Deadspin | Pete Crow-Armstrong’s big day boosts Cubs over Padres  Apr 29, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) scores ahead of the tag of San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano (12) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   Pete Crow-Armstrong homered and drove in three runs for the second time in as many games, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.  Matt Shaw belted a solo homer among his three hits for the Cubs, who won the final two contests of the three-game series to improve to 12-3 in their last 15 games.  Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run shot in the fourth inning. The homer was the third of the season for Crow-Armstrong, who belted a three-run blast in Chicago’s 8-3 victory over San Diego on Tuesday.  Crow-Armstrong drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth on a groundout to first base. Michael Conforto ran on contact and used a swim move at home plate to dodge the tag of catcher Luis Campusano.  Jameson Taillon (2-1) retired the first 14 batters he faced before Miguel Andujar homered in the fifth. Nick Castellanos belted a two-run blast in the inning, however Taillon settled down and finished the seventh. He allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six with one walk.  Corbin Martin walked the bases loaded in the eighth before being relieved by Ben Brown, who surrendered a sacrifice fly to Fernando Tatis Jr. that trimmed Chicago’s lead to 5-4. Brown induced Manny Machado to ground into an inning-ending double play.   Brown retired the first two batters in the ninth before Hoby Milner struck out Ramon Laureano on three pitches to secure his first save of the season.  Adrian Morejon (2-1) yielded one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.  Miguel Amaya’s RBI single to center field opened the scoring in the second before Chicago extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Shaw reached on a two-out bunt single before Crow-Armstrong deposited a 0-1 sweeper from Waldron over the wall in right field.   Andujar sent a 1-2 sweeper from Taillon over the wall in left field. Jake Cronenworth followed with a walk before Castellanos deposited a 1-0 cutter over the wall in left-center field to forge a 3-3 tie. The homers were the first of the season for both Andujar and Castellanos.  Padre bench coach Randy Knorr filled in for manager Craig Stammen, who attended an out-of-town funeral.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrongs #big #day #boosts #Cubs #Padres

Deadspin | Pete Crow-Armstrong’s big day boosts Cubs over Padres
Deadspin | Pete Crow-Armstrong’s big day boosts Cubs over Padres  Apr 29, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) scores ahead of the tag of San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano (12) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   Pete Crow-Armstrong homered and drove in three runs for the second time in as many games, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.  Matt Shaw belted a solo homer among his three hits for the Cubs, who won the final two contests of the three-game series to improve to 12-3 in their last 15 games.  Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run shot in the fourth inning. The homer was the third of the season for Crow-Armstrong, who belted a three-run blast in Chicago’s 8-3 victory over San Diego on Tuesday.  Crow-Armstrong drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth on a groundout to first base. Michael Conforto ran on contact and used a swim move at home plate to dodge the tag of catcher Luis Campusano.  Jameson Taillon (2-1) retired the first 14 batters he faced before Miguel Andujar homered in the fifth. Nick Castellanos belted a two-run blast in the inning, however Taillon settled down and finished the seventh. He allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six with one walk.  Corbin Martin walked the bases loaded in the eighth before being relieved by Ben Brown, who surrendered a sacrifice fly to Fernando Tatis Jr. that trimmed Chicago’s lead to 5-4. Brown induced Manny Machado to ground into an inning-ending double play.   Brown retired the first two batters in the ninth before Hoby Milner struck out Ramon Laureano on three pitches to secure his first save of the season.  Adrian Morejon (2-1) yielded one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.  Miguel Amaya’s RBI single to center field opened the scoring in the second before Chicago extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Shaw reached on a two-out bunt single before Crow-Armstrong deposited a 0-1 sweeper from Waldron over the wall in right field.   Andujar sent a 1-2 sweeper from Taillon over the wall in left field. Jake Cronenworth followed with a walk before Castellanos deposited a 1-0 cutter over the wall in left-center field to forge a 3-3 tie. The homers were the first of the season for both Andujar and Castellanos.  Padre bench coach Randy Knorr filled in for manager Craig Stammen, who attended an out-of-town funeral.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrongs #big #day #boosts #Cubs #PadresApr 29, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) scores ahead of the tag of San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano (12) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Pete Crow-Armstrong homered and drove in three runs for the second time in as many games, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

Matt Shaw belted a solo homer among his three hits for the Cubs, who won the final two contests of the three-game series to improve to 12-3 in their last 15 games.

Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run shot in the fourth inning. The homer was the third of the season for Crow-Armstrong, who belted a three-run blast in Chicago’s 8-3 victory over San Diego on Tuesday.

Crow-Armstrong drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth on a groundout to first base. Michael Conforto ran on contact and used a swim move at home plate to dodge the tag of catcher Luis Campusano.

Jameson Taillon (2-1) retired the first 14 batters he faced before Miguel Andujar homered in the fifth. Nick Castellanos belted a two-run blast in the inning, however Taillon settled down and finished the seventh. He allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six with one walk.


Corbin Martin walked the bases loaded in the eighth before being relieved by Ben Brown, who surrendered a sacrifice fly to Fernando Tatis Jr. that trimmed Chicago’s lead to 5-4. Brown induced Manny Machado to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Brown retired the first two batters in the ninth before Hoby Milner struck out Ramon Laureano on three pitches to secure his first save of the season.

Adrian Morejon (2-1) yielded one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Miguel Amaya’s RBI single to center field opened the scoring in the second before Chicago extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Shaw reached on a two-out bunt single before Crow-Armstrong deposited a 0-1 sweeper from Waldron over the wall in right field.

Andujar sent a 1-2 sweeper from Taillon over the wall in left field. Jake Cronenworth followed with a walk before Castellanos deposited a 1-0 cutter over the wall in left-center field to forge a 3-3 tie. The homers were the first of the season for both Andujar and Castellanos.

Padre bench coach Randy Knorr filled in for manager Craig Stammen, who attended an out-of-town funeral.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Pete #CrowArmstrongs #big #day #boosts #Cubs #Padres

Apr 29, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20) scores ahead of the tag of San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano (12) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Pete Crow-Armstrong homered and drove in three runs for the second time in as many games, fueling the visiting Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

Matt Shaw belted a solo homer among his three hits for the Cubs, who won the final two contests of the three-game series to improve to 12-3 in their last 15 games.

Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run shot in the fourth inning. The homer was the third of the season for Crow-Armstrong, who belted a three-run blast in Chicago’s 8-3 victory over San Diego on Tuesday.

Crow-Armstrong drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth on a groundout to first base. Michael Conforto ran on contact and used a swim move at home plate to dodge the tag of catcher Luis Campusano.

Jameson Taillon (2-1) retired the first 14 batters he faced before Miguel Andujar homered in the fifth. Nick Castellanos belted a two-run blast in the inning, however Taillon settled down and finished the seventh. He allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six with one walk.

Corbin Martin walked the bases loaded in the eighth before being relieved by Ben Brown, who surrendered a sacrifice fly to Fernando Tatis Jr. that trimmed Chicago’s lead to 5-4. Brown induced Manny Machado to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Brown retired the first two batters in the ninth before Hoby Milner struck out Ramon Laureano on three pitches to secure his first save of the season.

Adrian Morejon (2-1) yielded one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Miguel Amaya’s RBI single to center field opened the scoring in the second before Chicago extended its lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Shaw reached on a two-out bunt single before Crow-Armstrong deposited a 0-1 sweeper from Waldron over the wall in right field.

Andujar sent a 1-2 sweeper from Taillon over the wall in left field. Jake Cronenworth followed with a walk before Castellanos deposited a 1-0 cutter over the wall in left-center field to forge a 3-3 tie. The homers were the first of the season for both Andujar and Castellanos.

