Jayson Tatum collected game highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds to lead the visiting Boston Celtics to a 107-98 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The second-seeded Celtics made 30 of their 32 free-throw attempts in the victory, which gave Boston a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series.

Orlando tied the score at 91 on a Wendell Carter Jr. putback with 4:18 to play, but the reigning NBA champions seized control by scoring 10 of the next 11 points.

Four of Boston’s five starters scored at least 18 points. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis tossed in 19 points and Derrick White finished with 18.

Paolo Banchero led seventh-seeded Orlando by scoring 31 points. Franz Wagner added 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Carter finished with nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

Cory Joseph (12) and Anthony Black (10) were the other Magic players who scored in double figures.

Boston’s Jrue Holiday missed his second straight game in the series with a hamstring strain. Boston’s reserves were limited to six points, all from Sam Hauser.

The Celtics were 9 of 31 on 3-point attempts (29 percent). Orlando was 8 of 30 from behind the 3-point arc (26.7 percent).

Boston led 32-29 after one quarter and stretched its lead to nine, 42-33, with 7:46 left in the second. Orlando went in front 48-46 on a Banchero layup with 3:17 remaining in the first half. The Celtics finished the quarter on a 7-0 run and had a 53-48 halftime lead.

Orlando edged Boston 27-26 in the third quarter, which left Boston with a 79-75 advantage entering the final 12 minutes. Brown scored 11 of his 21 points in the third.

The Celtics can advance if they win Game 5 on Tuesday night in Boston.

Andrew Mangiapane scored the go-ahead goal with 3:37 remaining in the third period and the visiting Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series on Sunday night.

Dylan Strome controlled a stretch pass at center ice from Trevor van Riemsdyk, crossed the blue line and dropped the puck to Mangiapane, who scored his first goal of the series on a high wrist shot from the slot.

Brandon Duhaime scored into the empty net with 2:39 left and Tom Wilson did so with 55 seconds remaining for the 5-2 final.

The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and Game 5 is Wednesday night in Washington.

Duhaime scored two third-period goals and Strome had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who are the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division and in the conference. Van Riemsdyk had two assists and Logan Thompson, who left Game 3 with a lower-body injury, started and made 16 saves.

Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield scored for the Canadiens, who are the second wild card from the East. Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson each had two assists and Jakub Dobes, starting in place of the injured Sam Montembeault, made 21 saves.

Montreal was 2-for-4 on the power play; Washington was 0-for-5.

Leon Draisaitl lifts Oilers to OT win over Kings to even series

Leon Draisaitl scored his first career playoff overtime goal to cap a four-point performance as the host Edmonton Oilers claimed a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday to even their Stanley Cup playoff series.

Evan Bouchard scored twice and Corey Perry added a single for the Oilers, who erased a two-goal third-period deficit to force overtime. With the win, they tied the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series at 2-2.

Connor McDavid netted two helpers and goaltender Calvin Pickard made 38 saves.

With Vladislav Gavrikov in the penalty box for a tripping infraction, Draisaitl buried a loose puck in a wild scramble at 18:18 of extra time. Draisaitl has collected points in 18 consecutive playoff games against the Kings (17 goals, 18 assists).

Game 5 of the series will be Tuesday in Los Angeles. The home team has won all four games.

Blues light up Connor Hellebuyck again, tie series

Jake Neighbours scored his first playoff goal and added two assists as the St. Louis Blues defeated the visiting Winnipeg Jets 5-1 on Sunday to tie their Western Conference first-round playoff series at two games apiece.

Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Winnipeg.

Captain Brayden Schenn had a goal and an assist while Robert Thomas and defensemen Tyler Tucker and Justin Faulk also scored for the Blues. Defenseman Colton Parayko had two assists and Jordan Binnington stopped 30 shots.

‘Playoffs are full of momentum swings,’ Schenn said. ‘We’re happy with where we’re at right now.’

Kyle Connor netted the goal for the Jets.

Connor Hellebuyck made 13 saves on 18 shots before being pulled early in the third period. It is the second consecutive game that Hellebuyck has been removed; he has allowed 11 goals on 43 shots in the last two contests. Hellebuyck has won two Vezina Trophies as the NHL’s top goalie and is the favorite to win his third this season.

He was replaced by Eric Comrie, who stopped six shots.

‘Tired of watching them make nice plays and put the puck in the net,’ Jets coach Scott Arniel said. ‘That’s on us.’

