Report sheds light on why Kon Knueppel lost NBA Rookie of the Year award
Just a few weeks ago, Charlotte Hornets star Kon Knueppel seemed to be in the driver’s seat for the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
On Monday, the league announced that Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg won the award. Flagg earned 412 total points while Knueppel received 386 in a close finish.
After the results came out, Tomer Azarly and Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that one possible reason why is due to Knueppel’s struggles during the Play-In Tournament.
“A number of media members who have votes admitted the Play-In Tournament, which Knueppel struggled significantly in, weighed in their decision for the regular season award,” Azarly wrote.
“Several NBA media voters publicly admitted to the play-in tournament changing their minds from Knueppel to Flagg. Have to wonder if pre-play-in whether Knueppel would’ve won the vote,” Siegel added.
Several NBA media voters publicly admitted to the play-in tournament changing their minds from Knueppel to Flagg.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 27, 2026
Have to wonder if pre-play-in whether Knueppel would’ve won the vote. https://t.co/Ak8OHv1s61
At the beginning of March, Stephen A. Smith predicted that Knueppel would win the award, and the Hornets star and Flagg were neck and neck for quite some time.
Knueppel’s struggles were evident as he shot 2-of-12 from the field with six points in the 127-126 overtime win in the first Play-In game against the Miami Heat.
Kon Knueppel then went jus 3-of-10 with 1 three-pointer in the 121-90 blowout loss to the Orlando Magic.
Fans even blamed Hornets coach Charles Lee as he sat Knueppel down the stretch against the Heat amid a poor shooting performance.
Now, Flagg has beaten out his former Duke teammate for the award, and the close race certainly raises questions about the timing of the voting process.
NBA announces Rookie of the Year winner between Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel
The votes are in, and Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg has been named the NBA Rookie of the Year, defeating Charlotte Hornets forward and former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel.
Flagg also joins Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to lead their teams in total points, rebounds, assists and steals since steals became a stat.
Here are the final votes for the NBA Rookie of the Year award, and the gap between Flagg and Knueppel was the second-smallest in the current format.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, earning the Wilt Chamberlain Trophy. pic.twitter.com/FmgY6vTLjx
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 27, 2026
- Cooper Flagg: 412 total points, 56 first-place votes
- Kon Knueppel: 386 total points, 44 first-place votes
- VJ Edgecombe (76ers): 96 total points, 1 second-place vote, 93 third-place votes
- Dylan Harper (Spurs): 5 total points and third-place votes
- Cedric Coward (Grizzlies): 1 third-place vote
There was a lot of debate between Knueppel and Flagg for the award, but the Mavericks star just beat out Knueppel.
Flagg finished the season averaging 21 points with 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, while Knueppel had 18.5 points with 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Knueppel made NBA history by setting a new record for threes made in a season by a rookie, and that mark was previously made by Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray. Knueppel broke that record at the end of February after hitting his 207th three-pointer.
Still, it was quite the season by both rookies, and the future looks bright for the two former Duke stars.
Steelers’ fourth-round pick learns of selection while playing golf
For a long time, the NFL Draft phone calls have become a tradition and have included some noteworthy stories.
This year was no exception, although this one was a bit different. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round on Saturday, and he answered the draft call while playing a round of golf.
Some dudes go to the draft
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 27, 2026
Some host draft parties
Some get drafted while they’re playing a round with the fellas
Kaden Wetjen is already a legend pic.twitter.com/w6vw3gjUCE
Wetjen going in the fourth round was a bit of a surprise, and NFL.com’s Chad Reuter had the Iowa WR as a fifth-round pick in his final mock draft.
Wetjen, though labeled as a WR, is more of a return specialist. In three years at Iowa, he had just 23 receptions and 23 carries, but he returned a total of 57 punts and 56 kickoffs for six total touchdowns.
Kaden Wetjen highlights #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/wqb8lAbAGH
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 25, 2026
Still, Wetjen was expected to get drafted at some point, yet he was out on the golf course on Day 3 of the NFL Draft in a story he will remember for a long time.
The Steelers also selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, and they were about to select USC wide receiver before the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select him, even though the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon.
