Stayin’ Alive | Sports Daily Newsletter

The 76ers in seven?

After Thursday’s night 106-93 victory over the Celtics in Game 6, the Sixers are putting their season together at the right time.

They were led by Paul George’s best performance as a Sixer, Tyrese Maxey’s most prolific first half of his NBA career, and Joel Embiid’s third stellar performance since returning from an appendectomy.

Next up, a trip to Boston in an improbable winner-take-all matchup on Saturday. A week ago, that would have sounded ridiculous, but the best team on the basketball court Thursday was the team that has been facing elimination since Sunday.

This was not a case of the Celtics losing the game for themselves. The Sixers won it outright, writes columnist David Murphy.

So for now, Philly fans will just need to keep believing.

The times for the Flyers’ second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes has not yet been released. While we wait, let’s reminisce their win over the Penguins on Wednesday night.

For a moment, I questioned if this team was going to drop their first-round series, despite going up 3-0. Then came Dan Vladař’s play in Game 6. It’s crazy to think that he’d never played a full postseason game before.

Now, he’s played six — with two shutouts. But you also have to give credit to defenseman Cam York, who hadn’t scored since January and was the hero in overtime.

These past two weeks have been filled with highs and lows, but that’s the beauty of playoffs. Enjoy it folks.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓What are your predictions for the Sixers in Game 7? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Turning the page comes quickly in the Stanley Cup playoffs. A new team brings new challenges, but there are things the Flyers can take with them and use against the top team in the Eastern Conference. Here’s two lessons they’ll want to carry over in the second round.

The first-round series also included some historic performances by the Flyers. We dived into the eye-popping numbers.

And the youngsters, like Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey, have had an invaluable resource in Garrett Wilson. The 35-year-old hasn’t played a playoff game for the Flyers, but his impact is coming off the ice.

With the Phillies game postponed due to rain less than an hour before first pitch, the players had a free Wednesday evening. Luckily, there was something going on right down the street.

The Phillies decided to attend Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, and despite getting booed, “it was super fun.” And maybe watching the Flyers sparked some inspiration for the 12-19 Phillies, who have been on a downward spiral.

In the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday, Justin Crawford posted his second walk-off of his career to win 3-2 against the Giants. Alec Bohm hit a walk-off sacrifice fly in extras in the second game to secure the sweep.

Next: The Phillies open a series in Miami at 7:10 tonight (NBCSP). Zack Wheeler (0-0, 3.60 ERA) will start against Marlins righty Eury Pérez (2-2, 4.60).

Makai Lemon used to wear a No. 6 jersey at Southern California, but with the Eagles, that number belongs to DeVonta Smith.

As the first-round rookie embarks on new journey, Lemon needed a new number. With the permission and blessing of Nick Foles, the wideout will rep No. 9 this upcoming season.

The Kentucky Derby is back on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. This year, Renegade, Further Ado, and The Puma are among the favorites in the Run for the Roses.

Here’s everything you need to know about each horse and the race.

Iran was the only one of FIFA’s 211 member nations absent from the FIFA Congress, after Canada’s government reportedly revoked visas it had given to Iranian soccer leaders.

But FIFA president Gianni Infantino did not hide from the most sensitive subject at the organization’s Congress gathering on Thursday. He insisted that Iran will play in this summer’s World Cup, and in the U.S.

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you. This week, photos include the Flyers advancing past the Penguins, the Phillies making a big change, and the Sixers fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The biggest Flyers home game in 16 years was the best of that mostly dull and empty stretch of 77 minutes and 32 seconds, until Cam York flicked a little wrist shot from the right point that sailed on an enchanted journey to the back of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ net.

Welcome back to springtime, Flyers fans. The last time the Flyers had a playoff game of this significance at this arena was during their run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. The context now is different, not just because the Flyers hadn’t been a playoff team for so long, but because Game 6 was a pivot point for the series and their future, writes columnist Mike Sielski.

We asked: What were your thoughts on last night’s Flyers game? Among your responses:

Great win for the Fly Guys. A long time wait for the faithful. Keep it going against Carolina. — Tom G.

Very fortunate! The goaltending was excellent. The Flyers were outplayed through the 3rd period and the majority off OT. The Penguins looked faster and maintained pressure. The Flyers capitalized on a long shot through a screen. In the upcoming series, they need to pepper the goaltender with shots to create scoring opportunities. — Bob C.

I think the young Flyers were too scared to be the player who made the mistake in the third period and OT. It was the first time many of their players were under that much pressure at the NHL level and the moment was too big for them at that moment, hopefully with that experience now under their belt that should no longer be the case. Up until last nights third period they were faster and hit more than the Pens. The two games they lost they played as well or better than the Pens, but got beat by a crazy goal in each, in those cases the Puck Luck favored Pittsburgh. Anyway, happy to have another playoff series to watch, and that the Flyers appear to have found a big time goalie who should be in his prime for the next 4 or 5 years. If they can come up with two quality centers and an offensive defensemen, they should be a legitimate threat to contend for the Cup. — Jeff M.

Heart palpitating, most intense game I have ever attended. Couldn’t sleep all night. — Michael M.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from DeAntae Prince, David Murphy, Mike Sielski, Alex Coffey, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Gustav Elvin, Lochlahn March, Olivia Reiner, Jonathan Tannenwald, Colin Schofield, Ed Barkowitz, Joseph Santoliquito, and The Inquirer’s photography staff.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Happy Friday, thanks for ending your week with me. Have a wonderful weekend, and we will be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella