De’Andre Hunter had the entire arena gasping after one of the most brutal ankle-breakers of the season, leaving Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey crumpled on the floor in pain. It happened midway through the third quarter of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 126–122 win on Saturday, and while the Cavs’ fourth straight victory was impressive, Hunter’s move was the moment everyone talked about, SBNation reports.
Hunter caught Giddey on the left wing, made a sharp crossover, and went straight to the rim for a dunk on Patrick Williams, per Beacon Journal. The crowd erupted, and even Hunter admitted he’d never pulled off anything like that before. “I don’t think I ever made nobody fall like that,” he said after the game.
The play caused Giddey’s right foot to roll underneath him, sending him to the ground clutching his ankle. He limped to the locker room moments later, but to the shock of many, returned just minutes after, CBS Sports reports. “I was kind of on my tippy-toes, so it’s kind of a weak point of your ankle,” Giddey said. “When he made the crossover, I tried to change direction and my ankle just rolled a bit. Not a good highlight reel to be on, but good move by him.”
Giddey’s Return Couldn’t Save Short-Handed Bulls
Even after returning, it was clear Giddey wasn’t himself. He had scored all 15 of his points before the injury, and his movement lacked the same pop. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan leaned on him late because of the team’s limited depth, with Coby White still out due to a calf issue and Ayo Dosunmu on a minutes restriction recovering from a quad injury.
Giddey said after the game he’d get treatment right away. “It feels OK,” he added. “We’ll get some treatment tonight, tomorrow.” Still, his limp told the real story, as Cleveland exploited his slowed defense to close out the game.
Hunter, meanwhile, finished with a season-best 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including four threes. His teammate Donovan Mitchell, who also scored 29, was left stunned by the highlight. “I was more impressed with the dunk,” Mitchell said. “He followed it up. I didn’t know he had that in him.”
During the next timeout, Cavs big man Thomas Bryant jokingly mimicked Giddey’s stumble to the delight of the bench. The Cavaliers’ chemistry has been clicking during their recent surge, and their ability to seize on moments like this shows how much confidence they’re playing with.
A Viral Moment With Staying Power
Social media had its say almost immediately. “De’Andre Hunter made Josh Giddey touch Earth,” one X user wrote as the clip racked up views across NBA platforms. It’s one of those plays that lives beyond the box score—part embarrassment, part badge of respect.
Giddey, to his credit, didn’t shy away from owning it. His quick return from what looked like a nasty injury showed resilience, even as the Bulls came up short. While Hunter earned the highlight of the night, Giddey earned respect for standing back up.
The Cavs’ win streak now stands at four, but Hunter’s crossover will be remembered much longer than the final score. It was the kind of play that turns a solid night into a viral legend.
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