Pick any spot on the floor and a defender of your choice, then watch Devin Booker showcase his ability to score with ease. Against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns star reaches into his bag of tricks, using a between-the-leg, sidestep combination before rising up for a contested three-pointer. Booker showcased the full arsenal on the way to a 108-90 win, with 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and six triples on December 21, 2021.

It’s a timeless move perfected by timeless talents and Devin Booker’s a student of the game. Checked with his back to the basket between the low block and the corner, Booker pivots away from his man into a turnaround fadeaway on the baseline. Booker finished the October 24, 2023 season opener with 32 points, eight assists and a victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Devin Booker

The days of sleeping on Devin Booker are history. The Phoenix Suns star runs the floor to throw down a two-handed slam and cap off a dominant showing in a decisive game over the Los Angeles Lakers. Booker posted 47 points in his team’s Game 6 clincher in Round 1 on June 3, 2021.

Despite not being known as an aerial threat, Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker has some underrated bounce. Booker runs the floor in transition and shows off his ups with an impressive alley-oop finish with his left hand. The three-time All-Star had an impressive line of 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and four steals for Team Durant on February 20, 2022.

For the win! Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker nails the beautiful clutch turnaround game-winner against the LA Clippers on August 4, 2020.

Your favorite player’s favorite player does work with the ball in his hands. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker flexes his next-level handle to create space from two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, then buries a step-back jump shot in an April 30, 2021 win over the Utah Jazz.

While Devin Booker has never been shy about firing from long range, he deployed a different mode of attack against the Sacramento Kings. The three-time All-Star began the possession by feeding Jock Landale inside. Soon after, when the rock found its way back out to him, Booker blew past Trey Lyles with his left on a drive before sidestepping Chimezie Metu to convert an underhanded scoop shot with his right. Booker shot 13 of 20 — all from inside the arc — while mixing in five rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 120-109 Phoenix Suns win on February 14, 2023.

First year, 10th year, rookie or veteran, reputations are earned in the postseason. Enter Norman Powell. Thrown into the fire of a heated playoff series between the upstart Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers, the rookie reserve answered the call to help jumpstart a squad facing a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter of a pivotal Game 5. With the Air Canada Centre crowd on their feet applauding a resilient effort to draw within two, Powell lunges into a passing lane to pick off a Monta Ellis dish then sprints down the floor for an unforgettable, superhero-esque, game-tying cram. The dunk knotted the game at 92-92, the Raps secured the win shortly thereafter and would go on to win the First Round series in seven, their first series win since 2001. Powell finished with 10 points in 28 minutes of action in the April 26, 2016 battle.

Under the backdrop of a physical, defensive slugfest that offered a Playoff-type aura, Norman Powell and his big-game credentials were exactly what the Los Angeles Clippers needed. A rare hub of consistent offense in a matchup that saw both teams shoot south of 40 percent, the former NBA champion took full advantage of one of the game’s few easy shot opportunities, hunting down his opponent’s errant pass to set up a one-man fastbreak. Checking in his blindside one final time for any potential lurkers, the talented two-guard balances his red-hot shooting night with a little air, taking flight for a smooth windmill jam. Powell’s throwdown cushioned the Clippers’ late lead, influencing a one-point road win over a like-minded Western Conference powerhouse on March 3, 2023. Among the game’s stars, Powell foiled the Minnesota Timberwolves’ plans with 24 points, three rebounds, one steal, and six 3-pointers.

Norman Powell

Take your eye off Norman Powell and he’ll deal some damage. The Portland Trail Blazers forward collects a long-range outlet pass from teammate Damian Lillard then immediately throws down two of his 29 points in Game 4 of his team’s Round 1 matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Powell shot 11-of-15 in the May 29, 2021 victory.

Crisp ball movement tends to yield promising results — it sure did for Norman Powell and the LA Clippers. The Clips swing the ball around the perimeter until it finds the veteran forward, who leaves two defenders in the dust before springboarding off both feet to hammer home an earth-shaking throwdown over Julius Randle. The highlight-reel slam was the loudest component of a huge night for Powell, who delivered 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench in his squad’s 134-128 overtime victory over the New York Knicks on February 4, 2023.

Air Norman, cleared for takeoff! Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell slices through the defense of the Detroit Pistons and gets up for a show-stopping one-handed slam on January 31, 2020.

Every possession is a potential poster for Norman Powell. The midseason Portland Trail Blazers addition blows past his own defender out at the perimeter while the team sets up their offense, then heads straight to the rack to bang one on the Houston Rockets’ help-side defense. Powell finished with 28 points in the May 10, 2021 victory.

Role players unafraid to deliver in the clutch are the difference between good teams and great ones. Norman Powell shows his squad that no moment is too big as the LA Clippers find themselves trailing by two in the guts of the game. After an in-transition Reggie Jackson finds Powell behind the arc, the eighth-year reserve forward shifts into attack mode, driving head on into the lane against the heart of the Cleveland Cavaliers defense and navigating all challengers. Powell draws the foul while converting the underhand layup, tying the game with 1:03 remaining. Powell’s 17 points and two steals were instrumental in the 119-117 victory on November 7, 2022.

It’s not just the athleticism, it’s the attitude. Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards shows no fear taking off from the three-point line to run up and plaster a massive slam on the Golden State Warriors on January 25, 2021.

As he continues his ascension up the NBA’s ranks, Anthony Edwards continues to prove what was already known: there’s no situation in which he can’t score. Battling tight, disciplined defense, the Minnesota Timberwolves star reaches deep into his offensive toolbox, putting on a pivot-foot clinic as he frees himself for a brilliant fallaway jumper off the glass. Edwards kept the highlights coming, scorching the Dallas Mavericks to the tune of 44 points, four assists, three steals and six 3-pointers in a win on December 28, 2023.

Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards loves the challenge of going 1-on-1 to create a supreme advantage over his opponent - the rising Minnesota Timberwolves star has too many ways to put the ball in the hole. Edwards sets up his man with a hypnotizing, back and forth dribble then finishes it off with an in-and-out to a gliding finger roll. Edwards’ 26-point, five-rebound performance helped his squad secure a 107-97 win over the Sacramento Kings on November 17, 2021.

Anthony Edwards has wasted no time churning out memorable plays in his rookie season. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard takes his man off the dribble out at the three-point line, attacks baseline, then practically jumps over a help-side defender scrambling to draw a charge en route to a massive slam against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 7, 2021.

With the spin and the bucket! Minnesota Timberwolves rookie guard Anthony Edwards slices and dices the defense with a beautiful spin move before hitting the contested layup against the Detroit Pistons on December 23, 2020.

Before Game 1 of his series against the Memphis Grizzlies, Anthony Edwards took to social media to deliver a simple message: when the lights come on, he shows up. Edwards took to defending that message right away in the postseason, using a series of between-the-leg dribbles to catch a defender off guard, before finishing the possession with a smooth stepback. This play helped Minnesota open a five-point lead to start the fourth, on the way to a 130-117 road upset. Edwards excelled in his first postseason test with 36 points, six assists, four triples, and two blocks on April 16, 2022.

On the heels of a monster third quarter, Anthony Edwards shut the door on the Sacramento Kings’ hopes with one final dagger in the fourth. With the Kings down by four points in the final period, the first-time Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star embraced the moment in the form of a stepback 3-pointer that put the game out of reach. Edwards scored 16 of his game-high 34 points in the third quarter and shot 14 of 21 in the game, adding 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and five treys in Minnesota’s 117-110 win on January 28, 2023.

