×
Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates  Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.  Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.  Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.  Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.  Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.  Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.  Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.   Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.  J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.  Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.  Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.  The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates
Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates  Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.  Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.  Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.  Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.  Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.  Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.  Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.   Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.  J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.  Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.  Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.  The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #PiratesApr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.


Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.

Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.

J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.

Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.

Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.

Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.

Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.

J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.

Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.

Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

Previous post

Jack Draper ruled out of French Open 2026 due to knee injury <div id="content-body-70923217" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Jack Draper announced on Wednesday he had been ruled out of the French Open with a knee injury.</p><p>It was a further setback for the 24-year-old British tennis player, a former world number four, following a longstanding arm injury that sidelined him for close to eight months.</p><p>Draper has managed just nine matches across five events since returning to competitive action in February and retired during his first-round clash with Tomas Etcheverry at the Barcelona Open earlier this month.</p><p>He was subsequently diagnosed with an aggravated knee tendon injury but had hoped to feature in the second Grand Slam of the year next month.</p><p>Draper has now decided against risking further injury on the clay at Roland Garros and will now try to regain full fitness ahead of the grass-court season, with Wimbledon starting on June 29.</p><p>“My knee is on the mend, and I’ve started back hitting balls, but, unfortunately, I have been advised not to play Roland Garros,” Draper wrote on Instagram. “As gutting as it is to miss another slam, the advice is not to rush straight back into playing five-set tennis on clay.</p><p>“Off the back of the arm injury I sustained last year, I’ve been restricted with my training and by giving myself the time to heal and build, I can be the player I want to be out there once again. See you soon!”</p><p>Under a year ago, Draper was ranked in the world’s top four after winning the title at Indian Wells and finishing runner-up at another Masters 1000 event in Madrid.</p><p>But he now joins the injured Carlos Alcaraz in missing the French Open, with Draper likely to be outside the top 100 in the rankings when he does return.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 30, 2026</p></div> #Jack #Draper #ruled #French #Open #due #knee #injury

Next post

Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal <div id="content-body-70923242" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming ​the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal ‌with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory ​over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open ⁠on Wednesday.</p><p>The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her unexpected main draw entry and ‌stunned former world number one Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.</p><p>Potapova’s ‌run has included impressive victories over former ‌French ⁠Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number ⁠two Elena Rybakina.</p><p>Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova ​said: “No, I wouldn’t, for ‌any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance, and now I’m here. I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that ‌could happen to me in my life ​at the moment.”</p><p>After cruising through Wednesday’s opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward ⁠victory when she earned three match points in the second.</p><p>But Pliskova clawed her way back to force a ‌tiebreak and level the match.</p><p>Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.</p><p>“I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I ‌couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that,” ​Potapova said.</p><p>“But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep ⁠using them.”</p><p>Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the ⁠semifinals after the Ukrainian beat Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. Kostyuk defeated Potapova in the fourth ‌round last year in Madrid, and is undefeated on clay this year.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 30, 2026</p></div> #Madrid #Open #Lucky #loser #Potapova #history #reaching #semifinal

Deadspin | Brewers place LHP Angel Zerpa (forearm) on 15-day injured list  Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images   The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness on Wednesday.  The move was retroactive to Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers called up left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville.  Zerpa, acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, was 0-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, six walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 12 appearances with Milwaukee.  “This looks like it could be serious. He’s not going to be back any time soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “Big blow, but we’re kind of used to that.”  Zerpa, 26, last pitched on Monday, giving up three runs, one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in taking a 6-3 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.   The native of Venezuela is 12-9 in his career with two saves, a 4.13 ERA, 59 walks and 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings over 160 regular-season games (eight starts) with Kansas City (2021-25) and Milwaukee. He also was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five playoff appearances with the Royals in 2024.  Fitzpatrick was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances with Nashville. The 6-foot-7 pitcher allowed two runs, but none earned, in 10 1/3 innings. Fitzpatrick, 25, has never pitched in the majors.  The Brewers also announced that outfielder Luis Matos has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Sounds. Matos, 24, hit .200 (4-for-20) in nine games in his first season with Milwaukee after parts of three seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2023-25).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #place #LHP #Angel #Zerpa #forearm #15day #injured #listApr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness on Wednesday.

The move was retroactive to Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers called up left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville.

Zerpa, acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, was 0-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, six walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 12 appearances with Milwaukee.

“This looks like it could be serious. He’s not going to be back any time soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “Big blow, but we’re kind of used to that.”


