Wait–what, again? In a moment that bridged NBA generations, Luka Dončić and LeBron James delivered a highlight during Saturday’s 134-127 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies that felt eerily familiar.
You know what pic we’re talking about …
The actual play itself was spectacular—Dončić threaded a no-look pass to James, who finished with a thunderous fastbreak dunk. But it was what happened afterward that truly captured attention.
As James soared for the slam, Dončić turned toward the camera, locking in with a focused stare while his teammate threw it down behind him. The image instantly drew comparisons to one of the most iconic snapshots from LeBron’s Miami Heat days—a nearly identical frame featuring Dwyane Wade striking the same pose after setting up James for a highlight dunk over a decade ago.
Yup… that one!
The side-by-side photos tell a story of legacy and continuity as posted by Yahoo Sports.
Just as Wade once celebrated his connection with a young LeBron, Dončić now shares the floor with a veteran James, their chemistry blossoming in real time. The resemblance was uncanny, prompting fans and analysts alike to marvel at how history repeats itself in the NBA.
LeBron and Luka Doncic really recreated the Dwyane Wade photo
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 30, 2025
(: via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/eqvYMLr1Le
“Truly, in the NBA, time is a flat circle,” one observer noted, perfectly summarizing the symmetry between the two eras.
The moment wasn’t just a flashy play—it was a symbolic passing of the torch, a reminder that greatness inspires greatness. And for one night in Dallas, the past and present collided in the best way possible.
Bron and Luka. Imagine if the former was just five years younger. Just imagine.