Notable Leap Day stats and events across major sports

Anthony Gharib, ESPNFeb 29, 2024, 09:30 AM ET

One of the oddest details in the Gregorian calendar occurs on Thursday — leap day, an extra day that occurs at the end of February every four years.

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There are 50 current and former players across the NBA/NFL/MLB/NHL/WNBA that were born on leap day, notably Tyrese Haliburton (NBA), Eric Kendricks (NFL), Darryl Williams (MLB) and Simon Gagne (NHL), according to ESPN Stats and Information.

Of the nine NHL players born on leap day, in 2004, Gagne became the only player to score on his birthday.

Here are more fun facts and notable events from sports on leap day.

6: There have been six players to score at least 40 points, the most recent being Russell Westbrook in 2020. Oscar Robertson’s 43 points in 1964 is the highest total — he also had 10 rebounds and assists for his 22nd triple double that season. Paul Arizin did it first in 1950.

In NBA history, eight players have also scored exactly 29 points on leap day, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Derrick Rose and Rodney Stuckey each did it last in 2012.

7: Hat tricks don’t come easy in the NHL, but on Leap Day 2016, there were two from Patric Hornqvist and Brayden Schenn, pushing the all-time total to seven. Jimmy Ward had the first in 1936.

In terms of championships during a leap year, the New York Yankees have the most across the NBA/NFL/MLB/NHL with seven. The Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Montreal Canadiens are tied for second with six.

.818: The Celtics, who do not play on Thursday, are the winningest NBA team on leap day with a 9-2 record and .818 win percentage.

The Golden State Warriors are second with eight and the Lakers are third with nine — both teams play tonight.

Boston (1948-1980) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1976-1992) hold the longest win streaks in NBA history at five games, per Elias.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won five games on leap day between 1936-1964 and hold the record for the longest NHL win streak on the 29th. The San Jose…

Source link : https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39619387/leap-day-stats-events-major-sports-nfl-nba-mlb-nhl

Author : Anthony Gharib

Publish date : 2024-02-29 14:45:43

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