Zerpa, 26, last pitched on Monday, giving up three runs, one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in taking a 6-3 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

The native of Venezuela is 12-9 in his career with two saves, a 4.13 ERA, 59 walks and 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings over 160 regular-season games (eight starts) with Kansas City (2021-25) and Milwaukee. He also was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five playoff appearances with the Royals in 2024.

Fitzpatrick was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances with Nashville. The 6-foot-7 pitcher allowed two runs, but none earned, in 10 1/3 innings. Fitzpatrick, 25, has never pitched in the majors.

The Brewers also announced that outfielder Luis Matos has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Sounds. Matos, 24, hit .200 (4-for-20) in nine games in his first season with Milwaukee after parts of three seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2023-25).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #place #LHP #Angel #Zerpa #forearm #15day #injured #list">Deadspin | Brewers place LHP Angel Zerpa (forearm) on 15-day injured list  Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images   The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness on Wednesday.  The move was retroactive to Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers called up left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville.  Zerpa, acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, was 0-2 with two saves, a 6.39 ERA, six walks and eight strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over 12 appearances with Milwaukee.  “This looks like it could be serious. He’s not going to be back any time soon,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said before Wednesday’s game against Arizona. “Big blow, but we’re kind of used to that.”  Zerpa, 26, last pitched on Monday, giving up three runs, one hit and one walk with one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning in taking a 6-3 loss in 10 innings to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.   The native of Venezuela is 12-9 in his career with two saves, a 4.13 ERA, 59 walks and 158 strikeouts in 189 2/3 innings over 160 regular-season games (eight starts) with Kansas City (2021-25) and Milwaukee. He also was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in five playoff appearances with the Royals in 2024.  Fitzpatrick was 1-1 with a 0.00 ERA, two walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances with Nashville. The 6-foot-7 pitcher allowed two runs, but none earned, in 10 1/3 innings. Fitzpatrick, 25, has never pitched in the majors.  The Brewers also announced that outfielder Luis Matos has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Sounds. Matos, 24, hit .200 (4-for-20) in nine games in his first season with Milwaukee after parts of three seasons with the San Francisco Giants (2023-25).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #place #LHP #Angel #Zerpa #forearm #15day #injured #list

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second ​consecutive game and crawled back into its first-round playoff series with a 99-93 ‌road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 ​on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine ⁠rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best- of-seven Western Conference series after falling ‌into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The ‌consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who ‌has ⁠only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points ⁠off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds ​for his side, which ‌will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Pistons 116, Magic 109

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points ‌as top-seeded Detroit Pistons stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando ​Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the ⁠Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered ‌Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Magic. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland ‌Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff ​series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so ⁠far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell ⁠scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett ‌paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. ​Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins">NBA Playoffs: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins  Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second ​consecutive game and crawled back into its first-round playoff series with a 99-93 ‌road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 ​on Wednesday.Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine ⁠rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best- of-seven Western Conference series after falling ‌into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.The ‌consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who ‌has ⁠only played in Game 2.Austin Reaves scored 22 points ⁠off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds ​for his side, which ‌will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).Pistons 116, Magic 109Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points ‌as top-seeded Detroit Pistons stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando ​Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the ⁠Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered ‌Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Magic. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.45 POINTS FOR CADE.45 POINTS FOR PAOLO.2nd time EVER two opponents have dropped 45 in a postseason game… Pistons keep their season alive in an ALL-TIME battle between the 2021 and 2022 No. 1 picks 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BvRX27ZP8S— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland ‌Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff ​series.The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so ⁠far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell ⁠scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.RJ Barrett ‌paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. ​Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.Published on Apr 30, 2026  #NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland ‌Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff ​series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so ⁠far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell ⁠scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett ‌paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. ​Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins">NBA Playoffs: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second ​consecutive game and crawled back into its first-round playoff series with a 99-93 ‌road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 ​on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine ⁠rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best- of-seven Western Conference series after falling ‌into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The ‌consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who ‌has ⁠only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points ⁠off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds ​for his side, which ‌will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Pistons 116, Magic 109

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points ‌as top-seeded Detroit Pistons stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando ​Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the ⁠Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered ‌Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Magic. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland ‌Cavaliers to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff ​series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so ⁠far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell ⁠scored 19 for the Cavaliers. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett ‌paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. ​Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Post Comment