Right around this time, it was always a bit of a dice roll.
Are we going to have spring playoffs? Usually, the Sixers would creep in and make noise, evidenced by seven straight playoff appearances up until last season, when the team missed out. For the Flyers, we’re talking about the 2019-20 season; the last time they were in the playoffs was during the COVID bubble.
Last night, the Sixers became the No. 7 seed after a 109-97 win against the Orlando Magic and now face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round. As for NHL playoff hockey? The puck drops on Saturday.
It’s a good time to be a Philly sports fan again.
I’m going to start you off today with a fair question from our columnist Marcus Hayes, who asks if the Sixers can muster the production to go far in the playoffs — sans contributions from Joel Embiid?
Certainly offered some food for thought for me as I revel in what’s supposed to be one of the hottest spring days on record as we hit the high 80s today.
Speaking of high, one wonders what it takes to get a Gritty tattoo on the top of your head like this guy right here.
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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Keith Jones went from cracking jokes with Angelo Cataldi to a major reason why the Flyers just snapped a seven-year playoff drought.
Jones, the Flyers president and chief architect of working with general manager Danny Brière to bring in impact players to surround longtime captain Sean Couturier, has worked while simultaneously quieting Jones’ naysayers when he left the booth for the office in 2023.
And as columnist Mike Sielski suggests, when it comes to naysayers, there might have been a few.
What we’re …
🚇 Celebrating: Fares to attend this summer’s FIFA World Cup on SEPTA mass transit routes will not increase, unlike those at other cities hosting the event.
🎨 Viewing: Have you seen the new mural design commemorating Negro Leagues baseball in Philadelphia? It’s quite good.
🏈 Recirculating: The latest and greatest position-by-position look at players the Eagles target in next week’s NFL draft.
🤔 Wondering: The upside of a lateral move from one Big 5 basketball institution to another? Case in point …
🏟️ Reading: The new home for the Sixers and Flyers will be constructed … right next to the old home.
Justin Crawford spends a lot of time watching black-and-white footage of old baseball games on YouTube.
The Phillies rookie outfielder is a self-proclaimed “baseball junkie,” and as a second-generation major league player, he has a deep respect for the history of the game.
He is a fan of the greats, like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Negro Leagues star Cool Papa Bell. But Crawford’s favorite player of all time is Jackie Robinson.
That’s why April 15 — the anniversary of Robinson’s historic debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 — has always been particularly special to him.
“Without him,” Crawford said, “I’m not playing this game.”
The Phillies didn’t play much of the game yesterday, finding themselves on the losing end of an 11-2 thumping by the Cubs. Ouch.
Next: After an off day today, the Phillies open a home series against the Braves at 6:40 p.m. Friday (NBCSP). Taijuan Walker (1-2, 7.36 ERA) will start for the Phillies.
On the backs of SEPTA not going the route of other host cities and jacking up the rates for mass transit, another bit of good news came for those looking to tailgate before, during, and after World Cup games.
Have at it.
On Tuesday, social media drew ire at the notion through a lot of mixed messaging. To make sure that Philly wasn’t in the mix, Inquirer soccer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald went straight to the source, who confirmed that fans who venture down by car will be able to do what they do best on game day.
On this date
April 16, 2003: As a guard for the Washington Wizards, Michael Jordan played the final game of his iconic NBA career in Philadelphia, where the crowd gave MJ a standing ovation in the final three minutes.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
SUJAR THELN
Inquirer columnist David Murphy said this might be the one Philly athlete at the moment who could benefit from some help on the field. Think you know? Take a guess and then click here to see if you’re correct.
Stat that matters
15: The number of years since Philadelphia was graced with an appearance from a UFC-numbered main event. The MMA caravan returns on Aug. 15 with UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
What you’re saying about the Sixers
We asked: What is your prediction for the Sixers? Can they make it out of the first round?
I expected the Sixers to win the play-in game and claim the No. 7 seed. With Boston looming as the first-round match-up, they have no chance of winning that series with Joel Embiid out. Paul George is playing well; however, the Celtics are just too deep. Another year of disappointment for Sixers’ fans. — Bob C.
If they had managed to hang on to the sixth spot, maybe. But beating Boston or Detroit? Nah. — Bill M.
They would only go as far as Joel Embiid wants to go. [Tyrese] Maxey and [Paul] George can only carry the load so far. On the other hand, if Maxey gets psyched out of his mind, he might be able to carry the load himself to go deep into the playoffs. I’m a “dreamer.” — Ronald R.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Marcus Hayes, Gabriela Carroll, Scott Lauber, Lochlahn March, Jonathan Tannenwald, Mike Sielski, Thomas Fitzgerald, Aliya Schneider, Mia Messina, Olivia Reiner, Devin Jackson, Owen Hewitt, David Murphy, Jake Blumgart, and Ryan Mack.
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.
Random question: Ever wonder why they still show ads on a streaming service? I thought the whole point of ads was to pay for the stream? I don’t know. Take care, Philly. Jim is back to close out your week tomorrow. — Kerith