INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The NBA All-Star Saturday Night in Indianapolis featured some familiar winners in the main contests. Mac McClung, a G League player known for his stunning dunk contest win last year, once again stole the show by beating Jaylen Brown and jumping over Shaquille O’Neal in the final round for a perfect score. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard clinched his second consecutive victory in the 3-point contest, hitting the last moneyball on his final rack to edge out Trae Young.
The 25-year-old McClung, who has only played a total of four NBA games, won the contest by showcasing his athletic prowess with an array of impressive dunks. He also delighted the crowd by leaping over two people for a dunk and dropping the ball while soaring to the rim before re-catching it and slamming it for another. His performance earned him a perfect score, cementing his status as a fan favorite in the dunk contest.
Although the two current NBA players, Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jaylen Brown, did not fare as well in the dunk contest, they still gave impressive performances. Brown, in particular, put “pressure” on McClung with his final dunk by executing a challenging move that impressed the crowd.
In the 3-point contest, Lillard joined a select group of players by becoming the first back-to-back champion since 2008. His clutch performance in the finals, especially hitting the last shot to secure the win, solidified his reputation as one of the premier shooters in the league.
Amidst the intense competition, a history shootaround featuring Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu took place, with Curry emerging victorious. The event was held on a brand new LED glass court, adding an extra element of excitement to the already thrilling All-Star Saturday night.
Overall, the annual event showcased the incredible talent and competitive spirit of the NBA’s top stars and rising talents, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next exciting chapter in the league’s history.