BALTIMORE (AP) — The hero of Baltimore's win over Cleveland sat calmly outside the clubhouse, being a very good boy.
That would be Coconut, Jackson Holliday's dog. He was in attendance for the team's Bark at Oriole Park promotion. Holliday hit a grand slam in the second inning on Wednesday night, and the Orioles went on to beat the Guardians 9-1. It was the second grand slam of the 21-year-old infielder's career.
“I've played pretty well on Bark in the Park in the minor leagues," Holliday said. "It's always fun. I enjoy dogs. My family has a bunch of them."
Coconut is apparently no stranger to ballparks.
“He came to Norfolk and Charlotte," Holliday said. “He's been to a lot of Bark in the Parks. Big night for him.”
The victory for the inconsistent Orioles continued a feast-or-famine start for their offense. This was the fifth time in 17 games they've scored at least eight runs, but they've also been held to one or fewer four times.
Ramón Laureano and Ryan O'Hearn also homered for Baltimore.
“We've shown some signs of being a super-awesome team, playing really well together, and our offense really playing well,” Holliday said. “And we've struggled at the same time. Overall, I think we've taken good at-bats and hit the ball hard.”
Holliday was mired in an 0-for-17 slump before hitting a drive to center with the bases loaded.
“It's always fun to hit a home run and score a bunch of runs as a team,” Holliday said. “I think it was really good for us.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Baltimore Orioles' Jackson Holliday hits a grand slam during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
DETROIT (AP) — Jalen Brunson's crossover dribble between his legs created space for a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left and he blew a kiss to a quiet crowd that relentlessly taunted him for three games.
Brunson finished with 40 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 116-113 win over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night and into the second round of the NBA playoffs.
A week after the point guard won the NBA’s clutch player of the year award, he lived up to the billing.
“He’s at his best when his best is needed and he’s done it all year," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "That’s what makes him special.”
Detroit didn't get a shot off to potentially tie the game and send it to overtime because Malik Beasley fumbled a pass with four-tenths of a second left.
“This is tough,” said Beasley, who had 16 points in the second quarter and finished with 20. “I had a chance to make a three and tie the game. I’m mad about that.”
The third-seeded Knicks will face second-seeded Boston, shooting to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.
“They’re the defending champion so we’re going to have to be at our best,” Thibodeau said.
Mikal Bridges had 25 points and OG Anunoby added 22 for the Knicks, who closed the game out with clutch shots and stops after losing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and a 15-point advantage in the second quarter.
The sixth-seeded Pistons had an unprecedented turnaround during the regular season and ended the NBA’s longest playoff losing streak in their first postseason appearance since 2019, but broke another league mark with a 10th straight setback at home dating to 2008.
“We did so many things well and gave ourselves a chance,” Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “They just made one more play than we did.”
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham had 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Cunningham was 0 for 8 on 3-pointers and his backcourt mate Tim Hardaway Jr. was 1 of 6 beyond the arc and scored seven points.
Hardaway made a jumper to put Detroit ahead 112-105 with 2:35 left and Brunson responded by scoring the next five points.
Cunningham missed a contested layup with 22 seconds left that when the score was 113-all and Brunson took advantage of the opportunity to win it on the next possession.
Brunson was booed almost every time he touched the ball in the series and heard much worse than that in Game 3.
It was so vulgar that Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr came to Brunson's defense.
Thibodeau, though, said no one can rattle Brunson.
“His focus is terrific," Thibodeau said. "He doesn’t get sidetracked with anything but the game. He’s not thinking about what people say, or fans.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
President of the New York Knicks Leon Rose, left, hugs guard Jalen Brunson (11) as they leave the court following a Game 6 win in an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, top, has the ball knocked away by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) reacts after being whistled for a foul against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) passes the ball against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren, left, during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder (17) drives against New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) loses the ball while defended by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby, left, looks to shoot against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates after scoring against the New York Knicks during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) takes a jump shot against New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates with forward OG Anunoby, center, and guard Josh Hart (3) after scoring the winning basket in a win over the Detroit Pistons in Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
