Canes magic, the Drake Maye debate and Uncle MJ in the sports moments of the week
Posted April 23, 2024 3:29 p.m. EDT
Updated April 23, 2024 3:45 p.m. EDT
The internet is a big place. Unless you're 100% plugged in all the time (and let's be clear, that is NOT recommended), you're going to miss some stuff.
Let us do that work. You can be a well-adjusted human being and still catch all the best sports moments of the week, with a quick review ...
Hurricanes take Game 2 thanks to late rally
The Carolina Hurricanes entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the slight betting favorites to win it all. And after what we saw on Monday night, you've got to like their chances because destiny may just be on their side.
The Canes put together an all-time rally to take a 2-0 series lead over the New York Islanders, striking for four goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation for an unforgettable 5-3 win.
At one point, Carolina trailed 3-0 in the second period, making this the third three-goal playoff comeback in franchise history.
You probably remember the other two – Game 4 of the 2002 Conference Semis (4-3 over Montreal in OT) and Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals (5-4 over Edmonton).
On the other side, the Islanders had never, in franchise history, lost a playoff game in which they had a three goal lead ... Now they have.
The Hurricanes' game-tying and go-ahead goal came in the final 2:15 of regulation and happened just 9 seconds apart.
PNC Arena is already one of the loudest places for NHL playoff hockey, but during that sequence, it elevated to pure pandemonium.
(Shout out to Canes announcer Mike Maniscalco, who matched the moment with an electric play-by-play call.)
Monday night was magical, but looking forward it's also got to be a tremendous confidence boost for this Carolina team.
Through two games, they've shown that they can dominate a defense-first, grind-it-out type of game (like Game 1), and now they've shown that they have the offensive firepower to score goals in bunches when necessary and win a goal fest.
That's a gear that the Canes have been lacking in recent playoff runs, but it looks like they've unlocked it this season.
Next up, this Canes team will look to prove that it can win on the road too.
Here's hoping they check that box on Wednesday night and make this a short series.
Knicks, Nuggets thrill with last-minute victories
The Hurricanes weren't the only team to pull off a heart-pounding comeback on Monday.
In fact, the NBA delivered two of them in back-to-back games!
What a night for watching sports. 10/10. No notes.
In New York, just minutes before Carolina's rally, the Knicks erased a five-point deficit in the final minute to steal Game 2 over the 76ers.
Donte DiVincenzo's go-ahead 3-pointer with 13 seconds left immediately goes on the short list of greatest Madison Square Garden moments in the 21st century... and got a rare "double bang" from Mike Breen.
Philadelphia is, of course, fuming at the loss which now has them in an 0-2 series hole, but they might have a case when it comes to the late game officiating.
During a wild scramble that led to DiVincenzo's big shot, you can clearly see the 76ers trying to call timeout before they turn the ball over.
Now, to be fair to the officials, a still screen shot is a lot easier to litigate than live action. In real time, you can see Sixers head coach Nick Nurse calling for time (at the top of the screen), but it's a lot less clear as to whether or not Philly had full possession of the ball.
It's unfortunate but, as a neutral observer, I have to say I'm ok with the way the final sequence played out.
In the late game, the Denver Nuggets showed why they're the defending champions as they roared back from 20 points down to beat the LA Lakers at the buzzer.
Reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic put together a historic stat line with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. It's already the fourth time in his career that Jokic has put up a 20-20 triple-double in the playoffs, tying Wilt Chamberlain for most all-time.
But the hero of the game was Jokic's running mate Jamal Murray, who started the game ice cold but was clutch in crunch time.
Murray actually scored Denver's final six points -- two high-stakes free throws, a mid-range jumper to tie with 30 seconds left and then obviously the buzzer-beater.
All four of those shots were nothing but net.
Another moment that shouldn't be forgotten came right before Murray took over.
With Denver trailing by 3 after a LeBron James dunk (James was great in this game too), Jokic tried to draw a foul on a three-point attempt but didn't get the call.
Aaron Gordon alertly saved the ball from going out of bounds, then found Michael Porter Jr. for a huge three to tie it at 95.
