The Charlotte Hornets opened their season in style with an exciting win Wednesday, highlighted by point guard Kemba Walker's brilliant step-back jumper to seal the game in overtime. It was as clutch a shot as a player can make, and probably would've been even more impressive if Walker hadn't done this kind of thing before.
Kemba Walker’s step-back jumper makes yet another clutch appearance
The Hornets’ Kemba Walker hit an incredible step-back, game-winning jumper against Milwaukee on Thursday. It’s far from the first time he’s done this sort of thing.
Streeter Lecka
For the Hornets’ fourth-year guard, clutch step-back jumpers have become a defining aspect of his game. While the opportunities to whip out such a move are few and far between, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a huge game culminate with the speedy Walker using his little hesitation move to free up space and drain the deciding shot.
On Wednesday, after nailing a game-tying three in the final seconds of regulation to force OT against the Bucks, Walker did this to put the game away in extra time:
After the game, Walker brushed off the pressure that comes with those shots. “I live for those situations,” the guard told the Charlotte Observer. “I’ve been doing that sort of thing all my life.”
And indeed, he has. Stretching back to the Walker’s days as a star at UConn, the 24-year-old has a history of stepping up when the scoreboard demands it. Who could forget the 2011 Big East Championship Game, when Walker waited until the final seconds to stun No. 3 Pittsburgh with one of his patented step backs?
That came just months after Walker did this to Texas on Jan. 8, 2011, hitting an insane three-pointer before swishing the game-winner as time expired:
He's done this in the NBA before, too. Here's Walker nailing a game-winning jumper against the Timberwolves in Nov. 2012:
At 24 years old, Walker already has a series of game-winning highlights as breathtaking as most players in the league. If you’re facing Charlotte in the waning moments of a close game, it’s pretty easy to see who the team’s first option is and how he plans on sealing the deal.
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