Seeing Kevin Durant's smile after her viral dunk resonated deeply with Dominique Malonga, fueling an unforgettable on-court moment.
Even though a wave of athletic newcomers has entered the women's basketball scene in recent years, emphatic dunks are still a rare sight. That's what made the recent Unrivaled League clash between Breeze and Laces at the Sephora Arena in Miami so special. Seattle Storm rising star Dominique Malonga delivered a stunning running dunk that instantly became the highlight of the night.
Interestingly, that play didn't just energize the crowd; it also caught the attention of two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who was in attendance and was seemingly happy with what he had witnessed.
Malonga, who finished the contest with 21 points and 10 rebounds, made the moment even more memorable with how it unfolded. She received a sharp cross-court pass from Paige Bueckers near the arc and drove aggressively toward the rim to throw a powerful dunk.
The broadcast camera quickly shifted its attention toward Durant, who had a bright smile across his face, signaling how he had seen something special. The clip quickly made its rounds on social media, drawing reactions from fans and players alike.
During her postgame interview, Malonga admitted that she did not get an opportunity to speak with Durant after the game. However, simply seeing his reaction to her dunk was more than enough for her. Knowing that an all-time legend like KD appreciated her moment made it even more meaningful.
"It was great, I mean I didn't say anything to him, but it felt really good," Malonga said in her postgame interview. "He went to shootout this morning, so we chatted a little bit, so I am glad you could see that."
Despite Malonga's standout performance, she ended up on the losing side as the Laces secured a commanding 65-53 upset victory. With the win, the Laces improved to 2-0 in the head-to-head series.
After jumping to a 24-18 lead in the first quarter, they maintained control throughout the game. The charge was led by Brittney Sykes, who delivered a dominant two-way performance — she recorded a game-high double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, shooting an efficient 10-of-18 from the field, showcasing her impact on both ends of the floor.
For Malonga, the dunk was undoubtedly a personal highlight, but the ultimate goal remains team success. The Breeze will need her to bring that same energy more consistently moving forward.
While producing viral moments that impress NBA legends is special, she will be focused on translating those flashes of brilliance into victories.