Hurricanes lose goalie but take 3-1 lead

Andrei Svechnikov’s hat trick helped the Carolina Hurricanes overcome the second-period loss of goalie Frederik Andersen to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Sunday in Newark, New Jersey, and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

The Hurricanes, the only NHL team to win at least one playoff round in each of the last four seasons, will attempt to close out the Devils in Game 5 of the best-of-seven series on Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Svechnikov, the lone player in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history to post a hat trick in a postseason game, did it for the second time on Sunday. He scored in the opening minute of the first and second periods, and then iced the win with an empty-netter with 3:17 left in the third.

Svechnikov posted his first playoff hat trick on Aug. 3, 2020, when he scored three times against the New York Rangers in a qualifying-round game during the COVID-19 bubble tournament.

Jaccob Slavin scored in the first and Brent Burns began adding insurance by scoring with 5:46 left in the third. Burns added an assist, and Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake had two assists apiece.

If there’s one series this NBA playoffs that has been a throwback, fittingly, it’s the one between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.

Sunday’s Game 4 thriller saw the Pistons turn a 16-point deficit into an 11-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, only for the Knicks — who fought off a Jalen Brunson injury scare — to rally late and steal a 94-93 victory.

The Knicks now carry a 3-1 series lead into Game 5, which will be Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The game was marked by intensity and physicality, and the officiating crew, by and large, ate their whistles and let contact slide. The biggest question now turns to a no-call on the final shot attempt of the night, a 3-point try from Pistons guard Tim Hardaway Jr.

Here are three takeaways from Game 4 of the series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons:

Series outcome will be marred by crucial no-call

The Knicks relied on massive shot making down the stretch from Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns to carry a one-point lead in the final minute of play.

The Pistons inbounded the ball with 11.1 seconds left in the game. After All-Star Cade Cunningham missed his mid-range jumper, the ball leaked out to Hardaway in the corner. As he attempted his would-be game-winning 3-point try, Knicks forward Josh Hart made contact with the right side of Hardaway’s body.

The officiating crew ate its whistle and the game ended, but crew chief David Guthrie said later Sunday in a pool report that Hart made “body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr. and a foul should have been called.”

Hardaway, an 85.5% free throw shooter this season, should’ve had three chances at the line to make two shots to win the game.

While there’s no guarantee Hardaway would’ve converted them to win, the loss is nonetheless debilitating for the Pistons, who fell behind 3-1 and now face an elimination game Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.

In NBA history, only 13 teams have rallied from a 3-1 series deficit in the playoffs to advance.

“You go back and look at the film, (Hart) leaves his feet and there’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after the game. “I don’t know any other way around it: there’s contact on his jump shot. The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy — I repeat, there was contact on his jump shot.”

Shot making when it counts

The shame about the conversation concerning officiating is that it’s overshadowing the superb shot making both teams flashed in the clutch. In particular, Towns swished a pair of high-difficulty shots inside the final two minutes. Both came on what were becoming broken possessions as the shot clock was winding down.

The first was a spinning fadeaway as Towns was drifting out of bounds, the shot just missing the backboard and arcing high into the bottom of the net. The second was a logo 3 inside the final minute that gave the Knicks a one-point lead. It would be the final bucket of the game.

And with it, Towns proved, once again, the value that his acquisition has brought New York. Because in previous seasons, the offensive burden would’ve fallen solely on Brunson.

Pistons are still too mistake-prone

This young Detroit team does deserve credit for ramping up its defensive intensity to frustrate the Knicks late in the second quarter and into the third. But the Pistons, as they have all series long, have been far too careless with the ball.

Sunday, they committed 19 turnovers, many of which came early in the game and put Detroit in a severe disadvantage; by one point early in the second quarter, the Pistons had more turnovers (10) than converted field goals (eight).

The giveaways also prevented the Pistons from settling into a steady offensive rhythm and contributed to their missing their first 10 shots from beyond the arc.

Cunningham has arrived as an elite playmaker. Now he must work on efficiency; through the four games in the series, he alone has committed 24 turnovers.

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Don’t ask North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick how he met his 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. At least, not while she’s around to hear it.

Dokoupil asked Belichick how he deals with the many opinions and investment people have in his relationship with Hudson.

‘I’ve never been too worried about what everybody else thinks,’ Belichick said. ‘Just try to do what I feel like is best for me and what’s right.’

‘How did you guys meet?’ Dokoupil asked.

Hudson cut in after Dokoupil’s question, saying, ‘We’re not talking about this.’

After the interjection, Dokoupil pivoted to asking about Belichick’s recent adoption of social media. The CBS interviewer asked the NFL coaching legend about the public response to a few of Hudson’s Instagram posts that Belichick appeared in.

