Aug 11, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) shoots against Toronto Raptors guard Dalano Banton (45) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II’s dunk in a Summer League game against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night caught the attention of LeBron James.
This week, we have already see perhaps the most clutch shot of the Summer League, courtesy of Atlanta Hawks rookie Sharife Cooper. But on Wednesday night, Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II gave the world the dunk of the entire Summer League.
In the closing minutes of Golden State’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Payton broke past Precious Achiuwa, drove towards the paint and unleashed a vicious, posterizing dunk. As a result, the Warriors extended their lead, helping them clinch the 90-84 victory.
Gary Payton II’s vicious Summer League dunk catches the attention of LeBron James
This one-handed jam by Payton not only caught the attention of fans and media members alike, but also of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who commended for his “nasty” dunk.
Payton played for over 25 minutes on Wednesday night, where he scored 13 points (five-for-six from field, three-for-three from three-point line), grabbed five rebounds, dished out five assists and recorded two steals.
After previously playing with the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards and Lakers throughout his time in the NBA, Payton joined the Warriors last season. Through 10 games, Payton averaged 2.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 4.0 minutes.
When the Summer League reaches its conclusion, you can guarantee that no one will forget that one-handed dunk Payton unleashed against the Raptors.