There are three-point shooters who change games, and three-point shooters who change the game. Steph Curry is definitively the latter. In a home opener to kick off another potential MVP season, the Golden State Warriors guard pushes the ball up the court and heaves it to a teammate in the corner. Curry then chases his own pass and calls for the ball back to sink a high-flying, catch-and-shoot triple. The seven-time All-Star hit his first 10 field goals of the night on October 21, 2021, while pouring in 25 of his 45 points in the first quarter alone.

Can you even call it a heat check when the temperature is always through the roof? Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry continues to redefine what’s possible from beyond the arc – and on the dance floor – pulling up from the logo for a forty-footer three seconds into the shot clock in a February 6, 2021 tilt against the Dallas Mavericks. The icon finished with 11 triples and 57 total points on the night.

Stephen Curry

Steph Curry is “an electric player off the dribble” who “can do it in any way.” In one of KD’s favorite plays of the season from his former teammate, the Golden State Warriors superstar guard pushes the ball up the court and lulls his defender to sleep before hitting a long crossover and blowing past him to take it straight to the cup and loft a layup over the outstretched arm of another challenger at the hoop. Steph had 27 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in a 117-109 win over the Sacramento Kings on October 24, 2021.

When you know, you know. Not to be outdone by teammate LeBron James, Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry cues up for a three from the corner then turns away from the play as the ball drops through the hoop in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7, 2021.

Classic Steph! Golden State Warriors sharp-shooting guard Steph Curry drains the deep three against the Toronto Raptors in his first game back from injury on March 5, 2020.

It doesn’t take long for rivalries to bloom - even less with larger-than-life characters like Steph Curry in the mix. In an early season rematch of a playoff series that went seven games last spring, Curry drives a dagger through the hearts of the Sacramento Kings with less than a minute remaining in a hard-fought contest. Curry paced the Golden State Warriors with 41 points on 14-of-19 shooting in the October 27, 2023 contest.

Steph Curry’s shooting and scoring abilities get their just praise — but how about some love for the way the Golden State Warriors star gets his buckets? Granted an opportunity to strike from the corner, Curry sets his sight on the rim, splitting two defenders with a smooth behind-the-back maneuver, then finishes at the cup with a layup. The four-time champion scores two of his game-high 24 points on the play while also chipping in six rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and five triples in his squad’s 111-101 win on November 18, 2022.

Having lost eight of nine, the LA Clippers did the sensible thing to get back on track — they turned Kawhi Leonard loose. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year showed the Houston Rockets he meant business when he picked Josh Christopher’s pocket on defense and motored the other way all by himself, finishing the sequence with an authoritative throwdown. Leonard tallied 30 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals as the Clippers got back in the win column with a convincing 121-100 triumph on January 15, 2023. 

The best in the business know how to improvise on the fly — just ask Kawhi Leonard. The two-time champion and NBA Finals MVP triggers his backup plan on a strong drive to the basket, first thinking dunk before deciding on a difficult reverse layup to avoid having his attempt swatted by a trailing Kyle Kuzma. Leonard scored in a variety of ways, tallying a game-high 31 points along with nine rebounds and three steals as his LA Clippers staged a fourth-quarter rally to send the Washington Wizards to their ninth-straight loss, a 102-93 decision on December 17, 2022.

Kawhi Leonard

Props to anybody willing to get between a full-speed Kawhi Leonard and the rim, but there’s nothing stopping the LA Clippers forward from getting to the rack when he wants to. The five-time All-Star battles for a steal against the Dallas Mavericks on one end of the floor then drives the length of the court to crown defender Maxi Kleber at the hoop. Leonard put up 26 points in Game 1 of his team’s Round 1 matchup on May 22, 2021.

Good luck stopping a dialed-in Kawhi Leonard. With his team trailing in the final frame of the NBA All-Star Game, the LA Clippers forward tees up and drains an easy triple on March 7, 2021. There’s not much anyone can do to stop that.

With the one-finger block! Just when you thought you’d seen all of Kawhi Leonard’s amazing defensive exploits he shocks everyone by getting way up and blocking a driving Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets with just one finger during their hard-fought Western Conference Semifinal series on September 7, 2020.

A masked Kawhi Leonard works San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson at the top of the key before silencing the defense with a textbook fadeaway jumper on January 5, 2021. Leonard finished the game with 30 points and 10 assists for the LA Clippers.

The energy Russell Westbrook brings to the Washington Wizards is contagious. The nine-time All-Star combines with teammate Garrison Mathews to cut off a late Brooklyn Nets inbound pass in a close January 31, 2021 contest. Mathews steals the ball and immediately finds Westbrook for a go-ahead three, sealing an epic comeback for the franchise. Westbrook finished with a staggering 41 points, ten rebounds and eight assists in the win.

After more than a decade in the game, you earn the right to mean mug after a massive play. Los Angeles Lakers star guard Russell Westbrook pushes the ball up the court then sprints passed his defender and straight to the cup for a monstrous one-handed slam. The dunk contributed two crucial fourth-quarter points to a 121-116 road win on November 21, 2021.

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook reads rims at an all-time level. The Washington Wizards guard zeroes in on the rock after a teammate’s miss then smashes a two-handed putback through the hoop before the Philadelphia 76ers defense can battle for position in Game 2 of their Round 1 battle on May 26, 2021.

There are explosive dunkers and then there’s Russell Westbrook. The Washington Wizards veteran splits a pair of Charlotte Hornets defenders on the perimeter then drives into the paint and extends way back for one of the most impressive contested finishes of the season. Westbrook posted 22 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists in the March 30, 2021 contest.

Off to the races! Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook crosses up the Minnesota Timberwolves defense before exploding to the rack for the massive slam on March 10, 2020.

A fired-up Russell Westbrook means trouble for the rim. The Washington Wizards guard races down the court in a March 25, 2021 game against the New York Knicks then elevates for a powerful one-handed hammer.

In year 15, Russell Westbrook can still turn any pass on the court into an assist. The Detroit Pistons learned that the hard way as Westbrook — inbounding far away from the basket — needed less than two seconds to whip a three-quarter court laser into the hands of Lonnie Walker IV, who buries the catch-and-shoot triple to beat the halftime buzzer. Ten of Westbrook’s game-high 12 assists came in the first half, as the nine-time All-Star added 10 points and five rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 128-121 victory on November 18, 2022.

This season, Dejounte Murray is taking his game to another level. In this play, Murray anticipates the pass by springing into the passing lane for the clean swipe, before taking the ball all the way down court for a one-handed jam with authority. Murray chipped in 15 points, 13 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in the 114-83 win at the Portland Trailblazers on December 2, 2021.

As both his year-to-year averages and the opponents tasked with defending him can equally attest, Dejounte Murray continues to move at a trajectory that few across the Association can match. An isolation scorer of the highest echelon, Murray seizes a lucrative one-on-one opportunity against Santi Aldama, threatening his defensive stance with a size-up dribble before abandoning him completely with a blistering-quick crossover. Subtle in his display of showmanship with a staredown thereafter, the All-Star guard finishes the job, draining a 17-footer to offer a precursor of what was to come. On the way to tying his career-high in points, Murray took down Memphis Grizzlies defenders as if he carried a checklist, scoring on eight different defenders during the Atlanta Hawks’ defensive-minded win on March 8, 2024. Unguardable regardless of the circumstance, Murray worked his way into 41 points — on 17 of 25 shooting — accompanied by seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and six 3-pointers.

Dejounte Murray

Few players across the NBA landscape can match Dejounte Murray’s ability to score and facilitate. In his first All-Star Game, the San Antonio Spurs star showed that he could do both at the same time, taking a handoff before serving up a smooth self alley-oop jam. Murray had his celebrated versatility on display in Team Durant’s 163-160 loss, with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a block against Team LeBron on February 20, 2022.

