Shamet punches dunk on Pelicans’ Hayes, who is ejected minutes later

Apr 22, 2022, 8:05 PM | Updated: Apr 23, 2022, 1:14 am

Landry Shamet #14 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 117-105. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

Arizona Sports

Landry Shamet went from three-point savant to dunking dynamo.

The Phoenix Suns backup shooting guard started the first-round series against the New Orleans Pelicans out of the rotation, but upon Devin Booker going down with a hamstring injury in Game 2, Shamet has emerged as an aggressive rim-rocker.

He had already taken two baseline drives for dunks in the past few days but then raised the bar even more in the first-half of Game 3 on Friday, which Phoenix won 114-111.

Shamet raced down the court off a New Orleans turnover. Despite the athletic Jaxson Hayes closing on him, Shamet opted to punch one, drawing the foul on Hayes in the process.

THAT'S A LANDRY SHAMET POSTER! pic.twitter.com/lJgpPsjrG6

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 23, 2022

LANDRY SHAMET! HOW?! 🤯😳 pic.twitter.com/6y5qaQOBQW

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 23, 2022

Hayes was involved in two altercations after the play. Immediately after Shamet’s slam, Hayes and Mikal Bridges had words as the officials broke up a minor gathering of players.

Jaxson Hayes trucksticks Jae Crowder pic.twitter.com/ag5P69sfMY

— Playoff Slightly Biased (@BiasedSlightly) April 23, 2022

Minutes later, referees went to the replay screen after Hayes pushed Suns forward Jae Crowder on a rebound attempt. Hayes was given a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected, while Crowder earned a technical for reacting. Hayes left with four points and six rebounds.

It appeared to act as a turning point for a Suns team that had struggled to show the same pop displayed in the dominant first half of a Game 1 victory.

Phoenix went on a 16-5 run after Hayes’ ejection to lead 59-48 at halftime.

It was led by Deandre Ayton, who had 28 points, 17 rebounds and three steals by the end of the night. Chris Paul matched him with 28 points — 19 coming in the fourth — and added 14 assists.

And for those of you keeping count of Shamet’s big plays of late, here are his other two contested dunks over the past two games.