Jason Richardson’s Greatest Dunk Against Every NBA Team During His Electrifying Golden State Warriors Era.
During his time with the Golden State Warriors, Jason Richardson established himself as one of the most electrifying dunkers in NBA history. Known for his high-flying acrobatics, windmill slams, reverse jams, and fearless attacks at the rim, Richardson thrilled fans every night. While he’s remembered for winning back-to-back Slam Dunk Contests in 2002 and 2003, his in-game dunks were even more awe-inspiring—often coming in clutch moments, in traffic, or over helpless defenders. Let’s journey through the league and recall his most iconic dunk against each NBA team during his Warriors tenure.
Against the Los Angeles Lakers, one of Richardson’s most memorable dunks came in a 2004 matchup when he exploded down the baseline and elevated over a late-reacting Shaquille O’Neal. While Shaq didn’t contest fully, Richardson’s aggression and audacity to challenge the paint presence of the Diesel left the arena stunned. That dunk wasn’t just about flair—it sent a message that Richardson feared no one.
Facing the Boston Celtics, Richardson brought down a signature one-handed hammer in transition, catching a full-court pass before launching himself from just inside the free-throw line. It was an exclamation point on a breakout game where he scored over 30 points and showcased his freakish vertical.
Against the Chicago Bulls, Richardson stunned viewers with a powerful alley-oop off a lob from Gilbert Arenas. What made it special was the timing—Richardson, barely visible in the backcourt, surged to the rim and finished the dunk without needing to gather. It was all speed, instinct, and raw elevation.
Versus the Miami Heat, Richardson delivered a moment that still circulates on highlight reels. He took a hard dribble right, elevated through contact from Caron Butler, and still managed to complete a windmill dunk mid-air. The strength, control, and flair left announcers scrambling for words.
The New York Knicks got a taste of Richardson’s baseline mastery. In one game at Madison Square Garden, he drove baseline, reversed course behind the backboard, and hung in the air for a reverse dunk that mirrored a contest-style move. MSG, known for appreciating basketball artistry, gave him a rare road cheer.
In a matchup with the Detroit Pistons, Richardson took flight in the halfcourt off a spin move near the free-throw line. As Ben Wallace rotated late, Richardson extended for a tomahawk slam over one of the league’s premier defenders. The dunk stood out not only for who he dunked on, but for its violence and suddenness.
Against the Orlando Magic, Richardson’s best dunk came on a fast break where he cradled the ball with one hand and finished with a reverse windmill. The motion seemed unnecessary—until you realized Richardson was doing more than scoring—he was entertaining. That dunk became a fan favorite on Warriors highlight reels for years.
In a high-scoring shootout with the Dallas Mavericks, Richardson caught a no-look pass from Baron Davis, who had just joined the team, and completed a 360 dunk in traffic. The crowd erupted, not just for the dunk, but because it symbolized the potential for a new era of Warriors basketball.
Facing the San Antonio Spurs, one of the most fundamentally sound defenses, Richardson found a way to punctuate a rare fast break opportunity. With Tim Duncan stepping up, Richardson contorted mid-air to complete a two-handed slam while being fouled. It wasn’t just a dunk—it was a statement of defiance against a dynasty.
Against the Phoenix Suns, the fast-paced style allowed Richardson to run wild. One of his most jaw-dropping dunks came off a missed shot where he leapt from outside the paint, grabbed the rebound mid-air, and dunked it in one motion. It was a putback that left even Suns fans clapping in awe.
The Denver Nuggets were on the receiving end of one of Richardson’s most physical throwdowns. While charging the lane, Richardson split two defenders and dunked over Marcus Camby, one of the league’s elite shot blockers. The contact and follow-through made it unforgettable.
Versus the Utah Jazz, Richardson delivered a two-handed baseline jam over Andrei Kirilenko. Known for his shot-blocking, Kirilenko wasn’t ready for Richardson’s speed. The dunk brought the Warriors bench to their feet, and Kirilenko could only smirk as he picked himself up.
