Double Drama: What Just Happened?

04/23/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

What’s Up, Brother(s)

It’s Tuesday. Special teams. Special players. Special plays. Some of you won’t get that reference, and that’s okay. We had to channel Sketch in celebration of some “special plays” last night.

Two of the best NBA Playoff games ever seen (back-to-back)? Yes, please. Plus, Hot Scottie, an umpire’s blunder, and QBs in the news.

Check Tuesday!

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NBA PLAYOFFS

Double Drama: ‘What Just Happened?’

*Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images*

Jamal Murray’s Game-Winner Caps 20-Point Nuggets Rally (101-99); Knicks Go On 8-Point Run in Final 30 Seconds (104-101)

The phrase ‘WHAT JUST HAPPENED?’ (all caps) was trending on X/Twitter last night during the NBA Playoff games, and that pretty much sums it up. The end of the Knicks-76ers Game 2 was pure chaos — an 8-0 run in the final 27 seconds by the Knicks. A few hours later, the Nuggets rallied from 20 points down to beat the Lakers with a game-winning buzzer-beater by Jamal Murray. If you’re a Lakers or Sixers fan, you took an absolute gut punch. Two would-be wins, stripped by late-game shot-makers… What a night to be a basketball fan.

“Best doubleheader in TNT history?” — Ernie Johnson

“I don’t think I’ve seen two better games.” — Charles Barkley

Gm 2: Knicks def. 76ers (104-101)

New York trailed Philly by five (101-96) at Madison Square Garden late last night, but this Knicks team gutted their way to a win in one wild finish. Jalen Brunson got a friendly bounce on a 3 with 27 seconds left, and the Knicks stole the inbounds with some scrappy defense (and probably a foul). Another 3 from Donte DiVincenzo sent MSG into bedlam (102-101). A six-point run in 14 seconds flipped the game, and New York hit a pair of free throws before Joel Embiid’s game-tying 3 attempt hit the back of the rim. A stunner in the Garden. ‘WHAT JUST HAPPENED?’ indeed. Joel Embiid (34 pts) and Tyrese Maxey (35 pts) put up big numbers, but the Knicks control the series. NYK Leads Series (2-0)

Gm 2: Nuggets def. Lakers (101-99)

Jamal Murray, take a bow! On a night when the Lakers came out hot and went up by 20 in the third quarter, viewers likely turned off the West Coast game and went to bed. Mistake. The defending champs rallied, slowly but surely, pulling to within 10 by the start of the 4th and tying it up in the final minute. Tied 99-all in the final 30 seconds, LeBron James missed a 3, and Jamal Murray drove to the right wing and put a fadeaway jumper in Anthony Davis’ face for a crazy game-winner. LeBron James (26-12-8), Anthony Davis (32 pts, 11 rebs), and D’Angelo Russell (23 pts) threw the Nuggets their best punch, and it still wasn’t enough. The trio of Nikola Jokic (27-20-10), Michael Porter Jr. (22 pts, 9 rebs) and Murray (20 pts) were sensational in the final 20 minutes. The champs are in charge after the largest blown lead of the entire season by the Lakers. DEN Leads Series (2-0)

Gm 2: Cavaliers def. Magic (96-86)

Monday’s first game was much like its Game 1 predecessor. The Magic came out flat again in Cleveland as the Cavs stormed out to a double-digit lead and never looked back. Donovan Mitchell (23 pts) and Jarrett Allen (16 pts, 20 rebs) continue to show veteran poise in a series filled with youth. It’s 2-0 heading to Orlando, and the Magic need to find some offense. They’ve scored less than 90 in both games this series. CLE Leads Series (2-0)

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 2: Suns at T-Wolves (7:30 pm ET, TNT)

Gm 2: Pacers at Bucks (8:30 pm ET, NBATV)

Gm 2: Mavericks at Clippers (10:00 pm ET, TNT)

CBS Sports: How the Knicks Scored 8 Points in 27.1 Seconds in Wild Game 2 at MSG

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GOLF

Green Jacket, Red Jacket… The Scheff is Cookin’

Scottie Scheffler (-19) Wins the RBC Heritage for 4th in 5 Events — 1st Golfer in 39 Years to Win First Event After The Masters

The No. 1 players in the world in men’s and women’s golf are on some epic hot streaks at the moment. Sunday, it was Nelly Korda’s fifth straight victory. Monday, Scottie Scheffler — one week removed from conquering The Masters — became the first golfer since Bernhard Langer (1985) to win his first PGA Tour event after securing the green jacket. He won the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head on a Monday after a rain-delayed weekend, and he did it by three strokes (-19). Scheffler played 70 out of 72 holes at par or better, only carding a double-bogey and a bogey on his third and 72nd holes, respectively. And as great as Scheffler’s been, it’s still difficult to describe his level of dominance in modern-day golf.

Let Scheff Cook

Scottie’s recent success can be measured with all sorts of snapshots that feature win streaks in rare air. He’s played 40 consecutive rounds under par (seriously) since last August. He’s won 10 of his 51 starts since the 2021-22 season, including four of the last five. That means Scheffler captures 19.6 percent of the tournaments he plays. He also has 35 top-10s (68.6%) and 23 top-3s (45.1%) in that span. He’s the first player since Tiger Woods to crack the 15-point average mark, and the first player since Woods to win four of five straight tournaments (2007-08).

Being No. 1 in the world is one thing. What we’re witnessing is a golf legend who’s just getting started (27 years old). From green jacket to red jacket… Let the Scheff cook!

