PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 18: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans during their game at Moda Center on January 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Jusuf Nurkic threw one down on Bol Bol.
The long NBA layoff due to COVID-19 allowed certain teams to get players who were out with injuries in March back on the floor. That meant Jusuf Nurkic was back on the court for the for the Portland Trail Blazers and Bol Bol made his debut with the Denver Nuggets.
The two big men met up Thursday night in another must-win game for Nurkic and the Blazers. Having him back has given the team a boost and he proved he is fully recovered from his gruesome leg injury suffered back in 2019 with a thunderous dunk over Bol.
Jusuf Nurkic with the slam
Bol admirably rotated on defense, but he stood no chance. Nurkic basically shoved him out of the way on his way to the rim. It was more of dunking through Bol as opposed to over him, considering the young man stands 7-foot-2. This is still a poster-worthy dunk, but just in a different way.
Nurkic has gotten right back to his old ways with the Blazers. He scored 18 points in his first game back, dropped 30 in his second game and added 22 on Thursday. The big man is also averaging over 30 minutes per game and completes the dynamic trio featuring himself, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Bol is only 20 years old and will retain his rookie status next season as well. The fact he is out there at all speaks to his own quick development in Orlando, and he will have plenty of time to make big defensive stops as the years go on.
Nurkic’s slam was a highlight-reel play and is one example of why the Blazers missed him so much. Now the team is closing in on a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament and potentially a shot at the No. 1 seed Los Angeles Lakers.