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The Best of the Day: June 26th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 26, 2021, including the Suns WCF Game 4 victory in LA, Cody Bellinger's walk-off HR, 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 6/26 here.
The Suns took a 3-1 lead over the Clippers in a game where both teams struggled to score. Devin Booker led the Suns with 25 points along with Ayton‘s 19 points and 22 rebounds while Paul George led the Clippers with 23 points. On Michael Vick‘s 41st birthday, take a look at his incredible career as he was one of the first running quarterbacks. June 26th marked the 18th anniversary of the LOADED 2003 NBA Draft that significantly impacted the League forever.
Here is the best of the day from June 26, 2021:
Paul George’s missed clutch FT led to Suns critical WCF Game 4 win over Clippers
In the Clippers’ first two series this postseason, they fell into an 0-2 hole just to win their next two and take the series. However, this streak was broken with a Game Four loss to Phoenix, as the Suns went up 3-1 after never trailing for the entire game. With 6.3 seconds left, Paul George went to the line down by three but missed a key free throw that prevented their comeback, similar to Game 2.
The Suns went on to win 84-80 behind Deandre Ayton‘s 19 points and 22 rebounds and are only one win away from the Finals. The Clippers now need to win three in a row, including two in Phoenix in order to reach the NBA Finals. Fortunately for them, their HC orchestrated the Cavs’ legendary 3-1 series comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals and LA is coming off of four straight wins to put away the West’s No.1 seed Utah, so all hope isn’t lost in Clipperville.
🏀 Book 📚 arc. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/nVicAXpTYB
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2021
Sweet finish by D-Book 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oc64lcC9Ro
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 27, 2021
The Suns are 1 win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 1993, and a chance at their first NBA title in franchise history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 27, 2021
Chris Paul has the most All-Star appearances, All-NBA selections and career points in the playoffs by a player who hasn't made the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/r079mX348H
The Clippers shot 0-12 in the 4th quarter on shots that could've tied the game or taken the lead.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 27, 2021
That's the most such attempts without a make in the 4th quarter of a game over the last 25 postseasons. pic.twitter.com/lIpSx7FRKU
Related: Stories of the Day
DEANDRE AYTON’S DEVELOPMENT HAS HIM LIVING UP TO THE NO. 1 PICK HYPE
Both teams struggled to score in Game 4, but Phoenix was the better team when it mattered most. LA was 0-12 on game-tying/go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter and just couldn’t get over the hump on Saturday night. Devin Booker led all scorers with 25 points, while Deandre Ayton recorded a monster game of 19 points, 22 rebounds, and four blocks. Phoenix now sits one game away from their first Finals appearance in nearly 30 years, and they’ll have the chance to do it at home in Game 5.
Deandre Ayton’s performances this postseason are showing why he was drafted first overall. CP3 and Booker combined for an inefficient shooting night in Game 4 (14-44 FG; 32%), but Ayton stepped up with 22 boards, including nine on the offensive glass, which kept possessions alive and created easy buckets to help the Suns win a crucial Game 4 in low-scoring fashion.
Ayton’s presence on the interior and improvement when switching onto quicker players like Guards and Wings has also helped him become a force on that side of the ball as well, exemplified by his four blocks on Saturday, putting Phoenix a game away from the Finals for the first time in 28 years.
The No.1 pick has been overshadowed by Luka Doncic (#3) and Trae Young‘s (#5) early excellence but Ayton is emerging as a future All-Star and potential MVP candidate in his own right. Kendrick Perkins referred to him as a modern-day David Robinson which shows the high praise the former top pick is receiving amidst a breakout 2021 postseason.
COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS OUTLOOK
Ayton showed off the touch on this bucket 👀 pic.twitter.com/E4arzRcgSi
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 27, 2021
Deandre Ayton's 9 offensive rebounds in Game 4 were the most by a @Suns player in an #NBAPlayoffs game since Charles Barkley's 10 on June 5, 1993. pic.twitter.com/mk1x6S9o3o
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 27, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
CP3 with the great ball handling
CP3 is too slick 😤 pic.twitter.com/nYqQEJJx23
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 27, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
C Deandre Ayton, PHX (W @LAC): 19 PTS (8-14 FG | 0-0 3P), 3 AST, 22 REB, 4 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/26/21) - C Deandre Ayton, PHX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Most playoff OREB by Suns player since Barkley (1993)
- Only Barkley has more REB in 1 PHX playoff GP
- Suns had fewest PTS (84) during a win in 2020-21
KEY STATS:
19 PTS, 22 REB, 4 BLK, 8-14 FG (57%) https://t.co/ywzQ8r90Dx
Related: Players of the Day
Phoenix Suns (84) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (80)
[Highlights] #2 SUNS (-115; $14.78) d. #4 @CLIPPERS (-105; $10.44) 84-80 [PHX -1 | u218.5] (PHX 3-1)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
Michael Vick paved the way for the modern era of dual threat QBs
Most career QB RUSH YDS in NFL history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2021
1. Michael Vick (6,109)
2. Cam Newton (5,398)^
3. Randall Cunningham (4,928)
4. Russell Wilson (4,506)^
5. Steve Young (4,239)
pic.twitter.com/OWalfQJ3DT
Michael Vick's ranks in #Falcons history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2021
- 1st in career QB RUSH YDS (3,859) & QB RUSH TD (21)
- 1st in season QB RUSH YDS (1,039) & QB RUSH TD (8)
- 5th in career PASS YDS (11,505), CMP (930), & PASS TD (71)
pic.twitter.com/GP5bXQy0Fe
Michael Vick's career resume:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2021
- 4x Pro Bowl
- 2010 CPOY
- Highest YPC in NFL History (7.0)
- Most career RUSH YDS by a QB (6,109)
- 1st QB with 1,000+ RUSH YDS during 1 season
- Most career GP (10) with 100+ RUSH YDS by a QB in NFL History
pic.twitter.com/eY1GfNKIbg
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: June 26, 2003
SIGNIFICANCE: One of the NBA’s most impactful drafts kicked off with LeBron James going 1st overall
June 26, 2003: The stacked NBA Draft class of 2003 included SF LeBron James to #Cavs (#1), SF Carmelo Anthony to #Nuggets (#3), PF Chris Bosh to #Raptors (#4), and SG Dwyane Wade to #Heat (#5)
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 27, 2021
pic.twitter.com/opvLXz1WyF
Related: Significant Sports History
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