Deadspin | Magic look to rebound vs. improving Cavaliers

Deadspin | Magic look to rebound vs. improving Cavaliers

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Jan 23, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Orlando Magic power forward Paulo Banchero couldn’t contain his frustration any longer. Two decisive home losses to the Charlotte Hornets in less than a month pushed him over the edge.

The Magic will attempt to bounce back on Saturday when they host the surging Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half of a home-and-home set.

Banchero had team highs of 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists on Thursday as Orlando was drubbed at home by the Hornets 124-97. Charlotte led by 33 points in coasting to the victory.

“They just came out and jumped on us, and we let the game get away from us,” Banchero said. “They really kicked our (butts) for sure. When you see something trending a certain way, you’ve got to change that — and we haven’t.”

Shooting guard Desmond Bane, the Magic’s key offseason acquisition, had 21 points, but the other three members of their starting lineup combined for just 11 and missed 18 of their 22 field-goal attempts in 67 minutes.

Though Orlando comfortably is sitting in a play-in tournament position, Charlotte has the fourth-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets rolled to a 120-105 win on Dec. 26 in the same arena.

“The same thing happened a couple weeks ago against Charlotte,” Banchero said. “We got down big early and they blew us out. It can’t continue to be like this.”

Nerves were frayed throughout the Magic roster when the team returned home from two international games, splitting two games with the Memphis Grizzlies from Jan. 15-18.

Orlando rallied from a 20-point deficit in a 118-111 win in Berlin, then lost 126-109 in London. Franz Wagner returned from a six-week absence with a high ankle sprain in the first contest, but will not play against Cleveland.

Banchero, who is averaging 21.0 points and 8.7 rebounds, expected the Magic to take a step forward this season after they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2024 and 2025.

“Last year wasn’t a great season, we had a lot of tough times,” he said. “It’s something that’s occurred over and over the last few seasons. The sad thing is it’s happening again. And now, our defense is slumping, which makes it even worse.”

The Cavaliers finally are hitting their stride, winning nine of their 13 games since Dec. 29 to move up from eighth to fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are just one game out of third, which seemed highly unlikely during the holidays.

Cleveland took a late night flight to Central Florida after holding off the visiting Sacramento Kings 123-118 on Friday. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Evan Mobley collected a season-high-tying 29 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” said Mobley, who totaled 43 points, 27 rebounds and seven blocked shots in the Cavaliers’ two straight victories. “And I’m just trying to stack games. It’s all the hard work I’ve put in coming out.”

After being mauled by the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder 136-104 at home on Jan. 19, Cleveland has knocked off Charlotte and Sacramento. The addition of second-year swingman Jaylon Tyson to the lineup has added intensity the club was lacking.

Tyson is averaging 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists over the last five games, four of them wins. His energy appears to have sparked Mobley, who has been a different player since coach Kenny Atkinson called him out earlier in the week for passivity.

“With (injured guard Darius Garland) out, we have got to manufacture some stuff with Donovan off the ball,” Atkinson said. “Evan has done an excellent job being aggressive and making the right plays.”

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Tigers rally for rare victory against Braves Apr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves. The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling. The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game. Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher. Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double. Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five. McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak. The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field. The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #BravesApr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves.

The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling.

The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game.

Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher.


Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double.

Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced.

Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five.

McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak.

The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field.

The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #Braves">Deadspin | Tigers rally for rare victory against Braves Apr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves. The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling. The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game. Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher. Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double. Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five. McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak. The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field. The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #Braves

Deadspin | Phillies score twice in ninth to stun Giants in Game 1 of DH Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bryson Stott delivered a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and scored on Justin Crawford’s infield single as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to nip the visiting San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader. Kyle Schwarber hit his 350th career home run for Philadelphia, which improved to 2-0 since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson as manager earlier in the week. The Phillies had lost 11 of 12 prior to the managerial change. The Giants finished with eight hits – three by Heliot Ramos and two apiece by Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt. Logan Webb allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings and was in line for the victory before Ryan Walker blew the save in the ninth. San Francisco will try to split the twin bill Thursday evening in what appears to be a bullpen game for both teams. With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Adolis Garcia led off with a single and scored easily on Stott’s one-out hit into the right-field corner. Walker (0-1) recovered to retire Edmundo Sosa, but Crawford followed with a grounder to the left side and beat out shortstop Willy Adames’ one-hop throw to first. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three before exiting after 85 pitches. Three relievers held the visitors scoreless, including Chase Shugart (1-0), who recorded the final out of the ninth. San Francisco jumped on Sanchez for two runs in the first inning, capped by Schmitt’s single that made it 2-0 just four batters into the game. Philadelphia answered right back on Schwarber’s 10th homer of the season – a long blast into the right-field seats – but that was the lone offensive highlight for the hosts until the final frame. Webb gave up a single to Crawford with one out in the seventh, but the Phillies’ rookie was thrown out by Patrick Bailey trying to steal second. Webb then retired Rafael Marchan to end the inning, keeping San Francisco ahead 2-1. Erik Miller logged the eighth for the Giants before the Phillies rallied against Walker in the ninth. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #score #ninth #stun #Giants #GameApr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Bryson Stott delivered a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and scored on Justin Crawford’s infield single as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to nip the visiting San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader.

