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LeBron James breaks internet with Dunk of the Year vs. Mavs

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Jan 7, 2025 9:15 PM ET

LeBron James on Tuesday had fans in a frenzy after the 40-year-old showed off his ridiculous hops on national television.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks squared off at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. With the Lakers trailing 9-5 in the first quarter, James seemed content to defer early in the contest.

James made four passes in the possession, two of which went to Rui Hachimura in the corner for a three-point attempt. After two missed Hachimura threes and two Lakers offensive rebounds, James decided to take matters into his own hands.

The 4-time MVP rumbled down the lane, received a pass from Max Christie, and pulled off an epic windmill dunk switching from his right hand to his left.

LEBRON JAMES. pic.twitter.com/BD5J2kTsq3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 8, 2025

Here’s the dunk again in slow motion.

Funniest thing about the LeBron dunk is the NBA refs still found a way to be TERRIBLE pic.twitter.com/4AjuDOp8n6

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 8, 2025

Even the home fans could not help but cheer in astonishment over what they had seen. The reaction from the Lakers’ bench was even better.

Lakers bench reaction to LeBron’s dunk pic.twitter.com/3IaA4cJIaN

— (@MaskedInLA) January 8, 2025

The dunk gave LeBron his first points of the game.

James’ fancy finish was more than just for style points. The Lakers star needed to go left given that 7-foot shot-blocker Dereck Lively was defending the rim. Not many NBA players could have pulled off the move at all, let alone at 40 years old.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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