Keshad Johnson Wins Slam Dunk Contest, But Mac McClung's Absence Looms Large
The Slam Dunk Contest has long been the crown jewel of NBA All-Star Saturday night. But this year, in a midday twist that left fans scratching their heads, the event took place in the afternoon-and without its reigning king.
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson took home the title, delivering enough high-flying theatrics to earn the win. But even as he celebrated, a question hung in the air: where was Mac McClung?
McClung, who’s claimed the last three Slam Dunk Contest trophies, wasn’t part of this year’s field-despite being on the Chicago Bulls roster for the past couple of weeks. Given his recent NBA affiliation and his dominance in the event, many expected him to defend his title. Instead, fans were left wondering what could’ve been.
And McClung didn’t shy away from the moment. In a recent video shared on YouTube, he showcased the dunks he had prepared-dunks that, frankly, looked like they could’ve kept his streak alive.
The bounce, the creativity, the flair-it’s all still there. But this year, it stayed off the All-Star stage.
In his absence, the contest featured a mix of names that brought effort, but not necessarily electricity. Johnson, along with Jace Richardson, Jaxson Hayes, and Carter Bryant, delivered a slate of dunks that had moments of intrigue but lacked the viral punch fans have come to expect from the event. The crowd in Los Angeles reacted with polite applause more than stunned awe.
This year’s contest adds fuel to a conversation that’s been gaining steam in recent seasons: has the Slam Dunk Contest lost its edge? Once a must-watch spectacle featuring the league’s brightest stars, the event has seen a steady decline in participation from marquee names. The absence of star power has left fans yearning for the days when legends like Vince Carter, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon turned the contest into a cultural moment.
Jaylen Brown tried to buck that trend a couple of years ago by stepping into the spotlight, and while his effort was appreciated, it wasn’t enough to reverse the perception that the dunk contest has become more of a novelty than a showcase.
And that concern extends beyond just the dunk contest. The entire All-Star weekend has been under the microscope, with criticism mounting over the lack of competitive fire.
Sunday’s All-Star Game is set to tip off at 5:00 p.m. ET from Los Angeles, and the league is hoping for more than just a glorified shootaround.
Fans want to see effort, pride, and a little bit of that old-school edge that once defined the midseason classic.
Whether that happens remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the absence of Mac McClung from the dunk contest left a noticeable void. And while Keshad Johnson now holds the crown, the throne still feels like it belongs to someone else.