NBA star Anthony Edwards gave himself a highlight reel-worthy off-the-backboard alley-oop during the Minnesota Timberwolves' win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.
The league's reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, took note of Edwards' impressive dunk and attempted to replicate it the next day during the 76ers' win over the Orlando Magic.
In the second quarter Friday, Embiid picked up a dribble near the free-throw line, tossed the ball toward the backboard, grabbed it in the air, and finished with a powerful dunk.
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Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) makes a dunk during the third quarter of a game against the Orlando Magic at KIA Center on January 19, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Jeremy Lepper, USA Today Sports)
Edwards' impressive display of athleticism included the 22-year-old throwing the ball from the foul line into the glass and finishing with a two-handed slam.
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“That was crazy,” Edwards said Thursday night. “That was probably the best dunk of my career.”
Embiid later admitted that while it wasn't his first time pulling off a self alley-oop, his latest attempt was an homage to one of his favorite NBA players.
“I'm not going to lie, obviously I've done it before. It's not the first time. I like to challenge myself,” Embiid said. “Anthony Edwards is one of my top three favorite players in the league. He's up there. … I mean, the guy's so sweet. I saw it last night. 'Well, if he can do it, why not?' I thought, “I guess I can't do it.'' Can I do it too? 'I'm a big fan of his. ”
Embiid finished Friday's game with 36 points, extending his streak of consecutive games with 30 or more points to 19 games. The Sixers' star center is averaging a league-high 35.1 points per game this season.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves dunks during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Target Center in Minneapolis on January 18, 2024. (David Berding/Getty Images)
Edwards is averaging 26.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 38 games this season. The 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick was named to the NBA All-Star team for the first time in his career last year.
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With Thursday's win, the Timberwolves improved to 30-11. Minnesota hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. The Sixers sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings and will play the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