Padre bench coach Randy Knorr filled in for manager Craig Stammen, who attended an out-of-town funeral.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Anastasia Potapova upsets former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in Madrid <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28422167.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28422167.jpg" alt="Tennis: BNP Paribas Open-Day 6" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 6, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Anastasia Potapova of Austria in action against Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the second round of the women’s singles at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Unseeded Anastasia Potapova of Austria continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open on Tuesday, taking down former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova of Czechia 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, to become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Potapova, who lost in qualifying last week, will face No. 26 Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals after the Ukrainian defeated No. 13 Linda Noskova of Czechia 7-6 (1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who beat Potapova in the fourth round at Madrid last year, is 10-0 on clay this year.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Potapova led 5-3 in the second set and held three match points, but Pliskova rallied to even the match and led 3-1 in the third set before Potapova won five straight games to secure the thrilling victory.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>When asked if she thought she would be in the semifinals after her qualifying loss, Potapova told reporters, “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.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Potapova finished with 10 aces and saved four of her eight break points, while Pliskova posted three aces but was 0-for-7 on break points.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Along the way to the semifinals, Potapova has also defeated French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and World No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>As for Potapova’s semifinal opponent, Kostyuk seized control against Noskova in the first-set tiebreaker, winning 7-1, then dominated the second set in less-than-ideal weather conditions to reach the Madrid semifinals for the first time.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“Conditions were incredibly difficult for both of us,” Kostyuk said in her on-court interview. “It was very windy, very cold, and I felt like we started to gain some (momentum) only towards the end of the first set. Until then, I think we both weren’t sure where the ball was going sometimes. But I’m happy that I did my strategy today very well.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Kostyuk, who took the second set without dropping a game, is the only player — women’s or men’s — to reach this year’s semifinal without conceding a set. Earlier this month, she captured her first WTA title on clay at the Rouen Open in France.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Today was not that type of day in the morning and I was forcing myself to smile, to enjoy,” said Kostyuk, who saved one of five break points while Noskova saved 17 of 24. “At the end of the day it was a quarterfinal match. No matter how it would turn around, I still think it was a great performance from me these past three weeks. At the end I managed to turn that page and enjoy again.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>-Field Level Media</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Anastasia #Potapova #upsets #World #Karolina #Pliskova #Madrid

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Deadspin | Astros look for spark in doubleheader vs. Orioles <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28834501.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28834501.jpg" alt="MLB: Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (1) reacts after striking out in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>After quite a bit of idle time this week, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are in store for a busy day of baseball when they meet for Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Wednesday night’s game was postponed because of weather concerns. So that means that each team has played just one game since Sunday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>That game was won by Baltimore with Tuesday night’s 5-3 decision.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Astros, who are 3-8 in their last 11 games, would like to see outfielder Brice Matthews build off that game when he produced three hits, including a home run.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“I feel like I could do that each and every night, but baseball, it’s not going to go your way each and every night,” Matthews said.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>With an array of injuries impacting the Astros, manager Joe Espada said Matthews could become a spark.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“I keep saying, when he finds barrel to ball, he’s exciting to watch,” Espada said. “He’s a very explosive player. He can change outcomes of the game when he learns to be more consistent making contact.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Astros also hope that third baseman Isaac Paredes can get rolling. Even though he went 0-for-4 on Tuesday, he had hits in six of seven games prior to that.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“Sometimes it takes a little bit of time,” Espada said. “He’s starting to heat up, and he knows he can do damage and he’s doing some damage.”</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Baltimore has had catcher Adley Rutschman with a hot bat. He has racked up multiple hits in three of five games with 10 runs batted in since returning from the injury list.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>“With Adley, it’s just taking his hits,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Staying on the off-speed, driving it the other way. It just shows his adjustability in the box.”</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> <p>The Orioles will send out right-handers Chris Bassitt (1-2, 6.75 ERA) and Brandon Young (2-0, 2.53) for the starting assignments.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>For Young, it will mark his third big-league appearance of the season. He pitched twice last year against Houston with mixed results. He took a perfect game into the eighth and threw eight shutout innings in mid-August. Less than a week later, he was tagged for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>The Astros are bound to challenge Baltimore’s pitchers, who had the right mix in the series opener.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“They’re a deep-lineup team and battle tested,” Albernaz said. “It was great to see our (pitchers) step up to the challenge.”</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Houston has right-handers Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27) and Lance McCullers Jr. (1-2, 6.75) slated to be on the mound.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>The Astros have gone 0-4 in McCullers’ first four April starts, though he only had decisions in the last two outings when he lasted five innings in both cases. He has bemoaned poor beginnings to recent games as getting him off track.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Espada said some adjustments could bolster McCullers.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>“I think for Lance, it’s being ahead,” Espada said. “Once he’s ahead, he can expand and he can set the tone. But if you’re behind in the count, it can be really hard to execute and get people out.”</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>McCullers has faced the Orioles eight times, with six starts, in his career. He’s 3-0 with a 3.34 ERA covering 35 innings in those matchups.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Astros #spark #doubleheader #Orioles

