Craig Albernaz spent the 2024-25 seasons coaching under Stephen Vogt in Cleveland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Patrick Smith via Getty Images
Craig Albernaz still has bruising underneath his right eye. He has a welt sprawled across his cheek beneath that. The first-year Baltimore Orioles manager is recovering from a broken jaw and at least seven facial fractures after absorbing a line-drive foul ball on Monday.
Albernaz revealed Tuesday that he doesn’t need surgery.
“I just have to eat baby food for six weeks,” he said.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, Albernaz’s former boss and longtime friend, heard that and acted accordingly, making over the the visiting manager’s office at Progressive Field ahead of Thursday’s series opener between the Orioles and Guardians.
After a pause and a cartoonish facial expression, the 43-year-old skipper continued: “That’s ironic that he said ‘a gift.’ Oh, if you guys [haven’t] seen it, I would go into my office.
“When I showed up, everything was kid-sized. So my desk was smaller, my chair smaller, the other desk where people sit [is] small. And my bathroom is electric right now. It’s a ‘Spider-Man’ shower curtain, ‘Spider-Man’ shower mat and then ‘Bluey’ and kid’s stuff everywhere. It’s awesome.”
“He called it a ‘gift’?”#Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz says that #Guardians Stephen Vogt redecorated his visiting office with kid-sized furniture.
For those not familiar, “Bluey” is a popular animated television series that follows a family of dogs. Albernaz has three young children, including a toddler daughter, Gigi.
“You’re a fan of ‘Bluey,’ right?” a reporter asked Albernaz.
“Are you not a fan of “Bluey”? Albernaz said, deadpan. “I question anyone, their life experiences and also who they are as a person if they don’t like ‘Bluey.’
“Yes, ‘Bluey’ is the greatest show of all time.”
Albernaz and Vogt go way back. In 2025, Albernaz was Vogt’s associate manager in Cleveland. In 2024, Albernaz was Vogt’s bench coach. The Guardians won the AL Central both seasons.
Long before that, from 2007-2012, Albernaz and Vogt were minor-league catchers in the Tampa Bay Rays’ system. Their relationship is colored with a good bit of fun, including the kind that’s poked at each other.
Albernaz is already scheming how he’s going to get Vogt back. He proposed that the visiting clubhouse manager pack up everything in the makeshift Cleveland office and send it to Baltimore.
Vogt will get the shipping receipt, a mischievous Albernaz plotted.
“He’s two-time [American League] Manager of the Year, he can get off his wallet one time,” Albernaz joked.
Craig Albernaz spent the 2024-25 seasons coaching under Stephen Vogt in Cleveland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Patrick Smith via Getty Images
Craig Albernaz still has bruising underneath his right eye. He has a welt sprawled across his cheek beneath that. The first-year Baltimore Orioles manager is recovering from a broken jaw and at least seven facial fractures after absorbing a line-drive foul ball on Monday.
Albernaz revealed Tuesday that he doesn’t need surgery.
“I just have to eat baby food for six weeks,” he said.
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, Albernaz’s former boss and longtime friend, heard that and acted accordingly, making over the the visiting manager’s office at Progressive Field ahead of Thursday’s series opener between the Orioles and Guardians.
After a pause and a cartoonish facial expression, the 43-year-old skipper continued: “That’s ironic that he said ‘a gift.’ Oh, if you guys [haven’t] seen it, I would go into my office.
“When I showed up, everything was kid-sized. So my desk was smaller, my chair smaller, the other desk where people sit [is] small. And my bathroom is electric right now. It’s a ‘Spider-Man’ shower curtain, ‘Spider-Man’ shower mat and then ‘Bluey’ and kid’s stuff everywhere. It’s awesome.”
“He called it a ‘gift’?”#Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz says that #Guardians Stephen Vogt redecorated his visiting office with kid-sized furniture.
For those not familiar, “Bluey” is a popular animated television series that follows a family of dogs. Albernaz has three young children, including a toddler daughter, Gigi.
“You’re a fan of ‘Bluey,’ right?” a reporter asked Albernaz.
“Are you not a fan of “Bluey”? Albernaz said, deadpan. “I question anyone, their life experiences and also who they are as a person if they don’t like ‘Bluey.’
“Yes, ‘Bluey’ is the greatest show of all time.”
Albernaz and Vogt go way back. In 2025, Albernaz was Vogt’s associate manager in Cleveland. In 2024, Albernaz was Vogt’s bench coach. The Guardians won the AL Central both seasons.
Long before that, from 2007-2012, Albernaz and Vogt were minor-league catchers in the Tampa Bay Rays’ system. Their relationship is colored with a good bit of fun, including the kind that’s poked at each other.
Albernaz is already scheming how he’s going to get Vogt back. He proposed that the visiting clubhouse manager pack up everything in the makeshift Cleveland office and send it to Baltimore.
Vogt will get the shipping receipt, a mischievous Albernaz plotted.
“He’s two-time [American League] Manager of the Year, he can get off his wallet one time,” Albernaz joked.
LeBron James will play in a record-tying 19th postseason when the Lakers host the Rockets on Saturday in a first-round playoff series opener. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Bright lights, big stage, same LeBron.
Unmoved by postseason pressure, superstar LeBron James said he doesn’t plan to change his preparation ahead of the Lakers’ playoff opener against the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Approaching his record-tying 19th postseason appearance, James has reason to believe in his well-established routine.
“Nothing changes for me from the regular season to the postseason,” James said, “besides just making even more heightened focus.”
The consistent approach that guided him through 23 regular seasons puts James in position to star in another high-stakes game as the Lakers (53-29) chase the franchise’s 18th NBA championship. James will command almost the entire spotlight with guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves still sidelined.
The 41-year-old, 22-time All-Star has never had a problem with being a leading man.
“I think a lot of the great players, the best players, what they’re addicted to is being the showman,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, referencing Stephen Curry’s fourth-quarter heroics that pushed the Golden State Warriors over the Clippers in a thrilling play-in game Wednesday night. “And being on the stage and giving a performance. …
“One of the reasons they’re great and they’re able to be the showman so consistently is because they recognize [that] to be the showman, I have to do all the things necessary to then go on stage and perform at my best. And that’s the commitment with LeBron that I’ve talked about so often.”
The stage is set for a star-studded first-round series with James and Houston’s Kevin Durant. The Rockets’ superstar rose to fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list this season. He and James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, have 76,037 combined regular-season points, more than the rest of the Lakers’ roster combined (57,341).
“He’s the head of the snake,” James said of Durant. “But it’s the Houston Rockets and they have some damned good players on that team.”
Durant has the support of two-time NBA All-Star center Alperen Sengun, who is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. James leads the Lakers alone. They’re without Doncic (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) indefinitely.
Since Doncic and Reaves were injured, James assumed the primary role in the Lakers’ offense and has delivered 25.5 points, 11 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game. Battling the emotional toll of Doncic’s and Reaves’ injuries, James set the tone for the Lakers’ strong finish to the regular season with his vocal leadership and strong play, Redick said. His teammates are falling in line.
“He’s been in the playoffs I don’t know how many times,” Lakers guard Bronny James said. “So he’s won series, won Finals, I think we just need to have our mind open and ears open and listen to whatever he says because he knows the most.”
Lakers star LeBron James and coach JJ Redick discuss strategy during a game against the Clippers this season. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
After years of competing against each other in the NBA and with each other on the international stage, Durant said earlier this season that the Miami Heat version of James was the hardest player he’s ever had to guard. James said every version of Durant feels like an impossible matchup.
The 37-year-old scores in bunches and does it efficiently, Redick said. Durant hasn’t shot worse than 50% from the field in a season since 2011-12. Now in his 18th season, Durant played the second-most total minutes of any player this season, trailing only 23-year-old teammate Amen Thompson.
