Boston, MA

Despite Celtics loss, Jayson Tatum feels weight lifted after New York return

Published

3 days ago

April 10, 2026

Despite Celtics loss, Jayson Tatum feels weight lifted after New York return

NEW YORK — Jayson Tatum was not looking forward to his first game back at Madison Square Garden since he ruptured his Achilles there last May.

He won’t remember the outcome fondly, either. The Celtics lost to the Knicks in a 112-106 nailbiter, missing out on a chance to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

But regardless of the result, Tatum viewed Thursday night’s matchup as another important step in his comeback journey.

“It was a big moment, big hurdle for me,” he said. “I was nervous and anxious to come back here. Obviously, I wanted to win and play great, but more importantly, I just kind of wanted to walk off the floor on my own two feet.”

Tatum did that, delivering an uneven but productive performance in his 16th game of the season.

The good: He played a season-high 40 minutes and tallied 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, narrowly missing what would have been his second triple-double in Boston’s last five games. The not-so-good: He shot the ball poorly (7-for-22; 2-for-10 from 3-point range), committed six turnovers and was a team-worst minus-16.

Despite the loss — just the Celtics’ third with Tatum in the lineup this season — he called the night a “huge” mental victory for him. He made the call earlier in the week to play in this game rather than Friday’s home matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, which would have delayed his emotional MSG return until a potential Celtics-Knicks rematch in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Tatum admitted he was “not thrilled” about the prospect of returning to MSG, but he wanted to “face the challenge head-on” and remove one of the final pieces of mental baggage he’d been carrying since his injury. The anxiety he felt when he arrived at the arena for morning shootaround lingered past tipoff before eventually dissipating.

“Today was important to me, especially when I made the decision to come back and then made the decision to play today,” Tatum said. “I’m glad I did. I feel a lot better. Even (with) the loss.”

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum “looked good out there.”

“It looked comfortable,” Mazzulla said. “… Obviously a ton of emotions on a day like this, but once the game started, he kind of got in a game flow.”

Tatum now is likely to sit out against New Orleans, as he is not yet cleared to play on back-to-back nights. The Celtics can clinch the second seed by beating the Pelicans or the Orlando Magic in Sunday’s regular-season finale (both at TD Garden), or with a Knicks loss to the Toronto Raptors or Charlotte Hornets.

“I’m definitely checking off a lot of boxes,” Tatum said. “This was one of the last few. Obviously, playoffs coming up soon, but this is one of the ones that was at the top.”

Reserves Payton Pritchard (23 points, 10-for-20, six assists) and Baylor Scheierman (season-high 20 points, 7-for-8) starred in supporting roles for a Celtics team that was playing without top scorer Jaylen Brown. The Celtics got little offensive production from starters Derrick White and Sam Hauser, who scored a combined 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting in the loss.

The Celtics listed four-fifths of their starting lineup as questionable for Thursday’s game before upgrading White, Hauser and Neemias Queta to available. Brown was ruled out with Achilles tendonitis, the same ailment that sidelined him for wins over Atlanta and Charlotte late last month.

Jordan Walsh filled Brown’s spot, making his third start in the last seven games. Walsh sat through six consecutive DNP-CDs after Tatum’s return but recently reclaimed a spot in Mazzulla’s rotation. He spent much of the first half guarding Jalen Brunson, New York’s All-Star point guard, before getting in foul trouble and sitting for the final 20-plus minutes.

Knicks wing Mikal Bridges opened the game with a personal 7-0 run, but the Celtics responded by scoring 21 of the next 28 points. Tatum sparked that early rally with a steal and a fast-break layup, followed by a spinning and-one finish over Josh Hart and a drawn foul on another drive. He also lobbed an alley-oop to Queta, who added a putback off a missed Hauser 3-pointer and drew a foul on his second offensive rebound of the first quarter.

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta, left, and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA game Thursday, April 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/John Munson)

Pritchard scored 11 points over the final five minutes of the opening period. Brunson countered with eight points in the final 63 seconds — free throws after a Walsh foul and two triples — to cut Boston’s lead to 29-26.

The Knicks built a five-point lead early in the second by capitalizing on a series of Nikola Vucevic miscues. The Celtics’ backup center allowed two makes at the rim by his counterpart, Mitchell Robinson, fouled Robinson on a lob and committed a turnover that led to a fast-break layup by Jordan Clarkson.

The Celtics were outscored by nine points during Vucevic’s first shift off the bench, continuing a trend that’s persisted since his return from a fractured ring finger last weekend. The trade-deadline pickup was a minus-15 in the first half Sunday against Toronto and a minus-11 in the first quarter Tuesday against Charlotte.

Vucevic eventually scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and finished as plus-1 in 24 minutes. The Celtics view his often choppy minutes as necessary to get him reintegrated before the postseason.

“(They’re) very important,” Pritchard said. “He just came back from an injury, so he’s been out for a while. New team. So it’s an adjustment period, and we don’t have time to practice and play against each other, so this is kind of our practice time with him. He’s being thrown out there in these moments, but it’ll make us better and ready for the playoffs.”

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens recently said Vucevic will benefit more than any other Celtic from the team’s upcoming weeklong break, which will afford him valuable practice time before the playoffs begin. He’s been Mazzulla’s go-to big behind Queta since his finger healed, resulting in three straight healthy DNPs for Luka Garza.

As Boston entered halftime down 54-53, Tatum was one rebound shy of a double-double — plus four assists and a block on an OG Anunoby 3-pointer — but hadn’t made a field goal since his pair of early-game layups (2-for-11; 0-for-5 from three). Pritchard was the Celtics’ top scorer and shooter in the first half, scoring 15 points on 7-of-12. The rest of the team shot just 32.4% from the field.

Walsh picked up his fourth foul two seconds into the second half, then surrendered a Bridges 3-pointer. New York proceeded to hit four of those in quick succession, mounting an 18-6 run to stretch its lead to 72-59.

That’s when the Celtics finally found their stroke from beyond the arc. Six 3-pointers from five different players — including Vucevic’s first two 3-point makes since March 4 — erased New York’s cushion and put Boston up 78-76.

Pritchard and Scheierman — who subbed in for Walsh at the 9:23 mark of the third and played the rest of the way — each hit two threes in the quarter, and the Celtics took an 83-81 lead into the fourth.

“It was a fun experience, obviously,” said Scheierman, a second-year pro who’s looking to cement his spot in Mazzulla’s playoff rotation. “I wish we could’ve won at the end of the day, (but) obviously, it was a lot of fun to do that.”

Tatum sat for the first 2:15 of the final quarter before checking back in and burying a 3-pointer moments later. He then converted an and-one fadeaway over Robinson that made it 92-85, only for New York to reply with a 7-0 run. Hart’s transition layup off a Tatum turnover tied it at 92-92 with 6:21 remaining.

Boston scored on five of its next seven possessions — including two more 3-pointers by the red-hot Scheierman, who went 6-for-7 from deep — but could not manufacture enough stops at the other end. Consecutive threes by Hart in the final minute iced the game for New York.

Hart finished with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting to lead all scorers, with Brunson adding 25 and 10 assists.

“We’re just taking it a game at a time, “Pritchard said. “Obviously, we wanted this one. Didn’t get it. We’re looking forward to tomorrow and trying to get that win. Once that game’s over, we’ll look forward to the next.”

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Brewers Rally Late to Defeat Red Sox 8-6 – Boston Today

Published

4 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Brewers Rally Late to Defeat Red Sox 8-6 – Boston Today

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist interpretation of the thrilling Brewers-Red Sox matchup, capturing the strategic complexity and raw energy of the game.Boston Today

The Milwaukee Brewers overcame a 3-0 deficit in the fourth inning to defeat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 in a thrilling baseball matchup on April 6, 2026. The Brewers scored four runs without hitting a ball out of the infield, showcasing their strategic approach and ability to capitalize on the Red Sox’s miscues. Despite a strong start from Boston’s Brayan Bello, the Brewers rallied late to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This game highlights the unpredictability and strategic nuances of baseball, where small plays can often make a big difference. It also raises questions about the Red Sox’s pitching strategy and the need for consistent performance, as they have struggled in recent games.

The details

The Brewers’ comeback began in the fourth inning, when they scored four runs without hitting a ball out of the infield. This strategic approach, utilizing infield singles, walks, and fielding errors, demonstrated the team’s understanding of the game’s subtleties. Meanwhile, the Red Sox’s starting pitcher, Brayan Bello, failed to get through five innings, giving up four runs, three earned, highlighting his recent struggles.

The game took place on April 6, 2026.
The Brewers scored four runs in the fourth inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit.

The players

Garrett Mitchell

The Brewers’ outfielder who delivered the clutch hit to seal the victory.

Brayan Bello

The Red Sox’s starting pitcher who struggled, failing to get through five innings and giving up four runs, three earned.

Jacob Misiorowski

The Brewers’ right-handed pitcher who will look to continue his strong start to the season with a 2.45 ERA.

Garrett Crochet

The Red Sox’s left-handed pitcher who the Brewers will face in their next matchup.

William Contreras

The Brewers’ player who slid hard into second base, banging into David Hamilton’s left knee, highlighting the intensity and passion of the game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Brewers’ next challenge will be against the Red Sox’s left-handed pitcher, Garrett Crochet. The Brewers’ RHP Jacob Misiorowski, with an impressive 2.45 ERA, will look to continue his strong start to the season.

The takeaway

This game serves as a reminder that in baseball, as in life, the ability to adapt and overcome is what ultimately defines success. The Brewers’ victory showcases the importance of strategic thinking, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of the sport.

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Boston, MA

Fleet’s sold-out homecoming at TD Garden a resounding victory for women’s sports in Boston

Published

16 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Fleet’s sold-out homecoming at TD Garden a resounding victory for women’s sports in Boston

PWHL

“I think they saw that they can play in a professional hockey league and they can sell out buildings that the men play in.”

Nearly 18,000 Fleet fans packed into TD Garden on Saturday. (Photo by: Barry Chin/Globe Staff).

Aerin Frankel, Alina Muller, and Megan Keller are no strangers to playing in Boston.

Frankel and Muller called Northeastern’s Matthews Arena home for four and five seasons, respectively, helping the Huskies win five Hockey East titles over that sustained stretch of dominance.

Keller anchored the BC Eagles’ blue line at Chestnut Hill for four seasons from 2014-19.

The trio’s respective hockey journeys have brought them back to Boston as franchise fixtures for the Boston Fleet — with Lowell’s Tsongas Center and BU’s Agganis Arena serving as their go-to rinks over the last two years.

But on Saturday night, a Fleet game in Boston felt different.

Perhaps it was the collective roar of nearly 18,000 that rained down on the Fleet’s stars as they braced for hockey on Causeway Street.

“I got chills,” Frankel admitted.

”We dream of playing in buildings like this, and especially in front of our fans,” Keller added.

When the Fleet — then dubbed “PWHL Boston” — first took to the ice in Lowell on January 4, 2024, the PWHL’s inaugural season felt like a collective victory for generations of women’s hockey players.

Years spent fighting for livable wages, benefits, and pro-level resources were finally rewarded with the inception of a sustainable women’s hockey league.

If that game at Tsongas stood as a testament to the potential of what professional women’s hockey could be in North America, Saturday’s sold-out game between the Fleet and Montreal Victoire felt like that dream being realized.

A week after the PWHL sold out Madison Square Garden, 17,850 fans packed into the Bruins’ home barn — with a sea of green and blue enveloping seats usually shrouded in hues of black and gold.

Even if Boston couldn’t overtake Montreal in a 1-0 defeat, Fleet head coach Kris Sparre believed that Saturday night still held plenty of weight — both for his team and the league as a whole.

“This is a big deal,” Sparre said. “You’re standing on that bench, and there are 17,000 people. They had the lights going on in the first little bit of the game. It’s so loud. The sound system here is incredible.”

“It’s a really great venue. We’re lucky to play at Tsongas, and the games we play at Agganis — those buildings rock. But this one’s three times the size, so you certainly feel that when you’re down on the bench, and I think our players did.”

The decibels didn’t lessen for most of the night on Causeway, especially for a matchup between two of the top teams in the PWHL.

Before the puck even dropped, Keller, Frankel, and the rest of their teammates had front-row seats to the rows of posters plastered up against the glass during warmups.

Some of those placards set the terms of a trade for a puck or twig, with one fan wagering a swap of their younger brother for some hockey gear. Fleet fans honored their favorite players by holding aloft signs featuring Keller and Frankel.

But it was clear what resonated the most for the Fleet among the scrapbook of banners and signs sandwiched into the glass.

One fan — her eyes barely peaking above a poster in the front row — held a small sheet above her head as Keller and Co. made their rounds.

An arrow on the board pointed down at the youngster as she watched her hockey heroes take to the Garden ice.

“Future Fleet Player”, it read.

TD Garden roared as one in approval when one fan showed off her own piece of artwork from the upper bowl.

“Now I know I can do it, too!” her message declared.

The presence of Boston sports greats like Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, and Derrick White might have added further validity to the Fleet’s standing as one of the sports teams woven into the fabric of this town.

But it was the promise rooted in those young fans’ messages that offered the greatest sign yet that the Fleet’s future in this city is only destined to shine bright in the coming years.

“It’s incredible,” Frankel, who turned aside 18 of 19 shots, said of Saturday’s atmosphere. “I think when you have the moment to look up and look in the stands and see all of the people there to support us and to support this league — it’s been a long time coming.