Kyle Schwarber hit his 350th career home run for Philadelphia, which improved to 2-0 since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson as manager earlier in the week. The Phillies had lost 11 of 12 prior to the managerial change.

The Giants finished with eight hits – three by Heliot Ramos and two apiece by Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt. Logan Webb allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings and was in line for the victory before Ryan Walker blew the save in the ninth.

San Francisco will try to split the twin bill Thursday evening in what appears to be a bullpen game for both teams.

With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Adolis Garcia led off with a single and scored easily on Stott’s one-out hit into the right-field corner. Walker (0-1) recovered to retire Edmundo Sosa, but Crawford followed with a grounder to the left side and beat out shortstop Willy Adames’ one-hop throw to first.


Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three before exiting after 85 pitches. Three relievers held the visitors scoreless, including Chase Shugart (1-0), who recorded the final out of the ninth.

San Francisco jumped on Sanchez for two runs in the first inning, capped by Schmitt’s single that made it 2-0 just four batters into the game.

Philadelphia answered right back on Schwarber’s 10th homer of the season – a long blast into the right-field seats – but that was the lone offensive highlight for the hosts until the final frame.

Webb gave up a single to Crawford with one out in the seventh, but the Phillies’ rookie was thrown out by Patrick Bailey trying to steal second. Webb then retired Rafael Marchan to end the inning, keeping San Francisco ahead 2-1.

Erik Miller logged the eighth for the Giants before the Phillies rallied against Walker in the ninth.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Phillies #score #ninth #stun #Giants #Game">Deadspin | Phillies score twice in ninth to stun Giants in Game 1 of DH Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bryson Stott delivered a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and scored on Justin Crawford’s infield single as the Philadelphia Phillies rallied to nip the visiting San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Thursday afternoon in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader. Kyle Schwarber hit his 350th career home run for Philadelphia, which improved to 2-0 since Don Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson as manager earlier in the week. The Phillies had lost 11 of 12 prior to the managerial change. The Giants finished with eight hits – three by Heliot Ramos and two apiece by Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt. Logan Webb allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings and was in line for the victory before Ryan Walker blew the save in the ninth. San Francisco will try to split the twin bill Thursday evening in what appears to be a bullpen game for both teams. With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Adolis Garcia led off with a single and scored easily on Stott’s one-out hit into the right-field corner. Walker (0-1) recovered to retire Edmundo Sosa, but Crawford followed with a grounder to the left side and beat out shortstop Willy Adames’ one-hop throw to first. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three before exiting after 85 pitches. Three relievers held the visitors scoreless, including Chase Shugart (1-0), who recorded the final out of the ninth. San Francisco jumped on Sanchez for two runs in the first inning, capped by Schmitt’s single that made it 2-0 just four batters into the game. Philadelphia answered right back on Schwarber’s 10th homer of the season – a long blast into the right-field seats – but that was the lone offensive highlight for the hosts until the final frame. Webb gave up a single to Crawford with one out in the seventh, but the Phillies’ rookie was thrown out by Patrick Bailey trying to steal second. Webb then retired Rafael Marchan to end the inning, keeping San Francisco ahead 2-1. Erik Miller logged the eighth for the Giants before the Phillies rallied against Walker in the ninth. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #score #ninth #stun #Giants #Game

