OH, HENRY! Ellenson with the tomahawk slam against the Wolves

Henry Ellenson provided a huge spark against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Detroit’s 121-102 win on Wednesday night. But nothing could top Ellenson’s dunk down the lane in the vicinity of four disinterested Wolves defenders.

The opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without a little help from Ellenson’s teammates, some true team ball and a complete lack of effort from Minnesota’s defenders.

First, let’s take a look at the play.

The opportunity was a true team effort as the gravity of Andre Drummond running into the low post draws two Wolves defenders leaving Ellenson free on the perimeter.

Ish Smith, meanwhile, makes sure he sees the whole floor at all times, even as he is being bodied up across the floor. He sees Ellenson making himself available and creating a passing lane.

Meanwhile, a smart Langston Galloway helps clear a path down the lane by drawing two defenders as he cuts into the paint, including a subtle pick on Georgi Dieng. Galloway’s movements mean the Wolves defenders would have to completely change directions.

You then have literally five defenders at or near the paint and Ellenson with a full head of steam. Karl Anthony-Towns is already a step too slow and Galloway has rubbed out two defenders. Tyus Jones, meanwhile, is too far away to do anything. That leaves poor Nemanja Bjelica to try and defend Ellenson.

In the battle of Henry Ellenson at a full sprint and a halfhearted contest by Bjelica, Ellenson wins the battle and the poor dunk suffers for it.

Great job, Henry.