Eagles exercise fifth-year options on former first-round picks
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and now teams are making final decisions on the fifth-year options.
The Philadelphia Eagles have decided to exercise the option for pass rusher Nolan Smith, meaning he will earn $13.7 million in 2027.
The Eagles also announced that they picked up the fifth-year option for defensive end Jalen Carter, who was the ninth overall pick in 2023 and also played with Smith at Georgia. Carter’s fifth-year option is worth $27.1 million, according to Over The Cap.
We’ve exercised the 5th-year option for Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith through 2027. pic.twitter.com/OSsi1GuiBl
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 27, 2026
Smith was selected in the first round at No. 23 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has played well early on for the Eagles.
Smith had just one sack in 17 games as a rookie, but he earned more playing time in 2024 and finished with 6.5 sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries.
Last season, Smith played just 12 games but had three sacks and showed he is an important part of the defense when he is healthy.
Carter has played in 44 games with 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his NFL career. However, his name came up in trade rumors.
For now, both 2023 first-round picks are staying in Philadelphia in a huge boost for the defense.
John Schneider had a classy gesture for new Red Sox manager
After the Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora, Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy was named the interim.
Tracy has been the manager for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate since 2022, and now he gets the promotion to the majors. After the news came, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he reached out to Tracy to offer his support, via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
“People did that to me, especially in our division, when I was literally in that same spot … I don’t know him and I’ve never met him, but I felt like it was the right baseball thing to do, to reach out and offer my support,” Schneider said.
In July 2022, the Blue Jays fired Charlie Montoyo and then named Schneider as the interim. Schneider had been a manager and assistant in the Blue Jays’ farm system since 2008.
The Red Sox fired Cora on Saturday after a rough start to the season. Unfortunately, the decision to move on from Cora has not sat well with Boston players, with shortstop Trevor Story saying the coaches didn’t “get a fair shot.”
The Red Sox have an 11-17 record entering Monday, and they face the Blue Jays in Toronto, so Schneider will get to manage against Tracy face-to-face.
Boston defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Sunday in Tracy’s first game as the new manager for the Red Sox.
George Pickens’ latest move sparks new trade speculation
Just after it seemed that his immediate future was settled, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens seems to be putting it in doubt again.
Reports had emerged prior to the NFL Draft saying Pickens was signing his franchise tag with Dallas, locking him into a $27.3 million contract for one year. On Monday, however, it emerged that Pickens has not actually signed the paperwork yet.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Cowboys received a “verbal commitment” from Pickens’ agent that he would sign the tag.
Last week, the Cowboys received verbal commitment via email from George Pickens’ agents that the star receiver is signing his franchise tag. He has yet to sign the tender, as @toddarcher reported.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 27, 2026
Dallas still has no plans to trade him.
Adam Schefter maintained that nothing has changed on the Pickens front, and that signing the tag was simply not a priority for him during the weekend of the draft.
Still, until Pickens signs the tag, speculation about a trade will linger. The fact that the wide receiver has yet to follow through was enough to cause many to wonder if there were problems between him and the Cowboys, or that he might still be trying to force an exit.
Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns for Dallas last season. The Cowboys have already said they have no further plans to try to negotiate a long-term contract with him.
Everyone said the same thing about Mike Vrabel returning to Patriots
Mike Vrabel’s time in counseling was quite brief, it turns out.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that Vrabel is already back at work with the New England Patriots. Vrabel is back with the team two days after he missed the third and final day of the NFL Draft in order to attend counseling. The Patriots coach made that decision in light of the emergence of numerous photos of himself with NFL reporter Dianna Russini, sparking rumors of an extramarital affair.
Social media reaction was swift. There were many sarcastic comments about how his brief trip to counseling had clearly solved everything, and a few insinuations that his temporary absence had been more performative than anything else.
He's cured! https://t.co/mrSfLbGfsB
— Tony Farmer (@Tonysmarkettips) April 27, 2026
Ah, so the performative contrition portion is over. Glad we got that out of the way. https://t.co/PQ1gXOwNW3
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) April 27, 2026
And just like that, I’m sure Mike Vrabel now knows it’s bad to have a 6-year-long affair with a married reporter.
