Crown Down (And Out?)

04/30/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning!

It’s hard to close out a team with two future Hall of Famers, but Jamal Murray is the Laker Breaker. The Nuggets nixed the Lakers from the postseason last night with Murray’s second game-winner of the series. LeBron James was asked if it was his last game with L.A. He responded after a lengthy pause: “Umm… I’m not gonna answer that.”

Get ready for an offseason of speculation around Bronny’s transfer/draft decision and LeBron’s next move. He has a player option heading into the summer.

Letter Rip!

______________________________________________________________________________________

NBA PLAYOFFS

Crown Down: Murray Breaks Lakers… Again

*(Jamal Murray Celebrates Game-Winner in Game 5) — Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images*

Jamal Murray Hits Another Game-Winner to Eliminate Lakers (108-106), Thunder Sweep Pelicans (97-89) as New Age Western Conference Emerges

If it wasn’t already, it’s officially a new era in the NBA’s Western Conference. Jamal Murray (32 points) hit another game-winner to sink the Lakers late last night (108-106) and send LeBron James to an early vacation in five games (4-1). Murray also hit a walk-off winner in Game 2. This was a 10-foot floater with just over 3 seconds left. Nikola Jokic (25-20-9) was magnificent while James (30-11-9) gave it his all. All future questions aside, LeBron is 39 years old and flirting with playoff triple-doubles. The King’s crown might be slipping, but c’mon.

In the early game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 pts, 10 rebs) led the Thunder to a first-round sweep of the Pelicans (97-89), and the second round of the West is starting to favor the new kids on the block. Keep in mind that Jokic (29) and Murray (27) aren’t even 30 years old. Anthony Edwards (22) and the Timberwolves and SGA (25) and the Thunder both swept first-round opponents. Luka Doncic (25) is also still competing.

Changing of the Guard: The take-home point is simple. This is the first time in the last 20 years (2003) that LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant were all absent from the playoffs after the first round, and half of the first-round series have yet to be decided. Insert Edwards, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Doncic (all 25 years or younger) chasing the Nuggets. Victor Wembanyama is also lurking. It’s a new era.

NBA Playoff Highlights (Round 1)

Gm 5: Nuggets def. Lakers (108-106)

DEN Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 4: Thunder def. Pelicans (97-89)

OKC Sweeps NOP (4-0)

Gm 4: Celtics def. Heat (102-88)

BOS Leads Series (3-1)

*Derrick White (38 pts) Erupts With Eight 3s

Updated NBA Playoff Bracket

The Nuggets and Timberwolves will meet in Round 2 while the Thunder await the winner of the Mavs-Clippers series. No East team has advanced, but that could change tonight.

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: 76ers at Knicks (7:00 pm ET, TNT)

NYK Leads Series (3-1)

Gm 5: Magic at Cavaliers (8:00 pm ET, NBATV)

Series Tied (2-2)

Gm 5: Pacers at Bucks (9:30 pm ET, TNT)

IND Leads Series (3-1)

B/R: Thunder Sweep Pels Amid Zion Injury as NBA Fans Applaud SGA

______________________________________________________________________________________

NHL PLAYOFFS

Prowling Into Round 2

*(Aleksander Barkov Celebrates Goal on Monday Night) — Photo: Icon Sportswire / Getty Images*

Panthers Score 4 Goals in 3rd Period to Pound Lightning (6-1), Advance to Quarterfinals

The All-Florida series ended up, well… all Florida. The Panthers absolutely buried the Lightning last night (6-1) in a closeout game that means more than you might think. Florida is one of the few teams to never win a Stanley Cup despite two trips to the Finals. Last year’s loss to the Golden Knights still weighs heavy, and a Round 1 speed run past their in-state rivals should go a long way toward igniting another deep playoff push. Aleksander Barkov (2G, 1A) and Carter Verhaeghe (2G, 1A) were both brilliant in Game 5, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (31 saves) put a lid on the net. Both Matthew Tkachuk (9 pts) and Verhaeghe (9 pts) are tied for 2nd among all skaters in points this postseason. Only Connor McDavid (who else?) has more.

