Johnny Furphy’s behind-the-back poster dunk on Noa Essengue steals Summer League spotlight. Fans, ESPN, Haliburton, and Clark react. Get full context.
🧭 Background & Viral Highlight
Indiana Pacers rookie Johnny Furphy (20) landed a massive behind-the-back dunk over Noa Essengue during NBA Summer League . Furphy went coast-to-coast, created the highlight after a slick move vs Chicago Bulls first-rounder Noa Essengue .
🤯 The Dunk Moment
In the second quarter:
- Furphy dribbled behind-the-back, tore through the lane, and posterized Essengue with a one-hand slam
- Cameras captured Essengue’s stunned reaction—mouth agape, arms flailing—instantly viral
JOHNNY FURPHY CLIMBED THE LADDER 🤯
(via @Pacers) pic.twitter.com/6sbv6PnzIj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 15, 2025
📺 Media & Social Reactions
- ESPN anchors laughed and struggled to continue the segment:
“That’s the worst poster I’ve seen in my life… is that real?”
- Fans and teammates alike went wild:
- Tyrese Haliburton: “Johnny MF Furphy sheeeeeesh”
- Caitlin Clark reshared the clip on Instagram Story
- Social comments:
“Might not ever make it back from that poster…”
“Snatched his soul.”
⚡ Summer League Summary
- Furphy finished the night with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 31 minutes
- Despite the dunk hype, the Pacers lost 114–105 to the Bulls, with Matas Buzelis scoring 28 and the rookie Essengue contributing 21
🏀 Player Profiles
| Player | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Johnny Furphy | Australian 2nd-round pick (No. 35, 2024), 20 yrs, 6’9″, Summer League breakout star |
| Noa Essengue | 18-year-old French first-round pick (No. 12, 2025), 6’10″ PF for Chicago Bulls, solid Summer League performance |
⚙️ Broader Context
- Furphy was originally a Kansas Jayhawks star before being drafted and traded to Indiana
- Essengue, on the other hand, rose in Europe, drafted by Bulls after standout seasons in Germany
🔮 Outlook & Why It Matters
- Coaches and fans now expect more from Furphy—his athleticism and two-way play are under the microscope
- Essengue’s poise despite the poster moment shows maturity and promise for his pro career
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