Magic’s Franz Wagner available against Hawks on Wednesday, expected to be on a minutes restriction

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will be available in Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Wagner is expected to be on a minutes restriction, according to the Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Beede. Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said pre-game that they’ll “be smart about it” and “very diligent” with how they handle his minutes. Wagner last played Feb. 11 after suffering an ankle injury.

Injuries have kept Wagner out for most of the year, including the last 15 games. When healthy this season, the 24-year-old has started 26 of the 28 games he has played in. 

Wagner has performed well when he has been on the court, averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 47.9% from the field and 36.5% from 3.

Magic point guard Anthony Black has also been out with injuries. Black was ruled out against the Hawks and has missed the last 14 games with a core injury. Black is in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 45.1% from the field.

In their absence, the Magic have struggled, winning three of their last 10 games. The Magic were able to bounce back in Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns after giving up a 31-0 run in Sunday’s 139-87 blowout loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Magic are 40-35 and currently the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Orioles beat Rangers on MLB’s first-ever game-ending ABS challenge

The first week of the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system has providedplenty ofhighlights across MLB. Wednesday’s matinee between the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers provided a historic moment in the technology’s history: the first game-ending challenge.

The Orioles led the Rangers 8-3 with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. Rangers outfielder Evan Carter was at-bat with a 1-2 count. Albert Suárez’s pitch was judged by home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez to be outside for ball two. Baltimore catcher Samuel Basallo immediately tapped the top of his head to signify a challenge.

The result? Ballgame over. Orioles win.

“I think we had two [challenges remaining] at that point,” Basallo said through an interpreter, via the Associated Press. “I thought why not use it? Better to use it and see what happens instead of holding onto it.”

The win improved the Orioles’ record to 3-3 to conclude a six-game homestand to open the season. They’ll hit the road Friday for games at the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox.

When asked about his opinion on ABS, Suárez said, via MLB.com’s Jake Rill, “I think I like it more after what happened today.”

This wasn’t the first time an ABS challenged helped the Orioles in a big spot. On Sunday, Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton was ejected after he erupted over a decision that was made in the ninth inning of an 8-6 loss.

Umpire C.B. Bucknor helped off field by trainers after taking foul ball directly to the face mask

MLB umpire C.B. Bucknor was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning after taking a foul ball directly off his face mask.

The incident occurred with two outs in the inning and Rays catcher Nick Fortes at the plate. Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski threw an inside fastball on a 1-2 count. Fortes swung just under the ball, knocking it directly behind him and slightly up, causing it to collide with Bucknor’s face mask.

Bucknor, 63, immediately stumbled to the ground and was tended to by Brewers catcher William Contreras before trainers got out to the field. Bucknor was evaluated and eventually able to stand under his own power, but it was determined that he should leave the contest. He left the field with trainers, though was mostly able to walk on his own. Members of the Brewers’ training staff assisted Bucknor as he walked into the team’s dugout to leave the contest.

The incident came a day after Bucknor was involved in a controversial play call at first base. During Tuesday’s game — a 6-2 win by the Brewers — Bucknor erroneously claimed Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers did not touch first base while attempting to beat a throw. The play was challenged and clearly showed Bauers touching the base. Bucknor’s umpiring error was overturned, causing both managers to laugh at the sequence of events.

Near the end of that sequence, Brewers play-by-play announcer Jeff Levering quipped, “I’m really excited for him to have the plate tomorrow,” obviously not knowing Bucknor would exit the game early.

On Sunday, Bucknor also caught flak from fans for having consecutive calls overturned during a crucial at-bat. Cincinnati Reds fans erupted in cheers after both of Bucknor’s calls were wrong.

It’s unclear whether Bucknor will miss additional time after leaving Wednesday’s game.

This story will be updated.

76ers, Joel Embiid send mixed messages over whether center is playing vs. Wizards: ‘Must be April Fools joke’

Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey confirmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that Joel Embiid will not play Wednesday following a few hours of confusion.

Ahead of the 76ers’ game against the Washington Wizards, the team announced Embiid would miss the contest due to an illness, but the center posted on social media that his injury designation must have been an “April Fools joke.”

In his tweet, Embiid mentioned he played against the Miami Heat on Monday despite the same symptoms.

Morey said that the team had Embiid visit a doctor after he missed a film session on Wednesday morning.

The most recent NBA injury report also has Embiid as being ruled “out” for the contest.

The 32-year-old center was productive during that game, scoring 26 points and pulling down seven rebounds in the 119-109 loss.

