DENVER, CO - MAY 04: Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets celebrates towards the bullpen after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets opened their series against the Rockies with a 4-2 win, scoring all four of their runs in top of the sixth inning and allowing Colorado’s only two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Things seem to work out much better when the Mets use an opener—or multiple openers—in front of David Peterson this year, as was the case today.
Huascar Brazobán started the game and threw a scoreless bottom of the first, and Austin Warren followed that up with two scoreless innings of his own. Those three innings were crucial in this one, as the Mets didn’t score through the first five innings of the game as they faced Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano.
With the game still scoreless in the sixth, though, they broke through. Carson Benge hit a home run to right-center field to lead off the inning, and designated hitter Francisco Alvarez ripped a double before catcher Luis Torrens doubled to bring him home. The Mets had a 2-0 lead, and Sugano hadn’t recorded an out yet. Juan Soto drew a walk, and after Bo Bichette grounded out to advance both baserunners, the Rockies went to their bullpen.
MJ Melendez struck out, but with two outs and two runners in scoring position, the suddenly-hot Mark Vientos smoked a single to center field to bring them both home. That hit proved to be the difference in the game.
David Peterson had come into the game in the top of the fourth and began his outing with three scoreless innings, but a mistake by Benge, who had made a fantastic catcher earlier in the game, led to Peterson giving up a pair of runs that officially go down as earned runs. With two outs and a runner on first, Jordan Beck hit a fly ball deep to center, and Benge fell down. The runner scored, and Beck wound up on third base with a triple. Kyle Karros singled to score Beck, cutting the Mets’ lead in half in the process.
Luckily, Craig Kimbrel worked around a one-out triple in the eighth despite the fact that he really didn’t have his best velocity, and Devin Williams retired the Rockies in order for the save in the ninth.
The second game of the series is scheduled for 8:40 PM EDT tomorrow, but the forecast in Denver makes it look nearly impossible to play baseball there until at least Wednesday afternoon. For now, though, the Mets have won three of four, and beating up on teams that were supposed to be bad when the season got underway isn’t something to take for granted, especially when you’ve been worse than those teams to start the year.
Big Mets winner: Carson Benge, +17% WPA Big Mets loser: MJ Melenedez, -9% WPA Mets pitchers: +53% WPA Mets hitters: -3% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Carson Benge hits a solo home run in the sixth, +14% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Mickey Moniak triples in the bottom of the eighth, -10% WPA
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards has been cleared to play Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, returning 10 days after hyperextending his left knee.
Edwards was expected to miss at least the first two games of the series in San Antonio, but the 6-foot-4 guard expedited his rehabilitation to play in the opener.
“He's in,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said 90 minutes before scheduled tipoff.
Finch said Edwards will be on a minutes restriction, but said he was unsure if the 24-year-old will start or come off the bench.
‘Obviously, the way he’s moving and just what percentage of himself does he look like," Finch said in regards to the player's minutes. “Of course, obviously, but he’s looked really pretty good and I’m sure he’ll be a little winded at times, but I know he’s excited and we’re proud to have him back.”
Edwards was cleared to participate in team activities Saturday and upgraded to questionable on Sunday's injury report. He was a full participant in the morning shootaround and was cleared to play following pre-game workouts Monday.
“It will be fun to compete against him,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “I’m glad he’s playing.”
The Timberwolves also lost Donte DiVincenzo in Game 4 to a torn right Achilles tendon, but won the next two games against the Nuggets to advance.
Edwards was not in attendance during Game 6 while receiving treatment for his injury.
“He loves to play the game,” Finch said. “We dodged a bullet when it happened. He’s done an incredible job. Our medical staff has done an unbelievable job of getting him to this point. And he was super motivated by the fact that we were able to get that first series. I think that was kind of a little bit of an inspiration for him too, just gave him something to work towards.”
Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games during the regular season. He averaged 36.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds in three games against San Antonio this season.
The Spurs were preparing to play against Edwards leading up to the series opener, even though his status was in doubt.
“A player that level in a way takes a lot of the thinking out because you know there is only a handful of players in this league to that level, so you know their game,” Johnson said.
The Timberwolves were 2-1 against the Spurs during the regular season.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, named the Defensive Player of the Year on April 20, missed the opening game against Minnesota during the regular season with a left calf strain. Wembanyama averaged 34 points and 8.0 rebounds in two games against the Timberwolves, including 39 points in a 126-123 victory on Jan. 17 in the regular-season finale between the clubs.
San Antonio will be without rookie forward Carter Bryant, who sprained his right ankle during practice leading up to the series.
