December 23rd, 2020 was highlighted by Jayson Tatum draining a game-winning 3pt off the glass over Giannis to kick off Boston’s season, Buddy Hield tapping in the winning bucket at the buzzer in OT vs. Denver, many rookies making their NBA debuts, veterans rocking a new jersey for the first time, and the initial postponed game of the 2020-21 COVID-impacted season. Check out everything that happened in sports on December 23rd last year and the Best in Sports from exactly a year ago, headlined by an icy step-back game-winner from Jamal Murray as he lifted the Denver Nuggets past the Phoenix Suns.
This daily sports article includes real headlines only (no clickbait rumors), all of the best highlights, interesting facts from around the NFL, NBA, & MLB, the main games to watch, top performances of the day, significant birthdays, and a quick recap of notable events on this day in sports history. More content will be uploaded throughout the day.
Buddy called GAME for the @SacramentoKings to headline Wednesday’s TOP 10 PLAYS! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/dqu8FGO5RY
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
BUDDY HIELD TIPS IT IN AT THE BUZZER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/ofdReFHe7b
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 24, 2020
Tatum RISES and DRAINS the CLUTCH triple on TNT! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/OZqYbIicJh
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
44 points (career-high)
9 assists@JaMorant went OFF 🔥 #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/C3Kw50EQtL
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
Joker.
Triple-double. #KiaTipOff20
🃏 29 PTS | 15 REB | 14 AST | 3 BLK 🃏
Christmas Day 12/25: Nuggets/Clippers at 10:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/ITRtdxdy1F
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
Luka. Ridiculous. Magic.#KiaTipOff20 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/xFroxbvYiz
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
A TRIPLE-DOUBLE for @russwest44 in his @WashWizards debut! #KiaTipOff20
21 PTS | 11 REB | 15 AST pic.twitter.com/gkxbLHzzSj
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
SWAT team 🚨 @Zionwilliamson pic.twitter.com/6LoQarzZ2T
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 24, 2020
😤 @B_Ingram13 does it ALL! #KiaTipOff20
24 PTS | 9 REB | 11 AST | 3 STL
Christmas Day 12/25: Pelicans/Heat at 12:00 pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/DcxoXjmVfJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
🔥 37 PTS
🔥 10-12 FGM
🔥 5-6 3PM
🔥 12-14 FTM
HYPER-efficient night for @TheTraeYoung as the @ATLHawks win! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/ls0BXW6d1j
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
💦 Trae was FEELING IT in the first half! 💦
27 PTS | 7-9 FGM | 5 AST | 5 3PM | #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/vxXzCvaFSv
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
29 PTS, 14 REB for @JoelEmbiid in the @sixers W! 💪#KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/g6LDKhlSzG
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
2⃣0⃣ points on 8⃣-8⃣ shooting for RJ at the half!@nyknicks on NBA LP. #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/bontJkzStz
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙡.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙗.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙪𝙣𝙠.@NikolaVucevic | @The_ColeAnthony | @Double0AG pic.twitter.com/1mPqW7ZaBa
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 24, 2020
LUKA x BOOK
The top clutch moments from these two rising superstars careers thus far!@luka7doncic and the @dallasmavs clash with @DevinBook and the @Suns TONIGHT at 10:30pm/et on ESPN. #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/vK01c3m7SA
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
👏 @DeMar_DeRozan (28 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST) fills it up in the @spurs victory! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/whXSIIbpZ6
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
“That Luka Doncic is something special.”
