Joel Embiid pulls off Anthony Edwards' backboard dunk in win over Magic

The 76ers star pulled off the dunk as a tribute to Edwards.

Anthony Edwards' backboard dunk in Thursday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies sent shockwaves throughout the NBA, but it appears more than just a few highlight shows took notice of the Minnesota Timberwolves star.

Philadelphia 76ers center and reigning MVP Joel Embiid saw the dunk and pulled off his version during a 124-109 victory over the Orlando Magic Friday night, later citing Edwards as his inspiration.

"I've done it before, it's not the first time," Embiid told reporters after the game. "[But] Anthony Edwards is one of my top-three favorite players in the league. He's up there. Dude is so nice and I saw it last night. I said 'If he can do it, why can't I do it too?"

JOEL HANS EMBIID WITH THE SELF ALLEY-OOP ‼ pic.twitter.com/TvAUme6eY6

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 20, 2024

Embiid continued to hurl superlatives toward Edwards, who has lifted the Timberwolves to the top of the Western Conference with 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in his fourth season.

"I'm a big fan of his," Embiid said. "I love him and I love his game. So I was like 'Well, if I'm a big fan of him and when I grow up, I want to be like him...why can't I do it too?'"

At seven feet tall, Embiid probably is all grown up, but it didn't stop him from imitating Edwards. With both players pulling off the dunk, the only question left is who did it better?

ANTHONY EDWARDS ARE YOU KIDDING 😳

⭐️ » https://t.co/adpbBYDQ4T pic.twitter.com/Slhm57U20Y

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 19, 2024

There might even be a deeper source of inspiration as one X user pointed out that Edwards' dunk looks eerily similar to the one Li'l Bow Wow pulled off when he found magic shoes on a power line in Like Mike.

Anthony Edwards pic.twitter.com/lPltRTnYS4

— Deuce (@DeuceThomas) January 19, 2024

Regardless, Timberwolves fans may just want to know what Edwards has up his sleeve next as Minnesota hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

Joel Embiid / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports