Sports
Celtics star Jayson Tatum (knee) questionable for Game 7 vs. Sixers
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to his score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images The Boston Celtics might have to face the Philadelphia 76ers in a do-or-die Game 7 without star Jayson Tatum, who was listed as questionable for Saturday night’s game with left knee stiffness.
Tatum did not play in the last 15 minutes of Thursday’s Game 6 — a 106-93 loss to the Sixers in Eastern Conference first-round play — and was riding an exercise bike in the hall during the fourth quarter.
Tatum appeared to downplay the issue after the game, telling reporters, “You guys probably saw when I went to the back, saw me on the bike. My leg just was a little stiff when I came out in the third quarter. But just kind of assessing the moment, the game was a little out of reach.”
The sore knee is not related to last May’s devastating ruptured right Achilles tendon, Tatum said. That injury knocked him out in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks and kept him off the court until March 6 of this season.
“It was my other leg, not the one I injured last year,” Tatum said Thursday. “I mean, I wasn’t like overly concerned. … I came out at four minutes, like I was supposed to. Just kind of assessed the game. (Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla) took the starters out fairly early in the fourth quarter.”
Mazzulla told reporters on a conference call Friday afternoon that Tatum would be available for Game 7, and Tatum said at Thursday’s postgame press conference, “I expect to play.”
Tatum has averaged 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game in the series against the Sixers.
In Game 3, Tatum became the fourth player in Celtics history to top 3,000 career postseason points. Tatum (3,005) trails three legends — Kevin McHale (3,182), John Havlicek (3,776) and leader Larry Bird (3,897).
Tatum, 28, is a six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA first-team selection and a two-time Olympic gold-medal winner for Team USA. Through 601 career NBA games, Tatum is averaging 23.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
For the Sixers, Paul George was listed as probable with an illness for the game on his 36th birthday. Joel Embiid (post appendectomy) also is listed as probable, while Tyrese Maxey (finger) is available.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mets C Luis Torrens gets 2-year extension reportedly worth $11.5M
Apr 9, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) reaches for the ball during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday with a nice payday.
The Mets announced a contract extension with Torrens for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, which multiple outlets reported is worth $11.5 million.
A backup catcher in his ninth season, Torrens is batting .200 with two doubles and four RBIs in 13 games this season, his third with the Mets. He is earning $2.275 million for 2026.
Known for his defense, Torrens is a career .226 hitter with 27 homers and 127 RBIs in 421 games with the San Diego Padres (2017, 2019-20), Seattle Mariners (2020-23), Chicago Cubs (2023) and Mets.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Visiting D.C. United short-handed for clash with NYCFC
Aug 23, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York City FC midfielder Nicolas Fernandez Mercau (7) dribbles during the second half against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images Short-handed D.C. United will try to build off last weekend’s dramatic home win on Sunday when they visit a New York City side hoping to ride momentum from a midweek U.S. Open Cup victory over their crosstown rival.
After a slow start, the attack for D.C. (3-4-3, 12 points) has suddenly erupted with seven goals in its last two matches.
In a 4-4 draw at the New York Red Bulls on April 22, Tai Baribo scored a hat trick for his fourth, fifth and sixth league goals. Then last Saturday, Louis Munteanu scored his first goal for the club in the 84th minute and Kye Rowles had the 90th-minute winner as the Black-and-Red rallied for a 3-2 home win over Orlando.
But Baribo will miss a second straight match with an injury, manager Rene Weiler confirmed this week. And one of the candidates to replace him, Brazilian attacker Gabriel Pirani, has played his way out of consideration, Weiler said.
“He’s playing for himself instead of the team, and I dislike,” Weiler told reporters. “And I can’t see the joy in his face in the identification of our club. So he will not be in the team.”
The victory against Orlando halted a five-match league winless run for D.C. in its first full season under Weiler. Now it visits an NYCFC squad mired in a similar six-match MLS slide, with City’s last league win coming on March 14 at home against Colorado.
But Pascal Jansen’s squad earned a decisive 3-1 win at the Red Bulls in Wednesday’s Open Cup Round of 16 clash, with Raul Gustavo scoring the winner in the 39th minute and Thiago Martins adding insurance in the 57th minute.
Nicolas Fernandez Mercau leads NYCFC (3-4-3, 12 points) with eight league goals, including two in a 4-4 home draw against FC Cincinnati on April 22.
And given their current form, Jansen isn’t about to feel sad that his side will likely have their top scorer while his opponent won’t.
“Obviously a massive piece for them. An important player,” Jansen said of Baribo’s absence. “We’re coming out of a good game against Red Bull, and now the focus is on D.C., and they’re missing one of their key players. That’s tough for them, but good news for us.”
The two sides have split their last four head-to-head matches, including a pair of draws.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Phillies reinstate C J.T. Realmuto (back) from injured list
Mar 29, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) at bat against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Philadelphia Phillies reinstated catcher J.T. Realmuto from the 10-day injured list on Saturday.
Realmuto, 35, was placed on the IL on April 22 due to back spasms.
The three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner is batting .259 with one homer and four RBIs in 17 games this season, his eighth with the Phillies.
Philadelphia made room on the 26-man roster by designating utility player Dylan Moore, 33, for assignment. He is hitless in 15 plate appearances in his first season with Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media
Mets C Luis Torrens gets 2-year extension reportedly worth $11.5M
Visiting D.C. United short-handed for clash with NYCFC
