Braves ride an 8-run fifth inning and cruise past the Diamondbacks, 17-2

PHOENIX (AP) — Matt Olson, Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubón hit solo homers, Reynaldo López gave up one run over five innings and the Atlanta Braves coasted to a 17-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series.

The Braves broke it open with an eight-run fifth, sending 12 batters to plate to take a 10-1 lead. Austin Riley and Michael Harris II had two-run doubles and Ozzie Albies brought home two more with a single.

It was a frustrating inning for the D-backs — partly thanks to technology. Ryne Nelson walked three batters, including Ronald Acuña Jr., which forced in a run. The right-hander had a potential strike three to Albies overturned by an ABS challenge, turning it into a walk. A potential inning-ending double play was also overturned when Drake Baldwin was ruled safe at first.

On top of that, 10-time Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado made a costly error, leading to five unearned runs for Nelson.

Nelson (0-1) made it just 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs, but only two were earned. He walked three and struck out three.

López (1-0) gave up four hits and a walk while striking out three. Olson finished with three hits and three RBIs.

Arizona had its three-game winning streak snapped. Jordan Lawlar hit a solo homer in the third, which was his first career long ball in 126 career plate appearances.

D-backs catcher James McCann pitched the ninth inning, giving up five runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer to Jorge Mateo.

The D-backs will start LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) against Braves RHP Grant Holmes (0-1, 5.40) on Friday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Nolan Arenado hits a single against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Braves' Matt Olson celebrates with Mike Yastrzemski (18) after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Braves' Dominic Smith celebrates with Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) after hitting a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Donovan Mitchell had 25 points and six rebounds, Max Strus' 3-pointer with 54 seconds left helped seal it as he scored 24, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 118-111 on Thursday night.

James Harden contributed 19 points and five assists as the Cavs won for the seventh time in nine games during a stretch playing five times in eight nights.

Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski scored 25 points apiece for the Warriors, who were missing Stephen Curry for the 27th straight game but his return could come as soon as Sunday. He scrimmaged 5-on-5 for the third time in as many days to test his injured right knee that has sidelined him since Jan. 30.

Coach Steve Kerr said Curry and Vice President of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini might decide as soon as Friday based on how Curry feels a day later whether he can return to face the Rockets.

With 9:28 left, Cleveland's Dennis Schroder made a hard foul from behind on a driving LJ Cryer and it was reviewed and ruled a Flagrant 1 for his leap and kick into the Warriors guard. Draymond Green was called for a technical on the play after he shoved Schroder while helping Cryer up from the floor.

Schroder was whistled for a technical seven seconds later then Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson — a former Warriors top assistant — received a technical.

Kristaps Porzingis had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors after sitting out a 127-113 loss to San Antonio on Wednesday in the front end of a back-to-back, while Gary Payton II also rested his right knee for the first game before playing Thursday and matching his career high with 12 rebounds.

Golden State also got some other reinforcements back with the returns of Santos after he was hit in the pelvic bone and De'Anthony Melton from a sprained left thumb.

Green passed Larry Smith (6,440) for third on the Warriors' career rebounding list.

Cavaliers: Host Indiana on Sunday.

Warriors: Host Houston on Sunday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Injured Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, watches from the bench with assistant coaches Kris Weems, middle, and Jerry Stackhouse during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, middle, reaches for the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer, right, and guard De'Anthony Melton, bottom, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski, left, shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) gestures toward an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) looks to pass the ball while being defended by Golden State Warriors guard Will Richard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)