— Eagles Fan Central (@PhilaFanCentral) April 27, 2026
What a redemption story. https://t.co/o3Y5Zeu6Y8
Quickest family counseling session in history. https://t.co/gYh4AbaLLm
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) April 27, 2026
Vrabel has not offered any real details on the nature of his counseling or the specific reason he is seeking it. He simply said he would miss a day of the draft in order to seek it, and that he was doing so in order to be a better husband, father, and coach.
The Patriots are scheduled to hold their rookie minicamp from May 8-10. Presumably, that will be the next time he might address the media.
Paige Bueckers addresses her relationship with Azzi Fudd
Paige Bueckers has tried once and for all to address chatter about her relationship with Azzi Fudd.
Fudd, the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, will join Bueckers on the Dallas Wings this season. The two have been dating since 2025, and their relationship has prompted some questions now that they are professional teammates.
Bueckers said Monday that Fudd has earned her success, and that the two would not let any on-court situations carry over into their personal life. The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year said she does not intend to discuss the topic again.
“Quite frankly, I believe me and Azzi’s personal relationship is nobody’s business but our own. And what we choose to share is completely up to us,” Bueckers said. “We’ve never let anything that happens off the court carry onto the court, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.
“Azzi Fudd was the No. 1 draft pick because she earned it, and it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with who she is as a human being, who she is the basketball player.”
Paige Bueckers addressed her relationship with Azzi Fudd in an opening statement during Wings media day:
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 27, 2026
She said, in part: "Quite frankly, I believe me and Azzi's personal relationship is nobody's business but our own. And what we choose to share is completely up to us.
"We've…
The Wings made the relationship even more of a talking point by shutting down a question about it at a recent press conference. That likely informed Bueckers’ decision to try to make a blanket statement now so the intrigue will not hang around into the season.
Bueckers and Fudd publicly confirmed their romantic relationship on social media in 2025. The two were teammates at UConn before winding up together on the Wings.
Pat Riley takes another shot at Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat president Pat Riley certainly seems to feel vindicated by his decision to trade Jimmy Butler last year.
Riley addressed the media in his end-of-season press conference Monday, and he clearly suggested that his decision to get rid of Butler was a net positive for the team. He cited the fact that the team won more games this season than they did the season before.
“When you look back on what we did with Jimmy in that trade, we won 37 games last year, for a lot of reasons. Winning six more games this year, it’s an improvement. We did improve from that standpoint,” Riley said.
Pat Riley says the team improved after moving on from Jimmy Butler:
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) April 27, 2026
“When you look back at what we did with Jimmy, in that trade. Winning 37 last year for a lot of reasons and then winning 6 more this year. That’s an improvement” https://t.co/UMvwedOqhl pic.twitter.com/WFIl1VJDQh
Butler and the Heat had an acrimonious breakup that stemmed from Riley’s unwillingness to give the veteran the new contract he was looking for. Butler did not have many nice things to say about Riley after he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, and Riley was just as critical.
The Heat did improve in terms of their win total, but finished 10th in an improved Eastern Conference, which was a step down from 2024-25. Riley acknowledged that further improvement is necessary, but he has clearly never had any second thoughts about the Butler deal.
Victor Wembanyama criticizes NBA concussion protocols
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama voiced frustration with the NBA’s concussion protocol after returning for Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Wembanyama said after Sunday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers that he felt the way the protocol was handled was “very disappointing.” He refused to open up about why, though he did say the doctors involved in treating him were “great.”
Victor Wembanyama said he doesn’t want to get into details on his potency in the NBA concussion protocol and be a distraction, but he did have this to say:
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) April 27, 2026
“The doctors all around, they were great. Took great care of me. But the way the situation was handled was very… pic.twitter.com/iIgVkqd0us
ESPN’s Shams Charania offered more context on Monday in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He suggested that there was conflict between the Spurs’ doctors and the NBA’s concussion doctors over whether Wembanyama would be cleared to play in Game 3.
“He felt he was cleared to play Friday. He felt like the Spurs doctors had cleared him to play. And that’s why the frustration comes into play when the league decides he wasn’t,” Charania said.
"Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs believed that he was cleared to play in game three..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 27, 2026
He was pissed that he wasn't able to play"@ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/X8iUDTE1mG pic.twitter.com/WlCfilHvcf
Wembanyama suffered a concussion in Game 2 when he fell hard and hit his head on the floor. He was ruled out of Game 3, though he still attended and let the Blazers have it from the bench.
Ultimately, Wembanyama returned for Game 4 and put up 27 points and 12 rebounds. His Spurs can close out the series in Game 5 Tuesday with one more victory.
Mike Brown’s job with Knicks may not be safe
Mike Brown may be coaching for his job during the playoffs, even though he is still in his first season as head coach of the New York Knicks.
Brown’s future remains the subject of speculation and he may need to reach the NBA Finals to keep his job, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. There is speculation that even that might not be enough, and Brown has to win a title or risk being replaced.
That would be pretty harsh on Brown, who was brought in to replace Tom Thibodeau last year after the Knicks lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team went 53-29, a slight improvement on last year, but are locked in a tough first round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks.
Whether Brown has actually made the Knicks better is a matter of debate. He has drawn criticism for some of his moves, and at the very least, the team does not look to be clearly better this season compared with last year.
Brown may have reason to sweat if this is true. After all, even he isn’t sure the Knicks have what it takes to win a championship.
Texas Tech QB checks into rehab for gambling addiction
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is leaving the team to seek treatment for a gambling addiction.
In a statement released Monday, Texas Tech announced that Sorsby will take an “immediate indefinite leave of absence” from the team in order to enter a residential treatment program for gambling addiction. The school said it was committed to supporting Sorsby for long-term recovery.
Texas Tech star QB Brendan Sorsby is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team and checking into a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction, per the school pic.twitter.com/8LiPv3pYT0
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 27, 2026
Sorsby only just arrived at Texas Tech as a transfer from Cincinnati. He threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns with the Bearcats last season, and was expected to be the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback in 2026.
Sorsby previously played for Indiana before joining Cincinnati. He was a second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2025.
The Red Raiders are coming off a 12-2 season and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. They have an opening at quarterback after Behren Morton, last year’s starter, graduated.
Joel Embiid has evasive response to questions about 76ers
Joel Embiid was not exactly effusive on Sunday when asked about the state of his relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Embiid was asked about whether his relationship with team management is in a better place following his team’s 128-96 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Sunday.
“I mean, we’re in the playoffs, we’re 3-1 so that’s what we focus on,” Embiid said. “I think we try to do the best job possible to try to make sure that I get back on the court but the focus is on the playoffs, trying to find a way to win one at a time.”
Obviously, Embiid is focused on other things, but he did not really go out of his way to say nice things about team management. There were reports last season that he had internal tension with the organization over treatment of his injuries, and it is not clear if that has subsided.
Embiid made his playoff debut Sunday after a bout with appendicitis. The frustration about his inability to stay healthy is high, both for him and the team, and one has to wonder how much longer the organization can stay committed to a player who has so rarely been available to them over the past several years.
Rajon Rondo emerges as a candidate for a head-coaching job
Rajon Rondo could find himself roaming the sidelines as a head coach, beginning in the 2026-27 NBA season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Rondo is among those the New Orleans Pelicans are considering to be the team’s next head coach.
“League sources say Rondo has been interviewed for the post after serving as a special assistant on Doc Rivers’ Milwaukee staff. Rondo is said to have felt his first coaching itch while recovering from a torn ACL as a Celtic, prompting Brad Stevens to bring him into staff meetings,” Stein wrote on his Substack.
It’s not surprising to hear that the 40-year-old Rondo has a strong interest in coaching in the Association. He displayed his high basketball IQ throughout his playing days, earning him a reputation as one of the league’s smartest players.
Being an intelligent point guard, however, doesn’t always equate to a successful coaching career. Rondo also has no head-coaching experience since he officially hung up his sneakers in 2024.
The four-time NBA All-Star Rondo had a stint as a guest on the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching staff under his former Boston Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers, during the 2025–26 regular season. However, he would be making a giant leap to the top of the Pelicans’ coaching hierarchy if he lands the job.
