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The Best of the Day: May 26th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 26, 2021 including Ja Morant's ridiculous game vs. Utah, D-Rose's enormous impact in NY, and more!
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 5/26 here.
The Jazz received a boost with the return of Donovan Mitchell, as the West’s top seed defeated Memphis in Game 2 to tie the series. Despite the loss, Ja Morant had the greatest performance ever by a Grizzlies player, breaking several records on his way to 47 points. Derrick Rose has made quite the difference for a young Knicks squad, as the former MVP was brilliant in their Game 2 win over Atlanta. Also, PSO looks back on Adam Vinatieri’s remarkable career, and Larry Bird made a famous game-winning play to defeat the Pistons in Game 5 of the ECF on this day in 1987.
Here is the best of the day from May 26, 2021:
Despite a franchise-record 47 points from Ja Morant in only his 2nd playoff game, Jazz won
The Utah Jazz were able to bounce back after a surprising Game 1 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and even their opening round series at 1-1. Utah was clearly the better team throughout, leading from midway through the first quarter and on, but that didn’t stop Memphis’ Ja Morant from putting on a show.
AIR MORANT ✈️ pic.twitter.com/aCV6IjNOYr
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 27, 2021
In just his second ever playoff game, Morant broke the Grizzlies franchise record for most points scored in one game, regular or postseason with 47. He also broke LeBron James‘ record (45 points in 2006) for most playoff points by a player 21 years old or younger while also becoming the second youngest player ever to drop 45+ PTS in a postseason game, second only to LBJ. Morant is also now second all-time in points scored through his first two playoff games with 73.
Ja Morant has set the Grizzlies franchise record for points in a playoff game.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2021
47 PTS
7 AST
15-26 FG
15-20 FT
It’s only his 2nd career playoff game. pic.twitter.com/Nyqs7fGBLn
Ja Morant of the @memgrizz scored 47 points tonight, the most all-time by a player 21 or younger in a playoff game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 27, 2021
The previous high was 45 by LeBron James in 2006.
Ja Morant (21 years, 289 days) is the 2nd youngest player in NBA history to record 45+ points in an #NBAPlayoffs game. The youngest was LeBron James (21 years, 124 days) with 45 points on 05/03/2006. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/zbuc7Ay7yT
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 27, 2021
Most points in a player's first 2 career playoff games:
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 27, 2021
George Mikan 75
Ja Morant 73
Luka Doncic 70
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 69
Ja just dropped 47 for the Grizz #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/l9mZKLFgTV
Morant’s brilliance may have overshadowed the much-awaited return of Donovan Mitchell from a sprained ankle for Utah. Mitchell led the team in scoring with 25 points, but it was a team effort, as seven players, including all five starters, finished with at least 14 points. Game 2 was a must-win for Utah, who will will feel much better about where they are now that the series is even and their star player is back.
Rudy with a HUGE rejection ❌ pic.twitter.com/KewvW99AxM
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 27, 2021
The Jazz score 141 points in their Game 2 win over the Grizzlies, setting a new franchise record for most points in a playoff game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 27, 2021
Their previous record was 131 points in 1985 against the Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/gw3a7NIZ7G
Related: Stories of the Day
DERRICK ROSE’S ARRIVAL TURNED NEW YORK’S SEASON AROUND
After a last-second loss in Game 1, New York clawed their way back from down 13 at half to tie up the series. It was the first postseason victory for the Knicks since 2013, and the fans at MSG were loving it. Derrick Rose had a team-high 26 points off the bench, along with the most minutes of any player in the contest. NY acquired him from Detroit and were 17-20 without him in the regular season, but 24-11 when he’s in the lineup, showing his impact on winning. Their win % with Rose is higher than any team in the East this season.
D-Rose is a former MVP and eastern conference finalist, which has been very beneficial to help lead this inexperienced Knicks team. He did this with the same coach he has now, Tom Thibodeau, but in a different city. Their history has created trust, which is why Rose saw the most minutes of any player in Game 2. Thibodeau knows Rose has been in these situations before and gives him the ball when it matters most. Ultimately, the experience of the youngest-ever MVP in tight games could be the difference-maker in the series after his arrival could effectively turn the Knicks into one of the final four teams in the East.
COLORS KEY | FULL KNICKS OUTLOOK
Derrick Rose (26 PTS) fuels the @nyknicks first #NBAPlayoffs win since 2013 as they tie the series 1-1! #NewYorkForever
— NBA (@NBA) May 27, 2021
Game 3: Friday at 7pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/H6agMwnCSS
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Ja turned on airplane mode
AIR MORANT ✈️ pic.twitter.com/aCV6IjNOYr
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 27, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
PG Ja Morant, MEM (L @UTA): 47 PTS (15-26 FG | 2-7 3P), 7 AST, 4 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 4 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/26/21) - PG Ja Morant, MEM
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 27, 2021
TOP FACT:
- Most PTS by a #Grizzlies player ever (Reg or playoffs)
- Most Playoff PTS by a player 21 or younger
- 2nd most PTS (73) through 1st 2 career playoff GP ever
KEY STATS:
47 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB, 15-26 FG (58%), 15-20 FT https://t.co/cC12Jf56tF
Related: Players of the Day
Atlanta Hawks (92) vs. New York Knicks (101)
[Highlights] #4 @KNICKS (-130; $18.22) d. #5 HAWKS (+110; $13.67) 101-92 [NYK -2 | u212.5] (TIED 1-1)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
The Greatest Kicker of all-time finally called it a career
Adam Vinatieri’s NFL records include:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 27, 2021
- Most career PTS (2,673)
- Most regular season + playoff GP (397)
- Most career FGM (599)
- Most career FGA (715)
- Most playoff FGM (56) & PTS (238)
- Most consecutive FGM (44)
pic.twitter.com/wbIkzb4zAb
Most career PTS in NFL history:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 27, 2021
1. Adam Vinatieri (2,673)
2. Morten Andersen (2,544)
3. Gary Anderson (2,434)
4. Jason Hanson (2,150)
5. John Carney (2,062) pic.twitter.com/qNYRbgJROk
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 26, 1987
SIGNIFICANCE: Larry Bird stole an inbound pass and dished it to Dennis Johnson in the final seconds to win Game 5 of the ECF
FULL story on Larry Bird's famous Game-winning steal and assist to lift Boston over Detroit in ECF Game 5:https://t.co/N5aTsvXyZQ
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 26, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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