At this point, the Nuggets seem inevitable... especially when playing the Lakers.
Denver has beaten LA in ten straight meetings, including this year's and last year's playoffs.
The Lakers held double-digit leads in four out of those six playoff losses, so you can understand why Anthony Davis was still pretty mad in the post-game press conference.
Sports are the best. Can you imagine not watching sports?
Panthers' first pick revealed?
The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, but the Carolina Panthers won't be on the clock until Friday with the 33rd overall pick.
(Cuz, y'know, they traded their first rounder last year to ... never mind.)
With the first pick on Day 2, you'd think the Panthers would be patiently monitoring Round 1 and waiting to see if any top players fell to them (as I laid out in this column last week).
But according to one player, Carolina already knows who they're going to take at No. 33 if he's still available.
Xavier Legette, an explosive wide receiver out of South Carolina, told USA Today analyst John Crumpler this week that the Panthers have essentially promised to draft him if he falls out of the first round.
Of course, things can change and this isn't binding, but it is certainly an interesting insight into how the Panthers view this year's very talented and deep receiver class.
I'm on record saying Carolina should be patient and wait to see which receiver falls to them at No. 39, but if Dave Canales and Dan Morgan love what they see in Legette, who am I to argue?
It wouldn't be a reach in that spot and, from the looks of things, Panther fans would be all-in too.
Drake Maye dominates pre-draft conversation
It seems that no player has sparked as many arguments during the pre-draft process than North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Once thought to be in contention with Caleb Williams as the No. 1 overall pick, Maye has become one of the more polarizing players in this year's class, with one NFL QB coach reportedly saying he wouldn't draft Maye in the Top 10!
Multiple analysts have criticized Maye too, including ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, who favors LSU's Jayden Daniels as the better quarterback prospect. (Daniels, by the way, is now the heavy favorite to go to Washington at No. 2 overall.)
And yet, Drake Maye still seems to have plenty of fans on NFL coaching staffs, and could reportedly spark a bidding war for his services at No. 3.
The question is, which team?
The New England Patriots could very well stand pat and draft the UNC star, or they could trade down and get a huge haul in return.
The New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings have both been linked to Maye in recent weeks, with reports that they would trade multiple first round picks to move up to No. 3.
Of the three, you have to like Minnesota as the most favorable landing spot for Maye. The Vikings have an offensive-minded head coach and arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Justin Jefferson, already on the roster.
Whatever happens, Drake Maye is sure to be compared to Daniels (and probably Williams too) for his entire NFL career.
We get to find out on Thursday where that will be.
Michael Jordan still LOVES to win
In case you were wondering, Michael Jordan is still as competitive as they come. And on Sunday, he got to celebrate another big win.
NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick, who races for Jordan's 23XI Racing, used dramatic last lap surge to take the checkered flag at the Geico 500 in Talladega.
23XI has won races before, but never with MJ in the building so he was pumped.
Jordan picked up Tyler Reddick's son for a cool moment during the celebration (imagine having that video in your family memories).
Then he called for some, ahem, adult beverages on the flight home. And lots of them, from the sounds of it.
Fun with #PackPros
A pair of NC State alums were involved in wacky moments this week in the big leagues.
Giants catcher Patrick Bailey had himself a whale of a game on Saturday's win over the Diamondbacks. He went 4/4 with 3 RBI and finished a triple short of the cycle.
Perhaps even more impressive, though, is where his 5th inning home run landed.
We've seen baseballs hit into San Francisco's McCovey Cove before (hello, Barry Bonds), but I'm not sure we've ever seen one hit directly into a fan's kayak like Bailey did!
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Trea Turner didn't exactly create the highlight here but he did benefit from some hilarity on the part of the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox, who are quickly taking over as the single worst team in baseball, completely botched a run down in the first inning on Sunday, recording no outs and allowing Turner to score from 3rd base!
As bad as your favorite baseball team may be this summer, just be thankful they're not as bad as the White Sox.
(Unless you in fact root for the White Sox, in which case I'm sorry.)
We'll see you next week.
