NBA

May’s best NBA photos: Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards and more

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6 months ago

May 31, 2024

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May’s best NBA photos: Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards and more

May is National Photography Month, which makes it a good time to celebrate the NBA with photos.

It’s been a grueling month of playoff basketball: mesmerizing offensive and defensive plays, lots of contact, bodies on the floor and in the air, celebrations and emotions.

And now just two teams are remaining. The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will meet in the NBA Finals, which begin Thursday, June 6.

Which team do you like to win it all? The Celtics have won seven consecutive playoff games and are 6-0 on the road. The Mavericks cruised to a 4-1 Western Conference finals series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Until a champion is crowned, The Athletic will continue selecting stunning and powerful images. Here are some of May’s most striking NBA images.

(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

With one eye closed, Joel Embiid of the 76ers is trying not to watch OG Anunoby’s slam in the Knicks’ series-clinching Game 6 first-round Eastern Conference playoff victory in Philadelphia.

(Jeffrey McWhorter / Associated Press)

Can you see P.J. Washington of the Mavericks? Well, just look for Paul George of the Clippers first, and then you’ll spot Washington shooting a 3-pointer as George defends during Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series in Dallas.

(Nate Billings / Associated Press)

Despite how it might look, this is a happy face for Chet Holmgren, who is thrilled with the Thunder’s Game 1 victory over the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals in Oklahoma City.

(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets is wondering how Mike Conley of the Timberwolves knocked the ball away from him, the NBA MVP, in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals in Denver.

(Brad Penner / USA Today)

Former Knicks high-flyer, Obi Toppin, who now plays for the Pacers, goes through his legs with the ball while in the air before dunking against Miles McBride of the Knicks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series in New York.

(Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)

Jamal Murray and his Nuggets teammates had difficulty scoring against Minnesota’s defense during Game 2 in Denver.

In this postseason, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has had plenty of interactions with referees. In Game 2 against the Knicks in New York, referee Josh Tiven receives the wrath of Carlisle.

(Kevin Jairaj / USA Today)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder gets up close and personal with Luka Dončić of the Mavericks during Game 3 in their second-round playoff series in Dallas. More on these two later.

(Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)

Jayson Tatum of the Celtics dunks with authority and lets Max Strus (left) and Caris LeVert of the Cavaliers know about it during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in Cleveland.

(David Berding / Getty Images)

Rudy Gobert claims he didn’t smash Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets in the head, but Gobert was whistled for a foul in Game 4 in Minneapolis.

(Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today)

Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard of the Pacers celebrate during Game 4 against the Knicks in Indianapolis.

(David Richard / USA Today)

Jrue Holiday of the Celtics denies Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers at the rim during Game 3 of their series in Cleveland.

(Tim Heitman / Getty Images)

Luka Dončić of the Mavericks has been amazing during this postseason. But if he made this shot with his eyes closed, the ball hitting the bottom of the backboard and great defense from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder during Game 4 in Dallas, then the NBA MVP honor should just go to him.

(Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)

Jalen Brunson celebrates with Clyde Frazier and other Knicks fans after draining a 3-pointer against the Pacers in a Game 5 win in New York.

(Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers displays his length and defensive ability against Jaylen Brown of the Celtics during Game 5 in Boston.

(David Berding / Getty Images)

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of the Nuggets and members of the Timberwolves bench watch Caldwell-Pope’s 3-pointer drop through the net during Game 6 in Minneapolis.

(Adam Glanzman / Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum of the Celtics soars for a slam against Myles Turner and Obi Toppin of the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals in Boston.

(Jesse Johnson / USA Today)

A little blood on his legs didn’t stop Luka Dončić and the Mavericks against the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in Minneapolis.

(David Butler II / USA Today)

Jaylen Brown and Celtics fans celebrate Brown’s game-tying 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers and Pascal Siakim in Boston. The Celtics won 133-128 in overtime.

(Brad Rempel / USA Today)

Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves shoots an acrobatic shot with a high level of difficulty against the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals in Minneapolis.

(Stacy Revere / Getty Images)

T.J. McConnell and Pacers fans are excited about a made 3-pointer by McConnell late in Game 3 in Indianapolis.

(Kevin Jairaj / USA Today)

Dereck Lively II of the Mavericks has been impactful during the postseason as Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves finds out on this slam during Game 3 in Dallas.

(Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today)

After making a steal, Jrue Holiday of the Celtics tries to avoid Pascal Siakam of the Pacers. Holiday was fouled with 1.8 seconds left in Game 3 and made both free throws to secure the 114-111 win in Indianapolis.