Minnesota will be without Ayo Dosunmu, who is out with right calf soreness.
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 19: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the BYU Cougars looks on against the Texas Longhorns during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While everyone’s focused on the NBA Draft lottery Sunday, the actual players making that such an exciting event will get their first official evaluations as NBA prospects in the coming days as well. It’s all happening in Chicago starting Sunday.
The NBA Draft combine will take place from May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in the second city. A G-League combine will also take place in the same location from May 8-10. Last week, the NBA announced it invited 73 players to the event…
The NBA announced today that 73 players have been invited to the AWS NBA Draft Combine 2026, which will take place May 10-17 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the AWS NBA G League Draft Combine 2026,… pic.twitter.com/9w2ncpacCe
Already, there’s been some additions and subtractions. As it stands now, the following seven players are continually being mocked in Brooklyn’s pick range, which is anywhere from the top selection to No. 7:
AJ Dybantsa
Darryn Peterson
Cameron Boozer
Caleb Wilson
Darius Acuff Jr.
Keaton Wagler
Kingston Flemmings
Each member of what you might call (we are) the “magnificent seven” will be in Chicago to run through drills and scrimmages, have their measurements taken, undergo medical exams, and participate in interviews. All but the medical exams and interviews will be publicized and ranked. Last May, two players who ultimately wound up with Brooklyn topped the vertical leap (Drake Powell) and shuttle run (Grant Nelson) categories with the North Dakota 7-footer setting the combine record in the event.
In addition, at the end of next week, agents will invite team reps to so-called “agent days” where their clients will also run through drills. It was at one of those days last year that Egor Demin took a big leap after hitting 16 straight threes in 35 seconds, which went a long way toward dispelling the notion that he couldn’t shoot.
The combines will, of course, be supplemented by workouts and interviews at HSS. The league has strict rules on how how often teams can work out players but the workouts can take place as late as the morning of the first round of the Draft, June 23.
The Nets also have two second rounders this year — their own (no. 33 overall) and that of the Los Angeles Clippers (no. 43 overall), an off-shoot of the Mikal Bridges trade. With those picks out of the first round and well past the lottery, there’s a far wider gap of prospects Brooklyn could select with both picks. However, for pick no. 33, the latest mocks have Brooklyn taking:
Luigi Suigo, Mega (Bleacher Report) 7’2” C.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State (The Athletic) 6’9” SF
Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor (No Ceilings) 6’5” SG
Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt (Yahoo!) 6’0” PG
For pick no. 43, the mocks are projecting Brooklyn to take:
The Mets opened up their three-game series with the Colorado Rockies on Monday with a 4-2 win.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Through the first five innings of the game both teams combined for just one hit. How did they get there? Well, Huascar Brazoban pitched a scoreless inning to open up the game and Austin Warren went two innings without allowing a run and struck out three.
That allowed David Peterson, whose numbers have been astronomically better this season as a reliever, to enter the game in the fourth inning where he continued New York’s excellent pitching.
-- On the other side, Tomoyuki Sugano held the Mets hitless over five innings and had faced the minimum thanks to a double play after a walk in the third. All of that turned on a dime in the sixth inning, though, when the Mets had three straight extra-base hits to take a 2-0 lead.
-- Carson Benge started things off by crushing a leadoff homer 436 feet to right-center, before Francisco Alvarez hit one 404 feet off the left-center field fence for a double. Luis Torrens then snapped an 0-for-13 skid with an opposite-field double and New York was suddenly in business.
-- Later in the inning, with runners on second and third and two outs Mark Vientos, who had 815 feet worth of flyouts to the warning track in left field over his first two at-bats, a day after hitting two monster home runs, came up to the plate.
Facing reliever Jaden Hill, Vientos lined one up the middle and was finally rewarded for his efforts with a two-run single to double the Mets’ lead and cap their four-run inning. Vientos has six RBI in his last two games.
-- Staked to a 4-0 advantage, Peterson followed up New York’s big inning with a shutdown inning of his own by striking out the side, including two via the ABS system. He ran into trouble in the seventh after retiring the first two, but a single and a long triple by Jordan Beck got Colorado on the board. Kyle Karros singled in another run and cut the Mets’ lead to two.
Peterson's final line: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 K on 69 pitches (52 strikes). He lowered his season ERA to 6.29.
-- New York finished off a great day of pitching with Craig Kimbrel leaving a runner stranded at third base in the eighth and Devin Williams closing things out with a perfect ninth for the save.
-- Defensively, Benge made another great catch, this one in center field, in the third inning.
