May 2026

There were 588 posts published in May 2026 (this is page 55 of 59).

Orioles closer Ryan Helsley lands on injured list, becomes team’s 12th player on IL

Despite a horde of injuries, the Baltimore Orioles are hanging around in the AL East more than a month into their first season under manager Craig Albernaz. They entered a four-game road series against in New York on Friday with a 15-16 record and a third-place standing in the division, five games back of the first-place Yankees.

But in a season that’s even seen Albernaz weather a broken jaw and several facial fractures, the injury bug keeps biting.

The Orioles announced ahead of their series opener in the Bronx that they’ve placed closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday. He’s dealing with right elbow inflammation, according to the Orioles. Right-hander Albert Suárez, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk, will replace Helsley on the 26-man roster.

Baltimore now has 12 players on the IL.

The 31-year-old Helsley is in his first season with the Orioles. He’s coming off a rough 2025 campaign, which he started with the St. Louis Cardinals and ended with the New York Mets after being traded at the deadline; however, just two seasons ago, he was MLB’s saves leader.

Helsley made both of his All-Star appearances with the Cardinals, first in 2022 and then in 2024. He signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Orioles this past offseason.

Helsley came into Friday tied for fourth in the majors with seven saves this time around. He’s a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities this season and is posting a 2.53 ERA through 10 2/3 innings.

Last week, he was on the bereavement/family medical emergency list. He missed one save opportunity, and that went to rookie right-hander Anthony Nunez, who got the job done in an 8-6 win over the Kansas City Royals on April 22.

In Helsley’s absence, Baltimore is expected to use multiple arms from an impressive Orioles bullpen to close out games, Nunez among them.

As for Suárez, he could start on Sunday against the Yankees, considering lefty Trevor Rogers is on the 15-day IL with an illness. Rogers and Helsley are part of the dozen Orioles who are sidelined.

The others are starting pitchers Dean Kremer (quad) and Zach Eflin (elbow), first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (foot), second baseman Jackson Holliday (hamate), third baseman Jordan Westburg (elbow), outfielder Heston Kjerstad (hamstring) and relief pitchers Dietrich Enns (foot), Yaramil Hiraldo (shoulder), Colin Selby (shoulder) and Félix Bautista (shoulder).

Unfortunately for Baltimore, this is nothing new. The Orioles used the IL 39 times for 29 players in 2025, per MLB.com.

How Knicks’ versatility overwhelmed the Hawks and why it matters going forward in the playoffs

After a brutal Game 3 loss in Atlanta put New York in a 2-1 hole, many thought their worst fears about this team were realized. There was no cohesion — the offense looked directionless, the defense debilitated by the team’s best player.

The three games that followed were a complete reversal. The Knicks topped the Hawks by 16, 29, and a whopping 51 points to close the series, making their strongest statement of readiness to contend to date.

It was only the first round against an upstart team, but it may have solidified what this team’s winning identity will be these playoffs: versatility. The postseason is all about matchups and adjustments, and the Knicks have all the talent, but sometimes struggle with utilizing it.

It didn’t look that way to close out the Hawks. Everything coach Mike Brown preached and implemented was executed to glowing perfection. The Knicks ate the early struggle and adjusted to win the series — here’s how.

Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown talks to guard Jose Alvarado (5) against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Their biggest issue through three games was the offense — completely freezing down the stretch of Game 2 and well into Game 3. Jalen Brunson struggled outside of the first quarter of the postseason, and the Knicks failed to get other creators to pick up the slack.

They corrected this by getting Brunson off-ball much more and running their offense through their most glaring advantage — Karl-Anthony Towns. Every half-court possession moved through him in the pinch post, as Brown and the Knicks employed flex action to create cutters and space.

This gave Brunson many easier opportunities and higher-efficiency outputs, and opened the door for OG Anunoby to step up. The Knicks needed more scoring with the slow start from their guards, and shifted more offense in a favorable direction with Anunoby able to use his size to explode in the series.

None of this would work if not for the work that Towns and Brown put in during the regular season. It took some time for the two to find synchronicity in the offense, with many of these added creation reps causing friction early in the year.

It’s certainly paying off now as Towns looked prepared to leverage this Hawks matchup, patiently picking off their defense with strong decision-making and raw talent. A triple-double amid a career series from Towns and 22-and-9 averages from Anunoby later, and the Knicks are advancing in their most dominant fashion in years.