“He’s a guard in a big man’s body,” Lakers guard Marcus Smart said. “I’m 6-3 and he’s 7-foot so he has that advantage and that’s what makes it tough, because he’ll shoot right over top of you it seems. But playing him the years that I have played him — and last month — it definitely gives you insight of what to expect.”
Durant averaged 18 points, 5.5 rebounds and three assists in two losses to the Lakers in March. He shot 55.6% from the field but had 11 total turnovers. The Lakers, who often double-teamed Durant to take the ball out of his hands, forced 36 turnovers in the two wins.
The Lakers expect the same defensive pressure from the Rockets, who are ranked sixth defensively. Guards Reed Sheppard and Thompson both rank in the top 10 in the league in total steals with 122 and 119, respectively.
Smart and guard Luke Kennard have taken larger ball-handling responsibilities along with James to offset the loss of Doncic and Reaves. Bronny James is in line for rotation minutes in the Lakers’ shorthanded backcourt. The 21-year-old guard has played in 10 consecutive games, the longest stretch of his young NBA career, averaging 6.6 points, two assists and a steal with seven-for-17 shooting from three-point range in the five games since Doncic and Reaves were injured.
Getting to share the court with his son, whether in regular-season games, practice or now the postseason, is “the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career,” the elder James said.
With his future unknown beyond this season, James pledged all season to stay in the moment. The Lakers hope to make this postseason one last.
“The moment is all we have,” James said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 30: Ryan Weiss #51 of the Houston Astros pitches in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros (8-11), who enter tonight’s game on a seven-game home winning streak, look to secure a series sweep tonight in the finale of their three-game series vs. the Colorado Rockies (6-12).
Astros starter RHP Ryan Weiss (0-2, 7.36 ERA) will transition from the bullpen to the rotation to make his first Major League start tonight as he opposes the Rockies and their opener RHP Juan Mejia (0-2, 5.40 ERA).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Ryan Weiss, who’s made five relief appearances this season, is back pitching in the United States in 2026 after spending the last two seasons in the KBO.
He made 46 career starts in Korea for the Hanwha Eagles and posted a 3.16 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 305 strikeouts in 270.1 innings over those two seasons.
The Astros signed him to a Major League deal in December.
VS. THE ROCKIES: The Astros were swept by the Rockies last week in a three-game series at Coors Field (April 6-9), which was the Astros first sweep at the hands of the Rockies since a four-game series from May 28-31, 2012. After the 2012 season, the Astros have not lost a season series against the Rockies, winning seven times and splitting twice.
FLEET WEEK HOUSTON: In honor of Fleet Week Houston, a ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Tarren Foreman from Lufkin, Texas. A special Play Ball Call will be made by Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
TONIGHT’S SPECIAL GUESTS: Astros closer LHP Josh Hader will host a group of kids from BEAR at Thursday’s game as a part of his Hader’s Heart program. The group will also get to experience BP and talk with Hader on the field prior to the game.
TAXI SQUAD ADDITION: The Astros have added RHP Peter Lambert to the Major League Taxi Squad.
A former Rockie, Lambert has spent his 2026 season at Triple A Sugar Land, posting a 1.84 ERA (3ER/14.2IP) in three games (two starts).
ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the American League in several key offensive categories: Runs, AVG, OPS, OBP, SLG, Total Bases
THE ORDER: The Astros have used 19 different batting orders in their 19 games so far this season.
Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the batting order (batting second).
HOT START: LF Yordan Alvarez ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (13), total bases (48), OPS (1.250), SLG (.762) and OBP (.488), ranks tied for first in walks (17), tied for second in RBI (17), tied for third in doubles (6), and tied for fourth in batting average (.333) and runs scored (15).
MR. 2000: 2B Jose Altuve has appeared in 1,994 career games and is looking to become the third player in franchise history to reach 2,000 career games, which would join him with Craig Biggio (2,850) and Jeff Bagwell (2,150).
Only four active players have reached 2,000 career games: Andrew McCutchen (2,274), Carlos Santana (2,212), Freddie Freeman (2,197) and Paul Goldschmidt (2,081).