Young gun Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs hits the circus bucket while falling down in traffic against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 17, 2019.

Staying in front of Dejounte Murray is one thing, containing him is a different beast altogether. The San Antonio Spurs guard works his defender as the clock ticks down in a February 8, 2021 contest then sidesteps into a clutch three in a win over the Golden State Warriors. Murray finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the W.

The offseason trade that brought Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks is off to a sizzling start. A first-time All-Star with the San Antonio Spurs during the 2021-22 campaign, Murray’s stock keeps rising as he continues to improve exponentially as a playmaker. Against the New York Knicks, Murray looks to set up the halfcourt offense before suddenly whipping a cross-court laser to DeAndre Hunter for a wide open corner triple. Murray’s elite court vision — not to mention his career-high 36 points, four rebounds, nine assists and five steals — was instrumental in toppling the New York Knicks 112-99 on November 2, 2022. 

With the subtlety of a Terminator in hot pursuit, LeBron James has redefined the chase-down rejection. Sights set on R.J. Hampton in transition, the Los Angeles Lakers forward directs teammate Austin Reaves to pick up and distract the ballhandler, freeing himself just enough time to trail back and obliterate a shot attempt off glass. James finished the December 12, 2021 contest with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and one unmistakable warning that no layup is safe until it's entirely through the hoop.

That’s my quarterback! LeBron James sizes up a defensive rebound as it caroms off the rim then immediately throws a perfect spiral down the court to a streaking Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on January 10, 2021. James put up 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Houston Rockets.

LeBron James

From the moment he arrived in the NBA, LeBron James has feasted on errant passes, and here he does it twice. Rotating over to help cover a pick-and-roll, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar hustles into a passing lane to corral a steal, setting himself up for a one-man transition and a baby windmill slam. Not done yet, the future Hall-of-Famer follows up by picking off another pass on the way to an easy two-handed jam. James was on his game in the 106-96 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on January 25, 2022, tallying up 33 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

On the same night he was named on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James found himself with the perfect opportunity to ice the game for his team with one final shot. James takes his time on the mismatch and knocks down a textbook fadeaway jumper over two defenders for the win. It was a storybook ending for Team LeBron in his adopted hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. James finished with 24 points, eight assists, six rebounds and the game-winning J to defeat Team Durant and move to 5-0 as an All-Star captain on February 20, 2022.

Get up, Mr. James! Superstar LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers gets way up for a thunderous alley-oop slam in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets on September 18, 2020.

When your blocked shots have visibly notable exit velocity, you’re doing something right on defense. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, already an all-time chasedown block artist, picks up a surging Collin Sexton in transition then launches his layup attempt to the scorers’ table in a January 25, 2021 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

An unsolvable equation since he set foot in the league two decades ago, LeBron James remains unstoppable with the ball in his hands and downhill momentum. Seizing a gap in the Phoenix Suns defense in the final minute of an early season contest, the Los Angeles Lakers star barrels to the hoop and lays in a critical two points. James racked up 21 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a pair of blocks in the October 26, 2023 victory.

Running the pick-and-roll with LeBron James sometimes appears so easy that it might as well be a cheat code. The 19-time All-Star shares the wealth at home against the Washington Wizards, bringing the ball across halfcourt before gaining access to the lane courtesy of a helpful screen. James baits the defense into focusing on him, but instead of taking the shot himself he drops off a smooth between-the-legs bounce pass to a cutting Thomas Bryant for a two-handed throwdown. James scored a game-high 33 points while adding seven rebounds and nine assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-117 victory on December 18, 2022.

On a night when he moved into the Top 20 for most points in NBA history, it’s only fitting that Kevin Durant lit up the score sheet. Showing that vintage stroke that has made him one of the most decorated players of all time, the 12-time All-Star reminds the Memphis Grizzlies that he still has plenty left in the tank. Taking advantage of a juicy one-on-one matchup, Durant takes a couple dribbles before rising up to connect on a pure elbow jumper, passing Alex English for 20th on the all-time scoring list with 25,614 points and counting. Durant erupted for 37 points on 14-for-20 shooting, along with five rebounds and four assists in the October 24, 2022 contest.

Undisputed in his claim as one of the greatest scorers to ever roam the planet, Kevin Durant remains all-too-familiar with the many methods of forcing opposing defenders to touch Earth along the way. Presented with a potential fastbreak opportunity with Utah Jazz rookie Taylor Hendricks aggressively anticipating his move, the Phoenix Suns superstar freezes him with a deceptive between-the-leg dribble before eliminating his defensive stance entirely with a swift crossover on the way to a one-handed flush. In helping the Suns wrap up the Jazz on February 8, 2024, the 14-time All-Star offered up both a “Welcome to the NBA” moment and a wire-to-wire victory. All-encompassing, the legendary forward provided 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, three steals, two blocks, and two 3-pointers.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant really can do it all. The 12-time All-Star’s scoring prowess is well-documented, but his defensive effort isn’t too shabby either — just ask Myles Turner and the Indiana Pacers. Sensing an opportunity to bail out a teammate, Durant drops into the paint from the help-side and turns aside a dunk attempt in dramatic fashion. Durant was in do-it-all mode, posting 36 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to help the Brooklyn Nets get a much-needed 116-109 victory on October 31, 2022. Durant moved into 19th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and also scored 25-plus points in Brooklyn’s first seven games of the season, a franchise record.

Kevin Durant’s much-anticipated Phoenix Suns debut was well worth the three-week wait. The 13-time All-Star fit in seamlessly with his new teammates as he makes an impact on both ends — first blocking a Mark Williams’ shot on the low block before burying a catch-and-shoot triple off a feed from Devin Booker on the ensuing possession. Durant 23 points on 10 for 15 shooting to go with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in Phoenix’s 105-91 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets on March 1, 2023.

The dagger! With his team trailing by two points with less than 10 seconds to play, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant pulls up from deep and nails the game-winning three pointer in double overtime against the Toronto Raptors on March 21, 2014. Durant finished with a big-time 51 points on the night.

Kevin Durant is an all-time bucket getter. The Brooklyn Nets All-Star splits a pair of Washington Wizards to attack baseline then throws a hammer down on a contesting Davis Bertans on January 31, 2021.

Kevin Durant did not disappoint the fans who had waited nearly two months to witness his Phoenix Suns home debut. Healthy again after multiple injuries, the 13-time All-Star’s first home points stemmed from a Chris Paul feed into the post, with Durant then going to work backing down Jaden McDaniels before burying one of his patented turnaround jumpers. Durant posted 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists while helping the Suns pick up a 107-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 29, 2023.

Forget everything you know about conventional basketball when Nikola Jokić hits the floor. The mesmerizing Denver Nuggets center defies positional norms yet again on January 7, 2022, seamlessly carrying the rock the length of the floor against the Sacramento Kings, then hitting JaMychal Green in stride with a casual no-look, one-handed entry feed. Jokić finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win. 

Even in the month of January, the reigning NBA Finals Most Valuable Player’s clutch gene remains locked into postseason form. One bucket away from escaping Indianapolis with a hard-fought road victory, Nikola Jokić remains equal parts composed and aggressive, ghosting a ball screen before popping out into the open space. Suddenly wide-open and afforded enough time to have a sandwich, Jokić eases his way towards the top of the key before offering up a cold-blooded 3-point bucket to put the game’s outcome on ice. Jokić was business as usual, crossing the Indiana Pacers off of his triple-double bingo board and leaving him with, at the time, only one team left to reach the statistical landmark against. A catalyst in the win over the Indiana Pacers on January 23, 2024, the Denver Nuggets superstar registered 31 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, one block, and three 3-pointers.