Watch: Scottie Scheffler (-19) Takes RBC Heritage for 4th Win in 5 Events

Yahoo! Sports: Scottie Scheffler Backs Up Masters Win With Historic Victory at RBC Heritage

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MLB

Aaron Boone’s Viral Ejection

Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Tossed 5 Pitches Into Game After Fan Yells at Umpire

One of the more bizarre storylines made waves on Monday after a day game between the Yankees and A’s started with a bang, and a whole new kind of “fan interference.” Yankees manager Aaron Boone got tossed five pitches in (five!) after one mild comment regarding a check swing. A hot mic picked up home-plate ump Hunter Wendelstedt’s response, warning Boone that he’d be tossed if he said another word. Boone kept his mouth shut. Moments later, he was gone.

“Apparently what he said was there was a fan right above the dugout… I heard something come from the far end of the dugout… He’s the manager of the Yankees, so he’s the one that had to go.” — Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt

The replay shows a fan sitting directly behind the dugout yelling, “Let’s go home plate!” That sparked Wendelstedt’s displeasure, and ultimately, Boone’s ejection. As you can assume, the internet had a field day. The chaos before and after made it one of the most entertaining baseball videos of the early season so far, and one of the most ironic, too. The Yanks fell to the A’s (2-0). The drama comes on the heels of fans having lost their patience with other MLB umps, namely Angel Hernandez in recent weeks. The Show goes on.

Read More

Video: Jomboy Breaks Down Viral Aaron Boone Ejection (NSFW)

Yahoo! Sports: Yankees Manager Aaron Boone Tossed After Fan Mouths Off to Home Plate Umpire

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NFL

3-Step Drop: QB Storylines

*Photo: Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images*

Tom Brady’s Roast, Matt Ryan’s Retirement & Zach Wilson’s Trade

The NFL Draft is two days away, but we had some quarterback news throughout Monday. We’ll shift into draft mode starting tomorrow, but the GOAT roast, Matty Ice’s retirement, and a Zach Wilson trade are in order.

The Roast of Tom Brady

Get ready for laughs. Netflix announced its upcoming GOAT Roast — ‘Greatest Roast of All Time’ — comedy special on Sunday, May 5 (8:00 pm ET). Tom Brady will absorb the hits from Kevin Hart, Jeff Ross, and an all-star lineup of comedian roasters. Can’t wait.

Matt Ryan Officially Retires

Former Falcons and Colts quarterback Matt Ryan officially retired on Monday after signing a one-day contract with Atlanta to retire as a Falcon. The 15-year QB went to four Pro Bowls and earned the MVP Award in 2016. He also took Atlanta to a Super Bowl runner-up that season (before blowing a 28-3 lead against the quarterback mentioned in the story above).

Jets Trade Zach Wilson to Broncos

On the same day the Broncos launched some new uniforms, Denver acquired QB Zach Wilson from the Jets for a sixth-round pick. Wilson was the former No. 2 overall pick in 2021. He was forced back into the spotlight after Aaron Rodgers’ injury last season, and he never really shined. A fresh start in Denver could help. Or not.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Gm 1: Golden Knights def. Stars (4-3)

VGK Leads Series (1-0)

Eichel Notches 2 Assists, Stone Scores

Gm 1: Oilers def. Kings (7-4)

EDM Leads Series (1-0)

Hyman Nets Hat Trick, McDavid Has 5 Assists

Gm 2: Maple Leafs def. Bruins (3-2)

Series Tied (1-1)

Matthews (1G, 2A) Gets Stick on Every Score

Gm 2: Hurricanes def. Islanders (4-3)

CAR Leads Series (2-0)

Canes Rally From 3-Goal Deficit, Score Twice in 9 Seconds Late in 3rd Period

MLB

Phillies def. Reds (7-0)

Philadelphia Extends Win Streak to 7

Cardinals def. D-Backs (5-3)

Nolan Gorman Stars With Walk-Off HR

Braves def. Marlins (3-0)

Acuna Jr. Makes History With 190th Stolen Base

Soccer

ITA: Inter def. AC Milan (2-1)

Inter Capture 20th Serie A Title With Goals From Acerbi & Thuram

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STORYLINES

Ranking New NFL Jerseys

The Broncos, Jets, and Lions are among the teams switching uniforms for the 2024 season, although the new threads aren’t significantly different. Let’s assess some of the new looks. (CBS Sports)

MLB Power Rankings

The Dodgers tumbled out of the top spot after dropping seven of ten games this past week. That means the door is open for a No. 1, and plenty of teams have a case to make. (FOX Sports)

NBA Draft Lottery Odds

The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery has been set. The conclusion of the NBA season locked the 14 non-playoff teams who will be in the mix on May 12 in Chicago when the lottery determines the draft order. (B/R)

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NEWS

Projected No. 1 Pick Zaccharie Risacher Declares for 2024 NBA Draft (SI)

Eagles GM Howie Roseman Aggressively Looking to Trade Up in 1st Round of NFL Draft (B/R)

Infamous French Basketball Player Wants Joel Embiid Banned from Olympics (CBS Sports)

Tiger Woods Adds Max Homa, Tom Kim & Kevin Kisner to TGL Team (ESPN)

Chiefs Make Andy Reid NFL’s Highest-Paid Coach (Yahoo! Sports)

Buffalo Sabres Re-Hire Former Coach Lindy Ruff (USA Today)

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SCHEDULE

Tonight’s Must-Watch List

NBA Playoffs