HARD TO HIT: RHP Kai-Wei Teng, just the second Taiwanese-born player to appear with the Astros in their history, has held opponents to 5×34 on the season for a .147 opponent average.
Overall, Teng has gone 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA (3ER/9.2IP), a 0.93 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in 9.2 innings in relief.
ON THE MEND:LHP Bennett Sousa (left oblique strain) is currently on a rehab assignment with Double A Corpus Christi and is next scheduled to pitch tomorrow for the Hooks…Sousa was an integral member of the Astros bullpen in 2025, posting a 5-1 record with four saves and 2.84 ERA (16ER/50.2IP) in 44 appearances.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Thursday, April 16, 7:10 p.m. CST
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Apr 16, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a two-RBI single against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
The Athletics entered the fourth and final game of their series against the Texas Rangers seeking a third straight win and a series victory, but the Rangers instead earned a split with a 9-6 win in a wild, wind-swept finale.
Making his second home start of the season, A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez was sharp early, only throwing 25 pitches, striking out two and allowing just one walk over his first two innings. Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter was similarly sharp, issuing just one walk to A’s designated hitter Shea Langeliers in his first two innings of work.
The Rangers broke through in the third. With one out, shortstop Ezequiel Duran doubled, and right fielder Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI single to make it 1–0, but Lopez retired the next two hitters to limit the damage.
The A’s attempted to answer back immediately. With two outs in the bottom of the third, second baseman Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch and then Langeliers got the A’s first hit of the game, a single to left. First baseman Nick Kurtz walked to load the bases for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, who smacked a hard line drive that Nimmo caught in right field to end the hosts’ two-out rally. Through the first few innings, A’s hitters made plenty of hard contact off of Leiter, but failed to score.
Lopez worked around a leadoff double by Josh Jung to keep the Athletics deficit at one. The bottom of the fourth was another wasted scoring chance for the “Green and Gold”. After Carlos Cortes and Lawrence Butler singled, Leiter buckled down, getting the next two hitters to groundout to escape another jam unscathed. It marked the second-straight inning in which the A’s left multiple runners in scoring position.
In the fifth inning, Lopez lost his command, issuing three straight walks. With the bases loaded, Rangers first baseman Jake Burger continued his strong series with a sacrifice fly to double the lead to 2–0. The Rangers left two runners on as Lopez got third baseman Josh Jung to fly out to end the inning.
In the bottom of that inning, the A’s finally broke through against Leiter. Langeliers walked and then with two outs, Soderstrom hit a ground-rule double to right. Shortstop Jacob Wilson blooped a two-RBI single to right field.
Lopez turned in arguably his best start of the season, only allowing two runs on three hits in five innings. In the sixth inning, A’s manager Mark Kotsay turned things over to his bullpen. Right-handed reliever Luis Medina quickly gave up the lead in his highest-leverage relief appearance of the season. Second baseman Josh Smith’s RBI double scored Joc Pederson, who had walked, to tie the game at three apiece.
The Rangers’ momentum carried over to the seventh. Facing A’s reliever Scott Barlow, Jung hit a fly ball that the wind carried over the short right-field fence for a go-ahead two-run home run. Barlow followed the home run by walking the next two batters, continuing the team’s issues with walks.
The A’s threatened in their half of the seventh, opening with back-to-back singles, but two Rangers relievers combined to retire the next three hitters. In the bottom of the eighth, the wind that hurt the A’s earlier helped them. The Rangers intentionally walked Langeliers, choosing to pitch to Kurtz with the bases loaded and two outs. Kurtz hit a fly ball that left fielder Wyatt Langford lost in the wind as it dropped in front of him. All three runners scored on the misplay, giving Kurtz a bases-clearing hit and the Athletics a 6-5 lead heading into the ninth.
Three outs away from taking the series, the hosts turned to right-hander Justin Sterner for the save opportunity. The decision backfired as the Rangers scored four runs on four hits against Sterner, responding to the A’s three-run frame the inning prior. The tying run scored on Sterner’s throwing error after he fielded a bunt and threw to third, where the ball was not caught by third baseman Darell Hernaiz. Texas added insurance runs before the Athletics came up empty in their final at-bats.
