent gap is too great for the Lakers to make up. The return of Luka means the Lakers might be able to push this to six games, but the Thunder are moving on.

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The San Francisco Jedi

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 04: Star Wars characters parade around the field prior to the MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants on May 4, 2018, at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s the unofficial Star Wars celebration day out there and while I don’t condone it, I recognize that I’m in the minority. For one thing, I’m a Star Trek guy. And the other thing is I think it’s incredibly dumb to use a speech impairment as the basis for celebration. Also, what are we celebrating? Star Wars surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds pop culture together! Having said that, people like Star Wars and they like the San Francisco Giants, and since the Giants will be celebrating Star Wars on May 24th, let’s put these two properties together.

There was a time before the season started when the Giants were seen as being capable of great things — heroes, really, kind of like the Jedi, that ancient sect of space monks who battle with laser swords and help aid the rise of fascism a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. So, for the moment, let’s pretend that the team isn’t cooked and celebrate them by matching each hitter with a Jedi.

Matt Chapman is Obi-Wan Kenobi

It’s the easy call. The veteran with a lot of miles and a lot of history trying to lead by example. His first season as a Giant was a lot like Obi-Wan’s role in Star Wars, impressing with powers and hinting at just enough magic and mystery to seem almost larger than life. Last year? Well, it was his Revenge of the Sith: he was good in his part of the story, but he wasn’t around for the whole thing and it ended in tragedy for him (Bob Melvin’s departure). This year, it’s the Disney+ Obi-Wan Kenobi series. Just awful.

Rafael Devers is Mace Windu

Powerful, confident, but then all of a sudden gets absolutely merc’d by a decrepit old man — in Mace Windu’s case, Emperor Palpatine fully unleashing his Sith powers. In this case, Father Time.

Casey Schmitt is Luke Skywalker

A new hope? He’s far from being a whiny farm boy, but he is being mentored by Matt Chapman / Obi-Wan Kenobi… who may not be all that great of a teacher? It remains to be seen, but the kid who was just trying to escape and experience something bigger sure has hit his way into that reality.

Patrick Bailey is Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren

A side-hopping, hard to pin down figure with a degree of charisma. Will he follow in his father’s (Buster Posey’s) footsteps by being the next great Giants catcher, or will he The Force Awakens his dad to forge his own path? It’s hard to imagine Patrick Bailey hurting anybody since he can’t even hurt a baseball thrown across home plate, but he’s on the path to betraying all the trust and investment of time the team is putting into him — just like Kylo Ren. They also have distinct headgear.

Bandana and wannabe Darth Vader mask — 100% equivalent, right?

Luis Arraez is Yoda

The clubhouse guru, but not about The Force. About hitting: “Do [hit] or do not [hit]. There is no try.”

Daniel Susac is Rey Palpatine-Skywalker

Hardly a “nobody from nowhere,” the Susac name is a respected one in the halls of the Giants and he has brought a dynamic perspective to what had become a tired battle between good and evil (Giants hitters vs. major league pitching). Most importantly, as the backup catcher, he is in a Force dyad with Patrick Bailey/Ben Solo, just like how the two characters were in The Last Jedi.

Harrison Bader is Count Dooku

I don’t entirely get Count Dooku’s “deal,” but he plays good defense, I’d say.

Christian Koss is Qui-Gon Jinn

Look, not all of these comparisons are going to be winners, and all I really remember about Q-GJ is that he got cut in half by Darth Maul. I find his lack of playing time to be a neat comparison.

Willy Adames is Anakin Skywalker

He was the Chosen One! The largest contract in team history (before the Devers trade) equals… the most powerful Force user ever known? Sure, why not? And yet here he is, having another terrible start to the season, tempted by the dark side, his smiling face transformed into a frown. A total turn to the Dark Side? Hard to say, but that hitting line is sure making the argument.

Heliot Ramos is Ahsoka Tano

I can think of few better comps for Ramos than this outcast Jedi who was once the apprentice to Anakin Skywalker. Now, Willy Adames hasn’t done the full turn (yet), but Ramos was on the outs with the Jedi order (the Giants’ front office) until he worked his Force off to become an All-Star hitter for a time.

Jung Hoo Lee is Leia Organa

Lee coming over from Korea gives him the outsider sheen needed to pull off a Leia Organa comp. Also, Grandson of the Wind might as well be Grandson of The Force. Leia was a Force-sensitive person who maybe could’ve been a Jedi if things had gone differently, instead, she wields her power differently, much like how JHL’s KBO experience gives him a different perspective on major league pitching.

Drew Gilbert is Grogu

This seems pretty obvious, right? The loud, little mascot who can steal the spotlight every so often and who at least one person (Tony Vitello) would die for.

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Senators' Ridly Greig is suspended for two games for roughing in a playoff game

NHL: Minnesota Wild at Ottawa Senators

Apr 4, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig (71) skates with the puck in the third period against the Minnesota Wild at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images

Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

NEW YORK — The NHL on Monday suspended Ottawa forward Ridly Greig for two regular-season games for roughing during the Senators’ final playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Greig was banned for sucker punching Carolina defenseman Sean Walker in the second period of Ottawa’s 4-2 loss on April 25.

Walker was engaged with a Senators player during an on-ice melee, and the video replay showed Greig delivering two separate shots to Walker, including a gloved uppercut punch that dropped Walker to his knees. Greig was not penalized on the play.

The victory gave the Hurricanes a sweep in the best-of-seven, first-round series.

Greig will serve the suspension at the start of next season.

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The Aaron Gordon trade rumors and the Suns’ offseason outlook

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 24: Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets plays defense during the game against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns on March 24, 2026 at PHX Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

There’s a cadence to every postseason. Teams get eliminated, and they move into the space the Phoenix Suns currently occupy. The early exit offseason. As these teams book flights to Cancun, their players become names to ponder, evaluate, and wonder whether they are what your team is missing. It’s the natural order.

The latest name catching the attention of Suns fans? Former University of Arizona Wildcat, Aaron Gordon.

I get it. I understand the appeal. Power forward has been a problem area for a while. The roster has felt undersized, and it shows up at the rim. The Suns consistently finish near the bottom of the league in finishing around the basket as well as defending it. So when a name like Gordon is linked, people start connecting dots and picturing the fit.

The reality is pretty simple. There isn’t much Phoenix can offer the Denver Nuggets that moves the needle outside of sending out young prospects. That’s not a deal that makes sense here, and therefore, this one feels dead on arrival.

What I do find interesting, however, is the verbiage provided by Brett Siegel, which states that the Suns are a “win now” team. 

And that’s where I push back. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it throughout this offseason. The Phoenix Suns are not in “win now” mode. “Win now” mode is what teams like the Denver Nuggets live in. You have an MVP-level player, you have a real path to a title, and every move is about maximizing that window and competing at the top of the Western Conference.

That’s not who the Suns are right now. Good, bad, or indifferent, that’s the reality. It’s not fun to say. It’s not fun to hear. Your team is not positioned to win a championship next season.

You still have to live in reality. And once you accept that reality, you can start building a plan, both short-term and long-term. A path that puts you in a position to become one of those teams down the line. One that can actually operate in “win now” mode when the time comes.

I believe the Phoenix Suns want to run it back, hoping health swings more in their favor. Health never fully cooperates; injuries happen. Still, this team took a hit in 2025-26. Because of that, they never had enough data to truly understand who they are. We can all have our offseason conversations about what they should be and how they can operate better. That’s the fun part. I’m in that group. I don’t want to see three guard lineups. I’d bring Collin Gillespie back as a bench piece. I’d like to see Rasheer Fleming in the starting lineup, sliding Dillon Brooks to the three where he can be a defensive menace. That’s my view. Those are not moves of a team trying to “win now.”

The Suns do have desirable assets, sure. It means you’re going to hear noise from national pundits. It’s going to sound like they’re sellers, and while it would be irresponsible not to pick up the phone and hear offers, it doesn’t mean they’re actively shopping everyone.

The Suns’ priority this offseason should be continuity. Build a foundation and let it grow from a consistent place. You don’t plug in new pieces and expect chemistry to match overnight.