‘It’s charming, it’s a different side of you. What’s the reaction been like?’ Dokoupil asked.

‘What’s it been like?’ Belichick responded after a pause.

Dokoupil clarified his question, asking again about ‘these different sort of photos,’ including an image of Hudson balanced on Belichick’s feet on a beach.

‘Yeah, so I’m on some of those social media platforms, but I honestly don’t follow them.’

After winning six Super Bowls as an NFL head coach, Belichick will begin his first year of coaching at the collegiate level this year. He’s taking over the reins as the head football coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels a year after they finished 6-7 (3-5 ACC) and 13th in the ACC.

The UFL is investigating an incident involving Michigan Panthers wide receiver Samson Nacua, who appeared to slap a fan after Saturday night’s game against the host St. Louis Battlehawks.

‘The UFL is aware of the incident that took place last evening at the conclusion of the Michigan Panthers vs. St. Louis Battlehawks game in St. Louis. League officials are currently investigating the matter,’ the UFL said in a statement on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Nacua, whose younger brother Puka Nacua is a star receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, is seen on video lunging toward, and making contact with, a spectator who is leaning over the railing. The fan was apparently heckling Samson Nacua after the Battlehawks defeated the Panthers, 32-27.

Audio from the video also appears to capture the sound of Nacua making contact with the fan.

Nacua made three catches for 46 yards in the game. In five games, he has seven receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. The Panthers (3-2) are tied for first in their division with the Birmingham Stallions.

Nacua played four seasons at Utah and one at BYU, finishing with 1,344 yards and 14 touchdowns on 103 catches in his career.

Would you believe the San Francisco Giants won on a walk-off hit with the bases empty and the hit didn’t make it past the pitcher’s mound?

It’s exactly what happened as chaos took over inside Oracle Park on Sunday as the NL West-leading Giants continued their magical start to the season with a walk-off winner over the Texas Rangers in a play you have to see to believe.

With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Heliot Ramos was first batter up. Ramos got soft contact off Rangers pitcher Luke Jackson’s slider as it dribbled toward Jackson. Ramos hustled down to first base as Jackson tried an off-balance throw to get the out, but the ball went past first baseman Jake Burger. The Giants left fielder comfortably cruised to second base on the error, but with no Rangers player close to the ball, Ramos risked going to third.

Burger tried to throw Ramos out at third, but the throw was errant and Ramos took off again. He slid into home plate as the throw was late, securing a stunning 3-2 victory as pandemonium erupted from the home crowd.

‘The Giants win the game on a Little League home run. Tell me you’ve seen that one before,’ NBC Sports Bay Area play-by-play announcer Duane Kuiper said.

The official score gave Ramos a hit, and two errors by the Rangers capped off the play. Longtime Giants radio announcer Jon Miller summarized the play perfectly.

‘He hit it no further than 60 feet from home plate. And then the Rangers did the rest,’ Miller said.

While it might have been a lucky, wild way to win, it’s been that kind of season for San Francisco so far. It’s the fifth walk-off win of the season for the Giants in just 29 games in 2025. The team leads MLB in walk-off wins this season and it’s the most the franchise has done in April in a single season.

San Francisco currently leads the NL West at 19-10, half a game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the second-best record in baseball, half a game behind the New York Mets.

Now complete, the 2025 NFL draft will go down as one of the league’s more memorable ones – though it’s destined to mostly be remembered for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders’ free fall to the fifth round, which made Aaron Rodgers’ infamous wait 20 years before seem like a mere glitch.

The Sanders saga aside, this draft also produced the drama, head-scratching decisions and OMG moments inherent to the annual “Player Selection Meeting.” And speaking of any draft’s endemic components, it’s now time to prematurely grade its results … about three years before that’s a remotely fair exercise. But we eat from microwaves far more routinely than slow cookers, right?

One note about the report card methodology: As I grade each team, the goal is to pull back for a big-picture look at its performance holistically rather than judging from a narrow perspective that doesn’t include trades and other considerations that more accurately frame the decisions.

With that in mind, here are your ridiculously hasty 2025 NFL draft grades, with team classes ranked from best to worst:

1. New England Patriots (A)

A team that had to get a transfusion of offensive talent – regardless of circumstances, but especially to give QB Drake Maye a fighting chance in his second NFL season – wisely spent its first four picks on that side of the ball. First-round OT Will Campbell, second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson, third-round WR Kyle Williams and third-round C Jared Wilson will likely not only play significant snaps as rookies – even if they’re not all necessarily starters – but could all have exceptional impacts. Henderson’s could be the most noticeable given his ability to thrive on every down – though the large chunks he rips off as a runner and the protection he provides on passing downs should most benefit Maye.

