'Dunk of the century' leaves NBA world in a frenzy
A ridiculous play described by fans as the “dunk of the century” has sent the basketball world into a frenzy.
Derrick Jones Jr. may have scored just four points off the bench in the Miami Heat’s 125-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors but his extraordinary alley-oop won’t be forgotten any time soon.
‘WELCOME BACK’: Sixers star’s ‘unreal’ return leaves fans in awe
The former NBA dunk contest runner-up reminded the league that he can throw down with the best of them during an incredible sequence that’s sure to be replayed over and over for weeks to come.
Late in the fourth quarter, Jones and Bam Adebayo took off on a fast break after forcing a Raptors turnover.
As they approached the rim, Adebayo tossed the ball up for Jones near the rim.
The Heat star then took flight, before bringing the house down with an insane dunk.
The 22-year-old expertly grabbed the ball with one hand and threw it into the rim to complete the alley-oop, easily marking one of the hardest-thrown dunks of the season.
Viewers, like the commentators, were left gobsmacked by Jones’ sensational piece of skill, however, many are arguing that it’s not actually a dunk.
Seriously, check out all of the angles though, it only gets better each time you watch it.
DERRICK JONES JR. JUST JUMPED OUT OF HIS SHOES 🚀
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/DUSwQIBYYr
— Yahoo Sports NBA (@YahooSportsNBA) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones Jr with the DUNK OF THE DAMN CENTURY pic.twitter.com/4B41iPNPzn
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones May have just pulled off the dunk of the year
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones Jr gotta get a jumpman contract after that dunk
— James White (@Flight8) March 10, 2019
The Heat lose, but this Derrick Jones Jr dunk worth watching 50 times. (Via @FOXSportsHEAT) pic.twitter.com/sbKs9Lv060
— Will Manso (@WillManso) March 10, 2019
The Dunk by Derrick Jones JR was crazy. 😱😱
— Jeffrey. (@Ghost_Tatikal) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones Jr’s dunk might be the best I’ve ever seen 🤣
— Tim 🥶🧤 (@HergertTim) March 10, 2019
That Derrick Jones dunk is definitely lock screen worthy
— Young OGEEZUS (@_marquis6) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones Jr just did the Dwight Howard Superman dunk in real life 😱😱😱
— Jake Winderman (@jakewinderman) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones and Terrance Ferguson need to be in the next dunk contest that dunk was filthy
— La’ Matic🦊 (@1LaMatic) March 10, 2019
Derrick Jones with a Dunk of the Year candidate‼‼‼#HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/oxNYmwXAYl
— Nitrogen Sports (@NitrogenSports) March 10, 2019
The Raptors, though, dominated throughout nearly the entire contest en route to the 21-point win in Miami.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 24 points and 10 assists, and Pascal Siakam finished with 20 points.
The Raptors were on fire from behind the 3-point line, too, hitting a franchise-record 21 treys. They outscored the Heat 63-24 from behind the arc.
Adebayo led the Heat with 19 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, and Dion Waiters added 15 points. Dwyane Wade finished with 15 points off the bench, shooting 7-of-12 from the field.
Kawhi Leonard didn’t play for the Raptors on Sunday due to “load management.”
His absence, clearly, didn’t hinder Toronto at all. Leonard has yet to play in more than two consecutive games since Feb. 5, but the team is still 14-5 without him.
“We’ve kind of looked at it all the way through now, and I think there’s maybe a few games yet that he’s going to probably stay out,” coach Nick Nurse said, via the Associated Press.
“We’re just super happy with where we are with it. We kind of feel like we’re ahead of the game.”
With Yahoo Sports US