Playoff force is strong | Sports Daily Newsletter
The Sixers and Flyers are both in the second round of the playoffs and the Phillies are on the upswing.
This is an unusually busy time for Philly sports. In recent years, the Phillies were in focus by the time the calendar shifted to May. But that has changed this year.
The Sixers, down 3-1 in their first-round series a week ago, completed an improbable comeback by beating the Celtics in Game 7 in Boston on Saturday, 109-100. In the team’s first road Game 7 win in 44 years, Joel Embiid and the Sixers have accomplished something significant, something defining, and captured a signature playoff moment, writes columnist David Murphy.
Meanwhile, the Flyers began their second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. They could not weather the Hurricanes’ early flurry and lost 3-0 Saturday in Game 1.
Nothing the Hurricanes did was a secret. They played in the manner they always do. The Flyers knew what was coming and couldn’t handle it, columnist Mike Sielski said of the Flyers’ Game 1 performance.
Both the Sixers and Flyers will be back in action tonight. The Flyers will stay in Carolina for Game 2 against the Hurricanes (7, ESPN), while Game 1 of the Sixers’ second-round series against the Knicks will begin in New York (8, NBC10).
And the Phillies will finish out a series against the Marlins later today (6:40, NBCSP). May the Fourth be with you, Philly.
— Devin Jackson, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
❓What are your predictions for the Sixers-Knicks second round series? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
The Sixers’ reward for eliminating the Celtics from the postseason for the first time in more than four decades? A rapid turnaround to Monday’s Game 1 of their second-round matchup against the third-seeded (and fellow rival) New York Knicks.
The Sixers and Knicks last faced off in 2024. A lot has changed since. New York traded for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, while the Sixers signed Paul George and drafted VJ Edgecombe. Gina Mizell sizes up this matchup, which is shaping up to be as entertaining as two years ago.
Though the Sixers won’t return to Philly for Games 3 and 4 of their second-round series until Friday and Sunday, respectively, the team released single-game tickets restricted to Greater Philadelphia residents. Here’s why.
The Flyers got run over from the moment the puck dropped and faced a two-goal hole in the first 10 minutes before the Carolina Hurricanes shut them out in Game 1. But there were some positives to take from the loss.
Over the last five minutes, partially thanks to a power play with 4 minutes, 48 seconds left, the Flyers put nine shot attempts and five shots on goal to just one for the Hurricanes, and their 10 shots on goal in the third period were one more than their total from the first two periods combined.
Meanwhile, Owen Tippett, who missed Game 1 with an unspecified injury, participated in an optional skate on Sunday. He remains day-to-day, coach Rick Tocchet said on Sunday, and will likely be a game-time decision for Game 2 tonight.
Over his last two starts against the Braves and Cubs, Aaron Nola allowed 11 runs on 13 hits and seven walks in nine innings. When he faces the Marlins in Miami on Monday night, it will be eight days since he took the mound in Atlanta.
Nola will drag a 6.03 ERA to the mound, which ranked 99th among 108 pitchers who have thrown at least 30 innings this season. The Phillies hope the eight-day break will give him a reset after a tough start to the season.
The Phillies picked up their fifth victory in six games under interim manager Don Mattingly on Sunday with a 7-2 win over the Marlins.
Next: The Phillies close out their series in Miami at 6:40 tonight (NBCSP). Nola (1-3) will start opposite Marlins righty Janson Junk (2-2, 3.00).
It’s been over six decades since the PGA Championship made its way to the Philadelphia area. The last time was 1962. Next week, the event will make its return to the area — and the course that hosted during its last stop here: Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square.
Here’s everything you know about the PGA Championship — from how to watch to how to get merch without a ticket.
If you’re planning on heading to the tournament — which begins on May 14 — here is a guide to navigating parking, food options, the transit options, and more.
A field of 156 players will descend on Aronimink Golf Club when the PGA Championship begins, but what do players think of what is expected to be a raucous but respectful crowd?
“I like it when the fans let you know whether it’s good or bad. They’re brutally honest,” Brooks Koepka said. “And it can go one of two ways. Kind of depends on your reaction to it and how you take it, very blunt, straightforward. I like a little bit of chaos. So it’s fun.”
Sports snapshot
Running records: Two records were set in 47th edition of the Broad Street Run on Sunday.
Mark your calendar: Here is a full look at the Flyers’ second-round schedule against the Hurricanes.
Softball fun: Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith held his annual celebrity softball game in Allentown, and remains undefeated.
Positive reviews: All eyes were on the work of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion at the Eagles’ rookie minicamp on Friday.
Earning points: The Union earned a crucial point in a scoreless draw against Eastern Conference-leading Nashville SC on Saturday.
The mob in the hallway outside the Sixers’ locker room, collectively worth billions, felt like a million bucks. “We slayed the dragon! In Boston!” It’s been 13 years, but Philadelphia finally has a true point guard again in Tyrese Maxey, writes columnist Marcus Hayes, thanks to his hard work and development. Hayes has more from the Sixers’ Game 7 win on Saturday night.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from David Murphy, Gina Mizell, DeAntae Prince, Mike Sielski, Jackie Spiegel, Gustav Elvin, Gabriela Carroll, Scott Lauber, Marcus Hayes, Ariel Simpson, Ryan Novozinsky, Owen Hewitt, Hira Qureshi, and Mia Messina.
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.
Thanks for reading, Philly. Kerith will be back in your inbox for Tuesday’s newsletter. — Devin