Tom Brady
This week hasn’t been all golf announcements and TikTok for Tom Brady. Per Adam Schefter, Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers restructured the quarterback’s contract, freeing up $9 million in cap space. Before the move, the Bucs had under $4.4 million in cap space, so this is better.
Brady will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
NBA Playoff Injury News
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Philadelphia 76ers are concerned that Joel Embiid has a torn right ligament in his right thumb, but Embiid plans to play through it. The 76ers currently have a 3-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors, 3-0, with Game 4 taking place Saturday at 2 pm ET/11 am PT at Scotiabank Arena.
The Brooklyn Nets are down 2-0 to the Boston Celtics, but it looks like they’ll be getting some help in the way of Ben Simmons, maybe. Saturday’s Game 3 is out, but Monday’s Game 4 is in play. “It’s literally day to day,” Simmons said on Friday. Simmons has been out with a back injury and last played in Game 7 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks in June 2021.
Meanwhile, ESPN is reporting that Robert Williams III plans to play in Game 3 for the Celtics. Williams had meniscus surgery on his knee March 30. As mentioned above, Game 3 will be played Saturday at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT at Barclays Center.
And in the Rest of the NBA Playoffs
- The Miami Heat lead the Atlanta Hawks, 2-0. Game 3 will take place Friday at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT at State Farm Arena.
- The Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls are tied at one game apiece, with Game 3 taking place Friday at 8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm at the United Center.
- The Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans are tied, 1-1. Game 3 takes place Friday at 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT at Smoothie King Center.
- The Dallas Mavericks lead the Utah Jazz, 2-1, with Game 4 being played Saturday at 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT at Vivint Arena.
- The Memphis Grizzlies lead the Minnesota Timberwolves, 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT at Target Center.
- Last, but not least, the Golden State Warriors lead the Denver Nuggets, 3-0, and can wrap up the series Sunday at 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT from Ball Arena.
Earl Thomas
Welcome back? After a two-year hiatus, former Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas wants to return to the NFL. In a text to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Thomas said, “I’m ready. I’m in shape. My timing is on point. I’m proud of that.”
The Baltimore Ravens released Thomas in August 2020, after he punched Chuck Clark during a training camp practice. Thomas, who was a member of the Seattle Seahawks’ Legion of Boom, was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was named first-team All Pro from 2012 to 2014. He will be 33 next month.
Major League Baseball News
We are two weeks into Major League Baseball’s 2022 season, and some of us (me) couldn’t be happier. However, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, as it’s sports, and injuries (and COVID) happen.
- Los Angeles Dodgers’ reliever Blake Treinen was placed on the injured list Friday with right shoulder discomfort. No, I’m not panicking. It’s not like he’s one of their absolute most important relievers or anything 😭. His IL stint is backdated to April 18, so he is eligible to return next Friday.
- Meanwhile in Chicago, Cubs outfielder Clint Frazier is going on the IL after having surgery for appendicitis.
- And in Boston, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has tested positive for COVID and will this weekend’s road trip against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cora is vaccinated and boosted.