“Selling out this place is a huge accomplishment for women’s sports, women’s hockey, and I think seeing the impact that we have on the young girls is a really special thing.”

While sing-along ballads of Chappell Roan and Justin Bieber punctuated a joyous atmosphere at the Garden, those same pleasantries weren’t echoed between the Fleet and Victoire out on the frozen sheet.

Much like their counterparts in the NHL, Boston and Montreal traded verbal barbs, cross-checks, and shoves after just about every whistle.

A tally from Montreal forward Lina Ljungblom at 5:52 of the third period stood as the lone puck that sailed past Frankel, while Victoire netminder Ann-Renée Desbiens turned aside all 20 salvos that sailed her way.

“It’s no secret we have a rivalry with them,” Keller said of Montreal, who sit four points ahead of Boston in first place in the league. “It gets physical out there. We see them a lot, and saw them in the playoffs in year one, and we’re at the top right now, kind of battling for home ice here in the playoffs… .We wanted to come out and give the fans a game and give them some action and get them involved.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get any in the back of the net tonight. But yeah, I think we’ll see them a few more times before the season’s over.”

A win in the standings? Perhaps not.

But a win for women’s hockey in Boston?

The cheers that never waned — from warmups until the final Fleet skater left the TD Garden ice — removed all doubt of such sentiment.

“They have something to look forward to when they’re our age,” Keller said of what younger fans could take away from Saturday’s game. “When we were growing up, we were dreaming of playing in the NHL.

“Tonight, I think they saw that they can play in a professional hockey league and they can sell out buildings that the men play in.”

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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Yankees fans most surprised by Boston’s shaky start

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Yankees fans most surprised by Boston’s shaky start

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

We’re very early in the 2026 MLB season, but there’s still been enough action to shock and surprise us. This week, we asked Yankees fans about which American League rival had gotten off to the most surprising start, with the options consisting of a number of clubs off to the disappointing starts: the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles and Mariners.

The results are in, and it’s our rivals in Boston that have surprised us the most thus far:

Kyle Thele

The Red Sox garnered as many votes as the other three choices combined, and with good reason. At the time of the poll, the Red Sox were a dreadful 2-8, and they needed to win the last two games of their series with Milwaukee this week just to get to 4-9 and four games back of the Yankees for first in the AL East with the Junior Circuit’s worst record. Boston’s lineup has cobbled together a shoddy .646 OPS, while their pitching staff has yielded the seventh-highest wOBA in the league. There’s plenty of time for Boston to stabilize, but their start has been poor enough to cause some high-profile fans to start panicking.

All that said, there’s reason for concern elsewhere as well, particularly in Toronto and Seattle. The Blue Jays’ 6-7 is far from disastrous, but their injury bill is; Alejandro Kirk, Addison Barger, José Berríos, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber are all on the IL at the moment, putting Toronto in a tough spot as they’ll now need to hope that their depth players can keep them from falling in a hole. The Mariners benefit from playing in a weaker division, but at 5-9 they’ve really scuffled out of the gate.

Now, onto our MLB-wide fan polls, which simply asked which team would win each division:

Kyle Thele

In related news, with Toronto, Baltimore, and Boston all off to iffy starts, the Yankees are the overwhelming choice by MLB fans to take the AL East. We’ve seen this movie before, with the Yankees consistently getting out to early division leads in recent seasons, but not consistently finishing the year in first in the East. Their stellar pitching so far has them looking like the favorites in perhaps the toughest division in baseball, but there’s still a very long way to go.

Here are the results for the other five divisions:

AL Central: Tigers (55%; runner-up: Guardians, 28%)
AL West: Mariners (69%; runner-up: Astros, 18%)
NL East: Phillies (40%; runner-up: Braves, 29%)
NL Central: Brewers (56%; runner-up: Cubs, 24%)
NL West: Dodgers (88%; runner-up: Padres, 5%)

There are a few interesting nuggets here. Despite rough starts from the Mariners and Tigers, MLB fans still tab those squads to secure the AL West and AL Central, respectively. Interestingly, the Phillies, despite an offseason that left their fans wanting and a third-place spot in the standings currently, rate as the top choice in the NL East, with the Mets not to be found in the top two.

The Brewers remain the top dog in the NL Central, off to a fine start but with teams like the Reds and Pirates also playing decently out of the gate. That said, the Cubs still come in second in the polls, and are likely still the team that should give Milwaukee their stiffest challenge. Out west, well, there’s little surprise to be found, as the expectation remains that the Dodgers will run away with the division.

These survey results are sponsored by FanDuel.

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