Rondo, who won an NBA title with the Celtics in 2008, appeared in 65 games (63 starts) for the Pelicans during the 2017-18 season.
H/T HoopsHype
Gabrielle Union reacts to Dwyane Wade’s role in Candace Parker’s special day
Basketball legend Candace Parker is soon joining her friend Dwyane Wade and many others in the sport’s most prestigious club.
The two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, and when she heard the news, she knew who her presenter for the event would be.
In a video shared on social media by NBA on Prime, Parker gave Wade a handwritten letter during a plane ride, asking the Miami Heat legend to join her on stage during the induction.
You can watch that moment here.
“Dear No. 3… always looking out for me, through Olympic gold, medals, championships,” Wade said, while reading the letter out loud. “You have always had my back. It would be an absolute honor if you walk me and join me on stage at the Hall of Fame. I love you like a brother.”
Of course, Wade was happy to learn the news, immediately going over to Parker to give her a hug.
Meanwhile, Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union, saw the video of the heartfelt moment between her husband and Parker, who won three WNBA titles.
“[It’s] only right,” Union commented, adding a fire emoji for emphasis.
Union clearly has no issue with her husband showing support for Parker. Like many basketball fans familiar with Parker’s incredible career, Union was simply thrilled to know that the seven-time WNBA All-Star will receive a much-deserved spotlight.
The induction ceremony for Parker and the rest of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in August.
Fans can’t resist making the same joke about Russell Wilson at Savannah Bananas game
Russell Wilson is still an NFL free agent, but that is not keeping him out of the spotlight.
The 10-time Pro Bowler showed up on the baseball field on Sunday, joining the Savannah Bananas for a game against the Party Animals at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.
The Super Bowl-winning quarterback grabbed everyone’s attention when he stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning, but not entirely for the right reasons. Wilson made contact with the ball and failed to leg out a single, as he was beaten to the bag on a trick play. You can watch the video of that play here.
Fans focused more on Wilson’s physique than his performance at the plate.
Bruh walking to the plate like …. pic.twitter.com/bfM0VgnXke
— Ah Sahm (@AhSahm96) April 27, 2026
His dad bod fits right in with all the other MLB players
— JO Buras (@JOBuras) April 27, 2026
Bro put down the burritos pic.twitter.com/RHjGKXxrQ3
— DK (@DK3OffTheT) April 27, 2026
Russ looking thicc in Free agency.
— Eric Diaz (@TheDudeDiaz) April 26, 2026
Russ turning into White Goodman pic.twitter.com/d35RxwTM1T
— Nicky Giuffre (@NickyMulligans) April 26, 2026
At 37 years old, it’s harder for Wilson to stay in top shape than it was during his prime. That said, he did not look so bad when he ran to first base.
He still has good speed, but it’s going to take more than that for an NFL team to take a chance on an aging quarterback who is coming off a mediocre campaign.
In the 2025 season, Wilson played in just six games (three starts) and passed for just 831 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on a 58% completion rate with the New York Giants.
Ime Udoka keeps door open for Kevin Durant’s Game 5 return
The Houston Rockets bought Kevin Durant some more time to recover from his ankle injury after taking down the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of their first-round series on Sunday.
With their 115-96 win over LA at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, the Rockets avoided a series sweep and kept alive their hope of seeing Durant suit up for at least one more time in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
After Game 4, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka hinted at the possibility of Durant returning to the lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
“Kevin Durant’s status is game-to-game per Ime Udoka. He has not been ruled out for the series,” Vanessa Richardson of ESPN shared via a post on X.
Durant sat out Game 1 of the series with a knee issue before playing in Game 2, where he scored 23 points. However, he sat out again for Game 3 due to an ankle injury.
With Houston facing elimination on Sunday, Durant missed yet another game, though the Rockets found a way to survive, thanks to the collective effort of his healthy teammates.
No team in NBA history has won a series after opening it with three straight losses, but the Rockets’ chances of pulling off a miracle should increase if Durant plays in Game 5.
No team in NBA history has come back to win a series after losing the first three games, but the Rockets’ chances of pulling off a miracle would increase if Durant plays in Game 5.