2. New York Giants (A-)

They might have gotten the draft’s best player in OLB Abdul Carter, who could be a reasonable facsimile of fellow Penn Stater Micah Parsons … even if Carter doesn’t understand he’s not worthy of wearing GOAT OLB Lawrence Taylor’s No. 56. But to get back into the first round for QB Jaxson Dart, essentially at the cost of two third-rounders and with no reason to play him prematurely with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston round, might be the move that truly gets this franchise back on course … while keeping HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen in their posts. All that aside, good odds that bulldozing fourth-round RB Cam Skattebo winds up as the favorite pick of Big Blue’s starved fans.

3. Las Vegas Raiders (A-)

No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty was one of this draft’s few apparent blue-chippers and should instantly catalyze what was the league’s worst ground game in 2024. Aside from being inspirational, second-rounder Jack Bech might immediately emerge as new QB Geno Smith’s top wide receiver. Third-rounders Darien Porter, a corner, and Charles Grant, an offensive tackle, could wind up as high-quality starters at mid-range draft cost. Seemingly nice debut by rookie GM John Spytek.

4. New York Jets (A-)

Notable that they hired a defensive-minded coach – and one of the best corners in franchise history – in Aaron Glenn only to opt for an offensive-centric draft, and one that seemed modeled on the Lions blueprint Glenn saw work so well as their defensive coordinator. First-round RT Armand Membou and second-round TE Mason Taylor, son of former Jets OLB Jason Taylor, should either provide immediate help to new QB Justin Fields … or whomever replaces him in a year or two. Third-round CB Azareye’h Thomas will be tested opposite Sauce Gardner but represents good value. Fourth-round WR Arian Smith is pure speed, which could open the field for Mason and WR Garrett Wilson. Glenn and rookie GM Darren Mougey nicely drove the fairway on their first tee shot.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (B+)

Let’s call this a progress report grade – at least until they officially have Rodgers in the building (though worth noting that HC Mike Tomlin didn’t seem too worried about it during an NFL Network interview Saturday). But assuming Rodgers ultimately arrives, he should walk into a locker room that’s more talented than the version that qualified for the playoffs last season. First-round DL Derrick Harmon could be the next Cam Heyward, even as he plays alongside the perennial All-Pro in the short run. Fourth-round OLB Jack Sawyer should juice a pass rush that already had plenty of it beyond T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. But the real delta here could be third-round RB Kaleb Johnson, perhaps a substantial upgrade from departed Najee Harris and who ought to really thrive if a heavily resourced offensive line fully jells in 2025. And getting Ohio State QB Will Howard in Round 6 at least indicates something of a developmental plan for a team that’s spun its wheels behind center since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

6. Dallas Cowboys (B+)

It might not have been exactly what the fan base was hoping for – Jeanty – but owner Jerry Jones and his front office generally do a pretty solid job this time of year. Aside from being a bully on the field, first-round G Tyler Booker not only fills a need but could provide fresh leadership in the locker room in time. Second-round DE Donovan Ezeiruaku and third-round CB Shavon Revel Jr. were certainly worthy of being taken a round earlier than they were. Fifth-round RB Jaydon Blue brings sub-4.4 speed if not the background to suggest he can shoulder the load on the ground. Receiving depth behind WR CeeDee Lamb still looms as a significant question.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (B+)

EVP/GM Howie Roseman isn’t satisfied unless he’s made a few trades, added blockers … and reeled in a University of Georgia defender. Check, check and check, ex-Bulldogs LB Smael Mondon Jr. arriving in Round 5. Nearer the top, it’s also very Roseman to get a sublime talent such as multi-dimensional LB Jihaad Campbell, who could fill multiple needs in Philly once his shoulder is sound, at the end of Round 1. Same goes for second-round S Andrew Mukuba. Sixth-round QB Kyle McCord could blossom into a quality backup in time. And, yes, Roseman added three O-linemen.

8. Green Bay Packers (B+)

Nice to see them break their 23-year streak of not taking a wideout in Round 1, especially considering what Matthew Golden can bring to this offense in terms of game-changing speed and clutch plays. GM Brian Gutekunst stuck with the TLC theme for the offense, adding OT Anthony Belton in the second round and a nice toy in the third with plus-sized WR Savion Williams (6-4, 220) – the classic “find a way to get the ball into his hands” guy.