-- After an 0-for-5 performance on Sunday to end an 18-game on-base streak, Juan Soto, batting leadoff for the first time as a Met and just the third time in his career, didn't look quite right once again and finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout, although he did walk and score a run in New York's four-run sixth inning. In his first at-bat, Soto popped out on the first pitch of the game.
Game MVP: Mark Vientos
Vientos gets the honor for the second game in a row as he continues to swing a hot bat. His two-run single was also the difference in the game.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 27: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers aim for their 10th win on the road this season, opening a three-game series against the Astros.
Yainer Diaz has been scratched from tonight’s lineup due to a left abdominal injury.
Updated Lineup:
Carlos Correa SS Yordan Alvarez DH Isaac Paredes 3B Christian Walker 1B Jose Altuve 2B Brice Matthews CF Cam Smith RF Zach Cole LF Christian Vázquez C Steven Okert LHP https://t.co/EHm6uh2M9M
Well, it did once. Almost half a century ago. We’ll get to that.
This wasn’t quite as much fun as winning Game 7 in Boston, but we’ve got a job to do and the stats won’t wait. So here we go with our 10 worst 76ers stats off one of the ugliest losses in franchise history.
SECOND-WORST LOSS EVER: The 76ers lost 137-98 to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series, and just like that all the good vibes from their Game 7 win in Boston two nights earlier evaporated. The 76ers came up one point short of the worst playoff loss in franchise history, a 40-point loss to the Celtics (121-81) in Game of their 1982 Eastern Conference Finals series at Boston Garden. It’s the 9th-worst Game 1 loss in any series in NBA history. It was the Knicks’ 2nd-biggest playoff win ever. They beat the Hawks 140-89 on Thursday.
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES A DISASTER: After losing Game 1 and Game 4 of the Celtics series both by 32 points, the 76ers are now only the second team in NBA history to lose three playoff games by 30 or more points in the same season. It happened just last year, when the Nuggets lost a game to the Lakers by 34 but won the series and then lost games to Oklahoma City by 43 and 32 points in that series. The 76ers have lost 10 playoff games in franchise history by at least 30 points – three of them in the last 16 days.
THAT’S PROBABLY TOO MANY POINTS: The Knicks’ 139 points are the 2nd-most the 76ers have ever allowed in a playoff game. They lost 156-120 to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks in 1970 in Game 3 of their Eastern Division series at the Spectrum. The 137 points are the 2nd-most the Knicks have ever scored in the postseason, behind only those 140 against the Hawks 2 ½ weeks ago.
THE MINUS FIVE: For the first time in franchise history, five 76ers were minus-20 or worse in a playoff game. Tyrese Maxey was minus-28, Paul George minus-26, Kelly Oubre minus-25 and Joel Embiid and Quentin Grimes were both mimus-24.
THIS OUGHT TO BE IMPOSIBLE: Adem Bona played just four minutes but picked up five personal fouls. That ties the “record” for fewest minutes played in the postseason by a player who committed five fouls. In 2022, Dewayne Dedmon of the Heat had five fouls in four minutes in a game against the 76ers in Miami.
A FIRST FOR JOEL: Joel Embiid finished with 14 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes. Embiid has played 64 career playoff games and this was the first time he’s ever played a postseason game with fewer than 15 points and fewer than five rebounds. It was only his 10th such game including the regular season and third when he played at least 20 minutes. Last time he didn’t have 15 or 5 and played 25 minutes was in the 2024 regular season against the Knicks at MSG, when he had 13 and three in 26 minutes.
AT LEAST HE WENT TO ‘NOVA: Jalen Brunson scored 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field and 3-for-6 from 3. He’s the first player in 26 years to score 35 points against the 76ers in a playoff game while shooting at least 67 percent from the field an 50 percent from 3. The only other player to do that was Jalen Rose with the Pacers in 2000, with 40 points on 16-for-23 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3.
THIRD TIME IN OVER 50 YEARS: The 39-point loss was the 76ers’ 5th-worst ever to the Knicks, including the regular season. But it wasn’t their worst in 2026. They lost by 49 points at home in February (138-89). But in the last 50 years they’ve only lost one other game to the Knicks by 39 or more points and that was a 48-point loss (130-82) at the Garden in 1994.
THEY HAD 74 POINTS AT HALFTIME: The Knicks’ 74 points at halftime are the 2nd-most the 76ers have ever allowed in the first half of a playoff game. In 1970, they allowed 77 in that 156-120 loss to the Bucks. It was the Knicks’ 2nd-biggest first half ever in the postseason behind an 83-point half in Atlanta last week.
WHERE DID THE DEFENSE GO? The Knicks made 19 of 37 shots from 3 for 51 percent. That’s the highest 3-point shooting percentage vs. the 76ers in a playoff game in 18 years, since the Pistons were 9-for-16 for 56 percent in a 100-77 win at the Wachovia Center in Game 6 of their 2008 Eastern Conference First-Round series. Their 51 percent shooting from 3 was the Knicks’ 4th-highest ever in a game when they attempted at least 20.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 29: Gabe Speier #55 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The already injury-plagued Mariners took another hit today as it was announced lefty Gabe Speier is going on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. LHP José Suarez, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Braves, has reported to the club to take his place. Additionally, the Mariners selected lefty Josh Simpson from Tacoma and sent RHP Cole Wilcox to Triple-A.
Speier, 31, hasn’t been objectively bad, but nor has looked like the dominant reliever he was last year. While his numbers look fine on the surface, his expected metrics have been rough: his line of a .261 xBA, .466 xSLG, and .337 xwOBA are all career-highs, and all up about a hundred points over where he ended last year.
Curiously, Speier has been leaning on his slider more heavily this season than his fastballs, throwing the pitch 35% of the time, but he’s had trouble landing it with the consistency he did in 2025. On the left is his 2025 heat map for the pitch; on the right, this season.
For whatever reason, he’s had trouble getting the slider to the bottom of the zone consistently, and when the slider leaks into the middle and up on the plate, bad things happen.
No further details are yet available about the grade of severity of Speier’s shoulder inflammation; we will update this story when we know more.
With Speier down, the Mariners are going for a double-barreled approach to replacing the lefty in the bullpen. Josh Simpson, 28, has been selected from Triple-A Tacoma after being previously recalled on May 1. As we wrote about Simpson the last time, he’s got a big nasty sweeper and some legit strikeout potential, but he struggles to throw strikes. So far that’s not been an issue that’s worked itself out at Triple-A Tacoma, so expect Simpson to have a short leash if he can’t solve his strike-throwing issues on the fly in the big leagues. Quite an ask. To make room for Simpson, the Mariners sent another arm with command issues, Cole Wilcox, back to Tacoma, which makes me sad because I believe in Wilcox’s stuff, but at the end of the day, you have to throw strikes. Wilcox will have an opportunity to work on that with Tacoma and work his way back up to Seattle – soon, hopefully.
The other lefty the Mariners are going with is new acquisition José Suarez, who we also wrote up recently. The former AL West foe has had a bumpy start to his 2026 season with Atlanta after a successful 2o25 after signing there as a free agent. Suarez has also had issues throwing strikes, and has less bat-missing ability than Simpson, but he has more neutral platoon splits rather than being a lefty specialist and as a former starter has length to cover innings if one of the Mariners starters goes short, a troubling trend of late. While neither of these relievers are a perfect replacement for peak Speier, each one now has a shot to try to carve out a role in the Mariners pen and make a case to be kept around even after an IL stint ends.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls hired Atlanta Hawks executive Bryson Graham to lead their front office on Monday, hoping he can turn around a struggling franchise.
Graham takes over as Chicago’s executive vice president of basketball operations after the organization fired Arturas Karnisovas a month ago. He spent this season as Atlanta’s senior vice president of basketball operations after a 15-year run in New Orleans’ front office that saw him rise from intern to general manager. He had a hand in the Pelicans drafting Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, and Dyson Daniels in recent years.
Graham reunited with Nickeil Alexander-Walker in July when Atlanta acquired him from Minnesota. He averaged 20.8 points and was the NBA’s Most Improved Player. The Hawks went 46-36 before losing to New York in the first round of the playoffs and posted their highest win total since the 2015-16 team finished 48-34.
“This is one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional basketball, and I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to deliver results for this city and these fans,” Graham said in a statement. “My entire career has been built on the belief that sustained success starts with finding the right players and developing an all-around impactful culture.”
The Bulls fired Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley in early April after six years and one postseason appearance. They went on to finish 12th in the Eastern Conference at 31-51 while missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Graham will need to hire a new coach. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf had hoped to retain Billy Donovan. But the Naismith Hall of Famer opted to resign after six seasons, avoiding a potentially awkward situation with new management.
“He has worked his way up through basketball operations from the ground level, and that experience has given him a deep understanding of how to build and sustain a successful organization,” Michael Reinsdorf said. “He is an effective communicator, a disciplined and thoughtful decision-maker, and someone who truly connects with players and people. He understands today’s league, today’s players, and what it takes to develop talent and build a winning culture. Just as important, Bryson is committed to building a high-level group around him.”
Graham inherits a team with two promising young stars in Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, two first-round draft picks and the salary-cap space to make big moves this offseason. But the Bulls haven’t been serious contenders in the Eastern Conference since Derrick Rose tore his ACL in the opener of the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia.
Chicago’s lone playoff appearance under the previous regime was during the 2021-22 season, when the team led by Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan finished sixth in the Eastern Conference at 46-36 and got knocked out by Milwaukee in the first round. The Bulls lost point guard Lonzo Ball to a knee injury during that season, and he missed the next two years.
Chicago’s most recent all-star was DeRozan in 2023.
Karnisovas refused for years to launch a major rebuild and give the Bulls the best shot at the No. 1 pick, stressing patience and not skipping steps, before pulling the trigger this year. He made seven trades prior to the deadline, dealing Nikola Vucevic to Boston, Kevin Huerter to Detroit, Coby White to Charlotte and Chicago product Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota.
The Bulls mostly got second-round draft picks in return. They also acquired Jaden Ivey from Detroit, only to waive him following anti-LGBTQ+ comments about religion he made in videos posted on his Instagram account.
Graham, who’s from San Antonio, played at Texas A&M from 2006 to 2009 before joining the Aggies’ staff as a graduate assistant. He was hired as an intern in New Orleans by then-GM Dell Demps prior to the 2010-11 season.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown had a lot to get off his chest.
Less than 24 hours after suffering elimination at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in a first-round series Boston led 3-1, Brown took to Twitch. On Sunday night, he opened up about several topics — most tied to the team’s historic Game 7 loss, the first time in franchise history the Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead — without mincing words.
Brown averaged 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists against Philadelphia, finishing the series with 33 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks in Game 7 following his campaign for league MVP consideration. He also said he has no regrets about how the season turned out, calling it the most “fun” he’s had in his career.
During the stream, Brown pulled up highlights and replayed several critical moments from Game 7. He also mentioned that going forward, viewers can expect more basketball-focused breakdowns on his livestreams.
He began Sunday night’s debrief with a familiar gripe he’s carried throughout the season.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during introductions prior to a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at TD Garden on May 02, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NBA officiating
Brown led the playoffs with 10 offensive fouls, twice as many as the league’s runner-up (Jalen Duren, Karl-Anthony Towns, Neemias Queta, Stephon Castle).
“I was complaining about officiating, rightfully so,” Brown said. “Because our team finished dead last in getting calls. I was vocal about it, I got thrown out some games, etc. And they keep saying it’s a push off and stuff like that. You know how many players do that? That’s a common basketball play. Every player does it, so why are you targeting me? They clearly had an agenda. Maybe because I spoke and was critical of the refs in the regular season.”
In the regular season, Brown was called for 40 offensive fouls, second to Towns (65). He never held back, calling officials out — some by name — whenever Brown felt he or the Celtics weren’t held to the same standard as opposing teams across the league. Brown also claimed during his stream, with confidence, that officials had an “agenda” to push, linking it to the offensive foul total.
“I’ve actually spoke to some refs, and they said it was an agenda going into each game. ‘So anytime Jaylen brings his arm up, just from reputation, just call it.’ Like, Paul George does that same thing. Jaylen Brunson does the same thing. Sh*t, I can go down the list. It’s a basketball play, whether y’all believe it or not.”
Brown pointed to a play with 3:23 left in the third quarter, when George extended his right arm to create space from Sam Hauser and drilled a step-back 3, putting the Sixers ahead 79-66.
“It’s a foul on me, but it’s a good play on him. Why you think that is? I’ll let y’all fill in the blank. We got the same trainer.”
For what it’s worth, NBA referee Tyler Ford was selected for Game 7 between Boston and Philadelphia, over a month after an encounter with Brown during a March 10 game against the San Antonio Spurs led to Brown’s ejection by referee Suyash Mehta.
Joel Embiid flopping
Brown doubled down on his claim that Sixers star Joel Embiid, while dominant in the series, flopped to get to the free-throw line.
“Credit to the 76ers, credit to Joel Embiid. I still think he flopped entirely way too much,” Brown said. “Some of y’all don’t even know what flopping is. Like, some of y’all clearly don’t know basketball. You don’t know what flopping is. Flopping is exaggerating contact that’s already there. It’s not about drawing contact or drawing fouls. Nobody has a problem with drawing fouls. That’s a part of the game. Use your brain.”
Embiid attempted 37 free throws after returning in Game 4. Defending him became one of the biggest issues for the Celtics during the series, as coach Joe Mazzulla experimented with nearly everything to slow the 7-footer down. Boston turned to Neemias Queta, Nikola Vučević, and Luka Garza during Games 4 through 6 before giving Brown a chance in Game 7.
