Brandon Ingram detonates monster dunk over Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner during Raptors win [VIDEO]

Brandon Ingram threw down one of the nastiest dunks of the NBA season — a poster jam over Charlotte’s 7’1″ Ryan Kalkbrenner — as the Toronto Raptors edged the Hornets 110-108 in Toronto.

Brandon Ingram gave Toronto fans a highlight to remember during the Raptors’ 110-108 win over the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena. Late in the fourth quarter, with Toronto holding a slim lead, Ingram exploded past his defender and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk over Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner, sending the crowd — and social media — into an uproar.

The play came with 6:46 remaining and the score at 96–92. It was the exclamation mark on a game that symbolized Ingram’s resurgence since joining the Raptors earlier this year. Fans and analysts quickly dubbed it the “Notorious BI3” dunk. That was a nod to both his initials and The Notorious B.I.G. However, it’s fitting for a player reclaiming star status north of the border.

Background on Ingram’s Move to Toronto

Ingram’s highlight moment comes less than a year after a pivotal trade reshaped his career. On February 6, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans traded him to Toronto in exchange for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and a 2026 first-round pick. At the time, the deal raised eyebrows. Ingram was entering contract negotiations. So, his value seemed uncertain after an inconsistent stint alongside Zion Williamson.

Toronto saw an opportunity. The Raptors needed a proven scorer to complement Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. So, Ingram’s combination of length, shooting, and playmaking made him an ideal fit.

Since the trade, he’s thrived — averaging over 24 points per game and signing a 3-year, $120 million extension to solidify his role as the franchise’s offensive anchor. Fans and pundits alike have praised Toronto’s front office for making what’s now seen as one of the smartest trades of last season.

The Game: Raptors Edge Hornets in Thriller

The dunk came during a tight, high-scoring battle between two rebuilding Eastern Conference teams. Toronto led after every quarter but never by more than six points. The Hornets fought back behind Miles Bridges (22 points), rookie Kon Knueppel (24 points), and LaMelo Ball (20 points, 8 assists).

Ingram carried Toronto offensively with 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting, adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He was joined by Scottie Barnes (16 points, 6 assists) and Immanuel Quickley (15 points, 10 rebounds) in holding off a late Charlotte surge.

The Raptors shot 50% from the field, including 40% from three, while the Hornets struggled at just 42.5% overall. Despite Charlotte’s rebounding edge (48–43), Toronto’s efficiency and Ingram’s late heroics proved decisive.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Raptors improved to 9–5, while Charlotte dropped to 4–10.

The Dunk: “Notorious BI3” Takes Flight

The clip — originally posted by Bleacher Report and reshared by fans across X — captures the full violence of the moment. Ingram receives the ball on the right wing, fakes baseline, and drives hard toward the rim.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7’1″ rookie out of Creighton, rotates over to protect the paint. But before he can elevate fully, Ingram cocks the ball back and detonates with a right-handed slam that sends the Raptors bench into chaos.

The dunk extended Toronto’s lead to 98–92 and lit up Scotiabank Arena. Scottie Barnes was caught on camera screaming “OMGGGG!” as the crowd erupted. Meanwhile, Gradey Dick and Sandro Mamukelashvili jumped off the bench in disbelief.

Slow-motion replays highlight Ingram’s athleticism — he soars chest-to-chest over Kalkbrenner, finishes clean, then lands with a subtle flex and stare-down. Within minutes, the clip spread across social media with captions like “He just baptized that rookie” and “Welcome to the league, Kalkbrenner.”

Ingram’s Statement Game and Career Resurgence

For Ingram, the dunk wasn’t just another highlight — it was a statement. After years of being overshadowed in New Orleans by injuries and Zion Williamson’s star power, he’s found a system in Toronto that maximizes his skill set.

Analysts have pointed to improved floor spacing and the Raptors’ motion-heavy offense as keys to his resurgence. He’s scoring efficiently, defending harder, and reasserting himself as one of the NBA’s most polished mid-range threats.

Post-trade metrics show his usage rate slightly down but his true shooting percentage up — a sign he’s thriving within structure rather than forcing isolation plays. The chemistry with Barnes and Barrett has drawn comparisons to the winning Raptors cores that featured Kawhi Leonard, though Ingram’s style leans more finesse than brute force.

As one fan wrote under the clip: “Bro escaped Zion and instantly became an all-star again.”

Fan Reactions: “Notorious BI3” Takes Over X

By the next morning, the highlight had racked up more than 24,000 likes and 2,400 reposts on X, sparking a flood of creative commentary.

Nicknames and Hype:

• “Notorious BI3” — coined by @goyagotit — became the dominant tagline, with fans calling it “the hardest nickname in basketball right now.”
• “Vince Carter reincarnated in black and red.”
• “That man jumped out the gym — BI3 different!”

Rookie Roast Sessions:

• “Ryan Kalkbrenner just got baptized. Welcome to the NBA, big fella.”
• “He gonna see that dunk every time he closes his eyes tonight.”
• “All he had to do was let him have it. Now he’s on posters forever.”

Ingram’s Redemption:

• “Pelicans held him back OVERLY.”
• “This man been waiting five years to remind people who he is.”
• “Toronto got themselves a closer again.”

Even Raptors fans at the arena joined in on the humor, sharing shaky videos from the stands with captions like “It felt like the building shook.”

The Broader Narrative: A Dunk That Symbolizes More

Beyond the viral highlight, the moment underscores Ingram’s new chapter in Toronto — one defined by freedom, chemistry, and purpose. The dunk represented more than athletic dominance; it was symbolic of a player reclaiming control of his career.

Toronto’s young core — Ingram, Barnes, Barrett, and Quickley — has blended youth with star experience, giving the team a foundation reminiscent of the 2019 title era. Ingram’s leadership, both vocally and through plays like this, has brought swagger back to a franchise that’s been searching for it since Kawhi Leonard’s departure.

Fans have begun calling him “the bridge between eras” — the veteran who connects the grit of the old Raptors with the promise of the new.

Conclusion

Brandon Ingram’s poster over Ryan Kalkbrenner wasn’t just another highlight — it was a declaration. The dunk embodied confidence, explosiveness, and momentum for a team that’s quietly reemerging as an Eastern Conference threat.

From the trade drama in New Orleans to the roar of Scotiabank Arena, Ingram’s transformation has been both poetic and powerful.

As one fan perfectly summarized the moment online: “That’s not Brandon Ingram anymore — that’s the Notorious BI3.”