The Best of the Day: May 23rd, 2021

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 5/23 here.

Haws PG Trae Young put on a historic performance in his postseason debut, punctuated by his GW-FG to defeat the Knicks in MSG and take a 1-0 series lead. The Suns dispatched the defending champs thanks to Deandre Ayton’s elite play on both ends of the court, including shutting down Anthony Davis. Also, Fernando Tatis Jr. has had the greatest start to a Padres career, the Jazz were the greatest 3-point shooting team ever in 2021, and Dodgers OF Shawn Green recorded the most total bases ever recoded in one game on this day in 2002.

Here is the best of the day from May 23, 2021:

Story of the Day

Trae Young drained the GW-FG to cap off historic playoff debut win in MSG

Trae Young‘s dazzling playoff debut lifted the Atlanta Hawks past the New York Knicks in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden Sunday night. Young finished the game with 32 points and 10 assists, joining LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Derrick Rose with 30+ points and 10+ assists in their postseason debut.

TRAE. TOO CLUTCH. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fxnJTeGGYU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 24, 2021

Trae Young is the 2nd player in NBA history with 30 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in his postseason debut. LeBron James is the other. pic.twitter.com/reENWRuhG7
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 24, 2021

Players with 30+ points, 10+ assists in their playoff debut:

LeBron James
Chris Paul
Derrick Rose
TRAE YOUNG

Ice Trae is COLD 🥶 pic.twitter.com/qRJSmRL9Bb
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 24, 2021

With the score knotted at 105-a-piece and less than five seconds to go, Young drove to the basket and drained a seven-foot floater with 0.9 seconds remaining to seal the win. With his heroic shot, Young became the first player to hit a GW-FG in the final five seconds in their playoff debut since Dwayne Wade in 2004. Young couldn’t have asked for a better debut, as he and the Hawks will look to build on their performance in Game 2.

Trae Young of the @ATLHawks is the first NBA player to make a game-winning field goal in the final 5 seconds in his playoff debut since Dwyane Wade did it for the Heat on April 18, 2004.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 24, 2021

Related: Stories of the Day

Takeaway of the Day

DEANDRE AYTON’S INTERIOR DEFENSE IS KEY FOR A DEEP PHOENIX RUN

In one of the most anticipated first round matchups, Phoenix defeated the LA Lakers during a defensive Game 1 battle. One of the keys to the Suns’ victory was the efforts of Deandre Ayton on both ends of the floor. He paired 21 points with 16 boards, and shut down Anthony Davis on top of the double-double. AD shot 5-16 from the field and scored only 13 points, struggling to get going with Ayton’s ferocious defense. Devin Booker added 34 points, and linked up with his big man on multiple occasions.

The former first overall pick showed why he was regarded so highly in his first playoff game on Sunday. He dominated the glass, as his 16 rebounds were seven more than the Lakers leader in that category. Additionally, the Arizona alum was tasked with defending All-Star Anthony Davis but had no problem with the assignment. AD shot nearly 50% on the season but was only 31% from the field in a matchup with Ayton. Phoenix’s future All-Star’s ability to guard the league’s best big men significantly helps the Suns chances for a deep run in the postseason.

COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS OUTLOOK

BIG Game 1 for @DeandreAyton.

☀️ 21 PTS
☀️ 16 REB
☀️ 10-11 FGM@Suns seek 2-0 series lead Tuesday at 10pm/et on TNT. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/y7teCKKr5C
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Highlight of the Day

Ice Trae silenced MSG

TRAE. TOO CLUTCH. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fxnJTeGGYU
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 24, 2021

Related: NBA Highlights

Player of the Day

PG Trae Young, ATL (W @NYK): 32 PTS (11-23 FG | 1-3 3P), 10 AST, 7 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO

#PlayerOfTheDay (5/23/21) - PG Trae Young, ATL

TOP FACTS:
- 1st final 5 sec GW-FG playoff debut since D-Wade '04
- 2nd playoff debut of 30+ PTS/5+ REB/10+ AST (LBJ)
- Joins LBJ, CP3, DRose w/ 30 & 10 in playoff debut

KEY STATS:
32 PTS (13 in 4Q), 10 AST, 7 REB, 11-23 FG, 9-9 FT https://t.co/M5mbfEtHEW
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 24, 2021

Related: Players of the Day

Game of the Day

Atlanta Hawks (107) (GW-FG) vs. New York Knicks (105)

[Highlights] #5 HAWKS (-105; $13.67) d. #4 @KNICKS (-115; $18.22) 107-105 (GW-FG) [ATL +1 | u214.5] (ATL 1-0)

Related: Games of the Day

Fact of the Day

Fernando Tatis Jr. is off to one of the greatest starts to a career ever

1st SS to reach 50 HR within 200 career Hits in MLB history
Fastest player (173 GP) to reach 200 career Hits is Padres history
1st player to record 12+ RBI/3+ BB/.750+ AVG over a 4-GP span since Babe Ruth in 1932

Related: Facts of the Day