However, nothing worked.
Brown said Embiid routinely exaggerated contact, insisting it’s an epidemic affecting the NBA.
“It’s like when someone barely touched you, and you selling the call to make it seem like you just got shot by two police officers. Big difference. Whether you like it, don’t like it, your grandma like it, your grandma don’t like it. I don’t really care. That’s just my personal opinion on basketball. Some of y’all might disagree. Argue with your grandma. Flopping has ruined our game. Joel Embiid is a great player, one of the best bigs in f**king basketball history. He flops. He knows it. This ain’t breaking news.”
Embiid shot 83.8 percent from the charity stripe against Boston.
Fourth-quarter pass to Payton Pritchard — with Neemias Queta wide open
In the fourth quarter, with under three minutes remaining, Brown and the Celtics had a chance to take the lead. Pushing in transition, Brown passed up Queta wide open under the basket and instead kicked it to Payton Pritchard in the corner instead.
Pritchard missed the critical 3-pointer, but Brown insisted it was the right decision.
“Some people would’ve rather me went to Neemi to get the two because the 3-pointers wasn’t going in,” Brown said, “but all season long I’ve been going to Payton Pritchard in the corner.”
At that point, Boston was in dire need of offense. The Celtics missed 11 of their 12 final shot attempts, including 10 straight, and shot 26.5 percent from three in Game 7 — and 33.7 percent for the series.
Brown was money from the mid-range in Game 7, leading many to wonder why he turned to Pritchard with Queta feet ahead of Embiid. He thought about it and admitted perhaps he could’ve assisted Queta instead, but remained adamant that going to Pritchard was the right decision, claiming he’d do it again “10 times out of 10.”
“Maybe I could’ve thrown it to Neemi, for sure. Maybe Embiid could’ve maybe blocked him on the back side, maybe not. But all season long, Payton Pritchard has been that motherf**ker for us — and he still is that motherf**ker for us. So I’m doing that 10 times out of 10. Y’all can go back and keep questioning my playmaking ability or whatever, but I feel like that’s what my gut was telling me.”
BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talk after the game during Round One Game Seven of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 2, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Credit to Sixers
Brown took a moment to give the Sixers their flowers, clarifying that Philadelphia’s series win was rightfully theirs.
“Obviously, the season didn’t end the way we want but you gotta take it on the chin,” Brown said. “Give credit where credit is due. So I don’t want to make it seem like I’m not giving them their props… I think (Tyrese) Maxey and (V.J.) Edgecombe are the future. Embiid is a hell of a player. George played incredibly well for their group, and that helped them win the series. They got better. Nick Nurse is a championship-level coach. I give my respect to Philadelphia.”
It had been 44 years since the last time the Sixers eliminated the Celtics in the postseason. Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey joked after Game 7 that he wasn’t even born when asked if he understood the gravity of what Philadelphia had pulled off in Boston.
Final reflection
Brown reiterated his final assessment of the season, labeling it “great” all things considered.
“Great season,” Brown said. “I’m extremely proud of our group. Once again, I’ve been on championship teams, I’ve been on teams going to the Finals. Honestly, this was the most fun season I’ve ever had in basketball, personally. The uncertainty of going into the season, the uncertainty of going into every game — having to fight for every game — just did something emotionally, I feel like, for all of us.”
The Celtics took their circumstance of missing Jayson Tatum for the first 62 games before welcoming him back. They welcomed aboard a handful of newcomers, rookies, and returning players with minimal experience contributing to the team. Still, they made it work for a regular season that’s already secured Mazzulla’s sincere consideration for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award.
As Brown noted, Boston could’ve used Tatum’s injury as a reason to tank — and nobody would blame them. The organization shed payroll and parted ways with Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet as a result. They utilized everyone on the roster, developed a handful of reserves, and showed promise heading into next season despite their catastrophic postseason exit.
“Most people wanted us to tank. Most people still probably wanted us to tank because of the way the season turned out, but you never know how a season is gonna go. All you can ask from the players is give it your all, and that’s what this group did.”
Feb 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and forward Marjon Beauchamp (16) during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Tonight, the third-seed New York Knicks host the seventh-seed Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden for Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals. A strong Knicks start could shape the series, while the Sixers look to grab a road win in hostile territory. Our heroes enter as roughly seven-point favorites, buoyed by their superior regular-season record, home-court edge, and deeper rotation. Aside from Joel Embiid’s sore hip, both teams are at full strength. Let’s get ready to rumble!
