The Sportsletter - Game 1, Same Fun

BY JEFF YODER

APR. 22, 2024 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Welcome Back 👋

It’s good to be back. In case you missed it, I was out last week. Special thanks to Aaron Yorke for filling in. To everyone who sent me feedback the past five days, I’ll reply shortly. Thanks for sticking with us as we transition seasons.

Speaking of… The two-month sprint towards the Larry O’Brien and Stanley Cup trophies is underway (plus, golf history, baseball records, soccer, and racing help ring in spring).

Letter Rip!

NBA

Game 1s: Playoff Dame Time

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

NBA Playoff Game 1s: Lillard (35 pts) Cooks Pacers, Edwards (33 pts) Shreds Suns & More

It’s officially here — Playoff season! If you’re not a fan of the NBA or NHL postseasons, don’t fret. We’ll bounce in and out of nightly coverage over the next two months. On Sunday night, the NBA announced the awards finalists (3 each) for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and more. The MVP finalists are Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), and Luka Doncic (Mavericks). Two of the three were winners in Game 1 of their respective series, and all eight first-round playoff matchups have one game in the books. Let’s recap the Game 1s before the action continues tonight.

Eastern Conference Playoffs

Gm 1: Cavaliers def. Magic (97-83)

The lowest-scoring Game 1 happened in Cleveland where Donovan Mitchell (30 pts) and the Cavs did it with defense. The young Magic may be coming soon, but they’re overmatched right now. CLE Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Knicks def. 76ers (111-104)

One of the most exciting Game 1s went down in the Garden where Josh Hart (22 pts, 13 rebs) helped the Knicks rally from down double digits (twice) to take down the Sixers. NYK Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Celtics def. Heat (114-94)

Jayson Tatum (23-10-10) had a triple-double to help Boston master Miami and go up by 30-plus before calling off the dogs in the 4th quarter. BOS Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Bucks def. Pacers (109-94)

The Pacers had the Bucks’ number during the regular season, but Damian Lillard hit six 3s and had 35 points — all in the first half — to change the narrative. Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain), Milwaukee led by as many as 30 before cruising. MIL Leads Series (1-0)

Western Conference Playoffs

Gm 1: Timberwolves def. Suns (120-95)

Welcome to the playoffs, Anthony Edwards! Ant-man (33-9-6) out-played the Suns stars in a Game 1 blowout, and he had fun doing it. MIN Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Nuggets def. Lakers (114-103)

The Lakers threw the defending champs a bunch of jabs in Game 1, but the Nuggets overcame 59 points from Anthony Davis (33 pts) and LeBron James (27 pts) to pull away in the 3rd. Nikola Jokic (32-12-7) led the way, but all five Nuggets starters scored in double figures. DEN Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Clippers def. Mavericks (109-97)

Luka Doncic (33 pts) and Kyrie Irving (31 pts) combined for 64 points, but a lackluster 2nd quarter (eight points) hurt the Mavs as James Harden (28 pts) and the Clips took Game 1. LAC Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Thunder def. Pelicans (94-92)

The most exciting Game 1 finish belonged to the Thunder-Pelicans in a nail-biter that featured 40 ties and lead changes throughout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (28-6-4) completed an and-one in the final minute to give the Thunder the lead before C.J. McCollum got a look at a game-winning 3 that rimmed out. OKC Leads Series (1-0)

Tonight’s Schedule

(Today’s Must-Watch List)

ESPN: Damian Lillard Cooks Pacers With 35-Point First Half

NBC Sports: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Make Statement With 25-Point Game 1 Win

NHL

Stanley Cup Szn Strikes

Photo: Jared Silber / Getty Images

Stanley Cup Playoff Game 1s: Rangers & Bruins Send a Message to the East

The race for the Stanley Cup dropped the puck on Saturday, too. And thus, our double-dip of playoff kickoffs continues. Six series saw Game 1s on Saturday and Sunday with two more Game 1s tonight. The Jets (7 goals) were flying high, but the Bruins and Rangers looked like the most complete teams entering the postseason. Let’s re-skate Game 1s.

Gm 1: Bruins def. Maple Leafs (5-1)

Saturday’s playoff opener was a no-contest in favor of the Bruins. Boston got a pair from Jake DeBrusk and the B’s went up 4-0 before skating to a 5-1 win. BOS Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Hurricanes def. Islanders (3-1)

Saturday’s nightcap was 1-1 before the ‘Canes scored twice in the 3rd. Stefan Noesen broke the tie and Martin Necas snapped one late. CAR Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Rangers def. Capitals (4-1)

Matt Rempe put the Rangers on top in the 2nd, Chris Kreider added a breakaway goal in the 3rd, and Artemi Panarin was brilliant to help seal the victory for New York in an easy Game 1 rout. NYR Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Panthers def. Lightning (3-2)

Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk both scored in the 3rd period to turn a 1-1 stalemate into a Game 1 win for the Panthers. The Lightning added one in garbage time, but the Sunshine State matchup is underway. FLA Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Jets def. Avalanche (7-6)

Holy goals! The Jets and Avs lit the lamp 13 times on Sunday night, but it was a pair of goals by Kyle Connor and Adam Lowry (2 each) that made the difference for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck also made 40 saves. WPG Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 1: Canucks def. Predators (4-2)

The Predators had the Canucks on the ropes with a 2-1 lead entering the 3rd period, but back-to-back goals 12 seconds apart from Pius Suter and Dakota Joshua helped the Canucks rally with a three-goal final frame to steal Game 1. VAN Leads Series (1-0)

Tonight’s Schedule

(Today’s Must-Watch List)

Yahoo! Sports: Artemi Panarin Flashes Fast Start to NHL Playoffs in Rangers’ Blowout

LPGA ⛳️

High-5, Nelly Korda 🖐️

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Nelly Korda Solidifies Streak of Dominance With Record 5th Straight LPGA Win

She did it! Superstar golfer Nelly Korda cemented one of the greatest streaks in LPGA history on Sunday when she fired a final-round 69 (-13 overall) and earned a two-stroke victory over Maja Stark at the Chevron Championship in Houston. As is customary at the Carlton Woods course, Korda splashed into the pond off the 18th green to celebrate more than just those four rounds over the weekend. It was Korda’s fifth straight victory on the LPGA Tour, her second major at that, putting her in elite company like few before her. She’s just the third LPGA player ever to win five straight starts. The other two are Hall of Famers.

LPGA Players to Win 5 Straight

Nancy Lopez (1978)

Annika Sorenstam (2005)

Nelly Korda (2024)

High-5, Nelly Korda: The No. 1 player in women’s golf can take things a step further this weekend at the JM Eagle LA Championship. Only Tiger Woods (2x: 6 straight & 7 straight) and Byron Nelson (11 straight) have won more than five straight events in professional golf history.

Watch: Nelly Korda (-13) Claims 5th Straight Win at Chevron Championship

Golf.com: How Nelly Korda’s Inner Circle Helped Power Her Historic Run

HIGHLIGHTS 🎥

⚾️ MLB

Shohei Ohtani Hits Record-Setting HR

Most HRs (176 HRs) by Japanese-Born Player

White Sox (3-18) Nearing Historically Bad Start

Team in 20+ Years to Lose 18 of First 21 Games

Fanfare Delays Rockies’ Walk-Off

Walk-Off Nixed by Fan Interference, Colorado Wins Anyway

⚽️ Soccer

MLS: Inter Miami Ousts Nashville (3-1)