The Athletics will look to bounce back quickly as the Chicago White Sox arrive in Sacramento for a three-game weekend series to close out the home stand. Aaron Civale will make his first home start of the season, as he seeks to carry over his road success to Sutter Health Park. Civale will be opposed by White Sox right-hander Davis Martin, who is 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA.
The James clan has the chance to add another chapter to its family lore this month, thanks to Bronny’s growth into a player that all of the Los Angeles Lakers can trust.
LeBron and Bronny seem likely to play postseason minutes together this month when the Lakers face the Houston Rockets in the first round. The greatest scorer in NBA history and his 21-year-old son have been teammates for nearly two years, but the prospect of accomplishing a new first is still special to both generations.
“It’s insane,” Bronny said Thursday after practice at the Lakers’ training complex. “I mean, I’ve literally watched his whole career. Now I’m a part of it. So it’s a great experience. I’m appreciative of it — but I’m part of the job, too. So I have to do my job as well. I’ve got to lock in.”
Bronny’s playing time has increased over the last month, and he has been a rotation member for the Lakers since Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves went down with injuries two weeks ago.
LeBron takes an obvious fatherly pride in Bronny’s development into a contributor for their short-handed team.
“Every moment we get an opportunity to play together is something I never take for granted,” LeBron said.
“Me being on the floor with him postseason, regular season, training camp, practices, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my career, above everything I’ve accomplished,” he added. “The fact that he’s put himself in position to get his number called for a postseason game is pretty remarkable and pretty cool, given the circumstances that he’s been through over the last couple of years. He earned it. He deserves it. He’ll be ready.”
After playing sporadic NBA minutes during his first 1 1/2 NBA seasons, Bronny has stepped up into a regular role — partly out of necessity with the Lakers’ top two scorers sidelined, but also because he earned more playing time. He has played 13 minutes or more in seven of the Lakers’ past 10 games, averaging 19 minutes over the past four.
That responsibility seems likely to continue in the postseason, since Doncic and Reaves won’t play in Game 1 on Saturday, and there’s no timetable for their return.
Lakers coach JJ Redick confirmed he will be using every healthy option while Los Angeles attempts to beat overwhelming odds without its starting backcourt.
“We’re going to have to have all hands on deck in this series,” Redick said. “That’s just what we’re handed. I think Bronny has improved a lot. We trust him. The shooting piece (of his game), I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it the last two years in the G League. … He’s improved a ton defensively, in terms of his body positioning, both on and off ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”
Bronny played only four playoff minutes last season during two of the Lakers’ first-round losses to Minnesota, and he acknowledges hasn’t played in many big games during his brief basketball career.
He spent his sole collegiate season at Southern California, but he didn’t suit up for the Trojans until midseason after his recovery from an offseason cardiac incident, and that team didn’t make the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s what I’ve wanted, to play in the playoffs,” Bronny said. “I wasn’t able to play in March (Madness), and this is a bigger stage than that. I’m so excited to get out there with my teammates and try to get some wins and try to make it further in the playoffs.”
If and when they play together this month, Bronny thinks they can connect quickly. After all, he knows LeBron’s game pretty well.
“I don’t want to give all the answers to the test, but I’ve been watching him for a long time, and I’ve kind of picked up on his tendencies,” Bronny said with a grin. “I think it’s good that I’m paying attention during his career and what he likes to do in the postseason. I think we’ll be able to play good together. My IQ isn’t going to be far behind him, but I know what he’s doing and where he likes to get the ball on the floor.”
DENVER, CO – APRIL 6: Juan Mejia #47 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field on April 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies are riding a season-high six-game losing streak as they prepare for their series finale against the Houston Astros. Despite woes from multiple sources—starting pitching deficiencies, injuries, and a sputtering offense—the games have been close.
