Watch Vince Carter Go from Apparent Injury to Huge Dunk vs. Warriors

Depending on the situation, a feigned injury can bring drastically different outcomes for NBA players.

If the "injury" is a ploy for an extra night off, the action can be deemed worthy of a fine. (Just ask Gilbert Arenas.)

During the course of a game, though, an Academy Award-caliber performance can provide enough of a defensive lapse to open driving (and dunking) lanes.

In the waning moments of the first half of the Golden State Warriors-Dallas Mavericks game, a laboring Vince Carter appeared on the verge of calling a timeout, with a possible locker room exit in his near future.

Once Harrison Barnes bought the act, Carter crept along the baseline, caught Elton Brand's offering and delivered a vintage Carter throwdown.

It was truly a sight to behold:

"

Vince Carter was just in the corner acting like he couldn't stand up because of his ankle, then throws down a 2-hand dunk at the buzzer

— Marcus Thompson (@gswscribe) February 1, 2013"

Was this just some crafty gamesmanship from a seasoned veteran? Or could there have been a higher power calling the shots:

"

Was that carter fake injury dunk a designed play by Carlisle? Wow

— Chris Ballard (@SI_ChrisBallard) February 1, 2013"

The 36-year-old sauntered up the court with his trademark revving the motorcycle celebration. But not everyone was convinced that his motor has a lot of life left in it:

"

Vince is doing the motorcycle, but at that age, I just figure it's a hoveround.

— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) February 1, 2013"

The flush gave Carter nine points for the first half, but his Mavericks entered intermission trailing the Warriors 55-53.