Nikola Jokic

It’s been a minute since Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic split time in the same frontcourt. Checked by his former teammate out at the perimeter, the Denver Nuggets center and recently crowned 2020-21 NBA MVP pulls up and lets fly a deep three-pointer in Game 5 of their Round 1 playoff matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on June 3, 2021.

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.

It’s post up time with Mr. Jokić! Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokić flexes some fancy footwork in the key before draining a sweet rainbow jumper against playoff rivals the Utah Jazz on September 1, 2020.

Even if you knew what Nikola Jokic was about to do next, good luck trying to stop it. The bruising Denver Nuggets center works against his defender with his back to the basket then pivots into a hook shot in a 50-point showing against the Sacramento Kings on February 6, 2021.

On a nightly basis, Nikola Jokić makes the difficult look routine. The two-time reigning MVP has something special planned for the Houston Rockets, catching the ball in the post before burying a turnaround baseline jumper in rhythm on just one foot. The four-time All-Star tormented the Rockets all night, scoring 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting — his third time hitting 30 points in the past four games — while also grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out eight assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 129-113 victory on November 28, 2022.

Reunited and it feels so good! Familiarity breeds a certain level of comfort on the court, to which De’Aaron Fox can attest. The Sacramento Kings star guard has had new teammates in each of his six professional seasons, but there’s one in particular that Fox has a special connection with to start the 2022-23 season. Competing against the Memphis Grizzlies, Fox facilitates a steal on the defensive end, and once the ball makes its way back into Fox’s hands, he unfurls a picture perfect alley-oop slam to Malik Monk, the first time the two have been on the same team since their college days back in 2016-17. Fox was at his best with his old running mate close by, posting a team-high 27 points along with six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block on October 27, 2022.

Even on a night in which the Orlando Magic’s top-ranked defense delivered their best shot, the NBA’s reigning Clutch Player of the Year reminded them of who issues the knockout blows. In a race against both time and the fatigue of a grueling double-overtime affair, De’Aaron Fox entrusts his blur-quick speed with the task, using a between-the-leg, spin combination to get into the defense’s heart. In need of just one more subtle adjustment, Fox pivots into the open space before quickly raising up for a high-arching, one-legged dagger, affording the Sacramento Kings the lead for the rest of the game’s remainder. The curtain-closer in a resilient victory on January 3, 2024, Fox turned in 15 points — five of which coming in the much-needed second overtime —  four rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.

De'Aaron Fox

The 2022-23 campaign has been a renaissance for the Sacramento Kings, with De’Aaron Fox now the king of the fourth quarter. Locked in a tight game at home against the Utah Jazz, the point guard blows by Collin Sexton before unleashing a merciless poster dunk over Kelly Olynyk despite giving up eight inches in the exchange. Fox scored at least 10 points in the fourth quarter for the fourth straight contest and, for the game, contributed 24 points, three rebounds and 10 assists in Sacramento’s December 30, 2022 win. It was the Kings’ 19th win of the year, a mark they didn’t reach until Feb. 2 the prior season. 

If De’Aaron Fox gets enough room to take off, there’s no end to what he’s capable of. The Sacramento Kings guard draws his Indiana Pacers defender out to the three-point line then blows past him, straight into the paint for an epic, soaring finish on January 11, 2021.

Those handles! Sacramento Kings star point guard De'Aaron Fox breaks drives baseline and undresses the entire Dallas Mavericks defense on his way to dropping the pretty reverse layup on August 4, 2020.

See the gap, split the gap. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox evades two New York Knicks defenders with a high-speed crossover then punctuates the drive with an uncontested slam. Fox put up 22 points in the January 22, 2021 win.

When Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox is in attack mode, he commands a defense’s utmost attention. Fox uses that reputation to his advantage, getting an Oklahoma City Thunder big to leave his feet before taking to the rim, drawing in the entire defense, and skipping it back out to set up a teammate for a wide-open triple. Fox handled business with 29 points, 10 assists and two steals in a 131-110 victory on February 28, 2022.

No matter the situation, De’Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings just keep finding ways to win in the clutch. The 2023 first-time All-Star played the role of hero against the Utah Jazz as he beat Lauri Markkanen off the dribble and converted a driving layup with 0.4 seconds remaining to deliver a thrilling victory. Fox scored a game-high 37 points on 15 of 22 from the field and also chipped in three rebounds, six assists and two blocks in the 117-115 triumph on January 3, 2023. 

Mikal Bridges has never missed a regular season game since being drafted in 2018. With over 280 consecutive games played, Bridges is a player that can always be counted on. The fourth-year swingman gathers a one-handed rebound and gets the ball to Chris Paul leading to a fast-break opportunity as Bridges runs the floor and gets rewarded for his efforts with a lay-up on the other end. Bridges finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 113-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on January 22, 2022.

Engaged into a competitive, nip-and-tuck affair against their in-state rivals, Mikal Bridges wasn’t willing to allow the New York Knicks the last laugh going into halftime. Taking his reputation as one of the NBA’s most feared snipers a few steps further, the talented swingman times his momentum with just two seconds on the shot clock before raining in a 62-foot bomb, wowing the crowd while also affording the Brooklyn Nets with a one-point lead heading into intermission. Though the Nets would ultimately be upstaged by the Knicks’ second-half rally, the two-way forward conducted business as usual, registering 18 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in the loss on March 23, 2024.

Mikal Bridges

Push the pace and head straight to the rack. Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges runs the floor alongside teammate Chris Paul, sneaks past one defender in transition, then throws down a slam on the opposite side of the bucket before the rest of the Denver Nuggets can adapt. Bridges put up 16 points in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals on June 9, 2021.

Early into his career, Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges has earned a reputation as one of the league’s best 3-and-D talents. Out in transition against the Boston Celtics, Bridges shows that he can do much more, putting in a fancy switch-hand reverse layup across the basket in traffic. Bridges had an efficient 14-point performance in the 111-90 win on December 10, 2021.

Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns drives hard along the baseline and finishes the two-handed slam in traffic against the Indiana Pacers on January 22, 2020.

No look, no problem. Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges corrals a rebound on one end of the floor, pushes the ball up the court then subtly dishes off to teammate Cameron Johnson for a transition dunk in a January 20, 2021 win over the Houston Rockets.

Mikal Bridges was perfect — for one quarter, anyway. Less than a month after he was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade, the Brooklyn Nets’ new leading man showed again that he’s more than capable of being the top offensive option on an NBA team. Bridges torched the Charlotte Hornets during a scintillating first quarter, capping off the dazzling frame with a strong drive to his left that he finished with a tough baseline fadeaway. Bridges completed the period having gone 9-for-9 for 19 points and ultimately scored a game-high 33 points to go with eight rebounds in Brooklyn’s 102-86 win on March 5, 2023.

Hoopers like Derrick White don’t have to hunt out offensive opportunities to get theirs. After bailing out a teammate who salvaged a broken play, White corrals the basketball, takes a peek at the dwindling shot clock and fires off a deep three-pointer before the buzzer sounds. White went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc in the March 12, 2018 contest, chipping in for the San Antonio Spurs with 14 points and four rebounds.

Derrick White

If you need someone to make a play, Derrick White’s as steady as they come. The Boston Celtics guard drives down the baseline with his left, then flips a quick, right-handed feed up to Robert Williams III for the alley-oop flush. White showed off his versatility with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 105-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks on February 13, 2022. 

With one of his All-Star teammates unavailable, Derrick White proved to be the perfect stand-in for Jaylen Brown. The Boston Celtics didn’t miss a beat against the Charlotte Hornets as White lit them up from downtown, using a helpful screen from Luke Kornet to bury a triple from the top of the key. The sixth-year guard had a particularly sizzling first half in dropping 26 points and seven three-pointers and finished with a career-best 33 points on 12 of 19 shooting — including 8 for 14 from deep — while adding three rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in Boston’s 127-116 victory on February 10, 2023. 

