Around, over or through, Chris Bosh has the mobility and length to dunk almost anything. The Toronto Raptors big man tempts his defender with a pump fake at the free-throw line before putting the ball on the floor and cramming over a help-side Indiana Pacers defender with ease. Bosh finished with 24 points and eight rebounds in the March 12, 2006 win.

Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh pumpfakes defender and takes ball straight to the rack

Julius Randle’s solid play has been a bright spot for the New York Knicks this season. In this play, Randle recovers after a teammate’s errant pass is picked off, by sprinting to recover and perfectly timing a trackdown swat from behind to deny the bucket and save the play at the other end. In addition to this epic block, Randle contributed 4 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the 102-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on January 20, 2022.

Julius Randle

Julius Randle blocks transition dunk attempt from behind

Opposing teams know that Khris Middleton poses a constant threat. In this play, Middleton draws the defence as he makes his way into the lane with a series of crossovers, and when he gets in range, he sends a laser to his teammate for the open layup at the cup. Middleton was on his game with 34 points, 6 boards, 5 dimes and a steal in the 133-127 barn burner win over the Sacramento Kings on January 22, 2022.

Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton spins through defenders, drops no-look dime off for easy two

Knowing when and where to cut is the signature of a seasoned veteran, having the springs to punish the defense with an unexpected hammer is textbook Richard Jefferson. Striking backdoor as his check collapses on teammate LeBron James, Jefferson heads baseline to corral a pass then goes up and under for an emphatic dunk in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The 16-year vet put up nine points and eight boards in the June 8, 2016 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson cuts along baseline for up-and-under flush in 2016 Finals

Tyrese Haliburton ranks fourth in the NBA with 10.1 assists per game — but if there was ever a time to be selfish, the All-Star Game is it. The Indiana Pacers point guard is on the receiving end of a bounce pass from Team LeBron teammate Kyrie Irving, and Haliburton gets into the paint with a crossover dribble before finishing with a powerful one-handed throwdown. The third-year pro — who also averaged just under 20 points per game in the first half — finished 7 of 9 from the field and 4 for 6 from downtown en route to 18 points in just 14 minutes while adding three assists on February 19, 2023.

Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton dunks in transition in debut at 2023 All-Star Game

With the spotlight at its brightest, Obi Toppin was ready to claim the 2022 AT&T Slam Dunk title in style. In his final attempt of the evening, with a championship within reach, the New York Knicks forward holds nothing back, punctuating an elite performance with a through-the-legs slam tapped gracefully off the backboard. Toppin’s finale, graded a 47 by the panel of judges, was the highest-rated dunk of the night.

Obi Toppin

Obi Toppin taps basketball off backboard after eastbay in 2022 Dunk Contest

When Jaylen Brown starts cooking, defenders have a problem. In the midst of a career-best 50-point showing, the Boston Celtics swingman finds an extra gear, blows past the Orlando Magic in transition, then chases down a lead pass to punch home an easy fastbreak bucket. Brown went 19-for-29 from the field in the overtime W on January 2, 2022.

Jaylen Brown

Jaylen Brown soars for transition slam in career-high 50-point game

With his blend of athleticism and size, New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram has proven he's built to score in any situation necessary. After receiving the ball in the mid-post, the 2020 All-Star quickly spins baseline before stretching out to deliver a forceful poster dunk over a San Antonio Spurs defender. Ingram's skill set showed itself in the box score with 27 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and a steal in a December 12, 2021 matchup.

Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram spins away from defender, throws down hammer

Donovan “Spida” Mitchell is no stranger to pulling superhero moves out of his bag. Take this play, in which Mitchell starts at half court, only to jet past the perimeter defender with a series of chaotic-yet-controlled dribbles. With space created, Mitchell stops on a dime and sends the unguardable floater up and over the helpless last line of defense. Mitchell’s touch helped lift the Utah Jazz to the 122-110 victory over the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2021, as he finished with 22 points, six assists and a steal.

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell splits defenders with dribble move, battles for bucket

With a championship on the line, don’t expect Kiah Stokes to welcome you into her domain with open arms. Chasing the trophy is about sacrifice, especially when you are the only one standing between the basket and one of the WNBA’s most imposing frontcourt players. With her Las Vegas Aces holding both a five-point second half lead and 1-0 Finals series advantage, Stokes — making her Top Shot debut — lets her basketball instincts take over with her team getting closer to ultimate glory. Connecticut Sun star forward Jonquel Jones makes her move into the heart of the lane, confidently rising up for a running layup attempt before being met in midair by Stokes, who times her jump perfectly to earn a tide-turning rejection. The Sun never got closer than five points the rest of the game, and Stokes’ gritty two-point, six-rebound, one-assist, one-block effort helped the Aces pull away for an 85-71 victory and 2-0 series lead on September 13, 2022. 

Kiah Stokes

Kiah Stokes protects the paint with rejection in 2022 Finals

Thanks to a helpful teammate, Ousmane Dieng quickly flushed his missed free throw and replaced it with something much more highlight-worthy. When the 11th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft misses his target from the stripe, Aleksej Pokuševski wrestles the offensive board away from the San Antonio Spurs before finding the French rookie with a pass that he turns into a soaring layup conversion. In his 12th professional game, Dieng posted career-highs with 23 minutes and 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting while adding seven rebounds in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 119-111 victory on November 30, 2022.

Ousmane Dieng

Ousmane Dieng cuts through the paint for layup after offensive board

When the Golden State Warriors share the ball like this, their offensive attack is poetry in motion. The Toronto Raptors are powerless to stop the defending champions’ rhythm, as Draymond Green and Klay Thompson pass it back and forth in the halfcourt offense until Green finds Steph Curry cutting to the back door for an easy layup. The Warriors racked up an eye-popping 40 assists on 50 made field goals, shooting .556 for the game with an 18 of 43 mark from downtown in the 129-117 win on January 27, 2023.

Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors pick apart defense with patience and ball movement

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