Brown also switched up the bench rotation for more ball handling, inserting Jose Alvarado and making sure that he and Jordan Clarkson were playing if Brunson wasn’t.

Defensively, Brunson was getting picked on while guarding CJ McCollum. Brown turned to veteran Josh Hart for the assignment, moving Brunson onto Dyson Daniels with both stepping up in the new defensive alignment to swing the series.

Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) shoots past Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) in the second quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Now, have the Knicks figured out they need to be running their offense through Towns’ high-post creation and making Anunoby their bona fide third scorer? That may have worked against Atlanta, but Boston or Philadelphia offer different challenges.

Towns won’t have the same advantages versus Joel Embiid, and New York’s likely to see much more drop next round, no matter its opponent. Maybe we’ll see different bench pieces to combat the different issues they face

Going up against Boston could make for more of a Mikal Bridges series, coming off last year’s run when he scored more than 20 in Games 4 and 6. Anunoby will be dealing with much tougher wings, and Bridges is much more comfortable against conservative pick-and-roll defenses and smaller guards.

The point is, fans who spent the regular season fretting about an identity or the team’s constant evolution were missing the bigger picture. These Knicks are built to win any way necessary, not in one specific one — this is a feature, not a bug.

They spent the regular season fidgeting with schemes, lineups and rotations for this championship run, so that if Brunson has a slow series, or Towns an unfavorable matchup, they have other options in their back pocket that have been tried and tested. It may have taken longer than necessary against the Hawks, but we saw what that ability to adapt looks like fully unlocked.

They’ll need to be even more ready against a tougher foe like the Celtics or 76ers. Styles make fights, now let’s see if the Knicks are truly prepared for the bouts ahead.

Cavs at Raptors Game 6 open gamethread

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 26: Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Ja’Kobe Walter #14 of the Toronto Raptors during Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to close out the Toronto Raptors tonight. Will they do it?

Share your thoughts as the game unfolds. If you aren’t a member of the community, sign up so you can talk to your fellow Cavalier fans and make your voice heard!

Go Cavs!

Pistons vs. Magic Discussion: Game Time, TV, Odds, and More

Apr 27, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) passes in front of Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first quarter during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

As the Detroit Pistons look to force a game 7 in their first-round series against the Orlando Magic, they need every advantage they can get. As they visit Orlando to face the Magic on their home floor, the Pistons can take solace that with a vital forward on each team’s respective injury report, Detroit’s is going to suit up tonight while Orlando’s remains out. Tobias Harris was questionable with an ankle sprain that he toughed out in Game 5, but his status for Game 6 was iffy. He will suit up in tonight’s elimination game. Orlando, meanwhile, will be without forward Franz Wagner for the second consecutive game because of a right calf strain.

That doesn’t mean tonight’s game will be easy for Detroit. Far from it. If there is anything we’ve learned in this series it is that nothing is coming easy to either team. Still, the lack of Wagner should hypothetically open up the floor a bit for Cade Cunningham, who won’t have to worry about Wagner switching onto him. It should also help Harris, for however much he is able to go tonight, as the Magic don’t have a comparable player with his size, strength, and defensive fortitude to keep Harris off his favorite low block.

The Pistons will need more, though. They will need Cade Cunningham to have another stellar game. Cade scored 45, a Pistons playoff record, in Game 5, but it barely kept them ahead because the Magic’s Paolo Banchero matched him seemingly shot for shot. That included an insane shooting night from deep that Detroit will have to hope Wagner cannot repeat. They will also have to ensure that the 3-point shooting touch doesn’t simply migrate over to Desmond Bane, who can pop off for six or more threes relatively easily. Detroit will need to hit some threes of their own, whether they come from Cunningham, Harris, or somehow getting Duncan Robinson untracked a bit.

This has been a wild postseason in each conference, and it feels like anything can happen. Well, anything can happen tonight. I’m not sure if that instills more confidence or fear into me.

Game Vitals

When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
Watch: Amazon Prime
Odds: Pistons -3.5

Projected Lineups

Detroit Pistons (2-3)

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Orlando Magic (3-2)

Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Jamal Cain, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr

Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Game 6 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, May 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers can advance to the second round of the playoffs with a victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 6. The Cavs lead the series 3-2 after winning Game 5. Cleveland is 3.5-point favorites against the Raptors, who could be without Brandon Ingram. The over/under is set at 219.5 with a spread of 3.5.

