By Pro Sports Outlook, The Front Office for Fans
Jan 01, 2021

New Years Day, 2021 was highlighted by John Collins christening in the new year with a thunderous throwdown over Jarrett Allen during a big win for Atlanta. LeBron & AD thrived down the stretch to beat the Spurs, while CP3 hit a big shot to lift Phoenix over the Nuggets. Many top NFL Draft prospects saw their stocks rise/fall after a couple of significant CFB Playoff Games between Alabama vs. Notre Dame and Clemson vs. Ohio State where potential No.2 pick Justin Fields outshined likely No.1 pick Trevor Lawrence on the big stage. 

Check out everything that happened in sports on January 1st last year and the Best in Sports from exactly a year ago, headlined by Carmelo Anthony shining in his return to Madison Square Garden with 26-points in the night for the Portland Trail Blazers. This daily sports article includes real headlines only (no clickbait rumors), all of the best highlights, interesting facts from around the NFL, NBA, & MLB, the main games to watch, top performances of the day, significant birthdays, and a quick recap of notable events on this day in sports history.

Top plays from New Years Day

John Collins’ slams are insane

CP3 coming in the clutch

Luka has too many moves for MIA

Spida with the side-arm laser

Grant caught a body vs. Boston

LeBron & AD took over in the 4th

Lillard is a lethal shooter

LaMelo can see everything

Melo moving up the scoring list

The Greek Freak strikes again

10 best plays of the year

Beal rocks the baby with Russ

Conley was draining 3’s

Top 10 dunks of 2020

Top 10 dunks of the year

It was a long year

DeRozan with big time slams

Curry is BACK

Rodgers is a legend vs. Chicago

Game of the Year mic’d up

Browns last playoffs in ’02

Like father, like son

When Matt Flynn went off

The hit of the century

[SEE MORE]

[SEE MORE]

New Years Day

[Highlights] SF LeBron James, LAL (@SA): 26 PTS (8-22 FG | 3-7 3P), 10 AST, 11 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO [Player of the Day]

[Highlights] PF Anthony Davis, LAL (@SA): 34 PTS (13-26 FG | 4-6 3P), 5 AST, 11 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] PG Damian Lillard, POR (@GS): 34 PTS (11-21 FG | 6-10 3P), 8 AST, 4 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO

[Highlights] F Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (v.CHI): 29 PTS (9-19 FG | 1-5 3P), 8 AST, 12 REB, 2 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] F Kawhi Leonard, LAC (@UTA): 20 PTS (8-19 FG | 2-4 3P), 9 AST, 16 REB, 3 BLK, 0 STL, 0 TO

 NBA TOP PERFORMERS

NFL: TE Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (turns 26)

NBA: PF Larry Nance, Cleveland Cavaliers (28)

NFL: CB Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles (30)

NFL: CB Trumaine Johnson, Free Agent (31)

NFL: EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (32)

MLB: SP Dallas Keuchel, Chicago White Sox (33)

NFL: LB Derrick Thomas, Hall of Fame (53)

2012: Chicago Bulls SG Jimmy Butler made his NBA debut in a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies after missing the team’s 1st 4 games during the lockout-shortened season

2007: Denver Broncos DB Darrent Williams was murdered in a drive-by shooting outside of a Denver, CO nightclub

2006: 43-year-old QB Doug Flutie — now with the New England Patriots — converted the 1st dropkick PAT since 1941 in his final career game

1976: After 45 years of coaching with the Browns and Bengals, NFL Hall of Famer Paul Brown officially retired from football

1974: Buffalo Braves PG Ernie DiGregorio set an NBA single-game rookie record with 25 assists in a 120-119 win over the Portland Trail Blazers

1978: Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship to advance to the franchise’s 1st Super Bowl

1967: Green Bay Packers defeated the Dallas Cowboys at the Cotton Bowl to be the NFL’s representative in the inaugural “Super Bowl”

1967: Kansas City Chiefs stomped the Buffalo Bills 31-7 to win their 2nd championship and represent the AFL in the 1st Super Bowl 

1961: Houston Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers to capture the very 1st AFL Championship

[SEE MORE DAYS IN SPORTS]

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