I’m currently watching Untold: Jail Blazers on Netflix, and one of the main takeaways from Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Bonzi Wells is how fragile chemistry can be. That team was 12 minutes away from knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals. That offseason, a lot of the fringe pieces got swapped out. In came Shawn Kemp, Dale Davis, and Will Perdue. The chemistry slipped, and the team finished as a 7th seed.

That doesn’t mean the Phoenix Suns ignore the fringes. They should absolutely work those margins. But it doesn’t need to be splashy or dramatic like the national conversation wants it to be. That’s the part the fan base has to accept. When names like Aaron Gordon pop up, pay attention to the teams tied to those reports. You’ll see situations where franchises are trying to sell LeBron James on coming back, or a Boston Celtics group that just got bounced in Game 7 and sits closer to a title than Phoenix does right now. Both of those are “win now” teams as they are entering eras in which the window might be closing or is still wide open. That simply isn’t where Phoenix is right now.

Progression for Phoenix next season is clear. They need to win more games, climb the standings, and perhaps get a round, maybe two, in the postseason. That’s a win. That sets up a different conversation a year from now. Right now, this isn’t a team operating in “win now” mode. They’re building culture, leaning into continuity, and doing it in a responsible way.

This is the part of the cycle where patience feels like inaction, even when it’s the smarter play. Phoenix doesn’t need to chase noise to prove intent, it needs to define itself with clarity and consistency. Let the roster breathe, let roles settle, and let progression happen on its own timeline. If that foundation takes hold, the window everyone wants to force open now will come into focus soon enough, and it’ll actually mean something when it does.

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Observations after Sixers start Round 2 of playoffs with 39-point loss to Knicks

Observations after Sixers start Round 2 of playoffs with 39-point loss to Knicks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

NEW YORK — The Sixers thudded back to earth Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Two days after celebrating a historic Game 7 victory over the Celtics, the Sixers opened their second-round playoff series against the Knicks by suffering a 137-98 loss. 

Jalen Brunson starred in New York’s Game 1 win, posting 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting in 31 minutes.

The Sixers’ top scorer was Paul George with 17 points. 

Joel Embiid had 14 points on 3-for-11 shooting. Tyrese Maxey scored 13 points and went 3 for 9 from the field. 

Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Here are observations on the Sixers’ Game 1 loss:

Not how the Sixers drew it up against Brunson 

Mikal Bridges scored the first points of the series with a fast-break slam. VJ Edgecombe replied with a sweet baseline jumper and also nailed a corner three-pointer in the early going. 

Edgecombe had done strong work defending Brunson during the regular-season series and unsurprisingly began the night on the Knicks’ star guard. The Sixers’ other defenders on Brunson included Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes. 

Brunson started out in a serious zone against whoever he saw in front of him, finding shots with subtle fakes and hesitations. He poured in 14 of the Knicks’ first 21 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Edgecombe picked up his third foul at the 4:26 mark of the second quarter when he tripped up Brunson as the two chased after a loose ball. 

The Sixers will need to keep throwing different defenders and coverages at Brunson throughout the series in an effort to be unpredictable and disrupt his rhythm. They’ll also have to be better with the fundamentals of on-ball defense and try to make everything less comfortable for Brunson, from stepping into pull-up jumpers to wriggling free in the mid-range. 

Short rotation doesn‘t work this time for Sixers

Embiid started 0 for 3 from the floor, although he did draw Karl-Anthony Towns’ second foul with 6:55 left in the first quarter. Mitchell Robinson entered.

The Sixers began intentionally fouling Robinson with a little under three minutes in the first quarter, aiming to exploit a widely known weakness. Robinson made a mere 40.8 percent of his free throws this year.

Back on Dec. 19, the Sixers also hacked Robinson and he had his best foul shooting game of the season, going 7 for 8. He did not replicate that Monday, starting 0 for 4. New York subbed Robinson out and briefly replaced him with Ariel Hukporti so the Sixers couldn’t keep hacking. 

Despite the issue with Robinson’s free throws, the Knicks’ bench clearly outplayed the Sixers’ in the first half. Part of that was simply because Sixers head coach Nick Nurse maintained a short rotation. Grimes served as the Sixers’ sixth man. Andre Drummond and Justin Edwards totaled eight first-half minutes.

