The 2024-25 NBA season has already delivered its fair share of jaw-dropping highlights, but perhaps nothing captures the artistry of the modern game quite like the jelly finish. What was once considered a flashy, almost playground-style move has now cemented itself as a legitimate skill in the repertoire of the league’s most creative guards and wings. The jelly—essentially a finger-roll layup with added finesse, spin, or hang-time manipulation—has become the perfect blend of style and substance. Fans can’t get enough, and this season has already given us some unforgettable moments where the jelly stole the spotlight.

One of the earliest highlights of the season came courtesy of Ja Morant, who continues to reinvent the way fans think about body control in the air. In a game against the Warriors in late October, Morant drove hard down the left lane, absorbing contact mid-air from two defenders, then spun his body away from the rim. Just as it seemed like the ball was slipping away, he flicked his wrist into a reverse jelly with a soft kiss off the glass. What made the move so remarkable wasn’t just the finish, but the audacity to attempt such a move in traffic against an elite defensive unit. It was a reminder that Morant doesn’t just play above the rim with dunks—he floats, contorts, and spins in ways that few others dare.

Of course, Kyrie Irving remains the undisputed master of the jelly. Though he’s been dazzling crowds for over a decade, he continues to expand the craft. A November matchup against the Nuggets showcased why many consider him the greatest layup artist in basketball history. In the third quarter, Irving attacked Nikola Jokić on a switch, drove baseline, and executed a hanging, high-arching jelly that kissed the top of the backboard before falling in. Even the Denver crowd gasped. The sheer creativity, combined with the precision to manipulate spin so effectively, turned a basic two points into something almost poetic. Irving’s finishes often feel more like works of art than mere scoring attempts, and his mastery of the jelly is a reminder that the move is not just about flair—it’s about problem-solving under pressure.

Rising stars are also putting their stamp on the jelly trend. Jalen Green, entering his fourth season with Houston, has matured into a player who combines explosive athleticism with a growing understanding of finesse. Against the Clippers, he delivered one of the season’s most viral jellies when he drove past Paul George, hung in the air as Ivica Zubac came over to contest, and used an underhand jelly that spun off the backboard at an impossible angle. Social media exploded after the highlight, with fans praising how Green balanced control and audacity. For a player who was once criticized for being all speed and no craft, this kind of finish proves he’s evolving into a complete scorer.

The jelly isn’t limited to guards, though. Wings and even forwards have started incorporating the move into their arsenal. Anthony Edwards, who thrives on ferocious dunks, has also shown he can switch gears with delicate finishes. In a December showdown with the Lakers, Edwards drove hard, leapt as if to throw down a poster, but at the last second, as Anthony Davis rotated, Edwards adjusted mid-air into a right-handed jelly off the glass. The move not only avoided the block but highlighted Edwards’ growth as a scorer who can pick and choose between brute force and finesse. It’s these kinds of plays that make him one of the most electrifying young stars in the league.

LaMelo Ball, another player known for his flair, has also made the jelly a personal signature. His long strides and lanky frame allow him to stretch around defenders, and his ability to put English on the ball is elite. A game against the Heat saw him glide into the lane, switch hands mid-air, and flip a jelly so softly that it seemed to defy physics. What separates LaMelo’s jellies from others is the way he uses them in transition. Instead of always looking for the flashy lob to a teammate, he often keeps it himself and converts with a stylish finish. In a league that thrives on pace, Ball’s improvisation in full speed adds a layer of unpredictability that defenders struggle to contain.

Rookies have also joined the jelly movement, with Stephon Castle of the Spurs providing one of the most talked-about highlights of January. In a game where Victor Wembanyama was drawing most of the defensive attention, Castle attacked the weak side, slithered into the paint, and spun into a left-handed jelly over two defenders. The confidence to attempt such a finish so early in his career not only showcased his natural creativity but also hinted that the jelly isn’t going anywhere anytime soon—it’s part of the next generation’s DNA.

Even veterans known more for fundamentals than flash have embraced the move. DeMar DeRozan, who built his reputation on mid-range mastery, surprised fans with a gorgeous jelly against the Knicks. Driving into a crowded lane, he used his off-hand to spin the ball gently against the glass. While DeRozan isn’t typically associated with acrobatic finishes, the move underscored how even seasoned players can pull from the expanding toolbox of modern finishing techniques. The jelly, once confined to highlight reels, has truly gone mainstream.

What makes the jelly so captivating is the sense of unpredictability. Unlike a dunk or a straightforward layup, a jelly invites creativity, adjustment, and artistry. It’s often a reactionary move, born out of mid-air problem-solving. When a defender cuts off the expected angle, or when contact throws a player off balance, the jelly provides a solution that transforms chaos into elegance. And in an era where every game is clipped, posted, and dissected online, the jelly fits perfectly into the highlight culture that defines modern basketball fandom.

Beyond the aesthetic, the jelly is also practical. Advanced rim protectors like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Rudy Gobert have forced offensive players to develop new ways to finish inside. A traditional layup is too predictable, a dunk too risky, but a jelly—where the release point, spin, and trajectory are altered—can sneak past even the best shot blockers. The move isn’t just flair for flair’s sake; it’s an adaptive weapon against modern defenses. As the league continues to evolve, with defenses rotating quicker and contests getting sharper, the jelly’s value as both an artistic statement and a tactical tool grows.

As the 2024-25 season rolls on, fans can expect even more jaw-dropping jelly finishes. What began as a streetball flourish has become an integral part of NBA scoring culture. From Ja Morant’s fearless creativity to Kyrie Irving’s timeless artistry, from rising stars like Jalen Green to newcomers like Stephon Castle, the jelly is thriving across generations. It represents the very best of basketball: improvisation, flair, and the ability to turn a split-second challenge into a highlight that lives forever.

When the season concludes and fans look back at the best moments, dunks and game-winners will naturally take center stage. But tucked among those highlights will be a collection of jelly finishes—each a small masterpiece that reminds us why basketball is as much an art form as it is a sport.