Against the Las Vegas Aces in Game 2 of the WNBA Playoffs, Dominique Malonga had a chance to dunk. In the 4th quarter, she had acres of space receiving a pass in transition. Unfortunately, she was fouled before she could reach the rim. Regardless, the No.1 pick casually jogged and hung on the net, showcasing how easy it would be for her to throw it down. Now, playing the 3 vs 3 league Unrivaled, the moment has finally arrived. 

Malonga has already dunked it in a professional game. Before coming to the US, she played for LDLC ASVEL Feminin in France. Just 18 at the time, Malonga dunked in an EuroLeague Women’s game. She further showcased that in Seattle Storm practice.

“You had to be there,” Storm coach Noelle Quinn said jokingly when asked about the dunk.”She can dunk. She’s over the rim. It was powerful. It was athletic.”

Now, Malonga has officially dunked in a professional basketball game in the US. Playing for Breeze with Paige Bueckers and Rickea Jackson, Malonga went up against the Lunar Owls. In the first quarter, Malonga received the ball from Rickea Jackson at the edge of the paint.

She went to the rim and casually thundered a dunk. And the 1000-strong crowd gave Malonga a standing ovation after this unbelievable play.

Malonga became the second player to dunk in Unrivaled after Brittney Griner. Griner dunked in a game playing for the Phantom BC, coincidentally also against the Lunar Owls. Malonga showed her entire range, including three-pointers and excellent passes. Breeze managed to defeat Lunar Owls 75-68 with Malonga dropping a season high 21 points and 8 rebounds.

Naturally, the highlight of the night was Malonga’s dunk, which had the fans going wild. 

Fans Erupt After Dominique Malonga Throws Down Monster Dunk

“Hang it in the louvre,” announced a fan. “HELL YEAH,” cheered another.

Malonga’s vertical is not like any other player in the league. She can go up well above the rim. During this dunk, she did not even have much run-up to the rim. The post-play photos from Unrivaled look glorious as Malonga sent a statement across women’s basketball. She is unique. It was a display of skill rarely seen in women’s basketball, making her talent even more evident. 

“Too bad Marina wasn’t in front of her. Great job, this is what will bring in more casuals. We need Dom The dominator,” commented a fan.

A dunk is the closest humans come to flying. Watching someone dunk, getting their feet off the ground, and going up to slam it down feels like defying gravity. The motion taps into the fairy tales and dreams that someone can soar. That is why dunks make the game even more attractive. With Malonga igniting the revolution, naturally, even more people will be intrigued to watch women’s basketball. While it blessed the eyes, the play also had another ring to it. 

Okay, if you don’t know the lore, Rickea Jackson was afraid she would become the first WNBA player to be dunked on. When Dominique Malonga was drafted at No.2 by Seattle Storm, Jackson quoted one of her practice dunk videos from 2022 and wrote, “Lord please don’t let me be the first WNBA player to get dunked on🙏🏾. Amen.

That tweet went viral as many fans, including her colleague Sydney Colson, had some laughs. Colson wrote, “Lord, please let Rickea be the first WNBA player to get dunked on🙏🏾. Amen!” Now that Jackson has assisted Malonga’s first dunk in a competitive game on US soil, it feels like the scriptwriters were having some fun. 

“She’s more comfortable in this league,” pointed out another fan. Of course, a 3v3 league gives Malonga a lot more space and a lot less contact to go for that dunk. It is still a lot of work. In addition, the mental aspect affects the youngster as well. The WNBA is a lot more serious than Unrivaled. 

The 3v3 league is still in its nascent stage, and it is an offseason league, too. “I was thinking all the time, so I’m happy that I finally have one in-game, because I don’t want to just practice the skill,” Malonga said regarding her dunk after the game. “I want to do that in-game, so I’m happy to buy that, and I hope you guys liked it.”

Malonga will now look to dunk in the WNBA, a 5v5 game. Clearly, she can. And the fans will be seated.