The Sixers’ lack of rest was surely relevant in Game 1. They had a single day off following a very taxing series against the Celtics. At some point, it appears Nurse will have to expand his rotation a bit, buy slightly more rest for his stars, and see if the Sixers’ bench players can provide an impactful performance or two. 

The Knicks also rely heavily on their star power, but they played 11 men Monday before garbage time and kept growing their lead in the second quarter. Towns canned a three over Drummond early in the second to put New York up 49-37. The Knicks’ advantage ballooned to 23 points when Brunson sunk a second-chance three on the final play of the first half. 

“They’re deep, they’re big, they’re pretty physical as well,” Grimes said of the Knicks before the Sixers’ Monday morning shootaround. “They’ve got a lot of guys who can shoot the three. … They’ve got a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things to put pressure on us at the defensive end. We’ve got to be ready to take their punches and just take care of business.”

Another nightmare Game 1

Maxey didn’t make a field goal until he converted a driving layup with 6:58 to go in the second quarter.

Bridges guarded him well and the Knicks mixed up their pick-and-roll coverages effectively. Maxey committed an uncharacteristic turnover when the Sixers ran a double drag action and he threw a high-risk pass toward the paint that Josh Hart intercepted. 

Almost nothing unfolded as the Sixers would have hoped on either side of the ball. George did stay scorching from three-point range, going 4 for 6 after shooting 55 percent beyond the arc in the Celtics series. 

Just like in their Game 1 and Game 4 defeats to the Celtics, the Sixers had no chance in the fourth quarter and garbage time was abundant. Nurse called timeout with 5:19 left in the third following a Bridges three that gave the Knicks a 95-65 lead.

Though the Sixers were full of self-belief after their comeback against the Celtics, it’s worth remembering that the Knicks also entered Round 2 on a three-game winning streak and eliminated the Hawks with a 51-point Game 6 victory on the road.

Monday’s result doesn’t mean the Sixers are destined to get crushed in this series. They still have dangerous stars and showed in Round 1 that they can defy conventional wisdom.

The Knicks are unequivocally another difficult opponent, however, and now the Sixers must play from behind again. 

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The Road To The Stanley Cup Gets Steeper

James Guillory-Imagn Images
James Guillory-Imagn Images

Who's your money on now that all NHL semi-final round rivals are set? Here's how The Maven views the field:

FLYERS AT CAROLINA: It's already 1-0 for the Canes and, frankly, there's nothing about Philly that suggests a Flyer win. If top- to-bottom strong Carolina doesn't sweep, I'll be stunned.

DUCKS AT VEGAS: These teams are so evenly-matched it's ridiculous. From coaching on out, it's even. John Tortorella's team has home ice advantage and in this case, I go with Sin City's skaters in seven.

WILD AT AVALANCHE: The Denver skaters may lose one – maximum two – but as much as I respect Minny, the Avs are in a class by themselves.

CANADIENS AT BUFFALO:  Let's face it, there's no way Montreal should have won game Seven in Tampa Bay. Luck prevailed but it'll take more than luck to take the Sabres. I go with Buffalo.

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Game #35 GameThread: Jays @ Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 5: A general view shows the Tampa Bay Devil Rays game against the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field on May 5, 2007 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Devil Rays won 3-2 in 12 innings. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) | Getty Images

So the Jays don’t appear to be using an opener today, it is Eric Lauer right from the first pitch. Let’s have a good start Eric.

And there is no Heineman or Springer. Springer is supposed to be available off the bench and he’s supposed to be starting tomorrow. We’ll see I guess. That ball off the foot looked really bad when it happened.

Heineman…..I don’t know. Valenzuela has looked ok offensively. He seems like a fine defensive catcher. If it were me choosing who to keep when Kirk comes back, I’d lean towards him. But then lots can happen between now and then.

I like Okamoto in the two spot. It is nice to see we’ve gotten past that idea that the power hitter has to bat fourth. I’d like Okamoto getting more at bats. And I’m good with Yohendrick Pinango leading off. He’s having good at bats. When Barger comes back, it will be interesting to see what the Jays do. And it will be interesting when Lukes is really to come back.