There are few things tougher to contain than a confident three-point shooter. San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White navigates around a big screen, then queues up behind the line for an aggressive triple on April 19, 2021. White finished with six total treys – and 25 points – in the win over the Indiana Pacers.

You don’t get to the top of the Eastern Conference standings without a little hustle thrown in along the way. Derrick White shows the Dallas Mavericks how hard he and the Boston Celtics work on the defensive end as the sixth-year guard denies Spencer Dinwiddie a throwdown with a sensational block at the rim. The Celtics have been one of the East’s most powerful squads in White’s two seasons with the team, and his 10 points and two blocks helped Boston claim a dominant 124-95 victory on January 5, 2023. 

When it comes to getting buckets, Jimmy Butler has plenty of moves to choose from in his bag of tricks. Putting his versatile scoring ability on display against the Charlotte Hornets, the six-time All-Star drives into the lane before picking up his dribble. Butler calmly pump fakes and pivots his way around a defender and converts a layup off the glass. Butler filled up the box score, tallying 35 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in the Miami Heat’s 117-112 overtime triumph on November 10, 2022. 

Driving into the trenches to take on two stellar defenders isn’t easy — and that’s just the way Jimmy Butler likes it. Butler came up huge in the clutch against his former team as he converted an acrobatic reverse layup despite being sandwiched between Joel Embiid and P.J. Tucker. The clutch shot gave Butler’s Miami Heat a one-point lead with less than two minutes to play and ensured the Philadelphia 76ers would never lead again. The six-time All-Star made 9 of 14 shots for a team-high 23 points while adding 11 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in his team’s thrilling 101-99 win on February 27, 2023. 

Jimmy Butler

Stars earn their reputations when games are on the line. Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler plots his attack in the final seconds of regulation against the Milwaukee Bucks, then blows past his defender along the sideline and sneaks into the paint for an overtime-forcing layup in Game 1 of their Round 1 matchup on May 22, 2021.

Even in an All-Star game, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is looking to capitalize off mistakes and turn them into points. Butler intercepts an errant pass and launches the ball down the court to a wide-open Darius Garland for the two-handed flush. In his sixth All-Star appearance, Butler finished with a pair of takeaways for Team LeBron on February 20, 2022.

Gimme that! Miami Heat star and 2020 playoff headliner Jimmy Butler picks off a pass at the three point line and takes off for the beautiful breakaway dunk en route to the Heat topping the Milwaukee Bucks in Eastern Conference Semifinal action on September 2, 2020.

Anything is possible with a soft touch around the hoop. Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler cuts to the basket to catch an alley-oop pass from teammate Bam Adebayo, then gracefully finesses a one-handed layup on February 15, 2021. Butler finished the game with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.

Tyrese Maxey has always been a blur on his way to the hoop but the breakout sophomore has added a bona fide step-back to his already potent offensive repertoire. Just when the defender thinks he's in position to cut off a drive, Maxey crosses his dribble over to his right to create the space, then steps back to fire off a clean look over an outstretched Kyle Kuzma. Maxey dropped 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the February 2, 2022 contest.

Efficient, frenetic, and already unguardable, Tyrese Maxey is equipped with a game that is tailor-made for the bright, fast-paced lights of the NBA All-Star Game. Making his first-ever appearance, the Philadelphia 76ers star contributes to the Eastern Conference All-Stars’ game-altering run in the second quarter, using a pick-and-roll before smoothly drifting into a 3-point bucket over a 7-foot defender. Helping provide reinforcements off the bench, Maxey found no issue making his presence felt in the 211-186 triumph over the Western Conference All-Stars, chipping in an efficient 10-point, three-rebound, three-assist showing along with two 3-pointers on February 18, 2024.

Tyrese Maxey

One of the fastest players in the Association, Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey can go from “0 to 60” before the defense has any time to react - it’s almost like he’s shot out of a cannon. Maxey crosses by his man after receiving a screen beyond the three-point line, then continues his high-speed antics with a downhill hesitation move before finishing on the other side of the rim. Philly’s Rising Star had an impressive line of 18 points and nine dimes in a January 21, 2022 contest against the LA Clippers.

With the game on the line, great players show up on both ends of the floor. Seeking to hold off the top-seeded Miami Heat, Tyrese Maxey shows off his competitive grit, hustling back into a play after a whiffed inbound pass and flying in for a game-sealing block in transition. Maxey’s performance proved herculean, with 28 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, five rebounds and four assists to guide the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-106 victory on March 21, 2022.

Taking it to the rack! Late in first quarter play, Philadelphia 76ers rookie point guard Tyrese Maxey glides to the rim and hits the layup off the glass for the first two points of his NBA career against the Washington Wizards on December 23, 2020.

Tyrese Maxey stepped into the void with James Harden unavailable. The third-year Philadelphia 76ers guard made sure his team didn’t miss a beat on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves as he grabbed the ball near halfcourt and faked a drive to the basket. When Nickeil Alexander-Walker took the bait, Maxey stopped short and hit his defender with a stepback 3-pointer that fueled a Philly rout. Maxey — who averaged better than 20 points per game for the first time in 2022-23 — produced 27 points, four rebounds, five assists and four triples in the 117-94 triumph on March 7, 2023.

When the game is on the line, get the ball to your vet. Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday attacks Memphis Grizzlies defender Dillon Brooks in the final seconds of a close March 4, 2021 ball game then steps back into a clutch mid-range jump shot to seal the victory.

No passing lane has been safe for at least the last 15 years, so long as Jrue Holiday roams the court. Adding to his extensive list of high IQ plays, the five-time All-Defensive Team selection hides in the shadows of a Los Angeles Clippers big, waiting for the perfect time to cut into a passing lane on the way to a steal. True to his two-way reputation, Holiday finishes the play with a 3-pointer, helping the Boston Celtics balloon their third quarter lead. Holiday was brilliant in the blowout win on December 23, 2023, providing 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and four 3-pointers.

Jrue Holiday

At the heart of every playmaker’s repertoire is a well-executed spin move. Down a point with seconds remaining in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday ducks past one Brooklyn Nets defender, heads straight to the paint, then deftly maneuvers around another for a clutch layup. The go-ahead bucket on June 10, 2021 gave his squad their first win of the best-of-seven series.

There are plenty of ways that consummate veteran Jrue Holiday can beat you but give him an opportunity to storm down the middle and he’ll take it. The Milwaukee Bucks guard catches the Charlotte Hornets perimeter defense out of position and heads straight to the rim for a one-handed slam over the help-side defense on April 27, 2021.

Class is in session! Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans makes it look easy with a textbook behind-the-back dime to a cutting Jahlil Okafor for the bucket against the Denver Nuggets on October 31, 2019.

In the second All-Star season of his career, there is apparently no shot that Jrue Holiday can’t make. Holiday dialed up the difficulty against the Atlanta Hawks as he dribbled himself into no man’s land on the baseline behind the basket. With two defenders in his way, the 14-year veteran thought quickly on his feet and lofted a shot over the top of the backboard and into the bottom of the bucket. Holiday scored a game-high 27 points while adding four rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 114-105 Milwaukee Bucks win on January 11, 2023. 

Trae Young has been freezing defenses with his endless range. Here, Young demonstrates his signature explosiveness as he crosses half court only to be swarmed by three defenders, leading to a series of dribbles before a hoist from way downtown that miraculously banks its way home for three points with the clock winding down. Young erupted for a career-best 56 points on the night, to go along with 14 assists, as the Hawks fell 136-131 to the Portland Trail Blazers in a firefight on January 3, 2022.

