The NBA All-Star weekend took off on Saturday, Feb. 15, with Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung hunting for a three-peat in the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. In his first attempt in this year’s dunk contest, McClung didn’t disappoint. The 2024 G League MVP rocked the Chase Center with a tribute dunk to Blake Griffin, jumping over a car.
In 2023, McClung appeared in the competition for the first time, representing the Philadelphia 76ers. When he was added as a participant, McClung was set to become the first G League player to compete, as he wore his Delaware Blue Coats jersey.
For years, the dunk contest was the most anticipated All-Star weekend event. Sadly, those days are gone. Stars abandoned the dunk contest years ago, fleeing the competition. But this year’s field was headlined by McClung, the two-time defending champion who has played precisely five NBA minutes this season.
Did McClung’s performance save the dunk contest?
Mac McClung Rocked the Chase Center in the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest
In this year’s contest, McClung competed against Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis, San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, and Milwaukee Bucks veteran Andre Jackson Jr. He set the tone in the first round with an electrifying dunk over a parked car.
Players' reaction after Mac McClung's first attempt 🤯🤯🤯
— JAXX (@mhmdd1028) February 16, 2025
NBA fans are calling McClung’s dunk one of the top in the history of the slam dunk contest. Also, former NBA player and broadcaster Kenny Smith said that McClung might be challenging Vince Carter for the title of “greatest dunker” in dunk contest history.
It’s hard to top Carter, who put on a show 25 years ago today and punctuated his slam dunk victory by hanging from the rim by his elbow. However, the fact that McClung is even being mentioned in the same breath as the NBA legend is telling.
King Mac 👑pic.twitter.com/Sbp3EF87kd
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 16, 2025
Hall of Famer Reggie Miller shouted out McClung and said he “single-handedly saved the contest.”
Current NBA stars, like Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, praised McClung and his dunking skills. Morant even said that McClung may make him enter next year’s slam dunk contest.
Oh? 👀 pic.twitter.com/NupWnDI85n
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 16, 2025
McClung left Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in disbelief and speechless as he watched courtside.
New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns was stunned as well.
"What? Ay yo"
–– KAT on Mac McClung's 2nd dunk pic.twitter.com/u6GCoZ9u8Z
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 16, 2025
“I hope Mac McClung holds the NBA hostage and gets a fat bag for putting the whole dunk contest on his back every year,” KFC of Barstool Sports posted.
“The rest of these guys missing dunks & putting up trash, meanwhile Mac over the Kia is one of the best dunks ever.”
I hope Mac McClung holds the NBA hostage and gets a fat bag for putting the whole dunk contest on his back every year. The rest of these guys missing dunks & putting up trash, meanwhile Mac over the Kia is one of the best dunks ever. pic.twitter.com/xtZUYMHmp1
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) February 16, 2025
According to FanDuel, McClung was favored to take home the hardware for the third time in his career, and it clearly showed based on his performance.
The 6’2″ guard from Texas Tech and Georgetown had the NBA world buzzing. McClung is on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic and Osceola Magic. He has played 15 games in the G League this season, averaging 24.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
