Mac McClung Skips the Dunk Contest, Still Steals the Show with Unreal Highlights
All-Star Weekend brought its usual flair-celebrity sightings, highlight-reel moments, and of course, the Slam Dunk Contest. But this year, something was missing. Or rather, someone.
Three-time champion Mac McClung, the man who’s turned the dunk contest into his personal stage, opted not to compete this time around. And while the official winner was Keshad Johnson, who edged out Carter Bryant in a solid final, McClung’s absence left a noticeable void in the night’s energy.
According to reports, several NBA players were hesitant to enter the contest if McClung was involved-an acknowledgment, perhaps, of just how dominant he’s been. By sitting this one out, McClung gave up the chance to become the first player ever to win four straight Slam Dunk titles. But don’t think for a second that he faded into the background.
McClung may not have taken the court, but he still managed to drop jaws across the league. Shortly after the event, he released a video showcasing the dunks he would have performed had he entered. And let’s just say-he didn’t hold back.
The first dunk? A gravity-defying leap over a teammate standing on a ladder, capped with a smooth behind-the-back finish. That alone could’ve brought the house down.
Then came the creativity. McClung soared, touched the ball to his shoes mid-air, and threw down a reverse dunk with finesse. It was the kind of mid-air control and flair that’s become his trademark.
The third dunk brought teamwork into the mix. A teammate tossed the ball to McClung between his legs while he was already airborne-an alley-oop with a twist that blended timing, trust, and insane athleticism.
And just when you thought he’d peaked, he wrapped it up with a powerful backward dunk that likely would’ve brought the crowd to its feet and left judges scrambling for 10s.
Fans didn’t hold back their reactions. As the video made the rounds on social media, comments poured in praising McClung’s creativity and questioning why he wasn’t allowed to compete. Some fans even suggested his absence hurt the overall quality of the contest, with one calling his toe-touch dunk variation “as impactful as Vince Carter’s honey dip.”
Whether or not you agree with that lofty comparison, one thing’s clear: McClung’s ability to innovate above the rim is unmatched right now. He’s not just dunking-he’s performing. And even when he’s not officially in the contest, he’s still setting the bar.
At just 25, McClung has already made his mark as one of the most electrifying dunkers the game has seen in years. And if this latest video is any indication, he’s not done pushing the limits of what’s possible in the air.
The Slam Dunk Contest may have crowned a new winner this year, but let’s be honest-Mac McClung still stole the show.