🏀 🥅 Playoff bombshells? | Sports Daily Newsletter
And Philly, meet Makai Lemon
The Eagles drafted a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night, and we’ll get to that in a minute. First up in the newsletter, we want to address two developments on the health front that could change the course of the playoffs for the Sixers and Flyers.
The Sixers surprised everyone by bouncing back to tie their series with the heavily favored Celtics, and they offered another surprise Thursday with the news that Joel Embiid participated in parts of practice as he works his way back from an appendectomy. The former MVP center is listed as doubtful for Game 3, which is an upgrade, and if he returns at all in this series, he could make a big difference against Boston.
Said coach Nick Nurse: “Obviously, we’re really hopeful.” There’s more on the development here.
The news on the Flyers front was not as upbeat. Goalie Dan Vladař was unable to practice on Thursday after he appeared to hurt his hand or arm late in the Game 3 win against the Penguins. There’s a chance he might not play Saturday night.
Said coach Rick Tocchet: “He is a little banged up. Feels better today. That’s basically all the information we have.” Here are more details from Jackie Spiegel.
— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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The Eagles sent another signal that A.J. Brown is on the way out of town. In the first round of the NFL draft, they made a deal with the Cowboys of all teams, trading up three spots to select Southern Cal wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick.
Lemon, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound junior, had 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at USC. He was expected to be drafted much earlier than No. 20, Jeff Neiburg writes, and the Eagles moved ahead of Pittsburgh in order to draft a receiver whose ball skills are well regarded.
We have plenty more from our Eagles beat writers on the team’s first night at the draft. More coverage can be found here.
Paul George scored 19 points for the Sixers in their Game 2 win in Boston. He became the third option in a playoff game as a counterpart to Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. George was also an important contributor to the defensive turnaround against Boston’s offense.
He is on a max contract, but he is also nearly 36 years old. He’s OK being No. 3.
“That’s kind of the role I’ve adjusted to,” George said, “is making sure [if] they go on a run or we need a good basket or a good look, I think I can get my shot off, or I can still create and find people and put us at ease. It’s just kind of be the guy that can settle us down a little bit when we need it.”
Next: With their best-of-seven playoff series tied at a game apiece, the Sixers and Celtics meet in Game 3 tonight at 7 at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Prime Video).
The Flyers have a chance to sweep the Penguins in Game 4 on Saturday (8 p.m., NBCSP, TBS), and with the Xfinity Mobile Arena crowd behind them, they like their chances. The Flyers scored three goals in six minutes of action on Wednesday after Travis Konecny and Bryan Rust’s dustup and the classic hockey fight that followed.
The 5-2 victory in Game 3 was a special one for defenseman Nick Seeler, who scored his first playoff goal. Seeler took a break from the NHL in 2021, but the Flyers are happy that he returned.
The Phillies picked up their ninth straight loss on Thursday, and it was an especially excruciating defeat. They had the go-ahead run on third base in the eighth, ninth, and 10th innings against the Cubs, but they could not cash in.
“Did we lose? Yeah. Do you feel bad about that? Yeah,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after the 8-7 loss completed a sweep at Wrigley Field. “But they fought, and hopefully it carries over into tomorrow."
Also, Taijuan Walker, who has a 9.13 ERA in the final year of his $72 million deal, was released by the Phillies.
Next: The Phillies open a series in Atlanta at 7:15 tonight (Apple TV). Andrew Painter (1-1, 4.42 ERA) will start against Braves right-hander Grant Holmes (1-1, 3.42).
Sports snapshot
Penn Relays: Sanaa Hebron, daughter of ex-Eagle Vaughn, sets a record in the hurdles.
More from Franklin Field: A Quakers recruit, Seannah Parsons, stars in the triple jump.
Flat at the finish: The Union’s 3-3 draw with Toronto FC feels more like a loss.
DeSean Jackson lawsuit: The coach and Delaware State are being sued after an alleged locker room assault.
Headed for Brazil: The U.S. women’s national team will play two games there in June.
Our best sports 📸 of the week
Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, photos include the Flyers’ amazing playoff run against the Penguins, the Sixers’ impressive Game 2 against the Celtics, golf at Cobbs Creek, and more.
What you’re saying about the playoffs
We asked: Which playoff series have you found more exciting? Sixers or Flyers? Among your responses:
Flyers baybeeee. We got to be at the game the night they clinched the playoffs and Game 3 last night. Both phenomenal games. These guys are doing what every Philly team does best and proving the doubters wrong. From a 3.8% chance to hopefully sweeping the first round, this is Philly sports at its finest. It’s fun to see people remember we have a hockey team. — Kitty H.
Flyers by far. — Dom R.
Advantage the upstart Flyers for ongoing BTA energy on an easy-to-dislike Penguins squad. That being said, the slightly belated VJ Maxx arrival in the Sixers’ win made for my favorite individual game to watch. Thank Gawd for Wemby overshadowing their dud in Game 1. — D.W.S.
Who’s more exciting? Definitely the Flyers for their consistency in going up 3-0. But the Sixers in Game 2 at Boston gave us a tantalizing glimpse of what could be just as riveting if it continues. I can’t wait for more. — Mike R.
The Flyers one win away from sweeping the Penguins tops the Sixers-Celtics series. ... I think Sports Daily is afraid to ask us what’s wrong with the Phillies because they would not have enough space to handle the answers. — Everett S.
Sixers — Paulette C.
Both the Sixers and Flyers opening rounds have been exciting given the low expectations for both teams. While the Sixers showed spirit and grit in game 2, following a tough loss in game 1, the Flyers are stealing the hearts and attention of the City with a commanding 3-0 lead in their series. I have watched hockey for the first time in years! — Bob C.
The Fly Boys, no doubt about it. My thinking is the curse of Kate very well might have been removed last night with the singing of “God Bless America.” Lauren Hart did a great fill-in for Kate Smith, who was most likely smiling in heaven. — Ronald R.
We compiled today’s newsletter using contributions from Gina Mizell, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Alex Coffey, Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Ryan Novozinsky, Lochlahn March, Jonathan Tannenwald, Abraham Gutman, Sean McKeown, Owen Hewitt, and The Inquirer’s photo 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. Thank you for reading, as always. I’ll see you in Monday’s newsletter. — Jim