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NBA in meltdown after star drops one of best dunks ever

The NBA has lost its mind as astonishing videos and photos emerged of one of the most amazing dunks basketball has ever seen.

2 min read
April 27, 2022 - 1:33PM
Ja Morant can fly. Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Ja Morant can fly. Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Ja Morant was a human highlights reel even before he scored the game-winning basket for Memphis in Game 5 of their first round playoff series against the Timberwolves on Wednesday (AEST).

Morant pulled off a dunk-of-the-year frontrunner that stunned NBA fans and sent the internet into meltdown.

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The 22-year-old defied gravity by launching himself from downtown as he climbed over the top of Malik Beasley to slam through the ludicrous jam.

Beasley stood his ground in the hopes of drawing an offensive foul but he’ll forever be immortalised as the poor speed bump that failed to stop Morant recording a dunk that will be replayed for decades to come.

This was Michael Jordan in Space Jam stuff, but Morant tried to play it cool.

“I wasn’t that excited about the dunk. It was over a guard. That’s pretty easy,” he said post-game.

AFL great Dane Swan said “Morant is basketball porn” while American sports media personality Bill Simmons tweeted: “Welp, that’s one of the greatest in-game dunks ever.

“This is like the Tom Chambers dunk or the KJ dunk this is an eternal dunk!!!!”

Astonishing photos soon emerged of Morant’s moment of magic

Remarkably, Morant wasn’t done there. Anthony Edwards drained a three-pointer for Minnesota with 3.7 seconds remaining to level the scores up at 109-all, but the man of the moment had one final bit of brilliance left in him.

He scored a lay-up with a second to go to complete a remarkable comeback and stun the Timberwolves 111-109, as Memphis took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Minnesota had led by 13 points early in the fourth quarter after huge performances from Karl Anthony-Towns, who finished with 28 points and Edwards (22 points).

But Morant, who finished with 30 points, suddenly found his scoring touch to haul Memphis back into contention. The rising star erupted for 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Grizzlies outscored Minnesota 37-24 in the final period.

Eleven Memphis points came in the final two minutes of the game, before Morant’s late winning lay-up sealed the deal.

Morant, who also had 13 rebounds and nine assists, was backed with a 25-point display from Desmond Bane, while Brandon Clarke added 21 points with 15 rebounds.

With AFP

Originally published as NBA in meltdown after star drops one of best dunks ever

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/american-sports/nba/nba-in-meltdown-after-star-drops-one-of-best-dunks-ever/news-story/56bb7e2b7ea90fd25321a3dc7a8fb235