LeBron James suffers an embarrassing low for the first time in his NBA career
LeBron James is an incredible ageless wonder, but he can’t always beat Father Time.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward lost one of those battles on Sunday. In Game 4 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, James scored just 10 points on 2/9 shooting. He dished out 9 assists and grabbed 4 rebounds, but he repeatedly shot the Lakers in the foot with 8 turnovers in a 115-96 Lakers loss.
It was also the second playoff game in a row that the four-time NBA MVP turned the ball over eight times, the first time ever in his legendary career that he committed at least that many turnovers in back-to-back postseason contests.
LeBron in Game 4 vs Houston:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 27, 2026
10 PTS
9 AST (8 TOV)
2-9 FG
0-3 3P
Back-to-back playoff games with 8 TOV for the first time in his career. pic.twitter.com/qh2aMjoWXr
The Lakers were able to weather James’ turnovers in Game 3, as they came away with a 112-108 come-from-behind victory.
James softened the blow of his miscues in that contest with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, but he did not have that kind of production in Game 4, as Los Angeles failed to complete a series sweep of the Rockets.
James has been left with increased ball-handling duties amid the absences of injured stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, which could explain his turnovers. He will look to tighten up his ball security on Wednesday, when the Lakers try to eliminate the Rockets again at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
Celtics fans take over 76ers’ arena with savage 3-word chant in Game 4
Boston Celtics fans were loud and proud on Sunday as their squad dominated on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of their first-round series.
The Celtics throttled the Sixers 128-96 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in front of a muted Philadelphia crowd inside the Xfinity Mobile Arena. The home trailed by at least 15 points throughout the entire second half in the rout.
With Boston leading the contest by 30 points in the fourth quarter, the Celtics faithful taunted their Sixers counterparts with a mocking three-word chant.
“We want Boston! We want Boston!” chanted a smattering of Celtics fans in the building.
“We Want Boston” chants breaking out here in Philly
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) April 27, 2026
The Celtics are up by 30 pic.twitter.com/HrpmOiqgo4
The chants were clearly audible during the ESPN broadcast of the Beantown smackdown.
And now Celtics fans are chanting “WE WANT BOSTON” after blowing out the Sixers pic.twitter.com/LTEYfG11HA https://t.co/hTak6CpWw5
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 19, 2026
Sixers fans were chanting the same thing as their team beat the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament. Bostonians did not forget.
76ers fans were optimistic entering Game 4 with the return of All-Star center Joel Embiid, who had been recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Philly nearly stole Game 3 even without the former league MVP, and his return gave the Sixers an interior force it didn’t have for the first three games of the series.
Instead, the Celtics played their best game of the first round so far. Boston went 24/53 from beyond the arc and out-rebounded Philadelphia 51-30 to get the team one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Ravens owner ‘was begging’ to make draft pick for his team
Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti did more for his team’s draft prep than prepare his checkbook.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta revealed on Sunday that Bisciotti was in charge of making one of the team’s selections in the 2026 NFL draft. The player who caught the billionaire’s eye was Clemson running back Adam Randall, whom the team selected with the last of its three fifth-round picks on Day 3.
DeCosta shared during his post-draft press conference about how Bisciotti’s involvement came about during the NFL Annual League Meeting about a month prior.
“It’s the first draft pick Steve Bisciotti’s ever made,” DeCosta told reporters. “When we were down in Florida, Steve was begging for a draft pick—and he owns the team. I said, ‘Yeah, Steve, of course you can have a draft pick.’ And so we decided on our last fifth-round pick.”
The Ravens executive assured the media that Bisciotti did the work necessary to make an informed decision on the 174th pick. Per DeCosta, Bisciotti studied tape, did his research, and talked to people around Randall to validate his choice.
While all that could be true, the slippery slope here is that Bisciotti will now have extra investment in Randall’s success. How Randall performs on the field — if he even gets enough time there — would be a direct reflection of Bisciotti’s eye for talent.
Randall could very well be a slam-dunk pick who outperforms his draft slot. He’s a converted wide receiver who had a standout senior year as Clemson’s RB1. He finished with 814 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns in his first year as a full-time back.
However, slowly integrating the team owner in the draft process could bring serious consequences. Just ask Dallas Cowboys fans.
