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What Happened in Sports: May 22, 2021
What happened in sports on May 23, 2021 ft. day 1 of the NBA playoffs with a Bucks-Heat OT thriller, Luka's historic triple-double, and more!
NBA Short Highlights/YouTube
May 22nd, 2021 was remembered for Khris Middleton’s game-winner in OT to overcome Jimmy Butler’s buzzer-beating layup in regulation to force OT in a thrilling Game 1 of the Bucks-Heat series. Luka Doncic racked up another legendary triple-double to lead Dallas over the Clippers, Dame dropped a whopping 13 assists to lead Portland over Denver, and Brooklyn’s Big 3 balled out in their comeback victory over Boston. Rob Williams also collected a franchise record nine blocks off the bench to kickstart what seems poised to be an entertaining 2021 NBA postseason.
See what happened in sports on May 22nd last year, headlined by the Jets signing Joe Flacco, Seattle adding Carlos Hyde, and tributes for HOF HC Jerry Sloan after passing away. 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, notable birthdays, and a quick recap of significant events on this day in sports history.
Use clock.
Get to your spot.
Pull up for the WIN, Khris!
Every angle of @Khris22m‘s Game 1 @Bucks game-winner. 🔥
Game 2: Mon, 7:30 PM ET, TNT pic.twitter.com/VTtLFfXxjZ
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
27 points for @Khris22m in Game 1, including the GAME-WINNER with 0.5 remaining in OT! #FearTheDeer
Game 2 ⤵️
Monday, 7:30pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/TtGzBiTac0
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
Khris Middleton’s Game @Bucks 1 game-winner added to his extensive clutch resume. 🔥
Game 2 – Mon, 7:30pm/et, TNT pic.twitter.com/J55K0fAEjw
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
Middleton’s @Bucks winner headlines Saturday’s TOP 10 PLAYS! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2JAeW3cXCW
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
JIMMY BUCKETS SENDS IT TO OT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/cNt6rPIfuK
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 22, 2021
👀 EVERY ANGLE of Kawhi’s monster slam on ESPN! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/n5gFLafnES
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Nurkic ELEVATED 😳 pic.twitter.com/MMLxzNwlOj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 23, 2021
Walk-offs are better in the City Connect unis. pic.twitter.com/qo1DloTHqu
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2021
Cleveland walks off. pic.twitter.com/tcQqHsPiz2
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2021
Giannis in transition 😤 pic.twitter.com/38EovrRc8b
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 22, 2021
Dom got to it fast and the throw was furious. 😱 pic.twitter.com/tbyISEr6Qt
— MLB (@MLB) May 22, 2021
Robert Williams III has 7⃣ blocks!#NBAPlayoffs on ABC.. 7:30 left pic.twitter.com/o8gBi56TK1
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
💫 @luka7doncic drops a triple-double in Game 1 to power the @dallasmavs! #NBAPlayoffs
💫 31 PTS
💫 10 REB
💫 11 AST
Game 2: Tue, 10:30pm/et, NBA TV pic.twitter.com/Y08owS98Gl
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
🔥 34 points for @Dame_Lillard
🔥 #NBAPlayoffs career-high 13 AST
Dame, @trailblazers go up 1-0 vs. DEN.. Game 2 is Monday at 10:00pm/et on TNT. pic.twitter.com/cRmt59tjum
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
The @BrooklynNets dynamic trio drops 82 in their first #NBAPlayoffs game together. 👀@KDTrey5: 32 PTS, 12 REB@KyrieIrving: 29 PTS@JHarden13: 21 PTS, 8 AST, 4 STL
Game 2: Tue, 7:30pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/pwpH4WXIMN
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
🎯 The UNLIMITED RANGE of Logo Lillard 🎯@Dame_Lillard (28.8 PPG, 4.1 3PG this season) and the #6 in West @trailblazers start their #NBAPlayoffs vs. #3 Denver at 10:30pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/gm8sAsLqw8
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
Unreal passes.
Flashy handles.
Clutch shots.