  • Spread: Toronto Raptors +3.5

  • Moneyline: Toronto Raptors +145 (39.1%) / Cleveland Cavaliers -174 (60.9%)

  • Over/Under: 219.5

Game 1:Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Game 2:Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
Game 3:Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Game 4:Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
Game 5:Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120
*Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Toronto (7:30 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Cleveland (TBD)

*if necessary

Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Game 6 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, May 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers can advance to the second round of the playoffs with a victory over the Toronto Raptors in Game 6. The Cavs lead the series 3-2 after winning Game 5. Cleveland is 3.5-point favorites against the Raptors, who could be without Brandon Ingram. The over/under is set at 219.5 with a spread of 3.5.

  • Spread: Toronto Raptors +3.5

  • Moneyline: Toronto Raptors +145 (39.1%) / Cleveland Cavaliers -174 (60.9%)

  • Over/Under: 219.5

Game 1:Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Game 2:Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
Game 3:Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Game 4:Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
Game 5:Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120
*Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Toronto (7:30 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Cleveland (TBD)

*if necessary

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics Game 7s: A look at the history of a rivalry

It’s fitting that Philadelphia and Boston are facing off in a Game 7 on Sunday — no two franchises have faced each other more Game 7s than these two. This will be the ninth time in a rivalry that dates back to 1959.

It’s not just head-to-head, these teams are in a lot of Game 7s, period. The Celtics have the most Game 7 wins all-time (27) while the 76ers have the most Game 7 losses (12).

Sunday will be a record ninth Game 7 between these franchises, with Boston leading 6-2 heading into this season. Here’s a quick look at the history of these games.

1959 Eastern Conference Finals

How long ago was this? It was the year the Barbie Doll was first released, and Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” first hit theaters. It was so long ago that the 76ers were the Syracuse Nationals.

Boston came from eight down at the half to win 130-125, behind 18 points and 32 rebounds from Bill Russell, while Bob Cousy had 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

1965 Eastern Conference Finals

This game is legendary among Celtics faithful.

Boston was up one with five seconds left, but Philadelphia was inbounding the ball and had a chance. Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek deflected the inbounds pass, leading famed Celtics radio announcer Johnny Most to yell, “Havlicek stole the ball! Havlicek stole the ball!”

Boston ran out the clock after that for the 110-109 win.

Talk about a stat line in a loss: The 76ers’ Wilt Chamberlain had 30 points and 32 rebounds on the night.

1968 Eastern Conference Finals

This series has echoes of this season, but with the roles reversed.

That season, 62-win Philadelphia was the No. 1 seed and took a commanding 3-1 series lead (despite dropping the first game at home). Then Boston stormed back to win the next two, forcing a Game 7 in Philadelphia. Under the bright lights, the 76ers struggled and shot just 35.2% (and just 55.6% on free throws), while Boston got a triple-double from Bill Russell (12 points, 26 rebounds and 10 blocks) and got the win, 100-96.

1977 East Semi-Finals

Boston had forced a Game 7 against No. 1-seeded Philadelphia, but on the biggest stage, it was a 76ers reserve that stole the show — World B. Free scored 27 points to lead Philadelphia.

The 76ers also got 14 points and eight rebounds from their first-year player, Julius Erving. The 76ers advanced to the NBA Finals that season (where they lost to Bill Walton’s Trail Blazers; the 76ers returned to the Finals the next year and swept the Lakers).

1981 Eastern Conference Finals

This was the series where the legend of Larry Bird’s Celtics really started to grow.

Boston and Philadelphia had been the two best teams in the league this season (both with 62 wins), but in the playoffs it looked like the 76ers were going to dominate, up 3-1 in the series, and they led by 10 points at halftime of Game 5. Boston won and forced a Game 6. There, the 76ers were up 17 at one point, only to have the Celtics storm back and force a Game 7. In that final game, Bird had 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and he hit the game-winner to give Boston the 91-90 win.

The Celtics went on to win the NBA title that season.

1982 Eastern Conference Finals

This was the chance for Philadelphia’s revenge from the year before. Just like the season before, the 76ers got up 3-1 in the series only to have Boston storm back and force a Game 7. However, this time, in the Boston Garden, it was all Philly that day, behind 34 points and six assists from Andrew Toney, with Julius Erving adding 29 points.

How this series applies to 2026: This is the only time that Philadelphia has ever won a Game 7 on the road, and the last time the 76ers beat the Celtics in a playoff series, period.