Stanley Cup Playoff Highlights (Round 1)

Gm 5: Panthers def. Lightning (6-1)

FLA Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 4: Stars def. Golden Knights (4-2)

Series Tied (2-2)

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: Maple Leafs at Bruins (7:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 5: Islanders at Hurricanes (7:30 pm ET, TBS)

Gm 5: Avalanche at Jets (9:30 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 5: Predators at Canucks (10:00 pm ET, TBS)

NHL: Stars Edge Golden Knights in Game 4 to Even 1st Round Series

______________________________________________________________________________________

MLB

The Swoosh Push

Nike’s New MLB Jerseys Have Been Shredded by Players & Fans. Here’s What Happens Next…

One of the more bizarre topics we’ve touched on over the past month continues to make headlines. The MLB’s 2024 uniform fiasco has made enough waves to enact a league-wide change. Players have complained over the first month of the season that Nike’s new Vapor Premier threads have extensive issues, including small lettering, mismatched tops and bottoms, and a much more sweaty experience. Some of the pants are a little too… revealing. So what happens next?

The MLBPA (players union) heard the calls from players over the past month and took action. A lot of public outcry was initially aimed at Fanatics, but they were absolved by the union after the MLBPA blamed Nike for “innovating something that didn’t need to be innovated.” Changes are coming, but they’re not coming quickly.

Nike’s partnership with MLB began in 2019 when it became the league’s uniform supplier as part of a 10-year, $1 billion contract. And even though both Nike and MLB are working toward a fix, reports suggest jersey changes might not happen until 2025. Enjoy the summer heat, boys!

CBS Sports: MLB & Nike Don’t Plan to Fix Uniforms Until 2025 Season, Per Report

______________________________________________________________________________________

HIGHLIGHTS

MLB

Twins def. White Sox (3-2)

Minnesota Wins League-Best 8th Straight Game

Orioles def. Yankees (2-0)

Gunnar Henderson’s HR the Difference in Pitcher’s Duel

Blue Jays def. Royals (6-5)

Justin Turner Hits First 2 HRs at Home in Toronto

Cubs def. Mets (3-1)

Jameson Taillon & Luis Severino Pitcher Duel Spoiled Late

Soccer

SPA: Barcelona def. Valencia (4-2)

Vintage Robert Lewandowski Nets Hat Trick

Tennis (Madrid Open)

M: Rafael Nadal Survives Scare From Pedro Cachin

W: Madison Keys Takes Down Coco Gauff in 3-Set Thriller

______________________________________________________________________________________

STORYLINES

Kentucky Derby Week

The wild sports calendar of 2024 is rolling on as the first week of May is officially here. That means it’s time for the 2024 Kentucky Derby, so grab a mint julep and get ready to watch some of the world’s best racehorses compete in “The Run for the Roses.” (Sporting News)

Candace Parker’s Goodbye

One of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time called it a career on Sunday. Candace Parker was a two-time WNBA MVP, a three-time champion, and a staple of basketball coverage off the court for TNT. No parades. No farewell tours. Just Candace. (The Athletic)

Champions League Semi Picks

One thing is for certain: We will have a new winner of the UEFA Champions League this season. Four clubs remain. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid kick off the semi-final round today before PSG and Borussia Dortmund clash tomorrow. Who has the edge? (B/R)

______________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS

Former Eagles’ Legend Jason Kelce Joins ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Countdown’ (SI)

Cowboys Reunite With Former RB Ezekiel Elliot on 1-Year, $3 Million Deal (B/R)

Recently Retired Former NFL MVP Matt Ryan Joining ‘The NFL Today’ (CBS Sports)

Mike Tyson & Jake Paul Set Rules for 8-Round, Pro-Sanctioned Netflix Fight (USA Today)

Seattle Kraken Fire Coach Dave Hakstol After Year 3 Dive, Missed Playoffs (ESPN)

College Sports Leaders in Talks to Settle NIL Antitrust Case Against NCAA (ABC News)

Chiefs Sign TE Travis Kelce to 2-Year, $34 Million Extension (AP)

______________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE

Today’s Must-Watch List