Game’s at 8 p.m. EST on NBC and Peacock. This is your game thread. This is Liberty Ballers. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be good ambassadors of humanity. And go Knicks!
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 03: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros catches a fly ball hit by Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (14-21) will wear their City Connect uniforms tonight as they welcome in the rival Los Angeles Dodgers (21-13) for the first game of a three-game series at Daikin Park.
Veteran reliever LHP Steven Okert (0-0, 4.20 ERA) will get the start for the Astros as an opener tonight opposite the Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2-2, 2.87 ERA).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: LHP Steven Okert, a nine-year MLB veteran, will be making his fifth Major League start as an opener and his second as an Astro (also, Aug. 5, 2025 at MIA).
The often-used lefty reliever had made 17 relief appearances in 2026, which ranks tied for fourth in the AL.
VS. THE DODGERS: The Astros and Dodgers will forever be connected by the 2017 World Series, which was won by Houston in a thrilling seven games. Since that 2017 season began, the Astros and Dodgers have been the two top clubs in baseball, in terms of regular season wins and playoff wins.
Since the 2017 World Series, the Astros are 11-9 against the Dodgers in the regular season and have won six of the last seven games.
In their last meeting, the Astros swept the Dodgers in a three-game series at Dodger Stadium (July 4-6, 2025), outscoring the Dodgers 29-6 in the three games.
PLAYER OF THE MONTH!: Announced earlier today, OF Yordan Alvarez was named the AL Player of the Month for March/April for his third career AL Player of the Month Award.
For the months of March and April, Alvarez batted .356 (42×118) with nine doubles, 12 home runs, 27 RBI, 21 walks, 25 runs scored and a 1.199 OPS (.462 OBP/.737 SLG).
MILB PLAYERS OF THE MONTH: Earlier today, the Astros named RHP Brandon McPherson and C Jason Schiavone the Astros Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Month for April.
McPherson, 26, went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA (6ER/16.2IP) in four starts in April with Double A Corpus Christi.
Schiavone, 23, hit nine home runs and recorded 23 RBI, with 22 walks, seven stolen bases and a 1.050 OPS in 20 games in April with High A Asheville.
HIT PARADE: The Astros, who lead the AL in batting average (.269), have reached double-figures in hits in each of the last six games, hitting .316 (71×225) in that span.
The last time the Astros reached double-figures in hits in six straight games was Aug. 6-12, 2024. The club record is eight straight games, done several times (last, June 1018, 2018).
Yesterday marked the 17th game in which Houston reached double figures in hits in 2026.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have recalled OF Zach Cole and designated OF Daniel Johnson for assignment.
Additionally, the club has reinstated OF Zach Dezenzo from the Injured List and optioned him to Triple A Sugar Land.
FROM THE TRAINER’S ROOM: The Astros have 13 players on the Major League IL.
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach.
• RHP Hunter Brown (rt. shoulder sprain) is progressing through his throwing program and is now up to throwing from 120 ft.
• RHP Tatsuya Imai (rt. arm fatigue) is scheduled to make his second rehab start tomorrow at Triple A.
• RHP Cristian Javier (rt. shoulder strain) will begin a throwing progression this week.
• LHP Josh Hader (lt. biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to make his first minor league rehab appearance this week at Triple A Sugar Land.
• RHP Nate Pearson (rt. elbow surgery) is scheduled to make his third minor league rehab appearance tomorrow at Triple A Sugar Land.
• LHP Brandon Walter (lt. elbow surgery) continues his throwing progression this week in West Palm Beach.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) continues his bullpen progression in West Palm Beach.
• IF Nick Allen (mid-back spasms) played in two minor league rehab games over the weekend at Double A Corpus Christi, going 2×7 with a double and two RBI.
• OF Joey Loperfido (rt. quad strain) has started light running and light baseball activity.
• OF Jake Meyers (rt. oblique strain) has started swinging a bat and doing running and throwing activities.
• SS Jeremy Peña (rt. hamstring strain) continued baseball activity in Boston over the weekend. He continues to increase the intensity of his workouts.
• OF Taylor Trammell (left groin strain) has begun a running progression and light baseball activity.
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 35 different batting orders in their 35 games so far this season. Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second).
WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER:Christian Walker is hitting .426 (20×51) in his last 12 games (since April 20) with four homers and 10 RBI.
For the season, Walker ranks tied for fourth in the AL in RBI (26), fifth in SLG (.579) and sixth in OPS (.975).
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: With 238 career homers as a second baseman, Jose Altuve needs one more to tie Lou Whitaker for seventh place all-time in MLB history among second basemen.
