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The Best of the Day: April 14th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from April 14, 2021 including Rodon's amazing no-hitter, Luka's ridiculous game-winner vs. MEM, and more!
Kamil Krzaczynski/ USA TODAY SPORTS
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 4/14 here.
Baseball fans witnessed their second no-hitter in less than a week after White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon recorded the no-no vs. Cleveland on Wednesday. It was especially incredible considering Rodon just underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019. Also, Reggie Jackson has been a revelation for the Clippers as they look to achieve their elusive first title, Luka’s ridiculous (perhaps lucky) game-winner vs. Memphis, and Steph continues to shatter shooting records on a seemingly nightly basis.
Here is the best of the day from April 14, 2021:
Carlos Rodon caps off incredible comeback from Tommy John with a no-hitter
White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon earned his first career no-hitter in Chicago’s 8-0 shutout win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. However, it could have been an even greater achievement, as he was just two outs away from a perfect game. With one out in the ninth inning, Rodon hit an Indians batter, ending his chase for perfection.
28 up, 27 down. History.
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2021
(MLB x @BudSelect) pic.twitter.com/S5D6b9NPKr
NO-HITTER! pic.twitter.com/ulV3ux2Ps6
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2021
WHAT A PLAY. pic.twitter.com/BwI7Rdpg6L
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2021
The 28-year-old threw 114 pitches in the complete game, looking strong and maintaining good velocity throughout. While Rodon will likely be disappointed with coming so close to the rare perfect game (there have only been 23 in MLB history), the no-hitter is still an incredible accomplishment considering all he’s been through.
Of those 20, there have 3 perfect games (Charlie Robertson in 1922, Mark Buehrle in 2009, Philip Humber in 2012), but only 1 other times before Rodon tonight where a #WhiteSox pitcher got a no-hitter without allowing a hit or walk (Joe Horlen on September 10, 1967 vs the Tigers) https://t.co/ZB5Xq9SfY5
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) April 15, 2021
Drafted third overall by Chicago in the 2014 amateur draft, Rodon has had a difficult time living up to his draft status, mostly tied to injuries. That came to a head in 2019, when Rodon underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of that season. After a limited and difficult 2020 season, it seemed unlikely that Rodon would even crack the rotation this season, especially after getting non-tendered by the White Sox this offseason.
However, Rodon now appears to be fully healthy and is off to an amazing start in 2021. In two starts (both wins), he has yet to allow an earned run while leading the AL with a 0.357 WHIP. He also made history with the no-hitter, becoming the first pitcher ever to record a no-hitter less than two years removed from Tommy John surgery. While it’s only a small sample size to this point, if his start to the season is any indication, batters beware.
Carlos Rodón of the @whitesox had Tommy John surgery on May 15, 2019. Tonight he threw a no-hitter.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 15, 2021
He's the first MLB pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter within 2 years after having Tommy John surgery.
Carlos Rodón through 2 starts this season for the @whitesox:
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 15, 2021
2 wins
2 hits allowed
He's the first pitcher in American League history to win his first 2 starts of a season while allowing no more than 2 hits.
Related: Stories of the Day
REGGIE’S RISE IS KEY FOR THE CLIPPERS CHAMPIONSHIP ASPIRATIONS
The Los Angeles Clippers PG Reggie Jackson is fresh off a 29-point outing against his former team, the Detroit Pistons. Five of those points came during a game-winning jumper with 2.3 seconds left in the game and a game-tying 3PM during the prior possession with under 20 seconds remaining. Jackson has been extremely important to LAC this season, playing in the second-most games on the team, and picking up slack when teammates Kawhi Leonard and Paul George frequently miss time.
The Clippers PG is also tied for the team’s best AST/TO ratio at 2.8, showcasing how efficient he can be for this team. He’s seen a recent uptick in production as well. Jackson has five 20+ point games in the last three weeks, but only two prior all season long. He has really been coming into his own as of late, showing how much better he can make this Clippers squad.
There has been a desire for LAC to land a true PG in recent years, which could be the missing piece that’s holding this team back from a championship. With Jackson’s recent performances, he is looking like he could be the answer to the ball handler situation in LA. If the guard keeps stringing together these impressive performances, it will greatly increase LA’s odds of bringing home the title, as they would have another weapon at their disposal alongside Leonard and George.
COLORS KEY | FULL CLIPPERS OUTLOOK
Reggie Jackson. FOR. THE. WIN. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/k5zgme0vcB
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 15, 2021
Reggie Jackson ties it up! 👀#Crunchtime pic.twitter.com/0k4oNX0r8F
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 15, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Luka’s most impressive (or lucky) shot yet
LUKA FOR THE WIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/wpWN78u1oJ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 15, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
PG Steph Curry, GSW (W @OKC): 42 PTS (14-20 FG | 11-16 3P), 8 AST, 6 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 0 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (4/14/21) - PG Steph Curry, GSW
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 15, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Most 3PM (29) over a 3-GP span in NBA history
- 1st player w/ multiple 10+ 3PM in consecutive GP
- More career GP (19) w/ 10+ 3's than next 7 combined
KEY STATS:
42 PTS, 8 AST, 6 REB, 0 TOV, 14-20 FG, 11-16 3P https://t.co/4DFRxM0k2t
Related: Players of the Day
Dallas Mavericks (114) [GW-3PM] vs. Memphis Grizzlies (113)
[Highlights] MAVERICKS (-145) d. @GRIZZLIES (+129) 114-113 (GW-3PM) [MEM +3 | o225.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
PSO Scouting Report: EDGE Kwity Paye (Michigan) by Ricky Eisenbart
PSO breaks down Michigan EDGE defender Kwity Paye’s future outlook and how his game will translate to the next level
Kwity Paye's NFL Scouting Report:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 15, 2021
Physical Tools: ??
Game Film: ??
Production: A-
Risk: A-
Overall: ??
FULL evaluation: https://t.co/sPfrMEt1cF
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: April 14, 1962
SIGNIFICANCE: Lakers SF Elgin Baylor scored the most PTS (61) ever recorded during a NBA Finals game
April 14, 1962: Los Angeles Lakers SF Elgin Baylor set an NBA Finals record with 61 PTS in a Game 5 victory over the Boston Celtics https://t.co/AWUPqN5PVv
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 14, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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