Trae Young’s ability to orchestrate his team’s offense is world-class. The Atlanta Hawks guard slices into the paint against the Atlanta Hawks, draws the attention of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, then tweaks a layup mid-air to fire a kickout pass to teammate John Collins in the corner. Young not only dropped 25 points in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on June 14, 2021 but tied a career high with 18 assists.

Trae Young

When you’re sharing the floor with star playmaker Trae Young, all you’ve got to do is get open and get ready. The Atlanta Hawks guard shows off his all-encompassing court vision in the All-Star Game, taking a drive to the middle before whipping a fancy, no-look, over-the-head dish to a cutting teammate for a fastbreak finish. Young, a double-double machine, added another on February 20, 2022, with 13 points and 10 assists in Team Durant’s 163-160 loss to Team LeBron.

Put ‘em on skates, Trae! Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young shakes off multiple defenders with some nasty ball handling before dropping the sweet layup against the Denver Nuggets on January 6, 2020.

When Trae Young crosses half-court, Trae Young is in range. The Atlanta Hawks guard, already checked 30-feet out from the hoop, loses his defender with a crossover then pulls up for a triple with his heel on the logo. Young put up 28 points and 13 assists in the February 6, 2021 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Even when you send a double team Trae Young’s way, he still finds ways to beat you. When two Detroit Pistons converge behind the arc to prevent him from bombing a triple, the two-time All-Star does the next best thing and whips a no-look pass into the post to Clint Capela, who converts the layup attempt while drawing a foul. Young’s elite ability to make any shot or pass makes him nearly impossible to defend, as his 36 points, two rebounds, 12 assists and four triples were enough to sink the Pistons 136-112 on October 28, 2022.

Caris LeVert of the Brooklyn Nets gets out in transition and makes the sick no-look pass to a driving Jarret Allen for the easy slam on November 1, 2019.

Trailing by two points with slightly more than a minute remaining in regulation, there’s little doubt what’s on Caris LeVert’s mind — winning. After snaring an offensive board off a missed triple, LeVert opts against a layup attempt to tie the game against the Boston Celtics, instead sprinting toward the corner before his defender has a moment to recover. The seventh-year pro rises up for a step-back three-pointer to give his squad a one-point lead. LeVert had one of the best games of his career to help the Cleveland Cavaliers erase a 15-point deficit, exploding for 41 points along with four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and six three-pointers in the 132-123 overtime win on October 28, 2022.

Caris LeVert

One way to earn the affection of your new teammates? Set them up for easy buckets. Caris LeVert shows how it’s done in his Cleveland Cavaliers debut, speeding through a pick-and-roll to set up a teammate for an alley-oop jam. LeVert chipped in 11 bench points on February 9, 2022, helping guide a 105-92 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Lose him with the cross, then reap the reward! Caris LeVert plays his man off the DeAndre Jordan screen before pulling up and draining the effortless triple. The Brooklyn Nets wing finished with 28 points, 11 assists and five steals in the December 28, 2020 contest against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Droppin’ the contested bucket! Brooklyn Nets breakout Caris LeVert goes into the trees against playoff opponent the Toronto Raptors and nails the difficult double-clutch basket on August 23, 2020.

When the defense has to hedge against the penetration threat, there’s an opportunity on the perimeter. Indiana Pacers wing Caris LeVert makes a move toward the paint, then steps back into an open triple. LeVert put up 28 points in the March 24, 2021 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Caris LeVert gave the Denver Nuggets a tutorial on how to convert from close range. The Cleveland Cavaliers run a seamless counterattack after a point-blank Denver miss, with Kevin Love firing an outlet pass to an in-transition LeVert, who contorts his body around a defender for an athletic throwdown. The seventh-year shooting guard was a model of efficiency, pacing the Cavaliers with a team-high 22 points — on 8 of 13 shooting and 3 for 4 from downtown — to pair with four rebounds and three assists on January 6, 2023.

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.

For the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense, the good news was that Julius Randle, settled into one of the finest first-half scoring exhibitions of his career, had finally given them a break. The bad news? The three-time All-Star still had other ways of creating offense on his mind. Intent on closing the half’s final minute in style, Randle roams the paint, crashing the glass for a contested rebound after his teammate’s shot bounces off the iron. Suddenly in a battle against both gravity and the out-of-bounds line, the New York Knicks star contorts his body, adjusting mid-fall to locate a wide-open teammate who rewards his hustle with a 3-point bucket. Randle’s performance, poetically, kept the Bucks on their toes throughout the In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals game on December 5, 2023. Despite the loss, Randle balanced between scorer and playmaker seamlessly with 41 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two 3-pointers.

Julius Randle

Good things happen when you run the floor. New York Knicks forward Julius Randle takes off down the court as his teammates push the ball, then grabs a feed from Nikola Vučević and throws down a dunk before the opposing team’s defense can respond in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7, 2021.

Get out of the way! New York Knicks forward Julius Randle drives the lane and throws down a filthy right-handed slam over the Philadelphia 76ers defense on November 29, 2019.

Julius Randle is a student of the game and that shows in his year-over-year progress. The New York Knicks forward sets up on offense against the Oklahoma City Thunder, positions his defender on the right-side of the basket, then pivots baseline for a fadeaway jumper on March 13, 2021.

Following a tough stretch that has included just one postseason berth in the last decade, the tide is turning for the New York Knicks. Julius Randle is a big reason why, as the team’s two-time All-Star refused to let his squad lose a tough road game against the Boston Celtics. Starting behind the 3-point line, Randle went head-to-head with defender Jaylen Brown as Randle used some dazzling dribbles to get into the paint before converting a difficult one-handed runner over multiple defensive challengers. Randle made 13 of 25 shots for a game-high 37 points while adding nine rebounds and five treys in New York’s exhilarating 120-117 overtime victory on January 26, 2023.

Pat Connaughton makes his job look easy but it isn’t. The Milwaukee Bucks guard runs hard up the floor to help teammate Khris Middleton lead the break, draws Denver Nuggets defender Jamal Murray toward him, then casually drops a behind-the-back pass to a trailing Giannis Antetokounmpo on March 2, 2021.

Floor spacers can’t exactly stop defenses from collapsing on their teammates, but they can make them pay for it. Tactical in his off-ball movement in a close game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks, Pat Connaughton slides into the corner while Damian Lillard draws multiple defenders, then buries a kick-out corner triple to pad his squad’s two-point lead with 1:05 remaining. Connaughton finished the November 18, 2023 victory with 16 points and a pair of steals.

Pat Connaughton

Only the best outside shooters are able to get looks off from deep, regardless of if there’s strong defensive attention or not. Milwaukee Bucks wing Pat Connaughton catches the ball right in his shooting pocket and instantly rifles a fading corner triple with the defense all over him. Connaughton got the start, knocked down six triples and finished with 18 points and five rebounds in a 137-115 win over the LA Clippers on February 6, 2022.

The most difficult thing about defending James Harden is even though you might have an idea of what he’s about to do, you still might not be able to stop him. The Philadelphia 76ers star crosses back and forth with a few set up dribbles, then goes to his patented step-back triple to complete what would go on to be a four-point play. Harden brought good fortune in his first game as Sixer, dropping 27 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in a 133-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 25, 2022. 

Even the NBA’s superstars of the future are capable of getting crossed into the past when they get caught on isolation island with James Harden and his bag of tricks. Established and equipped with a move tailored to punish any defender roaming Earth, the former NBA MVP tests his defender’s ambition with his patented between-the-leg, stepback combination. Successfully encouraging him to take the bait, Harden leaves him in the rearview mirror before draping in a smooth, one-legged floater to finish the vintage sequence. Piecing together a double-double in under 30 minutes of playing time, the LA Clippers star handled business, putting in 13 points, three rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, and a pair of triples to help fuel a win over the San Antonio Spurs on November 20, 2023.