9. Houston Texans (B+)

Already set up nicely in 2026 with extra picks in Rounds 2, 3 and 4 – two courtesy of the Laremy Tunsil trade to Washington – GM Nick Caserio did a nice job working the board this year, too. And the focus was helping QB C.J. Stroud after a slight sophomore slump largely beyond his control. Moving forward, he’ll operate behind a promising blocker – second-rounder Aireontae Ersery – on a new-look line and will be throwing to talented former Iowa State WRs Jayden Higgins (Round 2) and Jaylin Noel (Round 3), who round out a receiver group that was wiped out at times in 2024.

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10. Jacksonville Jaguars (B+)

Mid-rounders like CB Caleb Ransaw, OL Wyatt Milum and RB Bhayshul Tuten all have nice upside, lightning fast and powerful Tuten in particular. But rookie GM James Gladstone’s first draft will be completely defined by the bold move to trade up three spots for WR/CB Travis Hunter with the second overall pick – a gambit that also cost the Jags their second-rounder and a first in 2026. Yet Hunter just might be the generational prospect worth the price – especially if he can become a security blanket for QB Trevor Lawrence while Brian Thomas Jr. hits the home runs. And maybe Hunter provides situational reps at corner.

11. Denver Broncos (B+)

They got a ‘joker’ … on defense. DB Jahdae Barron might turn out to be a steal with the 20th pick and could elevate an already formidable D to the elite tier. Second-round RB RJ Harvey will give the ground game needed horsepower, though it remains to be seen who primarily shares the load since he wouldn’t seem well suited at his size (5-8, 205) to take 20 touches a game in the NFL. Third-round WR Pat Bryant has a chance to chip in early.

12. Seattle Seahawks (B+)

GM John Schneider and HC Mike Macdonald sure have been busy transforming the roster during a frenetic offseason. That continued in a draft that should be a boon to the present and possibly the longer-range future. First-round OL Grey Zabel addresses a clear and present need at guard. Second-round S Nick Emmanwori, whom Schneider moved up for, could be the next coming of Kam Chancellor. Second-round TE Elijah Arroyo will also have a chance to be a significant presence in a new-look passing attack. But the obvious wild card is third-round QB Jalen Milroe, a tantalizing prospect whom the Seahawks should have the luxury of developing on a reasonable timeline … especially if new QB1 Sam Darnold retains his newly found Pro Bowl form.

13. Tennessee Titans (B)

This haul will rise or fall depending on the success, or lack thereof, realized by No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. And while there’s not a ton of doubt the Titans got this year’s best quarterback – and filled a glaring need in doing so – what’s less clear is how good Ward actually is. After pulling out of the 2024 draft – when he likely would have been no better than the sixth quarterback selected – he truly blossomed at the University of Miami. Whether that success and his alpha personality translate to Nashville is TBD, but rookie GM Mike Borgonzi was confident enough in Ward to resist the significant trade overtures he received. As for the rest of Borgonzi’s first crop? Meh?

14. Kansas City Chiefs (B)

After watching their defense and blocking collapse in Super Bowl 59, HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach targeted fortifications – first-round LT Josh Simmons the most intriguing, particularly if he’s available ahead of schedule coming off the torn patellar tendon he suffered last October. Reid expressed confidence in Simmons’ progress, so the Chiefs might have committed quite the heist. Second-round DT Omarr Norman-Lott, third-round DE Ashton Gillotte and third-round CB Nohl Williams could all provide valuable reps immediately, the latter potentially allowing All-Pro Trent McDuffie to revert to slot duties.

15. New Orleans Saints (B)

There’s a reason underrated GM Mickey Loomis has been on the job for a quarter century. Good chance he just about perfectly married value to need with his first three selections, who might all be starters in 2025: First-round OT Kelvin Banks Jr., second-round QB Tyler Shough and third-round DL Vernon Broughton. Third-round S Jonas Sanker and fourth-round LB Danny Stutsman could find themselves in prominent roles – and making an impact – soon enough.

16. Baltimore Ravens (B)

From a football perspective, they got two standouts in the first two rounds with S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green, respectively – each addressing what are among the few needs for one of the league’s powerhouses, Starks likely to start from Day 1. Green led FBS with 17 sacks in 2024 and could make an immediate splash, too. Still, as much as GM Eric DeCosta defended Green’s selection, it’s a pretty bad organizational look. The Ravens have significant issues here currently with K Justin Tucker (who they are apparently in the process of replacing with sixth-rounder Tyler Loop) and in their past – yet chose a guy with multiple sexual assault allegations in his past (Green has denied both). Baltimore is a more talented football team today than it was a week ago, but at what cost?

17. Indianapolis Colts (B)

First-round TE Tyler Warren fell into their lap at No. 14 – and could be ideal for a team that ought to be running the ball while providing help to its muddled quarterback situation … which has a new ingredient in sixth-rounder Riley Leonard, most recently of Notre Dame. Second-round DE JT Tuimoloau arrives at the intersection of value and need.

18. Detroit Lions (B)

It’s gotten to a point where GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell are almost above reproach as it pertains to their roster-building acumen. Did DT Tyleik Williams seem like a bit of a reach at the end of Round 1? Maybe … but you tell Holmes and Campbell they’re wrong. Second-round G Tate Ratledge seems made to order for this culture while patching a hole.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (B)

GM Jason Licht is another guy – one who doesn’t seem to get deserved credit – who does a heckuva job in the draft-and-develop space. A bit surprising the Bucs went with a wideout – Emeka Egbuka – in Round 1, but he’s among this draft’s safest players … and Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger (though Egbuka’s game more closely resembles Chris Godwin’s). The team needed reinforcements at corner, and second-rounder Benjamin Morrison and third-rounder Jacob Parrish should check that box nicely. Might have been nice to see NT Vita Vea get some help on the D-line, though.

20. Los Angeles Rams (B)

Not especially sexy, but second-round TE Terrance Ferguson, third-round OLB Josaiah Stewart and fourth-round RB Jarquez Hunter should all be able to claim instant roles on a team that could be the biggest threat to the Eagles in the NFC next season. But the big win was GM Les Snead obtaining the Falcons’ first-rounder in 2026, which he might need for QB Matthew Stafford’s successor.

21. Atlanta Falcons (B)

They’re not afraid, that’s for sure – and the decision to take QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 a year ago has aged well despite all the handwringing at the time. This year, GM Terry Fontenot snagged OLB Jalon Walker at No. 15, potentially one of this draft’s best selections – particularly given the Falcons’ years-long inability to rush the quarterback. Yet dealing back up to No. 26 for OLB James Pearce – generally nothing wrong with doubling down – will likely render as the tipping point. Pearce’s talent is undeniable, so there was a reason he was still available at that juncture. Also, Fontenot mortgaged that 2026 first-rounder to get him – quite a risk since this team doesn’t exactly appear ready to win the Super Bowl given it still hasn’t managed to win the NFC South since 2016. Safeties Xavier Watts (Round 3) and Billy Bowman Jr. (Round 4) will add juice to a secondary that shed Justin Simmons.

22. San Francisco 49ers (B)

This defense badly needed attention, so credit GM John Lynch for earmarking his first five picks on it. First-round DE Mykel Williams and second-round DT Alfred Collins could help Nick Bosa get back to being the dominant player he should be. Third-round LB Nick Martin ought to flourish alongside All-Pro Fred Warner.

23. Washington Commanders (B-)

It was a lighter class in part because veteran CB Marshon Lattimore came at the price of a third- and fourth-rounder at last year’s trade deadline, a transaction that has yet to bear sufficient fruit. Still, GM Adam Peters did a nice job while picking OT Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and CB Trey Amos in the second. Fourth-round WR Jaylin Lane could capably take over for departed Dyami Brown as the deep threat.

24. Buffalo Bills (B-)

A team that seems oh-so-close to its first Super Bowl win didn’t seem to come out of this draft with that player or two who seem capable of putting it over the top. We’ll see how the trade up for DT T.J. Sanders in the second round plays out, but going heavy on defense – including Round 1 CB Maxwell Hairston and Round 3 DE Landon Jackson – seems sensible given how the AFC East champs faltered on that side of the ball down the stretch in 2024.

25. Chicago Bears (B-)

GM Ryan Poles, who’s known for his aggressive maneuvers, continues to build out the support system for second-year QB Caleb Williams. But did Poles hit the optimal notes? Time will tell if first-round TE Colston Loveland was the correct choice over Warren. Poles also stood pat at No. 39 and wound up with WR Luther Burden III, who loosely compares to Deebo Samuel, but Chicago missed out on what appeared to be this draft’s top running back prospects. Poles did wind up with three stabs in Round 2, and DT Shemar Turner might have been the best of the trio (OT Ozzy Trapilo being the other).

26. Arizona Cardinals (B-)

Could be an especially wide variance of outcomes with their first two picks, first-round DT Walter Nolen and CB Will Johnson – the latter’s knee likely to determine if he was a steal or a player with diminishing returns. Third-rounder Jordan Burch joins a D-line that may be morphing from weakness to strength.

