McClung's Dazzling Dunk Contest Three-Peat Steals the Show
Mac McClung achieved a remarkable feat with three flawless 50-point dunks, claiming a record-breaking third straight NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest victory on Saturday night in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro and Team Cavs celebrated triumphs in the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge.
Among his arsenal for the show-stopping night were unique props: a car, a ladder, a hoverboard, and even Evan Mobley.
McClung wowed the audience by incorporating various props during his extraordinary run to become the first-ever three-time victor in the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night (15 February) in San Francisco.
From the onset, McClung was unstoppable. He captured attention by leaping over a car and executing a stunning reverse dunk,
The ecstatic cheers from fans at the Chase Center fueled McClung’s creativity for his second dunk, which featured an intricate double-ball maneuver with two helpers—one on a hoverboard, the other atop a ladder.
Though McClung’s final competitor, San Antonio rookie Stephon Castle, delivered an athletic performance—earning a perfect score with his last dunk—nothing could derail McClung’s trajectory toward victory.
Ultimately, McClung soared over the towering 6-foot-11 Cavaliers center, Evan Mobley, concluding with a dazzling two-handed slam, solidifying his dominance in the contest.
McClung revealed his strategy of leading with the best dunk to win over the crowd, though he admitted some anxiety about his first leap over the car, which had been specially driven into the arena.
“Just go in, ball,” McClung thought nervously before his first takeoff. “And don’t let me crash into the car.”
“However, I have faith in our preparations,” he added. “These aren’t random dunks; we’ve been perfecting them for about eight or nine months.”
With this third consecutive win, McClung became the first player to achieve back-to-back-to-back victories and the second player overall to win the esteemed event three times, alongside Nate Robinson’s wins in 2006, 2009, and 2010.
When asked about being considered one of the greatest dunkers of all time, McClung humbly declined to claim such a title but expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to participate.
Tyler Herro emerged victorious in the 3-Point Contest, while Wemby and CP3 were disqualified from the Skills Challenge.
Although McClung savored his three-peat, Oakland’s Damian Lillard missed the chance for a similar triumph as Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro clinched the 3-Point Contest victory.