Late on Christmas, the Denver Nuggets‘ Aaron Gordon decided he had one last gift to deliver to the Phoenix Suns’ Landry Shamet.
The last-minute present came in the form of one of the most ridiculous poster dunks that you will ever see.
Late in overtime, with the Nuggets leading by just one, Gordon led a two-on-one fast break with Nikola Jokic. Instead of passing the ball to the reigning MVP, the high-flyer decided to take things into his own hands and do what he does best – dunk.
Shamet tried to make the ultimate team sacrifice, standing in to take a charge, and he was originally successful as the referee waved off the basket calling Gordon for the offensive foul. However, after the referees went back to review whether or not Shamet was standing inside the restricted circle, they determined that the Suns’ guard was not in a legal guarding position, awarding Gordon the dunk and one free throw.
The Nuggets would go on to win the game in overtime 128-125 thanks in large part to Gordon’s thunderous slam.
And now, unfortunately for Shamet, he will have to see that video circulate for at least the next 10-plus years.
But while Shamet will probably see the dunk in his nightmares, basketball fans around the world were treated to one of the best in-game dunks in NBA history.
Here are some of the best social media reactions to Gordon’s monstrous jam:
