NBA Game Reviews: January 24, 2021

While NFL Conference Championships took place on Sunday, the NBA featured some exciting matchups on the court. Gordon Hayward’s big game against the Magic was capped off with the game-winning layup, while Indiana’s go-ahead attempt vs. Toronto was stuffed by Fred VanVleet, Chris Boucher, and the Raptors defense. Dame held off the Knicks with a depleted Blazers roster, Kawhi led LAC to their seventh straight victory, and Giannis dominated on both ends to help Milwaukee beat Atlanta. Jaylen Brown had one of the most efficiently effective games of all-time (33 PTS in 19 MIN), and the Wizards finally made their return but lost at San Antonio once again.

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from January 24th, 2021:

GAME OF THE DAY

Charlotte Hornets (107) [GW-FG] vs. Orlando Magic (104)

[Highlights] HORNETS (+115; $13.45) d. @MAGIC (-115; $9.15) 107-104 (GW-FG) [CHA -2 | u214.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

THE FACTS

Jaylen Brown’s 33 PTS in 19 MIN are the most by any player in under 20 MIN played during shot-clock era (1954-55)
Damian Lillard has hit 66 FT in a row, setting a new Blazers franchise record
Kawhi Leonard is the 1st Clippers player to record 30 PTS/8 REB/8 AST/0 TOV in a game over the last 35 seasons
OG Anunoby joins Kawhi Leonard as the only players with multiple 30 PT/5 REB/5 STL games in Raptors history
Wizards have now lost 21 straight games @San Antonio, the longest active road losing streak vs. an opponent
Immanuel Quickley is the 1st rookie with 30+ PTS & 5+ 3PM in a game off the bench in Knicks franchise history

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Hayward put it in for the win

EVERY ANGLE of @gordonhayward's game-winning layup with 0.7 seconds remaining!

Hayward: 39 PTS, 9 REB, 5 3PM pic.twitter.com/096K9BmPMA
— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2021

Slick coast-to-coast from JaVale McGee

JaVale showing off the handles 😱 pic.twitter.com/i1TNOChACI
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 25, 2021

MVP straight-up bullying Hunter

Don’t. Jump. With. Giannis. 💥 pic.twitter.com/H0MtS8lUD1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 25, 2021

The Greek Freak STUFFS ‘em! 😳 pic.twitter.com/zUrSs97MWs
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 25, 2021

Kawhi clawing his way to the cup

Make way for the Klaw! 🖐 pic.twitter.com/Vstqrthu5S
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 24, 2021

Raptors defense gets clutch stops

FRED VANVLEET

ALL-DEFENCE pic.twitter.com/XgdjTKcJGA
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 24, 2021

THAT'S A NO FROM US pic.twitter.com/KXA9JK1qgE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 24, 2021

TOP PERFORMERS

[Highlights] PG Damian Lillard, POR (W v.NYK): 39 PTS (11-17 FG | 6-10 3PT), 8 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

[Highlights] F Kawhi Leonard, LAC (W v.OKC): 34 PTS (14-24 FG | 4-9 3PT), 8 AST, 9 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 0 TO

[Highlights] F Gordon Hayward, CHA (W @ORL): 39 PTS (15-29 FG | 5-8 3PT), 1 AST, 9 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (W v.ATL): 27 PTS (9-13 FG | 0-2 3PT), 8 AST, 14 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 5 TO

[Highlights] G/F Jaylen Brown, BOS (W v.CLE): 33 PTS (13-20 FG | 3-4 3PT), 1 AST, 3 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

MAIN TAKEAWAY

1. Gordon Hayward is fully back to being an All-Star as the leader in Charlotte

When the Hornets paid Gordon Hayward $120M to come to Charlotte, it was met with plenty of scrutiny, considering the former 1x All-Star in Utah hadn’t looked like himself since fracturing his ankle during his first game with Boston. He showed flashes of dominance last year, but never quite put it all back together amidst a very talented roster in Beantown. Now that he’s the focal point of Charlotte’s less-talented offense, Hayward is proving to be worth every penny of that monster contract that many deemed the biggest overpay of free agency.

It remains to be seen how long the 30-year-old can keep up this All-Star caliber production, but he reminded NBA fans on Sunday once again how effective he can be this season with a 39-point performance in Orlando that included the game-winning layup right before time expired. The Hornets have their future focal point in LaMelo Ball, but until then, this is Gordon Hayward’s team. Charlotte is currently tied for the No.8 seed in the East which could help catapult Hayward into the ASG once again as he keeps leading them to wins in a competitive Eastern Conference and proves to be exactly what Charlotte paid for.