The Rockies could use a win tonight, not only to snap their losing streak but also because of what lies ahead: a four-game weekend wraparound series against the dreaded Los Angeles Dodgers. A loss tonight could open the Rockies up to the possibility of an 11-game losing streak… or worse.
With difficult outings from José Quintana and Michael Lorenzen eating into the bullpen, and Kyle Freeland on the injured list, the Rockies find themselves mixing things up on the mound. As such, they’ll be utilizing an opener tonight.
That opener will be right-handed reliever Juan Mejia. Mejia currently holds a 5.40 ERA over seven appearances and 8.1 innings this season with four walks and just five strikeouts. After impressing during the World Baseball Classic for the Domincan Republic, Mejia has struggled to find his footing. His last time out—at the beginning of this Houston series—he pitched a scoreless inning but also gave up two hits. Prior to that he had given up three earned runs in 0.1 innings against the Padres.
The Houston Astros also appear to be running a bullpen game this evening, and right-handed reliever Ryan Weiss will make the start for them. Weiss currently holds a 7.36 ERA over five appearances with 15 strikeouts over 11 innings of work.
Weiss has just one career appearance against the Rockies and it did not go well for him. Earlier this season at Coors Field he gave up seven runs—six earned—on eight hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. Weiss’ primary offering is a four-seam fastball that averages 95.7 MPH, and his secondary pitches consist of a sinker, a changeup, and a sweeper. He also throws the very occasional curveball.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 20: Max Strus #1 jokes with Jaylon Tyson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers gestures before game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Miami Heat at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This is it.
The last eight years for the Cleveland Cavaliers will come down to the next eight weeks. From LeBron James leaving town that jumpstarted a rebuild featuring Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. To acquiring Donovan Mitchell in 2022 to start their contention window. To multiple playoff failures, including last year’s catastrophe against the Pacers. To Garland being traded for James Harden in February.
This is without a doubt the most crucial, critical, important…you get the point. There is a lot riding on this Cavs playoff run. They have arguably their deepest and most talented roster of the Mitchell era. They have the experience now with a battle-tested group that is adding someone with 174 playoff games of their own in Harden. Now is the time for them to break through, and it starts with the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.
With that comes tough lineup decisions, and it will be on head coach Kenny Atkinson to push the right buttons. This is what his rotation should look like against the Raptors.
Starters: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
This lineup projects to be the most reliable and complete unit that Atkinson will put on the floor against Toronto. The sample size is extremely small with this group, but in the 75 possessions this five has shared the court, the Cavs have a +38.9 net rating.
Not much needs to be said about Harden and Mitchell. They are the orchestrators of the offense and are one of the more lethal backcourts in the league.
Wade, Mobley, and Allen have been Cleveland’s three best defenders for quite some time now. Their length, size, and switchability make them an extremely tough trio to get past on that end. In the 364 possessions those three have together this season, the Cavs have a 99.4 defensive rating. For a team that struggled on the defensive end at times this year, leaning on your best defenders will help alleviate those concerns.
Bench: Sam Merrill, Max Strus, Keon Ellis, Jaylon Tyson
The bench unit may not have as much size as the starters, but Atkinson will be able to stagger the minutes between the nine he ends up deciding on.
Merrill and Strus bring a lot of shooting, movement, and overall toughness that Cleveland is going to need from their role guys. Strus especially has a lot of playoff experience and has proven a willingness to do the dirty work and make winning plays.
Ellis has shown that he can be an absolute defensive menace for the Cavs. He is great at putting pressure on the ball, getting deflections and steals, and has enough length to disrupt ball-handlers. His offense has been a pleasant surprise as well, as he is knocking down nearly 36% of his threes and shooting 49% overall from the field.
The last spot should go to Tyson. When Cleveland was struggling early on in the season, he was one of the lone bright spots. His development into a key role player has been nothing short of amazing for the Cavs. His synergy with Mitchell in the short roll, his ability to knock down threes, and just playing with 110% effort every play is what Cleveland needs. All of the bench guys I mentioned have the toughness, spacing, and tenacity that make them the essential bench pieces.