Altuve also needs three RBI to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach 900.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1975 – Astros great 1B Bob Watson makes history, as he scores the 1,000,000th run in Major League history in Game 1 of an Astros doubleheader in San Francisco.
He crosses the plate at approx. 12:32 p.m. in the afternoon, scoring from second base on a three-run homer by C Milt May. The Astros lose the opener, 8-6.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, May 4, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Mar 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will begin one of the most important early season series as their NL central rivals Milwaukee Brewers come to town. Kyle Leahy (3-3, 5.52 ERA, 22 SO) will get the ball for the St. Louis Cardinals while those dastardly Brewers will start Chad Patrick (2-1, 2.57 ERA, 16 SO). First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm in Busch Stadium Monday night.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton shoots over Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason in Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena on April 29. The Lakers hope Ayton can deliver against the Thunder like he did against the Rockets. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers center Deandre Ayton bounced across the court after practice Monday wearing all black, his chains swaying, his mood jovial as he approached the media to talk about his role in the Western Conference semifinals.
"Everything has been pretty solid, just staying in my role and just doing more in my role," Ayton said. "This is the playoffs, so everybody can do more, everybody has another level. And this is the second round coming in, so I think we all deserve that little bit of increase of confidence from what we’ve done so far and the outcome from the adversity we’ve faced.
"I feel like that’s where we are right now and I think that’s what’s motivating me, as well, coming into these games. Just seeing, listening and being dialed in and seeing the results of it."
There were times Ayton was a force against the Houston Rockets in the first round. He had double figures in rebounds in four of the six games and had three double-doubles in the series. He averaged 11.8 points and his 10.8 rebounds are third-best in the postseason.
"DA's had a great season,” Redick said. “He was instrumental in us getting past Houston. I think his baseline of who he is every day for the last two, two-and-a-half months has been awesome. And I know his teammates, certainly the staff, we've all embraced him all season long. Again, he's the person that changes our ceiling the most."
Both Ayton and Marcus Smart came to the Lakers last summer, giving them a much-needed center and a defensive-minded guard. Smart said he didn’t know Ayton before they became teammates, but the two of them have bonded.
Lakers teammates Marcus Smart, left, and Deandre Ayton celebrate during Game 6 against the Houston Rockets on May 1. (Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)
They sit next to each other in the locker room and Smart is the first to always encourage Ayton, to push him, to expect more out of him.
“Not his big brother, but I'm just somebody who he respects,” Smart said. “He sees [me] go out there and not only preaching, I'm actually doing what I'm preaching. I'm not just preaching, I'm out there with him, in the midst of it, battling with him, going through adversity with him, right? I think that drives a lot of respect for one another in that aspect, when you're going to battle with somebody. You’re struggling while they're struggling right there with you, trying to help you get through yours.”
The 7-foot Ayton will be going up against 7-1 Chet Holmgren and 7-foot Isaiah Hartenstein. Holmgren averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in the first round and Hartenstein averaged 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Ayton will have to hold his own against them and still be the force the Lakers have leaned on in the postseason.
“Playing bigger. ... Just being relentless on the glass, you know, protecting the rim as much as possible and not letting them in my paint,” Ayton said. “It's gonna be big with me protecting that paint in this series. They really generate and touch the paint. ... Them having 50-plus points in the paint, you know they're a really unstoppable team. So, I'm really just looking forward to protecting the paint as best as I can and staying on the floor as long as possible. That's about it.”
Being on the road and in a hostile environment is something that Ayton also is looking forward to. He knows the crowd in Oklahoma City is like a college atmosphere and that he and the Lakers can’t get rattled.
“Yeah, you can't hear yourself,” Ayton said. “It's definitely the ‘Thunder’ for a reason, you know? Their fans are thunderous. You know, you can hear the floor shaking, the bleachers, you can't even hear a play call. And you gotta be super dialed in.
"They're the defending champs and you know their fans have been in atmospheres and hype games and you know they’re ready for their team to do their thing. So, we just gotta come in super prepared and just dial out all the noise and just come in and play together.”
Detroit lost in the first round a year ago. This season, the Pistons had the best record in the Eastern Conference at 60-22 and on Sunday defeated Orlando 116-94 to close out a playoff series victory for the first time since 2008.
In the fall of 2024, Bickerstaff took over a Pistons franchise that had posted the NBA's worst record in each of the previous two seasons, including a 14-68 record in 2023-24.
Before Bickerstaff arrived, Detroit finished with the worst record in the NBA in consecutive seasons.
Detroit opens a second-round playoff series at home on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a team Bickerstaff coached from the end of the 2019-2020 season through the 2023-24 campaign.
