The 2025 Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Saturday Night featured Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung putting on a show and winning the event for a third straight year.
McClung scored a perfect 50 on every single dunk, and it was widely regarded as one of the best dunk contest performances of all time. McClung’s dunks excited several NBA superstars, who hinted they may face off against the three-time champion next year.
Ja Morant, Giannis Antetokounmpo Tease They May Compete In Dunk Contest
While McClung was earning 50 after 50 for his insane dunks, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant was impressed and getting the itch to participate in the slam dunk contest.
While watching the dunk contest, the Grizzlies guard posted on X: “mac might make me decide to dunk.”
Oh? 👀 pic.twitter.com/NupWnDI85n
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 16, 2025
Shortly after, Morant added: “zach & AG wassup.”
Morant is calling out Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, who had one of the best dunk contest battles in NBA history back in 2016.
Morant wasn’t the only one teasing a future dunk contest entry.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo responded to Morant’s post, saying, “If you do it, I’ll do it with you.”
Later, Antetokounmpo added: “I just gotta warm up for 3 weeks prior to the contest.”
If you do it. I’ll do it with you 💯 https://t.co/dsKglTiTca
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 16, 2025
When NBA fans throw out their dream participants in the dunk contest, Morant’s name often comes up. Antetokounmpo’s potential inclusion would also be a ton of fun.
In recent years, fans and media alike have been calling for star players to compete in the dunk contest again, as that used to be the norm when top players such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter participated in the event.
The issue is that no superstar wants to compete against fringe NBA players, so it will likely take multiple stars committing at once to get big-name players in the event. That’s why it’s a huge deal that both Morant and Antetokounmpo are saying they’ll participate. And if they’re both in, it’s possible they’ll actually follow through (and perhaps a third star may agree to join them).
Antetokounmpo is a two-time NBA MVP, Finals MVP, NBA champion, Defensive Player of the Year, nine-time All-Star, and eight-time All-NBA selection. He is known as the Greek Freak due to his 6’11 frame, 7’3 wingspan, and 40-inch vertical leap.
Morant is a two-time NBA All-Star and second-team All-NBA selection, who is one of the league’s top high-flyers. He has a 44-inch vertical leap and a ridiculous highlight reel of in-game dunks. (For reference, McClung has a 43.5-inch vertical leap).
It’s worth noting that other NBA stars have hinted that they may participate in the following year’s Slam Dunk Contest, only to back out once the event gets closer. LeBron James famously did this in 2009 and then ultimately declined the event the next year.
Lebron James, 2009: pic.twitter.com/dkVuYCYkWH
— Denver📈🇵🇸 (@doubledworth) February 15, 2025
As McClung pulled off the three-peat on Saturday night, NBA legend Kenny Smith argued that Carter might have competition for the title of “greatest dunker in slam dunk contest history” and argued that the rest of the league is scared of McClung.
NBA legend Reggie Miller added that McClung is singlehandedly “saving the dunk contest” with his performances.
It remains to be seen if McClung will participate in next year’s event. After winning his third consecutive dunk contest, he was asked if he will be back to defend his crown and he said he wasn’t sure.
If Morant and Antetokounmpo are willing to face off against him, it’s hard to imagine McClung turning down that opportunity — and perhaps NBA All-Star Saturday Night’s marquee event will once again feature a star-studded field.
