How did the Rays’ “we both wish we could dunk” victory celebration start? Palacios and Walls say it was all a Knicks-inspired idea

Tampa Bay’s middle-infield duo has turned a basketball nod into a post-win ritual this October, and the genesis traces back to Richie Palacios pitching the concept to Taylor Walls.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The central question behind Tampa Bay’s high-flying postgame celebration is simple: where did it come from? In a team interview published by, Rays second baseman Richie Palacios said he and shortstop Taylor Walls have been inspired by basketball, and that Palacios proposed the dunk-inspired routine that the two now run after wins.

The inspiration starts with Palacios, a Brooklyn native, who has drawn inspiration from the New York Knicks’ championship run this season. ’s account ties the Rays’ celebration directly to that fan connection, noting the Knicks’ breakthrough ended a long title drought that ran back decades, with Tampa Bay’s own MLB history still new when Palacios was a child.

As for the specific celebration itself, describes a repeatable on-field moment for the Rays: the two players line up with gloves in hand, run toward each other, leap to create a dunk-like finish, and then high-five as they come down. Palacios and Walls both acknowledged that “dunking” is obviously not literal for their smaller frames, with the humor and improvisation becoming part of the point.

The routine has also become a visible feature of Tampa Bay’s October identity. reports it has shown up whenever the Rays win during their World Series run, which the team is entering after their first Fall Classic appearance since 2020.

also frames why the celebration matters beyond entertainment, connecting it to the middle infield bond between Palacios and Walls. Their shared approach to communication and energy, and Walls’ intensity in everything he does, are presented as part of the reason the two-hit routine has stuck as a team ritual during a stretch when the Rays have relied heavily on infield defense and two-out, contact-oriented baseball.

Asked for the origin of the moment, Walls is reported to have described the exchange plainly: Palacios brought the idea first, and Walls agreed to it. The dunk-themed celebration, in other words, became their own version of a Knicks-style “faith and confidence” beat, translated into baseball footwear and choreography.

Why It Matters

It shows how the Rays have packaged on-field chemistry into a repeatable, team-wide moment, not just a one-off celebration.
The dunk nod links a baseball playoff run to a broader sports fandom, helping explain why the ritual has emotional staying power.
Because the routine centers on the middle infield, it underlines the role of Palacios and Walls as leadership indicates during high-leverage games.

Sources

Key Facts

Richie Palacios proposed the dunk-inspired post-win celebration to Taylor Walls, according to an interview.
Palacios described drawing inspiration from basketball, including his New York Knicks fandom tied to their championship run.
describes the routine as a coordinated leap and between-the-legs, dunk-like move followed by high-fives while gloves are still in hand.
The celebration is presented as a recurring Rays ritual during their postseason, including their World Series run.
characterizes Palacios and Walls as key middle-infield figures whose energy and communication help sustain Tampa Bay’s overall style.