Cutting Dennis Schroder from the initial rotation was a tough decision, but Schroder has struggled for the most part since he arrived in February. He’s shooting only 40% from the field and 29% from three. Atkinson could turn to him in spot minutes, and Schroder has enough defensive activity and veteran experience to be called upon at times, but he should not be a nightly fixture in the playoffs.
The Cavs have the star power and depth to make a run. It will be on Atkinson to push the right buttons against the Raptors and hopefully beyond. But this is how he should start out.
CLEVELAND (AP) — James Harden has amassed many accomplishments during his career, which will likely include a place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, Harden still has a glaring omission on his resume — a championship ring.
Harden sees his midseason trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers as his best opportunity yet for a postseason run culminating in an NBA title.
“It’s the truth. That’s why I’m here,” Harden said about the narrative of doing everything but winning a championship.
The Cavaliers open the NBA playoffs on Saturday when they host the Toronto Raptors. Harden has 90 playoff wins, second among players who have not won a championship. Karl Malone is atop the list with 98, but Harden could surpass him if Cleveland reaches the Eastern Conference finals.
Harden has played in 173 postseason games, third among players who haven’t won a championship. Malone is at 193, and John Stockton is next with 182.
The closest Harden has come to a championship was when Oklahoma City reached the NBA Finals in 2012, losing to the Miami Heat in five games. He reached the Western Conference finals with the Houston Rockets in 2015 and ’18, only to be knocked out by the Golden State Warriors.
“Run up against a dynasty, injuries. It’s a part of the game, though. … I don’t dwell on it. I don’t think back. It’s a part of it. It’s life,” Harden said. ‘I’m sure we all could look at ourselves and think about certain things that happened over the course of our life that just didn’t go our way and feel bad about it, feel sad about it. I don’t think like that. I just keep pushing.”
Harden’s last two trips to the postseason were with the Los Angeles Clippers and ended with first-round exits.
The Feb. 4 trade to Cleveland paired Harden with Donovan Mitchell, who also has experienced his share of postseason heartbreak. Mitchell is looking to reach a conference final for the first time in his nine-year career.
Harden is averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in his 26 games with the Cavaliers, who are 19-7 when “The Beard” is in the lineup. He is fourth in the league in assists (8.0), and his 23.6 points were 17th in the regular season. It was also his highest scoring average since 2020-21.
Coach Kenny Atkinson described Harden as a teacher in describing his impact on the team in a short time.
“He’s very bold, extroverted in talking with those guys, and it’s a huge help. He knows the things I don’t even see all the time,” Atkinson said.
“He’s like ‘Hey, they’re going to send Don left, can we flip the screen at this angle?’ and ‘Can we move the ball over to this side of the court so we’ve got more space to take away their gaps?’ I think he translates that message to the coaches and players,” Atkinson said.
The biggest question for Cleveland going into the playoffs is if its core four of Harden, Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen have had enough time together?
With just seven games and 92 minutes together, the quartet has delivered impressive results — outscoring opponents by 26.7 points per 100 possessions — but it has been a short stretch.
“We know the talent is there, but the problem is, when you don’t have a lot of chemistry going into high-stress situations like the playoffs, and against a team like Toronto who, I mean, let’s face it, they’ve got some guys that get after you — Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram — they understand the gravity of it all and they play hard, they play together,” NBC Sports analyst Reggie Miller said.
Harden isn’t concerned about the lack of minutes with his teammates, noting that Mitchell, Mobley, and Allen have played together for four seasons.
“It probably took me a game or two just to figure out where they like the ball and what to do, what not to do, and so I’m pretty familiar,” Harden said. “In the postseason for the most part, they’re going to guard you one way until game three, maybe game four, and make an adjustment. We’ll figure out what works, figure out how they guard us, and then talk about how we can adjust and counter them.
“So I’m not really worried about the (lack of) minutes. I’m more focused on us and our operations and our force against their defense.”