James Harden

Leave the front door open for James Harden and he’s going to stroll right through. The Brooklyn Nets guard runs his defender off a screen at half-court then heads straight to the rack for an emphatic one-handed slam on June 1, 2021. Harden finished Game 5 of their Round 1 matchup with a 34-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist triple-double and a series win over the Boston Celtics.

With a step-back jumper in the bag, you can get a shot off anywhere. Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden sizes up his defender, two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, then leaps way back into a three that sails past the 7-foot-2 center’s outstretched fingertips in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7, 2021.

The game saving block! James Harden of the Houston Rockets blocks a last-second three pointer in Game 7 of their opening round matchup to win the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on September 2, 2020. Playoff basketball at its best!

James Harden sees things on offense that the rest of us can only dream of. The Brooklyn Nets guard links up with teammate Bruce Brown at the top of the key then spins a behind-the-back pass around his own defender to hit him right on target for a two-handed flush against the Golden State Warriors on February 13, 2021.

Never underestimate James Harden’s ability to come up with creative new ways of making plays for his Philadelphia 76ers teammates. Back in Houston on the court he called home for parts of nine seasons, the 2018 MVP shifts into facilitator mode when he whips a low-to-the-ground bounce pass to a cutting Shake Milton, who finishes the possession with an easy layup. The 10-time All-Star managed 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists, two steals and four triples in Philly’s overtime battle against the Houston Rockets on December 5, 2022.

Jalen Brunson is playoff ready. After a solid 2021-22 campaign, the breakout star of the Dallas Mavericks takes the rock in Game 6 of their first-round series against the Utah Jazz, incapacitates vaunted rim protector Rudy Gobert with a series of rapid-fire dribble moves, then pulls up for an effortless mid-range jump shot. Brunson’s 24-point performance on April 28, 2022 capped off a memorable series for the fourth-year veteran.

More known for an offensive repertoire capable of keeping opposing defenders awake at night, Jalen Brunson showed the Sacramento Kings that he doesn’t mind them falling asleep, either. With suspense at its apex, the New York Knicks sporting a three-point lead with under a minute to go, and the entire arena well aware of whom the potentially-deciding shot would belong to, Brunson begins his process of coordinating the offense for the must-score possession. Quickly recognizing that Keon Ellis’ attention has diverted as he searches for a potential pick-and-roll, Brunson takes his chance, dashing into a wide-open path along the right side with blur-quick speed before calmly connecting on the game-winning floater. Even in an abnormally low-scoring game, the All-Star guard’s excellence won out as he recorded 42 points — just the fourth in franchise history to record back-to-back 40-point games —  accompanied by four rebounds, four steals, one block, and five 3-pointers in the win on March 16, 2024.

Jalen Brunson

Putting himself in rarefied air with yet another sublime season in 2023-24, first-time All-Star Jalen Brunson decided to use the All-Star Game to enjoy the view. On cruise control with a 25-point lead with six minutes remaining, the New York Knicks guard finds himself in the right place at the right time, taking flight for a two-handed flush, calmly hanging on the rim in celebration. Helping the Eastern Conference All-Stars achieve their historic 200-point goal, Brunson was a steady provider for the second unit, tallying up 12 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal and two 3-pointers in the win over the Western Conference All-Stars on February 18, 2024.

Get stuck defending Jalen Brunson in a one-on-one situation and you better have help on deck. As the Phoenix Suns learned, sometimes even that isn't enough. Using a quick first step against an opposing big, Brunson keeps his intentions unknown until the last moment, faking a left-handed layup attempt in order to set up a teammate in the deep corner with a difficult assist. Without star teammate Luka Doncic in the lineup, Brunson stepped up his offensive attack admirably, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two three-pointers on November 17, 2021.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jalen Brunson nails the deep three to beat the buzzer against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 7, 2019.

Impact players impact outcomes. Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson navigates the perimeter as teammate Luka Doncic attracts the defense, then gets himself into position in the corner for a crucial late-three in a close matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on January 22, 2021.

Give him too much space and Jalen Brunson will dissect your defense. Picked up late by Pat Connaughton, Brunson blows past the three-point line on a drive attempt, shakes his way into the paint and converts a layup through contact. Brunson scored all night long, collecting 45 points on 17-of-30 shooting in the November 3, 2023 contest.

Jalen Brunson’s handle is so shifty that even extremely athletic players have trouble keeping up. Jeremy Sochan puts in an admirable effort in trying to stick with the New York Knicks point guard, but Brunson’s bag of tricks proves to be too deep as he eludes the San Antonio Spurs rookie in a man-to-man matchup long enough to bury a mid-range jumper. Brunson erupted for a career-high 38 points on 17 of 27 shooting and the Knicks needed every one of them — along with seven rebounds and six assists — in the 117-114 nail-biting victory on January 4, 2023.

Still fighting to find his footing as a rookie, Spencer Dinwiddie snuck up on the Washington Wizards and announced his arrival in style. In the second half of a long season, the 38th overall pick in the 2014 draft flew under the radar in Washington’s game plan but over its defense. After a midrange jumper came up short, the first-year pro immediately sprung into action following his shot, collecting the miss and hammering home a putback slam. Dinwiddie shot 8 of 14 for a season-high 20 points off the bench to go with four rebounds and eight assists for the Detroit Pistons on February 28, 2015. 

Fittingly nicknamed “The Mayor,” Spencer Dinwiddie knows all of the hidden lanes and avenues in the city of Brooklyn to warp passes through. Keeping the Brooklyn Nets’ offense afloat in a must-win In-Season Tournament game, Dinwiddie works a pick-and-roll, holding his dribble just long enough to freeze two Orlando Magic defenders before angling an alley-oop lob through the skies for his athletic big to slam. The do-it-all combo guard picked an ideal time to bring his A-game, turning in 29 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and five 3-pointers to lead a Group C victory on November 14, 2023.

Spencer Dinwiddie

Big-time opportunities don’t faze Spencer Dinwiddie. Down three, the Washington Wizards floor general sizes up his defender before calmly rising up and draining a game-tying triple to force overtime. The Wizards eventually went on to win the October 22, 2021 game behind 34 points, nine dimes and six boards from Dinwiddie.

Down one with under a minute to go, there’s nothing more valuable than a scorer capable of getting his own bucket. Finding an angle down the right side of the court, Spencer Dinwiddie proved to be that guy, turning on his turbo before flipping in a tough finish over a Sacramento Kings big to put his team ahead for good. Dinwiddie took over in the fourth quarter to guide his short-handed Dallas Mavericks to a 114-113 triumph on March 5, 2022, with 13 of his 36 points coming in the final frame alone.

Brooklyn Nets fan favorite guard Spencer Dinwiddie catches the inbound pass and gets up for the nasty one-handed contested slam against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 15, 2019.

It’s as true on the hardwood as it is on the playground: crafty vets get buckets. Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie switches gears in transition and finishes with a finger roll high off the glass against the Charlotte Hornets on December 27, 2020.

Not many men are capable of putting 7-foot Brook Lopez on a poster, much less someone six inches shorter than the veteran big man. Spencer Dinwiddie cares very little about height differences, as the Dallas Mavericks guard drives strong into the lane and takes flight before throwing down a ferocious one-handed dunk over the Milwaukee Bucks center. In addition to his throwdown, Dinwiddie’s night featured 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block on December 9, 2022.

