Deadspin | OpTic improve to 9-0 in CDL Stage 2 Major qualifying

Deadspin | OpTic improve to 9-0 in CDL Stage 2 Major qualifying

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Nov 5, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Fans react during the League of Legends World Championships between T1 and DRX at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

OpTic Texas survived a stiff test from the Paris Gentle Mates but kept their unbeaten mark intact with a 3-2 victory on Friday as Week 5 of qualifying for the Call of Duty League Stage 2 Major began.

Texas improved to 9-0, well clear of the second-place Miami Heretics, who improved to 5-3 with a 3-0 sweep of the Riyadh Falcons.

In the day’s other match, last-place Cloud9 New York slipped past the Toronto KOI 3-2.

The 12 Call of Duty League teams are playing a full qualifying round robin to determine seeding for the second major of the season, to be held March 27-29 in Marston Green, England, as part of the DreamHack Birmingham event.

The top six teams in qualifying head straight into the Stage 2 Major playoffs, while the teams in seventh through 10th place will compete in a play-in round.

The Stage 2 Major champion will receive $150,000 and 100 Call of Duty League points, while the runner-up will get $90,000 and 75 CDL points.

On Friday, OpTic produced a 250-165 victory on Colossus Hardpoint before Paris took Raid Search and Destroy 6-5 and Scar Overload 2-1. Texas rallied to capture Scar Hardpoint 250-200 and Scar Search and Destroy 6-5.

Miami bested Riyadh 250-233 on Scar Hardpoint, 6-5 on Raid Search and Destroy and 6-2 on Scar Overload.

Toronto opened with a 250-166 win on Scar Hardpoint. New York replied by taking Colossus Search and Destroy 6-3 and Exposure Overload 5-4. The KOI extended the series by prevailing 250-154 on Colossus Hardpoint, but Cloud9 closed out the victory by a 6-4 count on Raid Search and Destroy.

The remaining Week 5 matches:

Saturday

–G2 Minnesota vs. Carolina Royal Ravens

–Vancouver Surge vs. Toronto KOI

–Los Angeles Thieves vs. Cloud9 New York

–Paris Gentle Mates vs. Boston Breach

Sunday

–G2 Minnesota vs. Boston Breach

–Vancouver Surge vs. Miami Heretics

–Riyadh Falcons vs. Los Angeles Thieves

–FaZe Vegas vs. Carolina Royal Ravens

Call of Duty League Stage 2 Major qualifying standings (match record, map differential)

1. OpTic Texas, 9-0, +20

2. Miami Heretics, 5-3, +6

3. Los Angeles Thieves, 4-3, +6

4. GS Minnesota, 4-3, +1

5. Riyadh Falcons, 4-4, +2

6. Toronto KOI, 4-5, 0

7. Carolina Royal Ravens, 3-4, -3

8. Vancouver Surge, 3-4, -5

9. Boston Breach, 3-5, -6

T10. FaZe Vegas, 3-5, -4

T10. Paris Gentle Mates, 3-5, -4

12. Cloud9 New York, 2-6, -13

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Knicks’ physicality has helped them of brink of advancing past Hawks Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs. Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta. Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta. “We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.” Little has worked. “We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds. “OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.” The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be. “We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.” The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires. “We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.” Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points. The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining. The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season. “They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #HawksApr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs.

Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta.

Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta.

“We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.”

Little has worked.

“We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said.

It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

“OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.”


The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be.

“We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.”

The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires.

“We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.”

Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points.

The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining.

The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season.

“They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #Hawks">Deadspin | Knicks’ physicality has helped them of brink of advancing past Hawks Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the third quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs. Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will try to clinch the series on Thursday in Atlanta. Brunson scored 39 points with eight assists and a game-high plus-23 rating in Tuesday’s 126-97 romp over the Hawks in New York. The veteran is averaging 28.2 points and 5.8 assists in five playoff games. He’s scored 26-plus points in four of the five contests and continues to provide matchup problems for Atlanta. “We’ll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything we can to make it hard on him,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I have tremendous respect for him as a player and a leader, and his ability to create for himself and then create for his teammates. It’s not easy.” Little has worked. “We’re just trying to move him around as much as we can so they can’t catch a rhythm with him,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. It all worked for the Knicks on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and OG Anunoby added 17 points and 10 rebounds. “OG and KAT were monsters,” Brown said. “They were phenomenal.” The Knicks know, though, how elusive that fourth win in a playoff series can be. “We just understand what the situation is. The toughest game to win is the one that ends someone’s season,” Towns said. “We’ve got to be super disciplined. We have to execute at the highest level that we have in this series. We have to be ready for a really tough game.” The Knicks produced a tough-guy effort on Tuesday. They were able to make the game more physical, the style New York prefers against the more finesse game Atlanta desires. “We’ve just got to play through it. We can’t let their physicality take us out of what we want to do,” Atlanta center Onyeka Okongwu said. ” … We’re not really playing like ourselves. We’re not running. We’re not moving the ball. We’re not spacing. The things that we did to get us to this point of the year, we’re not doing well enough. So we have to do that on Thursday.” Atlanta failed to have a player reach 20 points in Game 5, with Jalen Johnson scoring 18 and Dyson Daniels adding 17. CJ McCollum, the hero of Atlanta’s Game 2 win in New York, was 3-of-10 shooting with six points. The Hawks flew the white flag of surrender when they cleared the bench trailing by 24 with 4:09 remaining. The physicality has really seemed to bother Johnson. He is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in the playoffs, compared to 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists during the regular season. “They did what they were supposed to do, protecting home court,” Snyder said. “Their defense never really let us establish consistently how we need to play to beat them. We have to be more committed to imposing our will on the offensive end. Really moving and passing, you can feel possessions where that occurs, and that’s when we’re efficient or have success.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Knicks #physicality #helped #brink #advancing #Hawks

Deadspin | Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers keep Yankees off the board Apr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday. Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes. Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field. Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass. New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter. Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season. After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #boardApr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday.

Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes.

Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second.


Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field.

Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass.

New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter.

Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season.

After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #board">Deadspin | Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers keep Yankees off the board Apr 29, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven strong innings against one of his former teams and the Texas Rangers recorded a 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday afternoon in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi (3-4) turned in his second scoreless start this season and rebounded nicely after getting tagged for four homers during six innings in an 8-1 loss to the Athletics on Friday. Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015-2016, allowed four singles and New York was 0-for-9 against his splitter. The veteran right-hander tied a season-best with seven strikeouts, walked one and threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes. Josh Jung hit a two-run single in the fifth after the Rangers loaded the bases against New York’s Elmer Rodriguez (0-1). Sam Haggerty added an RBI single in the seventh after entering the game in the fifth for Brandon Nimmo, who exited with right hamstring tightness after getting hurt running between first and second. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits in four-plus innings during his major league debut. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked four before exiting after Jung’s single to left field. Rodriguez left the bases loaded in the second by retiring Nimmo but encountered trouble in the fifth. He hit Alejandro Osuna with a pitch, walked Ezequiel Duran and gave up a single to Nimmo that caromed off Ben Rice’s glove when the first baseman was playing in on the grass. New York’s Jasson Dominguez exited in the fourth with a bruised right elbow after getting hit by Eovaldi’s cutter. Rice had three hits for the Yankees, who went 7-2 on their nine-game road trip and lost for only the second time in their past 12 games. New York also was blanked for the second time this season. After Eovaldi exited, Jacob Latz pitched two scoreless innings for his third career save to complete the Rangers’ third shutout. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Nathan #Eovaldi #Rangers #Yankees #board

Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #CelticsApr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics.

The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston.

Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence.

“Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month.

Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon.

“I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4.

“It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.”


Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

“He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series.

Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter.

“First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.”

Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range.

On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort.

“Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics">Deadspin | Sixers out to ‘do whatever it takes’ in Game 6 vs. Celtics Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88)nin the first quarter during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers’ impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court for Game 6 on Thursday. If the Sixers are able to force Game 7, it will be Saturday in Boston. Boston led by a point going into the final period of Game 5, needing 12 solid minutes to finish off Philadelphia and advance to the second round. However, the Sixers fed off the desperation by outscoring the Celtics 28-11 in the fourth quarter en route to a 113-97 victory that left the TD Garden crowd in stunned silence. “Obviously you don’t want to go home, so you do whatever it takes,” said Sixers center Joel Embiid, who recorded 33 points and eight assists in his second game of the series. The former NBA MVP missed the first three contests after undergoing an appendectomy earlier this month. Embiid bumped knees with Boston’s Jaylen Brown during the third quarter and briefly left the game, but Sixers coach Nick Nurse didn’t expand much on the situation Wednesday afternoon. “I know postgame last night … he said he was fine, and that’s the report I’ve got so far,” said Nurse. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George notched 16 points, nine boards and seven assists. The Sixers have won twice in Boston in this series, although they’ve lost both home contests, including a 32-point defeat in Game 4. “It’ll take everything we’ve got,” Maxey said. “It’ll take even more of an effort than it did tonight.” Nurse likely will stick with a reduced rotation after the Philadelphia coach primarily used six players in the Game 5 triumph. The starters all played heavy minutes, while Quentin Grimes contributed 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench. “He had a little different confidence to him,” Nurse said of Grimes, who averaged just 6.8 points in the first four games of the series. Meanwhile, the Celtics were left searching for answers after shooting just 3 of 22 (13.6%) from the floor in the fourth quarter. “First of all, give them credit,” said Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics with 24 points and 16 rebounds. “They played well. And yeah, a few looks that we felt good about that we just didn’t make. But sometimes that happens. You know, it’s just tough. Not scoring the way you want to puts a lot of pressure on your defense, and they made some plays at the other end.” Brown (22 points on 9-of-23 shooting) and Derrick White (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) were among the Boston players who struggled to find a rhythm in Game 5. White is shooting just 29.8% from the field in the series, including 7 of 33 (21.2%) from long range. On the bright side, Tatum is averaging 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 7.6 points while shooting 37% from outside the arc. Payton Pritchard has 11 assists and no turnovers in the last two games, while Neemias Queta had 14 rebounds in a losing effort. “Just have an understanding, perspective. It wasn’t all bad,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We played solid basketball, and then let’s focus on the stuff that we have to get better at and be more consistent in those things headed back to Philly.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sixers #takes #Game #Celtics

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