In a dazzling display of aerial prowess, Osceola Magic G League guard Mac McClung retained his Slam Dunk Contest crown with a memorable dunk over basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal during the final round. The dunk contest, a highlight of All-Star Saturday night, saw McClung secure his title in a dramatic finish.
For his climactic dunk, McClung brought a special touch to the court. He invited Shaq and presented him with a custom Gate City High School jersey, which is McClung’s own high school in southwest Virginia, complete with McClung’s name on it. This gesture added a personal and nostalgic element to the contest.
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With Shaq wearing the jersey, McClung positioned the towering Hall of Fame center right under the basket. In a breathtaking moment, he soared over Shaq to execute a flawless dunk, earning a perfect score of 50 from the judges. This score decisively clinched his victory over Boston Celtics’ star Jaylen Brown, as McClung only needed a 49.1 to win.
When asked by TNT’s Allie LaForce about the possibility of returning for a third consecutive title next year, McClung remained non-committal but open to the idea, saying, “never say never.”
The night was filled with other exciting moments, including a Skills Competition victory by Indiana Pacers’ own Tyrese Haliburton, Benedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner, who brought glory to their home crowd. Additionally, Milwaukee Bucks’ star Damian Lillard captured the Three-Point Contest title, showcasing his renowned shooting skills. The evening also featured a thrilling head-to-head Three-Point Contest, with Golden State Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry triumphing over New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu in a display of sharpshooting mastery.
All-Star Saturday night, thus, concluded with a spectacle of skill and excitement, leaving fans with memorable moments and looking forward to more in the future.
