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Pacers Vet James Johnson Had Broadcast Cackling With Great Reaction to Rare Dunk

A fun moment for the 36-year-old NBA journeyman.

Tom Dierberger

Pacers Vet James Johnson Had Broadcast Cackling With Great Reaction to Rare Dunk
Pacers Vet James Johnson Had Broadcast Cackling With Great Reaction to Rare Dunk /
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Indiana Pacers 36-year-old veteran James Johnson might have surprised himself Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

In the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 150–116 blowout victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Johnson earned some rare minutes—just his fourth appearance since signing with Indiana in December—and made the most of it by throwing down a two-handed slam.

Johnson broke out into a big smile and grabbed his legs, appearing to pretend he was cramping up after rising to the rim. 

The Bally Sports Indiana broadcast loved it.

Johnson is the definition of an NBA journeyman. He’s played for 10 different teams over the last 15 seasons, only averaging double-digit points in two seasons. Johnson has played 22 games for the Pacers the past two seasons. 

So, yes, the dunks are rare these days.

”Good for him, but good for his kids to see too,” Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton said of the dunk after the win.

The Pacers played in their fifth game this season where either they or their opponent scores at least 150 points. There has been just one other such game in the NBA this year—an overtime contest between the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons.

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Tom Dierberger
TOM DIERBERGER

Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.

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