Naji Marshall
Naji Marshall (Photo by X/@BleacherReport)

It takes guts to go against LeBron James. And when you’re 6’6”, it’s absurd to troll someone who’s 6’9”. But Naji Marshall does not think so. The Dallas Mavericks forward seemed undeterred during the latest matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

During the second quarter, Marshall found himself matched up against LeBron and seized the moment with a smooth jumper over the superstar. What made the play even more memorable was Marshall’s response after scoring; he ran back up the court while giving LeBron the “too small” gesture.

Marshall’s taunt seemed to reflect the energy he brings to the Mavericks. The team sought him out during the offseason, specifically for moments like these. However, he’s known for his versatile play and solid defense against top-tier players. Even though he didn’t have a stellar scoring game, that one shot over LeBron became a highlight of the night.

At the end of the first half, the Mavericks were trailing 59-51, but Marshall’s gesture added some spark to an emotionally charged game. With Luka Doncic on the opposing team, the Mavericks faced a tough challenge against the Lakers. However, Marshall stepped up to prove that the team could still compete fiercely, even without their star. He scored a total of nine points, five rebounds, and three assists in his 24 minutes of play.

Naji Marshall Had A Disastrous Game During Warriors Loss

While Naji Marshall remained confident with his bold gesture against LeBron, his stats are not backing him up. Before having a low scoring game against the Lakers, he had faced a challenging night during the loss against Golden State Warriors.

 

During the game, Marshall contributed nine points, but his shooting was far from efficient, going just 3-for-8 from the field and hitting only one of four three-point attempts. On top of that, he added five rebounds and two assists, but those numbers were overshadowed by his poor shooting and defensive struggles. The Warriors dominated the game, leaving little room for any Mavericks player to thrive.