2012 East Semi-Finals

In the playoffs of a lockout-shortened season, these teams met for the first time in a decade and played their first Game 7 in 20 years. Boston pulled away in the fourth quarter behind a triple-double from Rajon Rondo (18 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds) while Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 13 boards.

2023 East Semi-Finals

Philadelphia fans will remember this as a series that never should have gotten to a Game 7 — once again, Philadelphia led 3-1 in the series and, in this case, led entering the fourth quarter of Game 6 at home, yet could not close it out.

Boston fans will remember this as Jayson Tatum’s 51-point game — the most ever scored in a Game 7.

Behind him, the Celtics pulled away in the second and third quarters, cruising to a 112-88 win at home.

Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Game 6 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, May 1

The Los Angeles Lakers will try to end their first-round series with the Houston Rockets in Game 6. After trailing 3-0, the Rockets have extended the series by winning the past two games. The Houston Rockets are favored by 3.5 points. The over/under for the matchup is set at 206.5.

  • Spread: Houston Rockets -3.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -169 (60.3%) / Los Angeles Lakers +142 (39.7%)

  • Over/Under: 206.5

Game 1:Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Game 2:Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Game 3:Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT)
Game 4:Rockets 115, Lakers 96
Game 5:Rockets 99, Lakers 93
Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Houston (9:30 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Los Angeles (TBD)

*if necessary

Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets Game 6 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Friday, May 1

The Los Angeles Lakers will try to end their first-round series with the Houston Rockets in Game 6. After trailing 3-0, the Rockets have extended the series by winning the past two games. The Houston Rockets are favored by 3.5 points. The over/under for the matchup is set at 206.5.

  • Spread: Houston Rockets -3.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -169 (60.3%) / Los Angeles Lakers +142 (39.7%)

  • Over/Under: 206.5

Game 1:Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Game 2:Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Game 3:Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT)
Game 4:Rockets 115, Lakers 96
Game 5:Rockets 99, Lakers 93
Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Houston (9:30 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Los Angeles (TBD)

*if necessary

Warriors, Steve Kerr had ‘productive’ meeting. What will happen next?

Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. met with Steve Kerr about the status of his job earlier this week.

Kerr’s coaching contract is expiring and there hasn’t been any indication whether he would want to return, or whether the Warriors want him back at the helm. According to ESPN, the three had a two-hour meeting Monday that was described as “productive.”

Following their meeting, the consensus is that the parties are at a standstill. Although discussions are expected to continue into the upcoming week, there is seemingly no urgency to come to a decision. As one source told ESPN, “It’s April. We don’t need to rush.”

According to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, the drawn out process isn’t a matter of a contract negotiation over dollars, but instead about “professional and personal principles.”

“From what I understand, (Kerr) in those meetings didn’t sound like someone who didn’t plan on coaching next season,” one league source told NBC Sports Bay Area.

Another league source told NBC Sports Bay Area: “I think it’s more like 50-50 that he comes back. When the season ended, I would have said it was at least 60-40 that he’d leave.”

There are reportedly contingencies from both sides. Kerr wants to ensure the roster is competitive. The 12th-year coach who has won four championships appears to not be interested in rebuilding or development.

“I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas and all that,” Kerr said following the Warriors’ play-in loss to the Suns.

Kerr has loved his time coaching in the Bay Area, especially coaching Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. That could be enough to keep him around. But also, it could be a gripe for the front office.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the front office would like to see Kerr welcome younger players into his coaching schemes and demand more accountability from older players, including Curry and Green.

The other elephant in the room is Kerr’s outspokenness on sociopolitical issues. Andscape’s Marc J. Spears suggests that he could leave for “fatigue” but also due to the possibility he’s “being stifled a little bit.”

“Maybe fatigue. There’s a weight that comes with that job. This is a franchise that is expected to have greatness, whether it has it on the roster or not. It’s a brand now. You got Steph, so if you trot Steph out there, you have Draymond out there, people expect something great. There’s a weight that comes with that,” Spears said during an April 21 appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs” radio show.

He added: “I also think that Steve also truly respects the weight of the job that he has, the weight of the platform that he has. He speaks out on social justice issues, he speaks out on racism issues, he speaks out on gun violence and I’ve heard a little bit that maybe he’s being stifled a little bit in that regard. I’d like to find out a little more than that, if that’s true or not, dig deeper into that . . . I’m hearing that might be something in the background.”

With all that being said, Spears said with all he’s heard, “everything is up to Kerr.”