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The Best of the Day: January 25th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from January 25, 2021 including LBJ's big night in his return to the Land, MPJ as DEN's x-factor, and more!
Tony Dejak / AP Images
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 1/25 here.
A Monday slate full of NBA action was highlighted by LeBron James’ return to Cleveland where the King showed out against his former team, dropping 46 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, to secure the win for the Lakers. Also, Michael Porter Jr. has emerged as Denver’s x-factor that can elevate the Nuggets among the top-tier contenders in the league, and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Edwards flashed his massive potential with a jaw-dropping dunk against the Warriors.
Here is the best of the day from January 25, 2021:
King James WENT OFF in the 4th Qtr during his return to Cleveland
LeBron James had his best night of the season in his first game back in Cleveland in more than two years. James registered a season-high 46 points along with eight rebounds and six assists while shooting a ridiculous 19-of-26 from the field and hitting 7-of-11 3-pointers against the Cavaliers. He was even more special in the final frame. Trailing 89-87 entering the fourth quarter with the game on the line, LeBron took over, exploding for 21 points while only missing one shot (9-10 FG). James’ incredible performance helped propel the Lakers to the 115-108 win.
Monday night’s result vaulted Los Angeles back into first place in the Western Conference with a 14-4 record. The defending champs also improved to 10-0 on the road, further extending their franchise record to open a season. To this point, Los Angeles looks like the class of the league and the clear-cut favorites to repeat. What must be even more disheartening for opponents, though, is that LA appears to be better than last years’ squad that dominated its way through the playoffs with a 16-5 record en route to the franchise’s 17th NBA title. It’s all spearheaded by the aging King who has yet to show any signs of decline.
LOGO LEBRON. CASH. pic.twitter.com/HftuHfF6MN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2021
That shot shouldn’t be possible, @KingJames.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2021
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/lrVGJb4D04
LeBron stays dominating his old team in Cleveland https://t.co/lawNh18cnk
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 26, 2021
LeBron James this season:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 26, 2021
25.2 PPG
7.9 RPG
7.4 APG
50/41/71%
32.7 MPG
He’s on pace to become the first player in NBA history to average 25/7/7 in less than 33 minutes per game. pic.twitter.com/yVJZSUYoPR
LeBron James (36 years, 26 days) is the oldest Lakers player with a 40-point game since Kobe Bryant scored 60 in his final career game. Bryant was 37 years, 234 days old. pic.twitter.com/1GyIotPQAh
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 26, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
Michael Porter Jr. is Denver’s x-factor that can get them over the hump
The Denver Nuggets were only a few games away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history last year after mounting a 3-1 series comeback on the Clippers. If it wasn’t for an Anthony Davis buzzer-beater in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, Denver could’ve been up 2-1 in the series with a Finals appearance in sight. However, Denver needed strong showings from Jerami Grant to even make it possible. Before Grant broke out in Detroit this season, he only averaged 12.0 PPG with Denver last year before taking it up a notch in the playoffs, ending the year with a 21.0 PPG average over the final three games.
What Denver got from Grant in that small sample size is exactly what they’re hoping to receive from Michael Porter Jr. for years to come. The 22-year-old fell to the 14th overall pick in 2018, missed the entire 2018-19 season, and was on a strict minutes restriction in 2019-20 because of injury concerns. He’s fortunately had a clean bill of health since then besides a recent case of COVID. After missing 10 games, MPJ finally showed his sky-high potential again on Monday that was seen in the bubble and the beginning of this season. He balled out with 30 points on 55.6% FG to go with eight rebounds as a huge factor for Denver’s win in Dallas.
Michael Porter Jr.’s career could go in a lot of different directions going forward which makes him not only such a big x-factor for DEN for the foreseeable future, but also the entire Western Conference, and perhaps the NBA as a whole. There aren’t many teams that have the proven playoff success and continuity Denver does that can also bank on their young superstars continuing to get better as they reach their prime. Throw in Michael Porter Jr.’s potential evolution from a quality spark off the bench to a legitimate 20 points per game scorer, and that could be enough to get the Nuggets over the hump and into their first NBA Finals.
Michael Porter Jr. 30 point game in Dallas last night 👀 pic.twitter.com/pgpEKXaI7M
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) January 26, 2021
Michael Porter Jr. off the bench tonight:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 26, 2021
30 PTS
8 REB
55 FG%
60 3P%
Clutch in the 4th. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/slp78SasHV
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
The No.1 pick showed off his potential
"OH MY GOODNESS!"
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2021
All-angles of Anthony Edwards' rack attack for the @Timberwolves on NBA TV! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/yw27neYCIr
Related: NBA Highlights | Minnesota Timberwolves Highlights
SF LeBron James, LAL (W @CLE): 46 PTS (19-26 FG | 7-11 3P), 6 AST, 8 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 3 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (1/25/21) - SF LeBron James, LAL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 26, 2021
THE FACTS:
- Season-high 46 PTS for LAL's 10-0 road start to '20-21
- 21 4th Qtr PTS on 9-10 FG to lead LA's win in hometown
- Oldest Laker to score 40+ PTS in a game since Kobe
- Tied Kareem for 4th most PTS (46) by any player 36+ https://t.co/7Ji4BBHs9v
Related: Players of the Day
Denver Nuggets (117) vs. Dallas Mavericks (113)
[Highlights] NUGGETS (-120; $9.89) d. @MAVERICKS (+120; $9.16) 117-113 [DEN -2 | o223]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Reviewing the AFC & NFC Championship Games by Matthew DelDonna
The Bucs def. the Packers and the Chiefs def. the Bills to set up a Super Bowl matchup for the ages that had plenty of takeaways, facts, and highlights to look over.
A Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl is set after two monumental Championship Games that will have lasting impacts on many legacies https://t.co/C005VhERuG
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 25, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 25th
On this date in 1960, Wilt Chamberlain sets rookie record with 58 points vs. Pistons
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) January 25, 2016
LOOK: https://t.co/CeNvimho6E pic.twitter.com/1fXe9uzQyg
YEAR: 1960
SIGNIFICANCE: Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA rookie record by scoring 58 points
Related: Significant Sports History
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