27. Los Angeles Chargers (C+)

Nothing wrong with amassing quality depth. But what if it’s overly redundant? First-round RB Omarion Hampton might not need long to displace fellow banger Najee Harris, but would a back like Henderson have provided a better change-of-pace option? Second-round WR Tre Harris is a nice player but not the deep threat this passing game seemingly needs. Outside corner and tight end remain open questions.

28. Cincinnati Bengals (C)

From a macro perspective, they resourced their draft properly by investing heavily in the defense and offensive line – this team’s major issues in 2024 giving up too many points and its ongoing penchant for getting QB Joe Burrow sacked three times a week. But first-round DE Shemar Stewart is your classic boom-or-bust prospect – how often does that work out in Cincinnati? – and going for a pair of linebackers afterward seemed a bit … odd. The best thing that arguably “happened” was retaining 2024 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Trey Hendrickson on the roster, though it’s past time to address his woefully underfunded contract.

29. Carolina Panthers (C)

They might have overspent on WR Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8. And they might have struck gold on OLB Nic Scourton at No. 51. Fourth-round RB Trevor Etienne is a nice player, though it’s worth wondering if GM Dan Morgan should have attacked other parts of the roster given the presence of recently extended RB Chuba Hubbard and newly signed Rico Dowdle in the backfield.

30. Minnesota Vikings (C)

Previous deals left them with one pick in the top 100, though taking G Donovan Jackson was prudent with QB J.J. McCarthy coming back from his knee injury … even if Jackson is a Buckeye protecting a Wolverine. Otherwise, a team that spent freely in free agency seemed largely relegated to targeting depth, including backup QB Sam Howell via a pick swap.

31. Miami Dolphins (C-)

They absolutely needed to get tougher in the trenches – on both sides of the ball. So from that standpoint, spending their only picks ahead of the fifth round on DT Kenneth Grant (Round 1) and G Jonah Savaiinaea (Round 2) made sense. Conversely, were they both slight reaches relative to their draft position or even the best available options at their respective positions? The team’s spotty track record, especially on the O-line, makes one wonder.

?. Cleveland Browns (I – for incomplete)

Think this assessment is a copout? Fine. But there’s no legitimate way to know what to make of this until the bigger picture comes into focus – at least a year from now. It’s tough to even know where to begin.

But let’s start with Thursday, when the Browns stunningly vacated the No. 2 spot and opportunity to take Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner quite possibly a generational prospect – not to mention one who seemingly would have fit well onto this roster and was glowingly praised by GM Andrew Berry the week before the draft. But Berry punched out and wound up with DT Mason Graham (No. 5 pick) and battering ram RB Quinshon Judkins (No. 36 pick) as part of the compensation – both very good football players and doubtless Week 1 starters. Second-round LB Carson Schwesinger should also be instantly productive, while electric fourth-round RB Dylan Sampson could be a fantastic foil to Judkins, who paired so well with Henderson at Ohio State.

But what to make of the quarterback situation, which was the scintillating tandem of Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett a week ago? By obtaining Jacksonville’s 2026 first-rounder, the Browns seemed well positioned to draft a passer next year, which is expected to have far better options as it pertains to the slingers likely inbound from NIL land. Taking former college star Dillon Gabriel, most recently of Oregon, in Round 3 added intrigue to the mix – which, sure, fine.

But by taking Sanders in the fifth round, the quarterback situation is now as muddled as ever (and this is a team that’s been paying Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed $230 million to be horrible), the body language of Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski after taking Sanders leading many to wonder if owner Jimmy Haslam had mandated the pick. Put such speculation aside, and Berry and Stefanski tried to downplay it afterward. Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year who’s gotten a ton out of this roster – when Watson isn’t on the field, and he won’t be in 2025 after multiple Achilles surgeries. Yet the worse the Browns are next season – and, just maybe, the worse Sanders is (and after all the NFL has already put him through) – the better the shot Cleveland will have to get a 2026 rookie quarterback who could quite reasonably be clearly better than anyone currently on this depth chart.

So, yeah … get back to me in a year.

The NBA officiating crew chief from the outfit that ate its whistle during a crucial no-call late in the Knicks victory over the Pistons on Sunday indicated after the game that a foul should’ve been enforced, denying Detroit the chance to win the game at the foul line.

Tim Hardaway Jr. released a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. Josh Hart defended.

“During live play, it was judged that Josh Hart made a legal defensive play,” crew chief David Guthrie said in a pool report released Sunday afternoon. “After postgame review, we observed that Hart makes body contact that is more than marginal to Hardaway Jr. and a foul should have been called.”

A foul call would’ve sent Hardaway to the line for three free throws; one conversion would’ve tied the score, two would’ve won the game.

This season, Hardaway converted free throws at an 85.5% clip.

Facing a one-point deficit, the Pistons inbounded the ball with 11.1 seconds left. All-Star guard Cade Cunningham crossed over Knicks forward OG Anunoby to create enough space to get off a shot from the left elbow. The shot rimmed out and in the ensuing battle for possession, the ball trickled over to Hardaway in the corner.

Hart, anticipating the shot, jumped in the air as Hardaway gathered his feet to shoot. As Hardaway jumped to attempt the shot, Hart glanced the right side of Hardaway’s body, impacting his shooting motion.

“You go back and look at the film, (Hart) leaves his feet and there’s contact on Tim Hardaway’s jump shot,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. “I don’t know any other way around it: there’s contact on his jump shot. The guy leaves his feet, he’s at Timmy’s mercy — I repeat, there was contact on his jump shot.”

The Knicks took a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden now becoming a potential closeout scenario. In NBA history, only 13 teams have rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs to win their respective series and advance.

Now, after the crushing defeat, the Pistons will try to be the 14th.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in trouble.

The sixth-seeded Timberwolves are just one victory from eliminating the third-seeded Lakers after taking Game 4 116-113 for a 3-1 lead in their first-round Western Conference series.

The Timberwolves overcame a 10-point deficit to start the fourth quarter and relied on strong offensive performances from All-Star guard Anthony Edwards and forward Julius Randle. Edwards had 43 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Randle scored 25 points.

Minnesota, which reached the conference finals last season, had just enough offense and just enough defense to overcome 27 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists from Lakers star LeBron James and 38 points from star Luka Doncic.

Trailing by 10 to start the fourth quarter and behind 99-90 with 8:26 remaining in the fourth, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 26-14 down the stretch.

Jaden McDaniels’ three-point play with 39.5 seconds left put Minnesota ahead 114-113. The Lakers called timeout, but James committed a turnover followed by an Edwards turnover. Minnesota challenged the call, arguing Edwards was fouled before losing possession – and won the challenge, giving Edwards two free throws.

He made both for a 116-113 lead, and Austin Reaves missed a 3-pointer to end the game.

Game 5 is Wednesday in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET, TNT).

Just 13 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit, and it hasn’t happened since 2020 when Denver did it twice.

Read what you missed from Game 4 of the Lakers and Timberwolves:

Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113: Highlights

3Q: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 84

The Los Angeles Lakers opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run, grabbed a double-digit lead and ended the third quarter with a 94-84 lead.

The offensive prowess of Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic is just slightly better than the production of Minnesota Timberwolves stars Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.

Will that hold through the fourth quarter?

Doncic has 31 points, and James has 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and is on pace to play 40-plus minutes for the third consecutive game. Rui Hachimura has 20 points for the Lakers.

Edwards has 27 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Randle has 25 for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert was issued a flagrant foul one for a forearm to the back of James’ head and Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was given a technical foul with 31.8 seconds left in the quarter, helping the Lakers take a 10-point lead.

Halftime: Timberwolves 61, Lakers 58

It was all Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half of Game 4 vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was all LeBron James and Luka Doncic for the Lakers.

And the Timberwolves are up 61-58 at halftime.

Edwards had 19 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Randle scored 21 points in the opening two quarters.

James scored 22 points and delivered seven assists, and Doncic had 21 points in the first half. Lakers forward Rui Hachimura was the only other player in double figures in points with 10.

Midway through the second quarter, James and Doncic had scored 34 of Los Angeles’ 44 points. James, who played 22 of 24 minutes in the first half, also had more than half of his points on free throws, going 12-for-14 from the foul line.

The game has other statistical oddities: Doncic has just one assist and one rebound, and the Lakers have just three points from their bench.

1Q: Lakers 32, Timberwolves 28

Luka Doncic, who was dealing with a stomach illness the past two days, scored 13 points, and LeBron James had nine points, three rebounds and two assists as the Los Angeles Lakers owned a 32-28 lead over Minnesota after the first quarter of Game 4 on Sunday.

The Lakers shot 47.8% from the field but let a 32-22 lead dwindle to a four-point lead to close the quarter.

Julius Randle has a team-high 13 points for the Timberwolves who shot just 34.6% from the field in the opening quarter. Anthony Edwards found scoring late in the quarter and has nine points.

What time is Lakers vs. Timberwolves?

Game 4 of the NBA playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 27 at the Target Center (Minneapolis).

How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves game: TV, stream

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
TV: ABC
Stream: Fubo, YouTube TV

Watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves on Fubo