MIAMI (AP) — The Boston Celtics had a first quarter like none other in their storied history.
The Celtics scored 53 points — their biggest-scoring first quarter ever — in the opening 12 minutes of their game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Boston's barrage is tied for the second-highest-scoring first quarter in NBA regular-season history. Golden State had a 55-point opening quarter at Portland on April 9, 2023, and Miami had a 53-point opening quarter against Charlotte on Nov. 7.
It was the second-most points Boston has scored in a quarter; the Celtics had 54 in the fourth period of a game against the San Diego Clippers on Feb. 25, 1970. And it was the most points Miami ever allowed in any quarter; the Heat gave up 50 in the fourth quarter of a game at Seattle on Jan. 5, 1990.
Boston made 11 3-pointers in the opening quarter, with Sam Hauser going 5 for 5 from beyond the arc while playing all 12 minutes. Jaylen Brown had 20 points by himself in the quarter — the ninth 20-point quarter of his career, including playoffs — and Hauser finished with 17.
Boston led 53-33 at the end of the quarter, after shooting 20 for 28 from the field and 11 for 15 from 3-point range.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) goes tot he basket as Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, and center Bam Adebayo, right, defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, left talks with forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Francisco Lindor made a couple of uncharacteristic mental mistakes Wednesday, and the second one certainly cost the New York Mets.
The star shortstop lost track of the outs on defense in the opening inning and got picked off first base in the sixth — right before teammate Juan Soto homered. The slumping Mets stranded 11 runners and lost 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals in 11 innings.
Lindor reached base in the sixth on a one-out error by third baseman Nolan Gorman, but the leadoff hitter wandered too far off the bag and was fiddling with his gloves when he was easily picked off by St. Louis starter Matthew Liberatore.
“I should have been better,” Lindor said.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza credited the Cardinals with making a good move to nab Lindor.
“They got us there,” Mendoza said. “He was going to go. They got us with a quick step-off there. I wouldn’t consider that one there a mental mistake. He was trying to get some momentum there and being aggressive.”
Three pitches later, Soto hit a soaring fly that landed just over the right-field fence inside the foul pole for a solo home run.
In the first inning, Lindor failed to execute a potential double play when he forgot how many outs there were.
With one out and Iván Herrera on first, left-handed-hitting Alec Burleson hit a grounder to Lindor at shortstop. Positioned near second base, Lindor touched the bag but then headed toward the dugout instead of throwing to first to retire Burleson as well.
By the time Lindor realized his mistake, it was too late. New York starter Freddy Peralta struck out the next batter to end the inning.
“I forgot the outs,” Lindor said. “I made a mistake that probably cost Peralta an extra inning because he had to throw more pitches after that. It’s inexcusable. He probably could have gone six, seven innings. I just forgot the outs. I realized there was just one out. Honest mistake.”
Mendoza didn’t cover for Lindor.
“There’s no excuses,” Mendoza said. “He’ll be the first one that tells you that. That can’t happen. He knows. He was pretty (ticked) when he came in. Peralta did a good job picking him up and finishing that inning.”
New York (3-3) went 1 for 29 with runners in scoring position during the three-game series, including 0 for 11 in the finale.
“Hats off to them,” Lindor said. “They executed their pitches. They played better. I've got to be better, and go out there and win the next series.”
The Mets have totaled 12 runs in their last five games after scoring 11 on opening day against Pittsburgh.
“Good hitters right now for a couple of games, they’re not getting it done,” Mendoza said.
Lindor remains optimistic the Mets will put everything together.
“I still believe in what we have,” he said. “We have a good team. We are a couple of pitches away from continuing to get the ball rolling on our side.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Mets' pitcher Freddy Peralta throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a home run in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
St. Louis Cardinal teammates surround Masyn Winn after he hit the game winning hit during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
New York Mets' right fielder Carson Benge misses a fly ball during the eleventh inning of a baseball game which allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to win the game Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
New York Mets' right fielder Carson Benge dives but can't make the catch on a fly ball which allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to score the winning run in the 11th inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/LG Patterson)
