Now in his third NBA season, KJ Martin is making a push for consistent starter’s minutes with the Houston Rockets. The 21-year-old is averaging a career-high 11.2 points (51.4% FG) and 5 rebounds in 25.5 minutes, and his elite athleticism and defensive versatility makes him a potential spark plug across the frontcourt.
Just ask Ivica Zubac and Robert Covington of Monday’s opponent at Toyota Center, the Los Angeles Clippers.
Martin threw down a pair of emphatic second-half dunks as Houston attempted to claw back into the game, including a jam directly over Zubac that sent the home crowd and Twitter into a frenzy. The 6-foot-6 forward drew a technical foul for his astonished reaction, but it was a small price to pay to celebrate a career highlight.
Here’s a look at Martin’s highlight dunks, along with the wild reaction from fans across social media after it all went down. Unfortunately for the Rockets, Houston lost, but attendees were at least able to enjoy the impromptu dunk contest.
HOUSTON WE HAVE LIFTOFF!
KENYON MARTIN JR. POWERS IT DOWN
🚀https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/818cjS3SGQ— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2022
🔨 Oh my, KJ Martin! https://t.co/9NHB8vQWoZ pic.twitter.com/UjYk9seo0K
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2022
KJ Martin with another rim rocker!
Clippers/Rockets start of Q4 on the NBA App
🤘 https://t.co/1pomQZN8Pi pic.twitter.com/We0gUuYLeI— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2022
OH MY GOODNESS KJ MARTIN 😮
watch. your. head. pic.twitter.com/OmkFycYqBk
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 15, 2022
KJ Martin just decided he was going to turn into prime LeBron James this half of basketball.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) November 15, 2022
OH MY GOD KJ MARTIN JUST MURDERED ZUBAC
— Paulo Alves (@PauloAlvesNBA) November 15, 2022
KJ MARTIN JUST PUT IVICA ZUBAC ON A POSTER
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 15, 2022
Get KJ Martin in the dunk contest
— Ross Villarreal (@SportsRV) November 15, 2022
There might be a warrant out for KJ Martin after that dunk.
— J. Dubb (@TheMindOfJDubb) November 15, 2022
Start. KJ. Martin.
— Rob Kimbell (@RobKSports) November 15, 2022
Pretty good idea for the Rockets to run the "KJ Martin throws down a brutal left-hand hammer dunk" play the last couple of times down.
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) November 15, 2022
KJ MARTIN JUST CAUGHT A BODY
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 15, 2022
KJ MARTIN DUNKING MACHINE TAKEOVER! #Rockets
— Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) November 15, 2022
KJ Martin wtf bro that man has a family 😩
— Top 4 Pick (@Top4pick) November 15, 2022
