It’s not often fans see LeBron James get posterized on a dunk, but it happened Tuesday night in the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener.
James raced back to defend against the Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray on a fast break in the third quarter. But Murray threw a perfect lob to Aaron Gordon, who dunked hard over James.
Gordon got every bit of the dunk.
Showing incredible court awareness, James, who had just turned toward Gordon a split second before his dunk, immediately began motioning toward an official.
It wasn’t clear what James meant to say, and play continued. But a replay showed that Gordon had placed his right hand on the rim before the dunk. That is a rules violation, and the dunk should have been waved off.
The dunk had no bearing on the final score, with Denver winning, 119-107. But it’s not often you get “LeBron James,” “monster dunk,” and “illegal play” all in the same sequence, which left fans buzzing on social media.
Aaron Gordon should be a Dunk Champion.
— Depressed New York Fan (@JudgeEnjoyer) October 25, 2023
[NBA; Photo Credit: NBA on TNT]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.