But then, let’s see if Yohendrick is still hitting great when that time comes. These things tend to work themselves out.

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYSRAYS
Yohendrick Pinango – LFChandler Simpson – LF
Kazuma Okamoto – 3BJunior Caminero – 3B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1BRyan Vilade – RF
Jesus Sanchez – RFYandy Diaz – DH
Ernie Clement – 2BJonathan Aranda – 1B
Daulton Varsho – DHJonny DeLuca – CF
Myles Straw – CFBen Williamson – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SSNick Fortes – C
Brandon Valenzuela – CTaylor Walls – SS
Eric Lauer – LHPNick Martinez – RHP

Go Jays Go.

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Where to watch Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Game 1 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Monday, May 4

The Minnesota Timberwolves face the San Antonio Spurs in the first game of their Western Conference semifinals series. The Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 4-2 in the first round while the Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1. Minnesota star guard Anthony Edwards, who missed the last two games of the first round with a knee injury, could return in the opener.

  • Spread: San Antonio Spurs -13.5

  • Moneyline: San Antonio Spurs -641 (83.0%) / Minnesota Timberwolves +464 (17.0%)

  • Over/Under: 217.5

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Flyers cough up 2-0 lead, now head home in 2-0 deficit against East's top seed

Flyers cough up 2-0 lead, now head home in 2-0 deficit against East's top seed originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

RALEIGH, N.C. — Travis Sanheim felt there would be a “big difference” in the Flyers’ start to Game 2.

His feeling was right.

But the Flyers ended up wasting an early 2-0 lead Monday night. They couldn’t nail it down and suffered a damaging 3-2 overtime loss to the Hurricanes at Lenovo Center.

The Flyers now head home with a 2-0 deficit in this best-of-seven second-round playoff series against the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Taylor Hall scored the winner for Carolina with 1:06 minutes left in overtime. You could argue the Flyers were the better team in OT.

Seth Jarvis tied the game with 8:39 minutes remaining in regulation.

Two nights ago, the Flyers appeared shell-shocked to open the game. They trailed 2-0 just 7:30 minutes into the action and went on to be shut out, 3-0.

Prior to Game 2, the Hurricanes had not trailed all postseason. The Flyers stunned them with two goals not even five minutes into the game. Jamie Drysdale buried one on the power play and Sean Couturier struck 39 seconds later.

Carl Grundstrom played his first game of these playoffs and assisted Couturier’s goal. He entered the lineup for Garnet Hathaway.

The Flyers, though, didn’t build on their lead. They’ve scored just seven goals over their last five games in these playoffs after ripping off 11 through their first three games.

Rick Tocchet’s club was without Owen Tippett for a second straight game. More on his status here.

Going back to the start of the 2021-22 season, the Flyers have lost 18 of their last 21 games against Carolina.

• Dan Vladar gave the Flyers a strong effort.

The 28-year-old converted 40 saves on 43 shots. He couldn’t glove a loose puck on the OT winner.

Just 2:42 minutes into overtime, Vladar made a sharp pad save on Eric Robinson, who turned and ripped one from the slot.

Jarvis beat Vladar after the Flyers backed up defensively and allowed the talented winger to skate right into his shot.

Vladar was not happy with Logan Stankoven and Sebastian Aho running into him during the third period.

Under four and a half minutes into the second period, Vladar delivered a couple of massive saves on Robinson to bail out the Flyers’ power play and keep his team’s lead at 2-1.

Not long after that, Sanheim made a heads-up defensive play to prevent Carolina from tying the game. A redirection snuck through Vladar’s legs, but Sanheim batted the puck away as it trickled toward the goal line.

Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen stopped 34 of the Flyers’ 36 shots.

He denied a Matvei Michkov backhand attempt with 5:43 minutes left in overtime. He turned away a wide-open Travis Konecny with 4:45 minutes to go.

Noah Cates had a great look with eight seconds remaining in regulation, but Hall blocked it.

• The Flyers’ power play finished 1 for 7 and the penalty kill went 5 for 6.

The Flyers had a power play in overtime and recorded one shot on net. Carolina blocked a pair of shots.

The Hurricanes trimmed the Flyers’ lead to 2-1 in the first period when Nikolaj Ehlers blasted one past Vladar. Rasmus Ristolainen had a failed clear that kept Carolina in the offensive zone.