Nikola Jokic did it all during the 2020-21 regular season.. the @nuggets start their #NBAPlayoffs push vs. POR at 10:30pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/m36xPYKDKu
— NBA (@NBA) May 23, 2021
5th in the NBA with 28.1 PPG, 8th in the NBA with 11.0 RPG… @Giannis_An34 & the @Bucks host MIA for Game 1 TODAY at 2:00 PM ET on ESPN! #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/GamUGswwTT
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Another MAGICAL season for Luka.
💫 27.7 PPG
💫 8.0 RPG
💫 8.6 APG
The West #5 seed @dallasmavs face #4 LAC in the First Round of the #NBAPlayoffs for the 2nd straight year!
Game 1 tips at 4:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/3tmspJXb4q
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
The Klaw, doing it all this season.
24.8 PPG | 6.5 RPG | 5.2 APG | 1.6 SPG
🏀: CLIPPERS/MAVERICKS (Game 1)
⏰: 4:30 PM ET
📺: #NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Zb4bbaRgfh
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
KD scores in so, so many ways. 🔥
26.9 PPG this season.. @KDTrey5 and the #2 in East @BrooklynNets host #7 Boston in their #NBAPlayoffs First Round opener at 8 PM ET on ABC! pic.twitter.com/hQvfnKY62j
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Jayson Tatum’s versatile scoring was on display this season en route to 26.4 PPG!
🏀: @celtics/@BrooklynNets
⏰: 8 PM ET on ABC #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xVCvlYmKJe
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
21.5 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 7.1 APG | 2.1 SPG@JimmyButler gets it done on both ends for the @MiamiHEAT!
🆚: Heat / Bucks
🏀: #NBAPlayoffs, Game 1
📺: 2:00 PM ET on ESPN pic.twitter.com/hwg4Hk9mHV
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
Ahead of the #NBAPlayoffs beginning today, look back at historical First Round dunks from the past 5 seasons! #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/IikDcnkskw
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2021
May 22, 2009: Cleveland #Cavaliers SF LeBron James hit the 1st Playoff buzzer-beater of his career in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic. He would go on to drain 5 career Playoff buzzer-beaters to set an all-time NBA record
pic.twitter.com/ij567AQMp9
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 22, 2021
May 22, 2013: Miami #Heat SF LeBron James hit his 2nd career Playoff GW buzzer beater for a Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers in the ECF which was his only buzzer-beater with Miami that helped lead them to a 7-game series win and back-to-back titles pic.twitter.com/3A7YjrYOXx
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 22, 2021
Most postseason buzzer-beaters in NBA history:
1. LeBron James (5)
2. Michael Jordan (3)
T3. Damian Lillard (2)
T3. Paul Pierce (2)
T3. Jerry West (2)
T3. Jo Jo White (2)https://t.co/92ltbydyYn
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 22, 2021
May 22, 1988: Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins engage in a legendary duel during a 118-116 G7 Celtics ECSF win. Bird finished with 34 points and Wilkins with 47. pic.twitter.com/9CghdvJu74
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) May 22, 2021
Kevin Durant’s 48 PTS were the most ever in a Game 7. The previous Game 7 top scoring performance was Dominique Wilkins’ 47 points on 05/22/1988 vs. Boston. #NBAVault pic.twitter.com/5uBuFOk4Ni
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 20, 2021
Julian Edelman’s career resume:
– 3x Champion
– Super Bowl 53 MVP
– 2nd most NFL postseason REC (118) & REC YDS (1,442)
– 2nd most REC (620) & 4th most REC YDS (6,822) in #Patriots history
– Most PR (8) & most REC (7) during a 1st half in SB history pic.twitter.com/rZJloIvehc
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
Most career REC YDS in NFL postseason history:
1. Jerry Rice (2,245)
2. Julian Edelman (1,442)
3. Michael Irvin (1,315)
4. Cliff Branch(1,289)
5. Rob Gronkowski (1,273)^
pic.twitter.com/Ie25HGtkFJ
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
Most career REC in NFL postseason history:
1. Jerry Rice (151)
2. Julian Edelman (118)
3. Reggie Wayne (93)
4. Rob Gronkowski (89)^
pic.twitter.com/K7c3FA38xa
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
Most career TGT in New England #Patriots history:
1. Julian Edelman (941)
2. Wes Welker (926)
3. Troy Brown (846)
4. Rob Gronkowski (794)
pic.twitter.com/L0F7U1P25f
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 23, 2021
.@andruwjones25 was an incredible fielder.
