In James Harden’s return to Brooklyn, Joel Embiid helped his teammate pick up a win against his old squad. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard inbounded the basketball to Embiid, who decided he wanted to fire from long range as he took two dribbles backward and nailed one of Harden’s patented step-back 3-pointers. In another monster season for Embiid, the six-time All-Star overwhelmed the Brooklyn Nets with 37 points on 12 of 18 shooting and added 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the 101-98 victory on February 11, 2023. 

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid steps back to beat shot clock with fadeaway three

Following a missed Game 1 and sluggish return in Game 2, the NBA MVP looked like himself again in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Joel Embiid was masterful on both ends of the court for the Philadelphia 76ers in a critical Game 5 with the best-of-seven series tied 2-2. Embiid didn’t let a turnover on offense dull his spirits as he raced back the other way to land an enormous chase-down block on Jaylen Brown. The 76ers went into Boston and controlled the game wire-to-wire in large part due to Embiid’s 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four blocks in a 115-103 win on May 9, 2023. It was Embiid’s third consecutive 30-point game in the series. 

Joel Embiid bats transition layup attempt over to teammate in 2023 Playoffs

Just keeps rising! After catching the ball at the top of the circle, Giannis Antetokounmpo uses two dribbles to get into the paint before elevating for the poster over Nikola Vučević and the Orlando Magic on August 18, 2020. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo spins for slam in 2020 Playoffs

“Nikola Jokić. League MVP for a reason.” Kevin Durant narrates one from his favorite plays of the season from the game-changing Denver Nuggets center as Jokić gets open for an inbound pass, catches it at the top of the perimeter, quickly squares up and fires a high-flying triple over the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkić. The reigning MVP notched 28 points and flirted with a triple double in an emphatic win at home on November 14, 2021.

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić drains deep three to beat end of quarter buzzer

Six years after her star teammate Lisa Leslie completed the first dunk in WNBA history, it was only fitting that Los Angeles Sparks rookie Candace Parker flew in to make history of her own on June 22, 2008. Looking to become the second to accomplish the feat, the Sparks big runs the length of the court, calling her own number with a smooth one-handed jam in transition. Parker, who went on to become both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2008, had fingerprints all over the 77-63 win, with 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

Candace Parker

Candace Parker becomes second in history to dunk in a WNBA game

She may be known as a world-class defender but Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings is the complete package. After forcing a turnover on one end of the floor, Catchings motions to take her Phoenix Mercury defender into the corner before spinning powerfully into the paint for two. Catchings put up 13 points and 12 boards in the June 25, 2011 win.

Tamika Catchings

Tamika Catchings spins seamlessly around defense, lays up easy bucket

In case you hadn’t heard, Jonquel Jones is a cheat code. The 6-foot-6 Connecticut Sun MVP candidate attacks her defender off the dribble, backs her into position in the post, then spins seamlessly into a stepback before anyone can adjust. Jones walked away with a cool 14 points and 13 boards in the May 16, 2021 win over the Phoenix Mercury.

Jonquel Jones

Jonquel Jones takes defender into post for unguardable fadeaway

Elite passers see the game different and that works whether they have the ball or not. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is ready and waiting to finish when teammate Steph Curry hits him with a no-look dime in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7, 2021.

Nikola Jokić dunks in the paint in 2021 All-Star Game

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić needs only a quick moment to make a play - if you take your eyes off of him for one second, he’ll make you pay. Jokić makes a full pivot on the perimeter, then stops and spots a cutting LeBron James for a reverse, alley-oop flush. In his fourth All-Star appearance, Jokić had an impressive line of 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists in Team LeBron’s 163-160 win over Team Durant on February 20, 2022.

Nikola Jokić floats lob pass to LeBron James in 2022 All-Star Game

Standing or moving, guarded or unguarded, have no fears: if you play for the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokić will find you in a position to score. Helping orchestrate a possession that featured eight different passes —  including three of his own —  Jokić puts pressure on the Washington Wizards’ defense, drawing in two defenders before dropping a dish over the top to Aaron Gordon for a slam. One of the game’s most proficient passers, Jokić brought that and more in the 127-109 win, with 29 points on just 14 shots, adding 13 boards, eight assists, two steals and a block on March 16, 2022.

Nikola Jokić gets everyone involved, facilitates dunk under hoop

Whether he’s scoring points in bunches or using his gravity to set up an open teammate, Denver Nuggets big Nikola Jokić has the code to crack any defense. With the Nuggets needing one more bucket to seal the game and extend their season, the reigning MVP rolls after a screen, receives a pass and goes straight into a Eurostep before delivering an on-the-money dime to a wide-open Will Barton in the corner. Jokić put on a show for the Denver crowd with 37 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three triples in a 126-121 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of the First Round on April 24, 2022.

Nikola Jokić hits teammate with crafty dime in 2022 Playoffs

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Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nikola Jokić

Candace Parker

Tamika Catchings

Jonquel Jones

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokić