Who Dunked on Joel Embiid? Fans Freak Out Over Ex-NBA Star as USA Basketball Fights Off Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico might be out of the Paris Olympics, but they aren’t leaving without leaving an indelible mark. Facing off the strongest foes, Team USA, the Jose Alvarado-led side is off to a flying start. The underdogs drew first blood, and their momentum never alleviated in the first quarter, leading 30-25.

Furthermore, there was also a thunderous dunk!

Davon Reed, a former player of the Denver Nuggets, raised high to dunk the ball over Joel Embiid. The Puerto Rican guard was promoted to the starting lineup after coming off the bench after their embarrassing loss to Serbia. And he has delivered right from the go. In just 6 minutes on the floor, he added 4 points to the mix, shooting 2-for-3 from the field.

He last played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season for the champion Denver Nuggets after being converted to a two-way contract by the franchise. He averaged 2.3 points on 36% shooting from three in his final NBA season. Now, as he continues to try to make a place in the NBA, Reed has played a pivotal role in bringing Olympic basketball back to Puerto Rico.

Likewise, the fans went crazy.

NBA fans react to Davon Reed’s dunk over Joel Embiid

The NBA fraternity was completely stunned watching the moment Reed raised for Embiid. However, those familiar with him were shocked by how the 29-year-old was out of the NBA. “Can’t believe Malik Beasley was stealing a living last year for the Bucks while Davon Reed wasn’t in the league,” a fan wrote. 

In four years at the college, Reed would collect several accolades, after which his lifelong dream would come true. The Phoenix Suns chose the Puerto Rican with the 32nd pick, which began his brief NBA journey. After migrating to multiple teams, Reed had a breakout year in Taiwan in 2021, averaging 25.7 points and 9.7 rebounds.

Obviously, the dunk victim, Joel Embiid, added another target on the Cameroonian’s back. The basketball world didn’t spare him, while also speaking highly of Reed. “Davon Reed putback dunk over Embiid, that’s our guy” an X user wrote. 

Born in New Jersey, Davon Reed developed his love for basketball after his family purchased a 10-foot hoop for him at the tender age of five. His resilience knew no limits, as he played with elder players, suffering the brutality. But Reed vowed to get better. He kept honing his skills, becoming a reputed high school basketball star. It earned him a dull scholarship to the University of Miami.

Some fans took Reed’s dunk as a sign for bad things to come for Team USA. A comment read, “Joel Embiid just got bitched on a dunk we are so cooked”. 

At the time, Team USA was down by five. However, the decorated team has managed to not only get back in the game but annihilate the Puerto Rican side. Anthony Edwards is leading the charge in the lob-sided matchup as the USA contingent books a place in the knockouts with a perfect record and as the top seed.

The attacks on Embiid didn’t stop. Several fans on X expressed their rage over Joel Embiid’s first-quarter performance. Some even felt he was playing against his own ‘brothers’. “It is entirely possible Joel Embiid may be trying to sabotage Team USA,” a fan suspected.

Embiid looked indecisive and casual during the opening minutes of the game. However, since returning to the game, Embiid has begun to impose himself. Additionally, the MVP center is also hitting back at the jarring crowd who has continued to berate Embiid each time he has shown his face in France.

Do you think Joel Embiid will maintain the rhythm he found today during the quarterfinals? Let us know your views in the comments below.