Sports
Paul Skenes fires 8 strong innings as Pirates blank Diamondbacks
May 6, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Paul Skenes allowed two hits over eight stellar innings and Brandon Lowe hit a towering homer to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night in Phoenix.
Lowe’s first-inning blast off Michael Soroka was all the offense Skenes (5-2) needed as he silenced Arizona hitters. The right-hander struck out seven and walked none while pitching at least eight innings for the fourth time in his career.
It was the longest scoreless outing ever produced by Skenes, who has yet to last nine innings in a game.
Gregory Soto worked around a one-out walk in the ninth for his second save.
Skenes retired the first 14 batters he faced before Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reached on an infield tapper in the fifth. Nolan Arenado followed with a single to left before Skenes retired Gabriel Moreno on a fly to right to start a streak of 10 consecutive retired hitters.
In the eighth, Skenes struck out the side, getting Gurriel, Arenado and Moreno to fan swinging, leaving his pitch count at 97. Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly informed Skenes his night was through when he got to the dugout.
Skenes didn’t walk a batter for his fourth consecutive start. He has issued just seven free passes in 42 innings this year.
Soto walked Geraldo Perdomo with one out in the ninth before retiring Ketel Marte on a fly to right and Corbin Carroll on a game-ending grounder to first.
Soroka (4-2) allowed one run and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.
Lowe and Bryan Reynolds had two hits apiece for the Pirates, who have won four of their past five contests.
Arizona had lost five of its past six games.
Lowe came up with one out in the first and jumped all over Soroka’s fourth pitch of the game, sending a changeup over the 25-foot wall in center. The blast was measured at 435 feet.
Pittsburgh had a chance to add on in the seventh as Konnor Griffin led off with a single and stole second. One out later, Kevin Ginkel replaced Soroka, and he promptly balked Griffin to third.
Oneil Cruz hit a hard grounder toward Marte, and the Arizona second baseman gunned Griffin out at the plate. Cruz stole second and was stranded when Lowe flied out to center.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Detroit lands PWHL expansion team in 2026-27
PWHL Detroit will begin play with the 2026-27 season. Hockeytown is getting a franchise in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
On Wednesday, the league designated Detroit as a PWHL city beginning with the 2026-27 season. As many as three more teams could be added to the current eight-team league before the next season starts.
The selection of the Motor City can be tied in with the PWHL’s relationship with the Ilitch family, whose holdings include the NHL’s Red Wings as well as MLB’s Tigers. The PWHL team will play its home games at Little Caesars Arena, the domain of the Red Wings.
“Detroit is one of the great hockey cities, shaped by generations of players, teams, and fans who have helped grow the game at every level. Bringing a PWHL team to Little Caesars Arena is an exciting next step for our city and for the continued momentum of women’s hockey,” said Chris Ilitch, president and CEO of the Ilitch Companies.
“This moment also reflects our broader vision of using sports as a catalyst for Detroit’s continued revitalization — strengthening community engagement, supporting economic growth, and contributing to the city’s long-term development. We’re proud to support the PWHL’s growth, welcome these athletes to our city, and inspire the next generation of women and girls to pursue the game at the highest level.”
Detroit hosted the league’s first neutral-site game during its inaugural season in 2024. The city, in fact, has hosted four PWHL games, including setting a then-U.S. arena attendance record for women’s hockey of 14,288 on March 16, 2025, On March 28, 2026, a women’s hockey attendance high of 15,938 watched the Takeover Tour game at Little Caesars Arena.
“Detroit has been part of PWHL history since the beginning; from the support shown at our first-ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena, the city and fans have helped lead the way for the future of pro women’s hockey,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president, business operations.
“Led by our incredible partner Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, Detroit proved time and time again they are ready for a team of their own. We are so proud to permanently join Hockeytown with the introduction of PWHL Detroit.”
The Ilitch family will not own the Detroit club. All PWHL teams are centrally owned by Mark Walter and his wife, Kimbra. Walter owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Also Wednesday, the PWHL also announced Detroit will host the league’s draft and awards ceremony in mid-June.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers C Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) out for Game 2 vs. Knicks
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) reacts during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid has been ruled out of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the host New York Knicks on Wednesday due to right ankle and hip injuries.
Per ESPN, Embiid did not participate in the team’s shootaround on Wednesday morning after experiencing increased soreness in both his ankle and hip.
Embiid was limited to 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the floor in Philadelphia’s 137-98 setback to New York on Monday in the series opener. He averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists while playing in the final four games of the 76ers’ seven-game series victory over the Boston Celtics in the first round.
Embiid, 32, did not play in the first three games of the series versus the Celtics and had been off the court since April 6, as he required an emergency appendectomy during a team trip through Texas.
The former league MVP and five-time All-NBA selection was limited to 38 games in the regular season due to multiple ailments. He averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 blocks.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Late surge leads Knicks past Sixers to 2-0 series edge
May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks to drive past Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson scored eight of his 26 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday night for the host New York Knicks, who took control of their Eastern Conference semifinal final by stopping the Philadelphia 76ers down the stretch to earn a 108-102 win in Game 2.
The Knicks lead the best-of-seven set series 2-0. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia.
Karl-Anthony Towns produced 20 points and 10 rebounds despite playing just 27 minutes due to foul trouble for the Knicks, who ended the game on a 12-3 run to close out a contest that included 14 ties and 25 lead changes.
OG Anunoby had 24 points while Mikal Bridges added 18 points as New York won its fifth straight game overall. The Knicks’ average victory margin in the previous four games was 33.8 points.
New York center Mitchell Robinson was a late scratch due to illness.
Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points for the 76ers, who managed just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting (21.1%) in the fourth quarter. Philadelphia took its final lead at 99-96 on Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 3-pointer with 6:52 left, after which it the Sixers hit 1 of 10 from the field with two turnovers.
Oubre and Paul George each finished with 19 points. VJ Edgecombe had 17 points.
Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid missed the game for the due to ankle and hip injuries.
The 76ers took their biggest lead by opening with a 15-8 run in which George scored 11 points. The Knicks responded with a 10-2 surge to go in front for the first time at 18-17 and begin the seesaw affair in earnest.
The 76ers led 33-31 at the end of the first, 62-61 at the half and 90-89 through three quarters.
Midway through the fourth quarter, New York’s Josh Hart answered the 3-pointer by Oubre with a trey to begin a decisive 9-0 run. The Knicks grabbed their biggest lead to that point at 105-99 on Bridges’ 20-footer with 2:56 left.
The teams combined for four consecutive empty trips before Maxey split a pair of free throws with 1:33 left. Brunson answered by making two foul shots before Maxey’s layup cut the margin to five. Hart and George traded missed 3-point attempts, after which McBride hit 1 of 2 free throws with 22.1 seconds left.
Maxey missed a 26-footer and Brunson collected the rebound with 12.6 seconds left and dribbled out the clock.
–Field Level Media
Detroit lands PWHL expansion team in 2026-27
76ers C Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) out for Game 2 vs. Knicks