3rd pick from Slovenia at 19 years old to NBA All-Star in Year 2! Where else? #OnlyHere
Luka Doncic and the @dallasmavs battle the Suns tonight at 10:30pm/et on ESPN. #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/6qFR7GTh3Y
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
RUDY with AUTHORITY. 😳#KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/1405ijrFNa
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
✈️ LONNIE. WALKER. IV. ✈️#KiaTipOff20 on NBA LP pic.twitter.com/w8a9bOOrxc
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
The best play from every Week 15 game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3zlUiURl51
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
Jayson Tatum IN THE CLUTCH! 🔥@jaytatum0 and the @celtics open their season vs. the Bucks TONIGHT at 7:30pm/et on TNT. #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/ezzkhqOAVd
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
KAT 🔨
RACK 🔨
ATTACK 🔨#KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/eVKvgWWhNJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 24, 2020
The BEST runs from Week 15! 🏃💨 pic.twitter.com/WqA18zarUC
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
Competing at the top of the East… relive the best moments from @celtics/@Bucks matchups over the last 5 seasons!#KiaTipOff20 continues with BOS-MIL tonight at 7:30pm/et on TNT. pic.twitter.com/inQ7VAZEcC
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
The BEST catches from Week 15! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bSWz8pOGYN
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2020
The top five longest throws by air distance from Week 15 according to @NextGenStats! 🎯
(by @MyStraightTalk) pic.twitter.com/8ePCwDoDuN
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
406 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Watch @K1 put on a show in Week 15! 🔥 #RedSea
📺 + 📱: #SFvsAZ — Saturday 4:30pm ET on @SportsOnPrimehttps://t.co/maHpnF6lzS pic.twitter.com/Vz517MDPgA
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2020
Week 15’s BEST defensive plays! pic.twitter.com/l5qWcQX5u0
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
The Greek Freak on the attack with his signature spin move! Where else? #OnlyHere
Giannis and the @Bucks open their season vs. Boston TONIGHT at 7:30pm/et on TNT
🎶: “We Up” by @KtotheCizzle | @unitedmasters
🎧: https://t.co/XmMo9WqKdW
pic.twitter.com/3IomKv3OK5
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
Nobody’s got hands like @DeAndreHopkins 🔥 #RedSea (by @WilsonFootball)
📺 + 📱: #SFvsAZ — Saturday 4:30pm ET on @SportsOnPrimehttps://t.co/maHpnF6lzS pic.twitter.com/ILSvOTuGCf
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
.@MichaelVick knows a generational talent when he sees one 👀 @DeAndreHopkins
📺: #NFLTheGrind on @EPIXHD pic.twitter.com/jCBc3Lt3VQ
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
Five TDs in his last three games. @MontgomerDavid has the @ChicagoBears in the playoff hunt. #DaBears
🎶 “Fire It Up” by @robinthicke #SongsOfTheSeason pic.twitter.com/sSxEQxVNY4
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
First career #ProBowl selection for @iAM_JoshJacobs 👏 #RaiderNation
📺: #MIAvsLV — Saturday 8:15pm ET on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/NZ4l5F33UU
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2020
Salvon Ahmed told his grandmother who is in the hospital that he’d rush for 100 yards for her.
No @MiamiDolphins player had done that in two years.
He finished with 122 yards and a TD. 🙏 (via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/CTxX5cQlD7
— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2020
Where else can you see @CP3‘s WIZARDRY with the rock? #OnlyHere
Chris Paul and the @Suns take on Luka and the @dallasmavs TONIGHT at 10:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/cS4BRwaNT1
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
👀 @Giannis_An34‘s BEST PLAYS from preseason before the @Bucks & the Celtics face off TONIGHT at 7:30pm/et on TNT! #KiaTipOff20 pic.twitter.com/UAb4nOhL0y
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2020
“The star of the show right now in Baltimore… The rebuilt offensive line.” (via @BaldyNFL) pic.twitter.com/8aaW8iLOE9
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2020
This Andrés Galarraga homer was quite the feat of strength. 💪 #Festivus pic.twitter.com/tQH5tdVjmu
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 24, 2020
Wouldn’t be #Festivus without the feats of strength. 💪
Could we interest you in an @PujolsFive no-doubter? pic.twitter.com/tNbqd8mbrn
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 23, 2020
When @therealmanny99 hit it to the 5th deck in Toronto. 💪 #FeatsOfStrength #Festivus pic.twitter.com/Udd1a3oLD5
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 24, 2020
511 feet of strength from Jim Thome. 💪 #Festivus pic.twitter.com/UEapqB63wc
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 24, 2020
.@VladGuerrero27 golfing a ball to the 2nd deck is certainly a feat of strength. 💪 #Festivus pic.twitter.com/ZeH7l3LlF0
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 24, 2020
December 23, 2005: Vince Carter scores 51 in a Nets win over the Heat. pic.twitter.com/Pcpi05FyZr
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) December 23, 2020
This throw is still one of the best. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/3W7q3czQxb
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 23, 2020
From fifth-round pick to 7x Pro Bowler. Zach Thomas was a beast at middle linebacker.
📺: #MIAvsLV — Saturday 8:15pm ET on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app pic.twitter.com/RAE3YZvdVF
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) December 24, 2020
Adam Dunn was the definition of feats of strength. 💪 #Festivus pic.twitter.com/Lzj1mhrxhV
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 23, 2020
Cecil Fielder was one of just four players (& the only @Tigers player) to hit a homer over the left field roof at Tiger Stadium. 💪 #FeatsOfStrength #Festivus pic.twitter.com/uRuRTE6Dxg
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 24, 2020
OTD in 2008, Mark Teixeira and the @Yankees agreed on an 8-year, $180 million contract.
In his first year in New York, he hit a walk-off HR against the Twins in the ALDS.
The Yankees would go on to win it all that year. pic.twitter.com/4Zj2qnZfuQ
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) December 23, 2020
Jamal Murray, cold-blooded! 🥶#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/cvRc0egQq2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 24, 2019
December 23, 1972: “The Immaculate Reception.” In the AFC Playoffs, divisional round against the Raiders, the Steelers were down 7–6 with 22 seconds left in the game, on their own 40. It was 4th & 10… pic.twitter.com/tO31hx0Dyx
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) December 23, 2020
Happy 32nd birthday to 4x All-Pro LB @NBowman53!
His only career touchdown was an iconic one: “The Pick At The Stick” @49ers (Dec. 23, 2013) pic.twitter.com/1OeV8lsbco
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) May 28, 2020
[See More]
[See More]
7:30 PM: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics
7:30 PM: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Toronto Raptors
10:00 PM: Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers
10:30 PM: Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns
[Highlights] PG Ja Morant, MEM (v.SA): 44 PTS (18-27 FG), 9 AST, 2 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO [Player of the Day]
[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (v.SAC): 29 PTS (11-18 FG), 14 AST, 15 REB, 3 BLK, 6 TO
[Highlights] PG Trae Young, ATL (@CHI): 37 PTS (10-12 FG), 7 AST, 6 REB, 4 TO
[Highlights] PG Terry Rozier, CHA (@CLE): 42 PTS (15-23 FG), 2 AST, 3 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL, 3 TO
[Highlights] F Brandon Ingram, NO (@TOR): 24 PTS (10-19 FG), 11 AST, 9 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STL, 3 TO
NBA: SF Sekou Doumbouya, Detroit Pistons (turns 20)
NFL: WR Tajae Sharpe, Free Agent (26)
MLB: OF Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners (30)
MLB: C Roberto Perez, Cleveland Indians (32)
MLB: DH Hanley Ramirez, Free Agent (37)
NFL: LB Jack Ham, Hall of Fame (72)
Most Significant Sports History
2016: Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones set a new NFL record by recording a Sack in 11 consecutive games
2012: Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck broke Cam Newton’s record for the most Passing Yards (4,051) during a season by a rookie in NFL history. Luck extended his record to 4,374 which still stands as the NFL rookie record
2007: In a win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Lakers SG Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to record 20,000 career points (29 years, 122 days)
1997: Chicago Bulls HC Phil Jackson became the fastest in NBA history to win 500 career games, reaching the mark in 682 games
1996: San Antonio Spurs C David Robinson’s season ended with a broken foot. The team would stumble to a 20-62 record, allowing them to select Wake Forest PF Tim Duncan with the No.1 overall pick
1992: In a victory over the Bullets, Bulls SG Michael Jordan scored 57 points and HC Phil Jackson became the quickest to reach 200 career victories (270 games)
1990: After a 26-day delay due to the Boston Garden’s wet court, the Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks while resuming from the 2nd quarter
1989: Seattle Seahawks WR Steve Largent played the final game of his Hall of Fame career, retiring with the most REC (819), REC YDS (13,089), and REC TD (100) of all-time. He’s no longer close to the top of any of those leaderboards anymore
1972: Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Oakland Raiders on an iconic walk-off TD catch-and-run by RB Franco Harris for their very 1st playoff win in franchise history (The Immaculate Reception)
1962: In the 3rd AFL Championship Game, the Dallas Texans defeated the Houston Oilers in what was the former’s last game before relocating to Kansas City (Chiefs)
1951: Avenging their championship loss to the Cleveland Browns the previous year, the Los Angeles Rams won their 2nd NFL title at the LA Coliseum
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