Brandon Ingram threw down one of many nastiest dunks of the NBA season — a poster jam over Charlotte’s 7’1″ Ryan Kalkbrenner — because the Toronto Raptors edged the Hornets 110-108 in Toronto.
Brandon Ingram gave Toronto followers a spotlight to recollect in the course of the Raptors’ 110-108 win over the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2025, at Scotiabank Enviornment. Late within the fourth quarter, with Toronto holding a slim lead, Ingram exploded previous his defender and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk over Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, sending the gang — and social media — into an uproar.
The play got here with 6:46 remaining and the rating at 96–92. It was the exclamation mark on a sport that symbolized Ingram’s resurgence since becoming a member of the Raptors earlier this yr. Followers and analysts rapidly dubbed it the “Infamous BI3” dunk. That was a nod to each his initials and The Infamous B.I.G. Nevertheless, it’s becoming for a participant reclaiming star standing north of the border.
Background on Ingram’s Transfer to Toronto
Ingram’s spotlight second comes lower than a yr after a pivotal commerce reshaped his profession. On February 6, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to Toronto in alternate for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2026 first-round decide. On the time, the deal raised eyebrows. Ingram was getting into contract negotiations. So, his worth appeared unsure after an inconsistent stint alongside Zion Williamson.
Toronto noticed a possibility. The Raptors wanted a confirmed scorer to enrich Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. So, Ingram’s mixture of size, capturing, and playmaking made him an excellent match.
For the reason that commerce, he’s thrived — averaging over 24 factors per sport and signing a 3-year, $120 million extension to solidify his function because the franchise’s offensive anchor. Followers and pundits alike have praised Toronto’s entrance workplace for making what’s now seen as one of many smartest trades of final season.
The Sport: Raptors Edge Hornets in Thriller
The dunk got here throughout a decent, high-scoring battle between two rebuilding Jap Convention groups. Toronto led after each quarter however by no means by greater than six factors. The Hornets fought again behind Miles Bridges (22 factors), rookie Kon Knueppel (24 factors), and LaMelo Ball (20 factors, 8 assists).
Ingram carried Toronto offensively with 27 factors on 9-of-21 capturing, including 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and three blocks. He was joined by Scottie Barnes (16 factors, 6 assists) and Immanuel Quickley (15 factors, 10 rebounds) in holding off a late Charlotte surge.
The Raptors shot 50% from the sector, together with 40% from three, whereas the Hornets struggled at simply 42.5% general. Regardless of Charlotte’s rebounding edge (48–43), Toronto’s effectivity and Ingram’s late heroics proved decisive.
When the ultimate buzzer sounded, the Raptors improved to 9–5, whereas Charlotte dropped to 4–10.
The Dunk: “Infamous BI3” Takes Flight
The clip — initially posted by Bleacher Report and reshared by followers throughout X — captures the total violence of the second. Ingram receives the ball on the fitting wing, fakes baseline, and drives onerous towards the rim.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7’1″ rookie out of Creighton, rotates over to guard the paint. However earlier than he can elevate absolutely, Ingram cocks the ball again and detonates with a right-handed slam that sends the Raptors bench into chaos.
The dunk prolonged Toronto’s result in 98–92 and lit up Scotiabank Enviornment. Scottie Barnes was caught on digicam screaming “OMGGGG!” as the gang erupted. In the meantime, Gradey Dick and Sandro Mamukelashvili jumped off the bench in disbelief.
Sluggish-motion replays spotlight Ingram’s athleticism — he soars chest-to-chest over Kalkbrenner, finishes clear, then lands with a delicate flex and stare-down. Inside minutes, the clip unfold throughout social media with captions like “He simply baptized that rookie” and “Welcome to the league, Kalkbrenner.”
Ingram’s Assertion Sport and Profession Resurgence
For Ingram, the dunk wasn’t simply one other spotlight — it was an announcement. After years of being overshadowed in New Orleans by accidents and Zion Williamson’s star energy, he’s discovered a system in Toronto that maximizes his talent set.
Analysts have pointed to improved ground spacing and the Raptors’ motion-heavy offense as keys to his resurgence. He’s scoring effectively, defending tougher, and reasserting himself as one of many NBA’s most polished mid-range threats.
Submit-trade metrics present his utilization price barely down however his true capturing proportion up — an indication he’s thriving inside construction reasonably than forcing isolation performs. The chemistry with Barnes and Barrett has drawn comparisons to the profitable Raptors cores that featured Kawhi Leonard, although Ingram’s model leans extra finesse than brute pressure.
As one fan wrote underneath the clip: “Bro escaped Zion and immediately turned an all-star once more.”
Fan Reactions: “Infamous BI3” Takes Over X
By the following morning, the spotlight had racked up greater than 24,000 likes and 2,400 reposts on X, sparking a flood of artistic commentary.
Nicknames and Hype:
- “Infamous BI3” — coined by @goyagotit — turned the dominant tagline, with followers calling it “the toughest nickname in basketball proper now.”
- “Vince Carter reincarnated in black and crimson.”
- “That man jumped out the health club — BI3 totally different!”
Rookie Roast Periods:
- “Ryan Kalkbrenner simply received baptized. Welcome to the NBA, large fella.”
- “He gonna see that dunk each time he closes his eyes tonight.”
- “All he needed to do was let him have it. Now he’s on posters endlessly.”
Ingram’s Redemption:
- “Pelicans held him again OVERLY.”
- “This man been ready 5 years to remind individuals who he’s.”
- “Toronto received themselves a better once more.”
Even Raptors followers on the area joined in on the humor, sharing shaky movies from the stands with captions like “It felt just like the constructing shook.”
The Broader Narrative: A Dunk That Symbolizes Extra
Past the viral spotlight, the second underscores Ingram’s new chapter in Toronto — one outlined by freedom, chemistry, and objective. The dunk represented greater than athletic dominance; it was symbolic of a participant reclaiming management of his profession.
Toronto’s younger core — Ingram, Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley — has blended youth with star expertise, giving the group a basis harking back to the 2019 title period. Ingram’s management, each vocally and thru performs like this, has introduced swagger again to a franchise that’s been looking for it since Kawhi Leonard’s departure.
Followers have begun calling him “the bridge between eras” — the veteran who connects the grit of the outdated Raptors with the promise of the brand new.
Conclusion
Brandon Ingram’s poster over Ryan Kalkbrenner wasn’t simply one other spotlight — it was a declaration. The dunk embodied confidence, explosiveness, and momentum for a group that’s quietly reemerging as an Jap Convention menace.
From the commerce drama in New Orleans to the roar of Scotiabank Enviornment, Ingram’s transformation has been each poetic and highly effective.
As one fan completely summarized the second on-line: “That’s not Brandon Ingram anymore — that’s the Infamous BI3.”
