"Is this really a poster though": Dwight Howard questions validity of Ja Morant's dunk on Victor Wembanyama
Dwight Howard wasn't convinced by Ja Morant's monster dunk on Victor Wembanyama. The Memphis Grizzlies star posterized the San Antonio Spurs rookie during their 106-98 win on Tuesday, sparking quite the buzz on social media.
Known for his emphatic dunks, the guard gave the fans what they wanted when he barrelled past Wembanyama and landed one in, capping it off with a wild celebration. But according to Howard, it wasn't a poster.
Taking to X, the former NBA champion gave Morant his props for his crossover leading up to the dunk but did question its validity.
"Crossover was [fire emoji], Is this really a poster though?"
Morant’s crossover threw Wembanyama off course, and the window was enough for the two-time All-Star, who slammed the ball in. The crowd anticipated the moment and erupted in excitement.
Adding to his dunk, Morant put up 26 points, five rebounds and 10 assists, shooting 46.5%.
Howard was a bit of a high-flyer himself. During his time in the NBA, the big man often barrelled to the rim and put the marks on his defender.
Ja Morant reacts to his dunk over Victor Wembanyama
Ja Morant gave Victor Wembanyama the proper Memphis Grizzlies welcome by getting one over him. After the win, Morant described the dunk as a late Christmas present for his fans.
"That’s what everybody wanted, so that’s my late Christmas gift."
The Grizzlies may have won the contest, but they still have work to do. The good news is their settled starting five comprises Marcus Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. They have the necessary firepower to still push for a postseason run.
The Grizzlies are 5-2 since Ja Morant's return (11-22 overall). They will need to notch up a lot more wins, but with momentum on their side, they are one of the teams that cannot be discounted.
Up next, they play the Toronto Raptors, followed by a skirmish with the LA Lakers. It remains to be seen if they can build on the momentum they have gained since the guard's return to the Memphis lineup.