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The Best of the Day: May 8th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 8, 2021 including Russ's historic triple-double in D.C.'s OT win vs. IND, and more!
New York Post
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 5/8 here.
Russell Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson for the most career triple-doubles on Saturday night in the Wizards OT win over the Pacers. Both Westbrook and Bradley Beal’s elevated level of play has put Washington into a position to compete with the postseason right around the corner after their rough start. Also, PSO ranked the top five cornerbacks from the 2021 NFL Draft, and the Knicks captured their first ever championship on this day in 1970 by defeating the Lakers in seven games.
Here is the best of the day from May 8, 2021:
Russell Westbrook tied Oscar Robertson’s all-time triple-doubles record in clutch OT win
Russell Westbrook made history Saturday night, tying Oscar Robertson‘s career mark for triple-doubles with the 181st of his future Hall of Fame career. Also, Westbrook’s clutch play, along with Bradley Beal‘s 50-point outburst, powered the Wizards to a nail-biting 133-132 OT victory over the Pacers.
Russell Westbrook has recorded his 181st career triple-double, tying Oscar Robertson for the most in NBA history.
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) May 9, 2021
RUSS FOR THE LEAD 👀 pic.twitter.com/f4nNP7BY8W
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2021
Westbrook finished the evening with 33 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists, but his game defining play came on the defensive end. Westbrook registered the game-winning block on the Pacers’ final shot to seal the road win. This outcome was especially significant as Washington now owns a half-game lead for the ninth spot in the play-in tournament over Indiana.
🤯 Tie all-time triple-double record
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2021
🤯 Knock down go-ahead free throws
🤯 Seal the game with the clutch block
WHAT A NIGHT FOR @RUSSWEST44! pic.twitter.com/XSJ6TA5MKq
From a historical perspective, Russ is in the midst of an absolute tear. He is the first player to record 15+ rebounds and 15+ assists during consecutive games in NBA history and the first player to post 15+ assists in four straight games in Wizards history. He is also the first player since the 1976 merger to finish a contest with 33+ points, 19+ rebounds, and 15+ assists during a game. Westbrook has been everything the Wizards envisioned when they acquired him and now he has them in position to make the postseason.
Russell Westbrook is the first player in NBA history to record back-to-back games with 15+ REB and 15+ AST! pic.twitter.com/fpAyBUgwAe
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2021
Russell Westbrook put up 33 PTS, 19 REB, 15 AST tonight. The last NBA player to record at least 33p, 19r, 15a in a game was Wilt Chamberlain (35pts/24reb/15ast) in February of 1968. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/ek7AjekMMG
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 9, 2021
🚨 Russ is special 🚨
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 9, 2021
this is insane... the active leaderboard for triple-doubles:
181 - Russell Westbrook
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99 - LeBron James
58 - James Harden
56 - Nikola Jokic
35 - Luka Doncic
32 - Rajon Rondo
32 - Ben Simmons
29 - Draymond Green
25 - Giannis https://t.co/GYVcnWLCQ5
Russell Westbrook has recorded 15+ assists in 4 consecutive games, becoming the first player in Wizards franchise history to do so. The last NBA player with 15 or more assists in 4 straight games was Rajon Rondo in 2016. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/vAX2Ss1G8S
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 9, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
WASHINGTON HAS THE BEST BACKCOURT IN THE NBA THIS SEASON
The Washington Wizards have been one of the hottest teams as of late and are turning into a squad nobody wants to face in the play-in tournament or playoffs. The main reason for their success has been the impressive duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. The high-powered scoring prowess of Beal and the historic triple-double streak from Westbrook has revived DC’s season and is why they’ve earned the title of best backcourt in the NBA this year.
Beal and Westbrook are coming off of an overtime win against Indiana where they combined for 83 points. The Brodie had another triple-double, which has tied him for the most in NBA history with Oscar Robertson. DC’s other guard racked up 50 points for the fifth time in his career (most in Wizards history), and is second in the league in points per game this season. When it comes to ranking them amongst other backcourts, Phoenix’s Chris Paul and Devin Booker as well as Brooklyn’s backcourt of Kyrie Irving and James Harden come to mind as contenders for the top spot.
The Suns’ duo were both All-Stars, but Russ would’ve easily been one too after his amazing second half of the season. At this point, he’d likely replace Irving in the starting lineup, which would’ve made it an all DC backcourt for starters in the East. Harden and Kyrie have missed a lot of time together, forcing them to fall below Washington’s duo. At the end of the day this year, it’s hard to argue that the Wizards don’t possess the best pair of guards in the league this season.
COLORS KEY | FULL WIZARDS OUTLOOK
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Russ sealed the win with the block after GW-FTs
🤯 Tie all-time triple-double record
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2021
🤯 Knock down go-ahead free throws
🤯 Seal the game with the clutch block
WHAT A NIGHT FOR @RUSSWEST44! pic.twitter.com/XSJ6TA5MKq
Related: NBA Highlights
PG Russell Westbrook, WAS (W @IND): 33 PTS (11-26 FG | 3-7 3P), 15 AST, 19 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL, 7 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/8/21) - PG Russell Westbrook, WAS
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 9, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Tied Oscar Robertson for most triple-doubles (181) ever
- 1st player w/ 15+ AST & 15+ REB in consecutive GP
- 1st player w/ 15+ AST in 4 straight GP in DC history
KEY STATS:
- 33 PTS, 19 REB, 15 AST, 11-26 FG https://t.co/RRwOJ8qVdG
Related: Players of the Day
Washington Wizards (133) vs. Indiana Pacers (132) [OT]
[Highlights] WIZARDS (-155; $11.00) d. @PACERS (+137; $8.69) 133-132 (OT) [IND +3.5 | o248.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
2021 NFL Draft Rankings: Top 5 Cornerbacks by Ricky Eisenbart
PSO ranked the top CBs from the 2021 NFL Draft and you can create your own rankings!
Ranking the top 5 CB's in the 2021 NFL Draft:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 8, 2021
1. @PatSurtainll
2. @jayceehorn_10
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
CREATE YOUR OWN DRAFT RANKINGS ⬇️ https://t.co/elGQtdWy2i
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 8, 1970
SIGNIFICANCE: The New York Knicks def. the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 to win the franchise’s 1st ever NBA title
May 8, 1970: New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 to win their very 1st NBA Championship (1st of 2), handing the Jerry West/Wilt Chamberlain Lakers their 3rd straight Finals loss
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 8, 2021
pic.twitter.com/b1CH9RXOsz
Related: Significant Sports History
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