As the month of December — as well as the year 2020 — finally concludes, the second-to-last day of the year is far from lacking in historical significance. In the NBA, December 30th is not only known for the first 30-assist game by a single player, but also the end of the single-greatest calendar month by any team in NBA history.

In the NFL, this day is remembered fondly by the Buffalo faithful for their most recent playoff victory, and the same goes for those in Minnesota as one of their franchise’s greats capped off his incredible comeback from a devastating injury. Last but not least, just the second 5,000-yard, 50-TD passing season in NFL history was officially completed by a 23-year-old first-time starter, who has since taken the league by storm out of Texas Tech.

See what happened in sports on this day in: 2020 | 2019

Jaime Segui & Alex Raphael covered the MLB & NBA sections in this article.

Most AST in a Game

YEAR: 1990

SIGNIFICANCE: Orlando Magic PG Scott Skiles recorded an NBA-record 30 assists in a win over the Nuggets

As isolation play continues to become the meta in the NBA during today’s era, the craft of creating shot opportunities for others has somewhat become a lost art. This pass-first mentality was as prevalent as ever in the 1990s, though, with top-tier playmakers sweeping the headlines such as Magic Johnson and John Stockton. While Stockton may have the most assists all-time and saturate the single-game assist list, Scott Skiles sits above him at the top of the latter list.

Exactly three decades ago, the Orlando Magic PG was an offensive maestro as he piled up 30 assists — an NBA record — with seven of his teammates scoring in double-figures. Skiles gave credit to his teammates who he served up countless times, room-service style, as the Magic ripped the nets for a 57% FG rate. The picture-perfect passing of Skiles incessantly berated the Denver Nuggets’ defense to give Orlando a lop-sided 155-116 victory.

Down to the Wire

YEAR: 2012

SIGNIFICANCE: Adrian Peterson (2,097) barely missed the single-season RUSH YDS record (2,105)

On Christmas Eve of 2011, Adrian Peterson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee during an awkward tackle at Washington. A devastating injury that typically requires nearly a year of rehabilitation (50 weeks), Peterson defied the odds and managed to return to the field by Week 1 of 2012. While his swift comeback was incredible in itself, it’s the fashion in which he returned that made Adrian Peterson’s 2012 one of the greatest RB seasons in NFL history. After averaging a strong 83 YPG through Minnesota’s first six contests, Peterson found his stride and exploded through the season’s final ten games.

Rushing for at least 100 yards in each of their next eight games, Peterson broke 200 yards twice while averaging a whopping 164 YPG to lead the Vikings into playoff position. In Week 17, Minnesota hosted the division-champion Green Bay Packers in need of a win to beat out the Chicago Bears for the NFC’s final Wild Card spot. Peterson, on the other hand, needed 208 RUSH YDS to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record; it would require one of his best games of the season, but he had already surpassed that number twice that year.

Peterson began the Vikings’ final drive with 163 yards already accumulated in the game, but then a 26-yd run to Green Bay’s 37 with :03 remaining left him at 199 — nine yards short of Eric Dickerson’s all-time mark. Rather than risking their playoff fates in overtime in order to get Peterson the record, the Vikings opted for a FG to end their season with a victory against a heated division rival, who they would face again in the Wild Card round the following week. Exactly one year removed from Adrian Peterson’s extensive knee surgery, he had passed each and every rusher except one on his way to the MVP Award, the most recent non-QB MVP in the NFL.

Vikings vs Packers Week Video Flashback #21: Marvel the 2012 comeback season of Adrian Peterson, capped by him putting the Vikings on his back and running for nearly 2,100 yards. Even Joe Buck sounds like a fan. Thanks Adrian - Viking fans did not forget you! @AdrianPeterson pic.twitter.com/IjcrfKxrlA
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) December 22, 2019

Mahomes Records

YEAR: 2018

SIGNIFICANCE: Patrick Mahomes became the 2nd ever with 5,000 PASS YDS & 50 PASS TDs in a season during 1st year starting

Since Alex Smith arrived in KC from San Francisco prior to 2013, the former number-one pick successfully rebounded from a tumultuous tenure with the 49ers. Despite leading Kansas City to the playoffs in three of his first four years as starter, many felt that Smith had reached his ceiling and the Chiefs ought to move on and upgrade at the position. Then, during the 2017 Draft, they surprised many by trading up to the 10th overall pick in order to select a QB from Texas Tech with a 13-19 career record named Patrick Mahomes. His presence clearly motivated the incumbent starter as Alex Smith reached numerous career highs that season.

He would be traded to Washington for Kendall Fuller (since returned to D.C.) and a second-round pick, but the Kansas City fanbase wasn’t completely sold on the move considering Smith’s 2017. Andy Reid sold high, however, which instated Patrick Mahomes as the starter. His very first season would be one for the ages, as he would join Peyton Manning (2013) as the only players in NFL history to throw for over 5,000 yards and 50 TDs in the same season on this date. Leading the 12-4 Chiefs to the AFC’s No.1 seed, Mahomes’ MVP season would prematurely end at the hands of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick after an epic AFC Championship.

Best Month Ever

3 teams have gone 16-0 in December. One of them happens to be the Lakers. Other two are Spurs, and of course the Clippers. #nba #lakers #lal
— LA Lakers Updates (@LaLakersUpdate) December 31, 2012

YEAR: 1971

SIGNIFICANCE: The Los Angeles Lakers finished December 16-0 for the best calendar month in NBA history

Prior to players commonly flocking to build super teams in major cities, one of the league’s original powerhouses graced the hardwood in the 1971-72 season. Comprised of four HOFers in rebound-king Wilt Chamberlain, “The Logo” Jerry West, scoring-savant Elgin Baylor, and 5x All-Star Gail Goodrich, the L.A. Lakers were as stacked as they come.

Winning came second nature to them as they beat the Seattle Supersonics 122-106 on December 30^th, 1971, making them 16-0 that month — the best calendar month in NBA history. The team went on to steamroll all of their opponents for over two months, securing 33 straight victories — the record for most consecutive wins. Needless to say, this City of Angels squad was blessed with an NBA Championship to cap off their historic run that season that ironically became the only title in West’s and Baylor’s illustrious careers after coming up empty in seven and eight NBA Finals appearances.

Playoff YDS Record

YEAR: 1995

SIGNIFICANCE: Bills and Dolphins combined for a playoff-record 1,038 total YDS

As the Buffalo Bills have secured their first AFC East title since 1995, it’s fitting that this date precisely 25 years ago marks the anniversary of their last postseason victory. During a 37-22 defeat of the Miami Dolphins in Orchard Park, the Bills stormed out to a 27-0 lead until a fourth-quarter scoring barrage of 32 points between the teams. Dan Marino went 33-of-64 for 422 yards and two TDs, but he also threw three INTs that would prove costly. In addition to Bernie Kosar’s single pass (10 YDS), Miami’s backfield accumulated 70 yards on the ground to bring their offensive total to 502.

The Bills absolutely dominated the ground game, however, and ripped Miami’s defense for 341 RUSH YDS and three TDs. Thurman Thomas paced them with 152 YDS and a TD on 25 carries, while Jim Kelly totaled 195 YDS on just 12-of-22 CMP. Buffalo outgained Miami 536 to 502 in total offense, but the teams combined to break the NFL Playoff record — set during the “Epic in Miami” 14 years earlier — in HC Don Shula’s final career game with 1,038 total offensive yards.