• The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Thursday (8 p.m. ET/TNT).

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New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles: Cam Schlittler vs. Shane Baz

Apr 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) walks off the field after being relieved during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

It’s been an emotional day for the Yankees and their fans, with the loss of legendary radio announcer John Sterling. Expect plenty of heartfelt tributes for the longtime voice of the club during the game today, as the Yanks send a starting lineup out with only one player who was born before Sterling took over the radio booth — and said Yankee is only in there because of an injury.

Cam Schlittler gets the ball, looking to continue the early run that’s put him atop of most statistical categories in the game. The 25-year-old is is top five across all MLB in fWAR, ERA, FIP, strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate. It’s hard to pitch badly if you strike everyone out and never let the ball leave the park. Eventually a few fly balls will get over the wall, but everything else Cam is doing seems to be broadly sustainable. With a chance to deliver a four-game sweep, I expect the kid building a reputation for being a big-game pitcher to have a big game.

Shane Baz goes for Baltimore, acquired in a deal with Tampa that hasn’t exactly started the way you’d want. A 4.50 ERA and the lowest strikeout rate of his young career don’t make you all that excited, but his FIP is three-fourths of a run lower than that ERA, so he may be do for a couple solid outings. This will be his seventh career start against the Yankees, who have touched him to a 6.75 ERA in their previous six meetings.

After bruising his wrist on a pick in the dirt yesterday, Ben Rice is on the bench with Paul Goldschmidt taking over at first. Following his great game yesterday, Jasson Domínguez was an easy pick to slot back in at DH and will bat cleanup.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES | MASN

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, 98 Rock 97.9 FM, WBAL 1090 AM

Online stream: MLB.tv

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Where to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks Game 1 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Monday, May 4

The Philadelphia 76ers meet the New York Knicks in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Sixers eliminated the Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round. The Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 4-2. The Knicks are favored at 7.5 points with an over/under of 212.5.

  • Spread: New York Knicks -7.5

  • Moneyline: New York Knicks -294 (71.4%) / Philadelphia 76ers +235 (28.6%)

  • Over/Under: 212.5

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Monday night Orioles game thread: @ Yankees, 7:05

May 2, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) looks to throw the ball during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Orioles will try to win tonight to avoid a four-game sweep and a five-game losing streak. After watching the last four games, it’s hard to get a lot of enthusiasm up for this one, I’ll be honest. I’ve been feeling pretty low about this team of ours. But I also know that if they do win, especially if it’s one of those feel-good wins, my tune will change just like that. That’s the nature of fandom, I guess.

Shane Baz will try to play stopper tonight, and he is coming off of a good start against the Houston Astros. The Astros are also a strong offensive team, and we’ve been told that Baz is capable of ace-like stuff. We haven’t seen it, but Mike Elias thinks a lot of him and I’m dying for him to be proven right.

Unfortunately, the super hot Cam Schlittler is pitching for the Yankees, he of the 1.51 ERA and league-leading WHIP and K/BB. Ugh. At least he’s not a lefty.

Taylor Ward and Tyler O’Neill are both being given the night off tonight, replaced by Colton Cowser in left field and Dylan Beavers in right. Do something, Colton! We want to believe. Coby Mayo also gets the night off; Blaze Alexander will man third base.

Speaking of third base, if you missed it: Jordan Westburg began feeling elbow discomfort when throwing and is being shut down from all baseball activities. This is not surprising to me, but it is a bummer. When will we be allowed to have nice things?

Orioles lineup

Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
Adley Rutschman (S) C
Dylan Beavers (L) RF
Pete Alonso (R) 1B
Samuel Basallo (L) DH
Leody Taveras (S) CF
Colton Cowser (L) LF
Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B
Blaze Alexander (R) 3B

Yankees lineup

Trent Grisham (L) CF
Aaron Judge (R) RF
Cody Bellinger (L) LF
Jasson Domínguez (S) DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 2B
Paul Goldschmidt (R) 1B
Austin Wells (L) C
Ryan McMahon (L) 3B
José Caballero (R) SS

Let’s go O’s!