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The Best of the Day: June 22nd, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 22, 2021, including Clippers-Suns Game 2, Deandre Ayton's spectacular postseason, and more!
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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 6/22 here.
The Western Conference Finals Game 2’s excitement resulted in the Suns going up 2-0 on the Clippers before taking the series to LA, marking the third straight time the Clips have gone down 0-2 this postseason. Cameron Payne stepped up in CP3’s absence to get the job done while the game was capped off with a Crowder–Ayton alley-oop. Lions OG Jonah Jackson is Detroit’s top candidate for a breakout season in 2021. June 22nd marked the 27th anniversary of Hakeem and the Rockets winning their first NBA title.
Here is the best of the day from June 22, 2021:
Epic Western Conference Finals Game 2 was capped off with Ayton GW alley-oop
Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals was a nail-biter as both teams traded buckets late. With the Clippers up by 1 the Suns were trying to make a shot, but Patrick Beverly poked the ball out of bounds while making it go out off of Booker, resulting in a Suns turnover. Paul George was immediately fouled and put on the FT line with a chance to go up 3, but he missed both chances giving the Suns another shot. Mikal Bridges shot the 3PA but missed, with the rebound going out off of LA, the Suns had one more chance.
On the inbound pass, Jae Crowder lobbed it up and Ayton threw it down to take the lead with less than a second left. Both Kawhi Leonard (knee) and Chris Paul (health and safety protocols) were out for their second straight game of this series. Cameron Payne had 29 while Ayton had 24 on 12-15 shooting along with 14 rebounds. For the Clippers, Paul George led the team with 26 points, despite shooting a horrendous 1-8 on 3PT.
CLUTCH BUCKETS were traded down the stretch of Game 2 between the @Suns and @LAClippers.. with Phoenix ultimately winning on Jae Crowder's lob to Deandre Ayton! 🍿🍿🍿#NBAWCF presented by AT&T continues Thursday, with Game 3 at 9pm/et on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/pypqDFtGol
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
DEANDRE AYTON POSTER!!
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) June 23, 2021
(Via @nba)
https://t.co/VcXiSroswT
Paul George to the rim for the lead
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
Devin Booker jumper in response.
Paul George again.
7.8 seconds left on ESPN. Suns ball. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/go9S51ibud
Deandre Ayton is the first player in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55 season) with a 70+ FG pct in any 12-game postseason span (min. 100 att).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 23, 2021
H/T @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/7jdMh8a9NO
The @Suns have won eight consecutive games, the longest postseason winning streak in franchise history.
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) June 22, 2021
All eight of those wins have been by at least six points, tied for the longest such streak in NBA postseason history with the 2009 Cavaliers and 2017 Warriors. pic.twitter.com/KPikGfYEed
Related: Stories of the Day
PAYNE STEPPING UP FOR CP3 SHOWS PHOENIX IS THE BEST TEAM IN BASKETBALL
Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals was an exciting one. The Clippers were up one with Paul George at the line shooting two, but he missed both to give Phoenix a chance to win it with eight seconds left. After a missed three, LA knocked the ball out of bounds giving the Suns one more chance with a second remaining, and they tossed it for Deandre Ayton from out of bounds for the game-winning alley-oop. This was two of Ayton’s 24 points, while backup PG Cameron Payne added 29 in place of CP3.
The Clips will have to battle back from down 2-0 like they have in each of the two previous rounds. The MVP of the Suns, Chris Paul, has missed both games of the WCF due to COVID, and Cameron Payne has been starting in his place, doing an exceptional job. He led all scorers in Game 2 with 29 points, but has also been distributing the ball well, as CP3 does better than anyone this century.
Payne has had 9 assists in both contests, which is the most on the team over that stretch. The way Phoenix was able to overcome adversity without their most valuable player and still win their two biggest games of the season shows why they are looking like the best team in basketball.
COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS OUTLOOK
Cam Payne drains it from deep 🎯
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 23, 2021
He's up to 16 PTS already! pic.twitter.com/FaINcHpy0M
Monty Williams has led the Suns to a 69-23 record (75%) since the NBA bubble
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 23, 2021
the next closest team has won 65%
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Crowder to Ayton alley-oop for the win
JAE CROWDER INBOUNDS IT TO DEANDRE AYTON FOR THE DUNK TO PUT THE @SUNS UP 2-0!#ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs#WeAreTheValley pic.twitter.com/ltuQI6lxNl
— NBA (@NBA) June 23, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
C Deandre Ayton, PHX (W v.LAC): 24 PTS (12-15 FG | 0-0 3P), 1 AST, 14 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/22/21) - C Deandre Ayton, PHX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 23, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Most GP (12) with 50+ FG% to begin a playoff career
- 1st player with 70+ FG% in 12 straight playoff GP
- Most consecutive playoff wins (9) in Suns history
KEY STATS:
24 PTS, 14 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK 12-15 FG (80%) https://t.co/tdRdKuv7AC
Related: Players of the Day
Los Angeles Clippers (103) vs. Phoenix Suns (104) [GW-FG]
[Highlights] #2 @SUNS (-184; $14.78) d. #4 CLIPPERS (+161; $10.44) 104-103 (GW-FG) [LAC -4.5 | u222.5] (PHX 2-0)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
OG Jonah Jackson‘s breakout could give new HC Dan Campbell the best O-Line in the NFL
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DATE: June 22, 1994
SIGNIFICANCE: Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets won their first championship
FULL story on Hakeem Olajuwon becoming the 1st international Finals MVP after leading Houston to their 1st Championship in NBA historyhttps://t.co/2JMfJDTzxO
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 22, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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