How to Use jump ball in a Sentence

jump ball

noun
Definition of jump ballnext
  • We’ve just got to find ways to get better on jump balls.
    — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, 5 Oct. 2019
  • On the rebound of Love’s post miss, the Cavs forced a jump ball.
    — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 6 Nov. 2019
  • Officials overturned the call and the game came down to a jump ball at midcourt.
    — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 31 Oct. 2019
  • Because neither team had possession at the time of the call, there was a jump ball at midcourt to decide the end of the game.
    — Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 27 Oct. 2019
  • On the next possession, Davis swallowed up a Betts layup attempt for a jump ball, roaring and flexing to her bench in glee.
    — Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024
  • Even for the team huddle before the jump ball, Izzo spoke to his team and encouraged Winston, even with tear still welling in his eyes.
    — Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 10 Nov. 2019
  • His ability to win jump balls and give Baker Mayfield a big, athletic target will upgrade what the Browns can do near the goal line.
    — Dan Labbe, cleveland, 13 Nov. 2019
  • The signal for a challenge must be made prior to the ball being given to a free-throw shooter, the ball being given to a player inbounding or a referee tossing a jump ball.
    — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, 7 Oct. 2019
  • Marcus Smart strongly suggested Cauley-Stein would tip the jump ball backwards, telling Tatum to anticipate the pass.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 17 Nov. 2019
  • Popovich was successful at the 5:12 mark, getting the officials to change a foul against Rudy Gay into a jump ball with Griffin.
    — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, 1 Dec. 2019
  • The Colts forced him into a plethora of bad throws, including a jump ball that rookie Rock Ya-Sin came down with for the first interception of his young career.
    — Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, 17 Nov. 2019
  • Auburn won the jump ball, and McCormick hit the third three of the night.
    — Giana Han, al, 6 Dec. 2019
  • The Bucks star then knocked the ball away from Butler and forced a jump ball.
    — Ben Steele, USA TODAY, 22 May 2021
  • What was once his race to lose now looks more like a jump ball.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 15 Oct. 2021
  • The Fever were able to come down with the final rebound before the Sky reached in to draw the jump ball.
    — Gabby Hajduk, The Indianapolis Star, 19 June 2022
  • Those are tough numbers for a big body that should win jump balls.
    — cleveland, 16 Apr. 2020
  • Because, of course, the joke was, none of those drivers were tall enough to snag a jump ball.
    — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, 20 May 2021
  • As the teams fought for ball, officials called a jump ball.
    — Brett Dawson, The Courier-Journal, 4 Feb. 2022
  • That led to a jump ball with 4 minutes and 49 seconds left.
    — Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2022
  • There were jump balls caused by the Mustangs that went in Friendswood’s favor.
    — Robert Avery, Houston Chronicle, 11 Jan. 2020
  • Then, Bogdanovic jumped on Leonard for the jump ball — which Bogdanovic won.
    — Andy Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 June 2021
  • Phoenix won the jump ball and Paul hit a jumper to send the Suns to the victory after blowing a 16-point lead.
    — Chronicle News Services, SFChronicle.com, 1 Jan. 2021
  • Cleveland's Jarrett Allen tapped the opening jump ball right to Hield, who turned and made a 3.
    — Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Dec. 2022
  • With 6 seconds remaining in a one-point game, the two teams were sent to mid-court for a jump ball.
    — Journal Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
  • Robles missed a short jumper with five seconds left, but a jump ball on the rebound gave the ball back to Ridge.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2024
  • On first-and-20 from the Minnesota 29, Rivers threw Alie-Cox a jump ball on a corner route.
    — Akeem Glaspie, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Sep. 2020
  • But on third-and-6, Jackson threw an end-zone jump ball off his back foot to Andrews.
    — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 5 Dec. 2021
  • His choppy footwork makes this five-step drop look like a four-step jump ball.
    — Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2020
  • Even though the Spurs had gathered possession, the result was a jump ball.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 1 May 2021
  • Both fought hard for possession, which resulted in the referees pointing both thumbs up to signal a jump ball.
    — Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jump ball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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