Deadspin | Orioles put on grand display to overpower Astros in Game 1 Apr 24, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) rounds the bases following his two-run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson slugged grand slams in the Baltimore Orioles’ 10-3 victory against the visiting Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon. Orioles starter Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Jackson drove in five runs. Rutschman’s blast came in the fifth to break open the game. Jackson’s slam came in the seventh. It’s the first time the Orioles have smacked multiple grand slams in the same game since Sept. 11, 2015, when they hit two in one inning of a 14-8 home win over the Kansas City Royals. Rutschman, who has homered four times this season, has collected 14 runs batted in across six games since returning from the injury list last week. Isaac Paredes had three hits and Dustin Harris, Brice Matthews and Christian Vazquez — the bottom three batters in the lineup — each added two hits for the Astros, who racked up 12 hits. Houston starter Peter Lambert (1-2) was saddled with the loss after he was charged with two runs on two hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three. Bassitt (2-2) was charged with one run on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Baltimore finished with six hits — two apiece from Rutschman and Jackson — and seven walks. The Orioles didn’t have a hit until Jackson’s two-out double in the fourth inning drove in Pete Alonso, who had reached on a walk. Lambert was removed after giving up Blaze Alexander’s one-out double in the fifth. Then the Orioles loaded the bases off Steven Okert before Rutschman’s grand slam. The Astros scored on Vazquez’s two-out single in the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, Baltimore’s Dylan Beavers forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk to set up Jackson for his sixth homer of the season. Houston’s Yainer Diaz had a two-out run-scoring single followed by Matthews’ infield single for the Astros’ runs in the eighth. The need for a doubleheader came because of Wednesday’s weather-related postponement. The Orioles go for a series sweep in Thursday’s second game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #put #grand #display #overpower #Astros #GameApr 24, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) rounds the bases following his two-run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson slugged grand slams in the Baltimore Orioles’ 10-3 victory against the visiting Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon.

Orioles starter Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Jackson drove in five runs.

Rutschman’s blast came in the fifth to break open the game. Jackson’s slam came in the seventh. It’s the first time the Orioles have smacked multiple grand slams in the same game since Sept. 11, 2015, when they hit two in one inning of a 14-8 home win over the Kansas City Royals.

Rutschman, who has homered four times this season, has collected 14 runs batted in across six games since returning from the injury list last week.

Isaac Paredes had three hits and Dustin Harris, Brice Matthews and Christian Vazquez — the bottom three batters in the lineup — each added two hits for the Astros, who racked up 12 hits.

Houston starter Peter Lambert (1-2) was saddled with the loss after he was charged with two runs on two hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Bassitt (2-2) was charged with one run on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.


Baltimore finished with six hits — two apiece from Rutschman and Jackson — and seven walks.

The Orioles didn’t have a hit until Jackson’s two-out double in the fourth inning drove in Pete Alonso, who had reached on a walk.

Lambert was removed after giving up Blaze Alexander’s one-out double in the fifth. Then the Orioles loaded the bases off Steven Okert before Rutschman’s grand slam.

The Astros scored on Vazquez’s two-out single in the seventh.

In the bottom of the inning, Baltimore’s Dylan Beavers forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk to set up Jackson for his sixth homer of the season.

Houston’s Yainer Diaz had a two-out run-scoring single followed by Matthews’ infield single for the Astros’ runs in the eighth.

The need for a doubleheader came because of Wednesday’s weather-related postponement. The Orioles go for a series sweep in Thursday’s second game.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Orioles #put #grand #display #overpower #Astros #Game">Deadspin | Orioles put on grand display to overpower Astros in Game 1 Apr 24, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) rounds the bases following his two-run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson slugged grand slams in the Baltimore Orioles’ 10-3 victory against the visiting Houston Astros in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon. Orioles starter Chris Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Jackson drove in five runs. Rutschman’s blast came in the fifth to break open the game. Jackson’s slam came in the seventh. It’s the first time the Orioles have smacked multiple grand slams in the same game since Sept. 11, 2015, when they hit two in one inning of a 14-8 home win over the Kansas City Royals. Rutschman, who has homered four times this season, has collected 14 runs batted in across six games since returning from the injury list last week. Isaac Paredes had three hits and Dustin Harris, Brice Matthews and Christian Vazquez — the bottom three batters in the lineup — each added two hits for the Astros, who racked up 12 hits. Houston starter Peter Lambert (1-2) was saddled with the loss after he was charged with two runs on two hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out three. Bassitt (2-2) was charged with one run on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Baltimore finished with six hits — two apiece from Rutschman and Jackson — and seven walks. The Orioles didn’t have a hit until Jackson’s two-out double in the fourth inning drove in Pete Alonso, who had reached on a walk. Lambert was removed after giving up Blaze Alexander’s one-out double in the fifth. Then the Orioles loaded the bases off Steven Okert before Rutschman’s grand slam. The Astros scored on Vazquez’s two-out single in the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, Baltimore’s Dylan Beavers forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk to set up Jackson for his sixth homer of the season. Houston’s Yainer Diaz had a two-out run-scoring single followed by Matthews’ infield single for the Astros’ runs in the eighth. The need for a doubleheader came because of Wednesday’s weather-related postponement. The Orioles go for a series sweep in Thursday’s second game. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Orioles #put #grand #display #overpower #Astros #Game

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