The 76ers did not participate in a shoot-around Wednesday, instead opting to do a film session at the team’s hotel, per the Inquirer. Embiid’s shoes were reportedly laid out at a court-side seat before shoot-around was canceled.

The 76ers big man has been limited to just 36 games this season due to various injuries. When on the court, he’s been productive, averaging 26.9 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Where to watch Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 1

The Boston Celtics, who have already clinched a playoff berth, face the Miami Heat, who are aiming to move in the play-in tournament seeding. Boston is the favorite with a moneyline of -220.0.

  • Boston Celtics: 50-25 (No. 1 in Atlantic Division)

  • Miami Heat: 40-36 (No. 3 in Eastern Southeast Division)

  • Spread: Miami Heat +5.5

  • Moneyline: Miami Heat +180 / Boston Celtics -220

  • Over/Under: 228.5

Where to watch Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 1

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels close out their series after splitting the first two games. Yusei Kikuchi takes the mound for the Angels against Matthew Boyd. The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -165.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 1

  • Time: 2:20 p.m. ET / 11:20 a.m. PT

  • Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago

  • TV Channels: Marquee Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network West

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Los Angeles Angels: 3-3 (No. 3 in AL West)

  • Chicago Cubs: 2-3 (No. 4 in NL Central)

  • Spread: Chicago Cubs -1.5

  • Moneyline: Chicago Cubs -165 / Los Angeles Angels 140

  • Over/Under: 6

Los Angeles Angels: Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, ERA: 4.15, K: 3, WHIP: 2.08)
Chicago Cubs: Matthew Boyd (0-1, ERA: 14.73, K: 7, WHIP: 1.91)

Weather: 40°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,363 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

NBA touts ‘significant interest’ from investors in European league

In coordination with FIBA, the NBA on Tuesday touted “significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors” for a new league to operate in Europe.

“The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace’s belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said in a statement. “We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent.”

This comes days after Tatum presented an update on the NBA’s vision at the board of governors meeting. No votes were taken on the matter in New York, but owners continue to express “overwhelming support” for the plan, sources told Yahoo Sports.

As NBA commissioner Adam Silver outlined in a press conference last week, the NBA is working with investment banks J.P. Morgan and Raine, “soliciting interest” from “over a hundred organizations” to field teams in “12 separate markets” across Europe.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference during the NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / REUTERS

“There has been enormous enthusiasm,” said Silver.

London, Paris and Rome are expected to be among the 12 markets. Spain, Germany, Greece and Turkey have also been mentioned in league circles as potential locations.

Prospective teams would come from some collection of: 1) existing basketball teams, 2) existing soccer organizations interested in establishing a basketball program, or 3) entirely new ownership groups. Multiple EuroLeague teams are among several existing basketball organizations that have submitted their bids, sources said.

The NBA has received multiple bids for prospective franchises in a range between $500 million and $1 billion, including several offers north of $1 billion, sources said.

The NBA is tentatively targeting a start date of October 2027 for the new league.

Silver has also been encouraged by “ongoing discussions” with the EuroLeague’s new CEO, as of January, Chus Bueno, who spent 12 years in the NBA’s front office.

“I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague on a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe,” he said. “That means complementing country leagues, working together with the EuroLeague and working together with our federation, FIBA.”

The EuroLeague was organized by FIBA in 1958 and run by the federation until 2000.

The NBA’s most recent announcement of “significant interest” in a European-based league comes at the same time as it considers expanding itself to 32 teams. The NBA is seeking offers in a $7 billion-10 billion range for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle.

Where to watch Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 1

The Houston Astros (4-2) will play host to the Boston Red Sox (1-4) in the final game of their series. Garrett Crochet starts for Boston, while Mike Burrows takes the mound for Houston.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 1

  • Time: 2:10 p.m. ET / 11:10 a.m. PT

  • Where: Daikin Park, Houston

  • TV Channels: Space City Home Network, NESN

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Boston Red Sox: 1-4 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Houston Astros: 4-2 (No. 2 in AL West)

  • Spread: Houston Astros +1.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Astros 125 / Boston Red Sox -150

  • Over/Under: 7

Boston Red Sox: Garrett Crochet (1-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 8, WHIP: 0.83)
Houston Astros: Mike Burrows (0-1, ERA: 7.94, K: 6, WHIP: 1.94)

Weather: 78°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,000 | Roof: Retractable | Surface: Grass