No mirror tricks here! Noted right-hander Andrew Wiggins exclusively uses his off-hand for a three-dribble combination and southpaw poster over forward Darius Bazley.

Admired for his defensive IQ and athleticism, it was only right that the man nicknamed “Maple Jordan” took flight for a highlight play in the Windy City. Mere seconds after his cut and buzzer-beating floater on offense, Andrew Wiggins maintains his intensity, tracking down the Chicago Bulls’ transition layup with a clutch, fourth quarter rejection. On a night dominated by offensive brilliance, Wiggins was impactful on both sides of the floor, tallying 17 points, five rebounds, eight assists, a steal and a block in the Golden State Warriors’ shootout victory on January 12, 2024.

Andrew Wiggins

In the best season of his career to date, it was only right that first-time All-Star  Andrew Wiggins added some one-of-a-kind postseason highlights to his catalog. Attacking a rotating Memphis Grizzlies defense on a hard close-out, Wiggins finds a runway to the basket before rising up for a rugged, two-handed poster jam all over a Memphis Grizzlies big. Wiggins kept the highlights coming with 16 points and nine rebounds on May 3, 2022.

In his first-ever All-Star Game, it only made sense for Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins to rise up and put on a show. Working in transition, Wiggins shows off his athleticism, sneaking behind the defense for a two-handed alley-oop slam against Team LeBron. Wiggins was efficient, with 10 points in just 15 minutes in Team Durant’s 163-160 loss on February 20, 2022.

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins soars to for the acrobatic alley-oop against the Phoenix Suns on February 12, 2020.

When Andrew Wiggins finds his groove, the points come easy. The Golden State Warriors wing sizes up LA Clippers forward Paul George, then pulls up for a deep three in a January 8, 2021 victory. Wiggins finished with 16 points in the win.

New season, same results for Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors. Fresh off a transformative title run a season ago, Wiggins and company are back to defend the crown. Against an overmatched Sacramento Kings squad, the 2022 All-Star shows last year’s postseason run was no fluke, stepping into a passing lane and picking off a lazy pass. Wiggins is off to the races from there, finishing the fast break with a slam en route 24 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks in Golden State’s 130-125 victory on October 23, 2022.

Forward Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards cuts to the basket and finishes with a high-flying dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 8, 2019.

Rui Hachimura’s reputation for raising his play in big-time situations just continues to grow. Remaining patient as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense loads to the opposite side, Hachimura frees himself up on a backdoor cut before stretching out to deliver a contested, one-handed flush. With his teammates calling it a “must-win game,” Hachimura rose, literally and figuratively, to the occasion, anchoring the Los Angeles Lakers’ second unit with 21 points, six rebounds and three 3-pointers on December 23, 2023.

Rui Hachimura

There’s no better time to level up than when the game is on the line in the postseason. Washington Wizards sophomore Rui Hachimura finds his spot in the corner as teammate Bradley Beal penetrates against the defense, then braces for a pass and buries a dagger in Game 4 of his team’s Round 1 series against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 31. Hachimura finished with 20 points and 13 boards in the W.

When you catch the outlet pass in stride and there’s only a Hall of Fame shot blocker between yourself and the rim, there’s no time to belabor the decision. Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura catches a transition pass against the Los Angeles Lakers and immediately targets the rack, dunking through elite rim protector Anthony Davis on his way to two of his 12 points in an April 28, 2021 victory.

Rui Hachimura has the shooting touch to hurt you from beyond the arc and the sheer size to rack up buckets in the paint. The Washington Wizards sophomore gets Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder on his heels out at the perimeter then lopes into the paint for a towering hook shot on January 11, 2021.

Talk about teamwork and athleticism in their finest forms. With the Washington Wizards missing their top two scorers in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks, Rui Hachimura was more than willing to step up in an all-hands-on-deck scenario. Teammate Kyle Kuzma gets the play started, gaining access to the paint with a dribble drive and spin move before he’s enveloped by three defenders. Ever the cool customer, Kuzma dumps off an opportune pass to Hachimura, who goes up, under and up again in order to get a reverse layup to fall. Hachimura produced a season-high 23 points along with eight rebounds off the bench for the shorthanded Wizards in the November 10, 2022 victory.

For most rookies, it takes time to find their offensive flow at the NBA level. It hasn't taken Denver Nuggets guard Bones Hyland much time to prove that he isn't like most rookies. In the midst of displaying the ability to score from anywhere, Hyland showcases his off-ball smarts, cutting through the lane to take a bounce pass and working a nifty spin move and layup all in one motion. The rising star stood out on the biggest stage in the 133-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, with 27 points, 10 rebounds, six triples and two steals on January 15, 2022.

Bones Hyland was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team during the 2021-22 season and he’s already raised his game out of the gates in Year 2. The productive Denver Nuggets reserve spins methodically around Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole before whipping a one-handed pass to rookie teammate Christian Braun for a layup. Hyland’s energy — as well as his 14 points and five assists — helped propel the Nuggets to an impressive 128-123 victory on October 21, 2022.

Bones Hyland

Rookie Bones Hyland is a smooth operator in the open court; his blend of speed, agility and creativity keeps the defense off-balance. After getting a steal to start the break, Hyland pushes the ball ahead, then combines a hesi-dribble with a gorgeous, left-handed, behind-the-back dish to Will Barton for a reverse layup. The Denver Nuggets guard was impressive off the bench in the 116-101 victory over the Houston Rockets on March 4, 2022, contributing 11 points, five assists and three steals.

The ability to make tough shots cannot be taught. Denver Nuggets rookie Bones Hyland shows no fear in going 1-on-1 with his defender and puts on a series of moves, hesitations and fakes. Despite stout defense, Hyland still converts a leaning, one-handed fadeaway going left. That’s tough. The bucket counted for two of Hyland’s seven points off the bench in his NBA debut on October 25, 2021.

Never one to shy away from a highlight, Bones Hyland is at home in the open floor. Seizing an opportunity to facilitate a fastbreak, Hyland corrals an outlet pass and immediately sprints down the floor. Drawing the attention of an outnumbered defender as he gets closer to the hoop, Hyland flips a behind-the-back dime to a flanking Russell Westbrook for an enthusiastic slam. Hyland scored 17 points in the October 25, 2023 contest.

Challenge the last line of the Utah Jazz defense at your own peril. Rookie center Rudy Gobert picks up Brooklyn Nets guard Deron Williams as he penetrates out on the perimeter, then sticks with him through a spin attempt and redirects a high-arcing floater attempt on November 5, 2013.

An unmistakable presence on the defensive end, when Rudy Gobert brings energy on the offense, it’s impossible to miss. After corralling a rebound under the hoop, Gobert forwards the ball to teammate Anthony Edwards, dutifully trails the play and storms through the paint to convert an emphatic alley-oop before the defense takes notice. Gobert logged 17 points on just five field-goal attempts, racking up a staggering 21 rebounds in the Minnesota Timberwolves victory on November 8, 2023.

Rudy Gobert

When it comes to the All-Star Game, it’s wise to expect the unexpected. Utah Jazz big Rudy Gobert gives an example here, leaking out in transition and taking a smooth dime before rising up for a surprise 360 jam. The three-time All-Star put up six points and six rebounds for Team Durant on February 20, 2022.

Throw it down, Rudy! Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert gets up for the alley-oop pass before rocking trim with a big-time two handed slam against the Los Angeles Lakers on August 3, 2020.

Can a two-time Defensive Player of the Year still be underrated? Asking for a friend. Rudy Gobert shows that nothing is safe so long as he’s on the hardwood by casually swatting the outside floater of 6’11” Mason Plumlee. The Utah Jazz took down the Detroit Pistons on January 10, 2021.