Against the Portland Trail Blazers, Richardson produced one of his most stylish in-game dunks. He soared for a double-pump reverse, twisting in mid-air as if suspended in slow motion. It looked straight out of a Dunk Contest and showed just how graceful he was in motion.
Facing the Los Angeles Clippers, he had a defining moment when he caught a lob from midcourt and finished it with a one-handed spike over a trailing Corey Maggette. The elevation and violence of the dunk became a highlight staple for years.
Against the Sacramento Kings, a rivalry game often filled with energy, Richardson fed off the crowd and delivered a massive windmill slam in transition, shrugging off contact from Doug Christie. It was emotional, loud, and pure adrenaline.
In a clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a young LeBron James got a first-hand look at Richardson’s aerial abilities. Richardson cut backdoor, received a no-look pass, and elevated for a soaring two-handed jam over the rotating Cavaliers frontcourt.
Against the Indiana Pacers, Richardson completed one of his most acrobatic plays. After stealing the ball at half court, he took one dribble and leapt into a spinning, off-balance windmill. The elevation made it look effortless, but the coordination it took was nothing short of elite.
The New Jersey Nets saw Richardson at full throttle during a coast-to-coast drive ending with a one-handed tomahawk over Kenyon Martin. Martin, a physical defender, tried to meet him at the summit but got baptized at the rim. The dunk had power and attitude.
Against the Toronto Raptors, Richardson’s best dunk came on a weak-side cut. He rose high, catching a laser pass mid-air and crammed it with two hands as Chris Bosh turned around too late. It was a textbook example of timing, explosion, and finishing ability.
The Philadelphia 76ers were torched by Richardson when he performed a leaning one-handed slam while floating sideways through the lane. It felt like time paused as he drifted and dunked all in one fluid motion. Defenders could only watch as he dissected the defense in the air.
Versus the Washington Wizards, Richardson’s fast-break tomahawk off the glass from a teammate was jaw-dropping. What made this one stand out was that it was premeditated—they’d practiced it, and Richardson executed with picture-perfect elevation and authority.
In a matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, Richardson delivered a pump-fake, drove middle, and jammed it over a collapsing defense that featured Joel Przybilla. It wasn’t the flashiest, but the raw aggression made it unforgettable for fans.
Against the Charlotte Bobcats, a newer franchise at the time, Richardson lit them up with multiple dunks, but his most iconic was a two-foot, left-handed jam over two defenders. It showed his versatility—he didn’t need a clear path or dominant hand to punish defenses.
Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Richardson caught a long outlet pass and slammed a reverse dunk without looking at the rim. Kevin Garnett clapped in appreciation—an ultimate show of respect from one high-flyer to another.
Facing the Houston Rockets, Richardson sprinted off a screen, caught a bounce pass from Troy Murphy, and elevated for a monstrous poster dunk over Yao Ming. The crowd exploded. Dunking on Yao was rare; doing it that cleanly was unheard of.
In a game versus the New Orleans Hornets, Richardson timed a backdoor cut to perfection and caught a lob that he finished mid-air with a 360 reverse. It was a circus dunk in live action—proof that his dunk contest skillset translated to real games.
Against the Atlanta Hawks, Richardson dazzled with a behind-the-head alley-oop slam, catching the pass mid-air and twisting his body to finish. It was as much about coordination as it was about flight.
The Memphis Grizzlies were on the wrong end of a thunderous one-handed dunk where Richardson took off from nearly the dotted circle. He accelerated like a sprinter and elevated like a rocket. The power of the dunk made it echo through the arena.
And finally, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, still known then as the Seattle SuperSonics, Richardson delivered one of the most balanced, powerful windmill dunks ever seen in transition. He didn’t just fly—he attacked the rim like it had personally wronged him.
Each dunk, each moment, added to Jason Richardson’s legacy as one of the most electrifying dunkers the NBA has ever seen. His time with the Golden State Warriors was defined by these high-flying highlights, each uniquely tailored to the opponent, the moment, and the mood of the game. While stats and records can fade from memory, the visceral reaction of a crowd after a Richardson dunk lives on forever.