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

Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild  Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul.  Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.  “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure.  “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.”  Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division.  “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.”  Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6.  The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games.   “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.”  Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime.  Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.  Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time.  “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.”  Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.  Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #WildApr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul.

Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.

“You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure.

“… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.”

Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division.

“We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.”

Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6.


The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games.

“I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.”

Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime.

Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.

Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time.

“We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.”

Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.

Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild">Deadspin | Stars in search of calm facing Game 6 elimination vs. Wild  Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) skates with the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen (4) and scores an empty net goal during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images   The Dallas Stars will look to play with a sense of calm as they face elimination in Game 6 against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul.  Dallas has dropped back-to-back games in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals series and trails Minnesota 3-2, following Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in Game 5.  “You have to be able to play in these pressure situations,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I don’t think it’s anything grit-related. I think that both teams were competing very hard last night (Tuesday), and you just have to actually have a little more of a sense of calm to be able to make a play under pressure.  “… We have to settle in and make some plays with some fluidity.”  Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson each scored a goal and added an assist while Jake Oettinger made 24 saves for the Stars, the regular-season No. 2 seed in the Central Division.  “We just couldn’t create enough, especially 5-on-5,” Heiskanen said. “That was the biggest issue (in Game 5). Just have to fix that and get better next game. We just have to simplify. I think there are times where we’re trying to do too much. Just simplify. Get guys to the net, get pucks to the net, and get a couple of crazy ones.”  Arttu Hyry left Tuesday’s game at 8:02 of the second period with a lower-body injury. Gulutzan said the Stars forward would travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday; however, defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who left Game 4 after suffering a facial cut from a skate, is not available for Game 6.  The Wild head home with an opportunity to win its first Western Conference quarterfinal series since 2015, when it dispatched the St. Louis Blues in six games.   “I think when we play a tight, connected, five-man unit, we’re usually at our best,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “I thought we were responsible, strong attention to detail, got some key saves when we needed them. Another game where we can continue to build and get better. You just focus day to day.”  Kirill Kaprizov scored a goal and added two helpers, while Matt Boldy added a goal and an assist for the Wild, who split Games 3 and 4 on home ice, both in overtime.  Mats Zuccarello and Michael McCarron had the other Minnesota goals while Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves.  Wild forward Yakov Trenin, who returned from an upper-body injury suffered in Game 2, had an assist in 12:04 of ice time.  “We’ll take a lot of information out of this game and work to be better again in Game 6,” Hynes said. “That was our objective when the series started. Take one day at a time, one game at a time, extract the information that’s needed. Prepare ourselves for the next game and focus on that.”  Jonas Brodin left the game at 1:44 of the second period after blocking a Mikko Rantanen shot. After the game, Brodin was seen on crutches with his foot in a medical boot.  Hynes didn’t have a specific update on the Minnesota defenseman on Wednesday, but if Brodin can’t play Game 6, it’s expected that either Daemon Hunt or Jeff Petry will draw into the lineup.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Stars #search #calm #facing #Game #elimination #Wild

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