April brings new beginnings in different ways for Arizona’s professional sports teams.

The Phoenix Suns will begin their playoff run in hopes of building off of last year’s NBA Finals appearance. The Arizona Diamondbacks open their season after MLB’s lockout brought so much uncertainty, while the Cardinals have a draft to tend to.

April will be an exciting time for sports fans in the Valley, so let’s take a look at some of the key dates to watch out for in April:

Saturday, April 16: The start of the NBA Playoffs

The Suns have already punched their ticket to the playoffs and will be the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

They will have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, a major boost with the Valley’s passionate fanbase.

The Suns have been a juggernaut during the regular season, as they have the best point differential despite missing starters to injury throughout the year. Point guard Chris Paul returned from a fractured thumb on Thursday to help the Suns during the final push to the postseason.

Phoenix defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets and L.A. Clippers last season en route to the Finals, where they fell in a tough six-game series to the Milwaukee Bucks. Their next chance at capturing the first championship in franchise history is quickly approaching.

Thursday, April 28: The NFL Draft begins

The Cardinals have eight picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, starting with the No. 23 selection in the first round.

Arizona is looking to build off its best season since 2015, as the Cardinals went 11-6 to reach the playoffs last year.

With superstars quarterback Kyler Murray, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and defensive end J.J. Watt set to return, Arizona has a chance to continue building a contender through the draft.

Every weekday: Trust

It takes trust among teammates and coaches to make an unforgettable run in the postseason or grind through the summer months in MLB.

Dr. Jay Schwartz at Schwartz Laser Eye Center knows all about trust.

Schwartz Laser Eye Center is the official ophthalmologist for the Suns, D-backs and team LASIK Surgeon for the Coyotes.

Dr. Schwartz has not only aided elite athletes with their vision for decades but has also helped thousands of Phoenicians with their ophthalmology needs offering the latest in refractive surgery and general eye care.

“I am honored to work so closely with so many of our local teams and players,” Dr. Schwartz said. “I do not take lightly the trust that they have placed in me. I feel the same way about every patient that walks through my door. I appreciate their trust in me and provide the best care I can no matter who I am seeing.”

When you come to Schwartz Laser Eye Center, you know you are receiving nothing short of the best care available. Patients come to the practice from all over the country because of the reputation.

Schwartz and his talented team offer the ultimate care in advanced LASIK technology and a full suite of surgical laser procedure to help you improve your vision and change the quality of your life.

Such as:

• LASIK vision correction, which reshapes one’s cornea so it alters the way light enters the eye. This aids nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, according to the Schwartz Laser Eye Center. This is for patients who do not qualify for LASIK or PRK with nearsightedness both with and without astigmatism. This works well for patients who have a thin cornea, dry eyes or other issues that may make them not eligible for Lasik or PRK.
• Visian ICL procedure. The lens is surgically inserted into the eye to help with thin corneas, dry eyes, astigmatism and nearsightedness
• Clear lens extraction, which is when one’s natural lens is replaced with a synthetic for sharper focus. This replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens, much like a cataract surgery. The new lens has the ability to help patients read, see computer distance, as well as see far away. This can be done in both eyes, so both eyes can see up close, intermediate and far. Best of all, those that get a clear lens exchange will never get cataracts!

The Schwartz Laser Eye Center has also done spring training eye exams for the D-backs, Brewers and Cubs, and have seen players from at least seven of the teams in the Valley for spring training this year alone.

With Schwartz Laser Eye Center you can sharpen your vision and focus on what’s truly important in life like watching your favorite Arizona sports team!

For more information and to make an appointment, visit schwartzlaser.com.