OTD in 2002, he saved a shutout for Tom Glavine with this game-ending grab. pic.twitter.com/s9xL2NvKwa
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) May 22, 2021
May 22, 1999: Mark McGwire belts it out of Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/uZxQotVRhm
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) May 22, 2021
[SEE MORE]
[SEE MORE]
[Highlights] #3 @BUCKS (-200; $9.48) d. #6 HEAT (+176; $8.99) 109-107 (GW-FG in OT) [MIA +5 | u226.5] (MIL 1-0)
[Highlights] #5 MAVERICKS (+190; $10.00) d. #4 @CLIPPERS (-217; $10.44) 113-103 [DAL +5.5 | u217.5] (DAL 1-0)
[Highlights] #2 @NETS (-336; $11.03) d. #7 CELTICS (+274; $7.74) 104-93 [BKN -8 | u230.5] (BKN 1-0)
[Highlights] #6 BLAZERS (-105; $11.20) d. #3 @NUGGETS (-115; $10.80) 123-109 [POR +1 | o227.5] (POR 1-0)
[Highlights] G Luka Doncic, DAL (W @LAC): 31 PTS (11-24 FG | 5-11 3P), 11 AST, 10 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO [Player of the Day]
[Highlights] PG Damian Lillard, POR (W @DEN): 34 PTS (10-25 FG | 5-12 3P), 13 AST, 2 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO
[Highlights] C Nikola Jokic, DEN (L v.POR): 34 PTS (14-27 FG | 3-7 3P), 1 AST, 16 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 1 TO
[Highlights] F Kevin Durant, BKN (W v.BOS): 32 PTS (10-25 FG | 1-8 3P), 1 AST, 12 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO
[Highlights] SF Khris Middleton, MIL (W v.MIA): 27 PTS (10-22 FG | 3-9 3P), 6 AST, 6 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 2 TO
NBA: C Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons (turns 20)
NBA: PF Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls (24)
MLB: RP Sam Gaviglio, Texas Rangers (31)
MLB: OF Corey Dickerson, Miami Marlins (32)
MLB: 2B Eric Sogard, Chicago Cubs (35)
NFL: WR Julian Edelman, Retired After 2020 (35)
MLB: SP Tommy John, Retired after 1989 (78)
MLB: OF Al Simmons, Hall of Fame (119)
2017: Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs to complete a full 3-round sweep of the Western Conference en route to their 3rd consecutive NBA Finals appearance. They would go on to win 3 straight NBA Finals games for a record 15 consecutive postseason wins
2013: Miami Heat SF LeBron James hit his 2nd career Playoff GW buzzer beater for a Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals which was his only buzzer-beater with Miami that helped lead them to a 7-game series win and back-to-back titles
2009: Cleveland Cavaliers SF LeBron James hit the 1st Playoff buzzer beater of his career in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic; he would go on to drain a NBA record 5 career Playoff buzzer-beaters
1990: Chicago Cubs OF Andre Dawson was intentionally walked 5 times in a 16-inning, 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds to establish a new MLB record
1988: Boston Celtics PF Larry Bird and Atlanta Hawks PF Dominique Wilkins went blow-for-blow, dropping 34 and 47 PTS each (20 and 16 in Q4) as the Celtics prevailed in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals
1985: Cincinnati Reds 1B Pete Rose recorded his 2,108th career run, passing Hank Aaron as the NL’s all-time scoring leader
1983: Toronto Blue Jays 1B Cliff Johnson hit his 18th career pinch-hit HR, tying Jerry Lynch for the most in MLB history. Cliff Johnson would finish with a MLB record 20 career pinch-hit HR until Matt Stairs surpassed him in 2010
1976: St. Louis Cardinals OF Reggie Smith drove in 5 runs with 3 HRs (2 right-handed, 1 left-handed), including the go-ahead shot with 2 outs in the 9th to break a 6-6 tie
1963: Following the Warriors’ move to San Francisco, the NBA approved the Syracuse Nationals’ move to Philadelphia, where they would become the “76ers”
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