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Joel Embiid Channels Anthony Edwards By Matching Absurd Off-the-Backboard Dunk

These two incredible dunks were eerily similar.

Tom Dierberger

Joel Embiid Channels Anthony Edwards By Matching Absurd Off-the-Backboard Dunk
Joel Embiid Channels Anthony Edwards By Matching Absurd Off-the-Backboard Dunk /
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Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid must have been watching Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards on Thursday night.

Less than 24 hours after Edwards threw down an incredible off-the-backboard dunk, Embiid followed suit with one of his own.

Late in the second quarter of the 76ers’ matchup against the Orlando Magic, Embiid picked up his dribble at the free-throw line. Instead of passing to a teammate or taking a shot, Embiid hurled the basketball at the backboard, caught it in mid-air and slammed it home.

Edwards set the dunk template Thursday during the Timberwolves’ 118–103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The 22-year-old star found himself guarded at the free-throw line, tossed the basketball at the glass and threw down a thunderous two-handed slam—nearly identical to Embiid’s one night later.

“That was crazy, man,” Edwards said Thursday night. “That was probably the best dunk of my career.”

That one is going to be hard to beat.

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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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