Orlando Magic’s two-way star Mac McClung’s historic 2025 Slam Dunk contest had a thunderous impact on two NBA superstars.
There is no hiding the fact that the NBA Slam Dunk contest has lost its flair over the years. It has gone from one of the biggest events during the All-Star break to fans hardly talking about it.
But if there’s one athlete who is giving it his 100% to keep the competition relevant, it’s none other than Orlando Magic’s two-way star Mac McClung.
McClung recently became the first player in NBA history to win three Slam Dunk contests in a row.
The NBA community’s biggest complaint has been the lack of real All-Stars competing in the Slam Dunk contest.
After all, there was a time when the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant booted up for the event. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown raised his voice against this trend last season, but it fell on deaf ears.
However, with McClunga’s historic third straight Slam Dunk contest win, Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has hinted about participating in the event.
“Mac might make me decide to dunk,” Morant tweeted on X.
But that’s not all, as Milwaukee Bucks star and 2x NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo also promised to participate next year if Morant does.
“If you do it. I’ll do it with you,” Antetokounmpo responded.
Morant and Antetokounmpo are two of the best in-game dunkers present in the NBA right now. If they take part in the iconic competition, it is bound to attract attention from fans around the globe.
So, it feels like 26-year-old McClunga’s 2025 Slam Dunk performance has saved the event.
As expected, Morant and Antetokounmpo’s tweets went viral. The Magic’s two-way star talked about what it means for him to see two of the league’s best players get motivated by his performance.
“I’m flattered. Those guys are so fun to watch. Ja, I love watching him. I think he’s incredible. He’d be awesome in the Dunk Contest. I’d love to see that,” McClung said.
Upon being asked if he’ll be back for the competition, he added: “As far as me, I was probably thinking about hanging it up after this one, but I don’t know. I never want to say never.”
Imagine a Slam Dunk contest between McClung, Morant, and Antetokounmpo. Tickets for the event will be sold as soon as they become available.
While McClung was the winner, San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle wasn’t far away from ruining the Magic star’s three-peat dreams.
Keeping that in mind, franchise legend Manu Ginobili tweeted in favor of Castle.
“I’m probably biased and I admit that McClung is amazing but … Steph [Stephon Castle] deserved the win IMHO. Do you guys agree? Let me know,” the 4x NBA champ tweeted on X.
To be honest, Castle lost the competition by a margin of 0.4 as his final score was 99.6 as compared to McClung’s 100.
On any other day, Castle might have walked away as the winner, but McClung’s rim tap during his final dunk sealed the victory for him.
