NBA All-Star Saturday: Mac McClung gets the three-peat in Dunk Contest
For his final masterpiece, McClung brought out Skills Challenge Champ Evan Mobley and jumped over him, took the ball out of his hands, hit the front of the rim with the ball and dunked it over the 7 footer who was standing on a block just to make it a little bit harder. Score? Another 50. Ladies and gentlemen, you three-peat and savior of the Dunk Contest and maybe All-Star Weekend.
Castle brought out his best stuff on his final dunk of the night. He went behind the back, cradled it and slammed it off the 180. That earned him a 50 to put the pressure on McClung who would need almost a perfect score for the three-peat.
If you thought it couldn't get any better than his first dunk of the night, you might have been wrong. Mac McClung brought out two balls, two people, a ladder and a hoover board and some how dunked both of them for this third 50 of the night.
Castle saves his best dunks for last and this was one special. It deserved a 50 after taking it out of the net and going between the legs but it took him a couple tries and that might have cost him a fraction of a point, which is what turned out to be the difference in the final round.
McClung's second dunk wasn't as jaw dropping but it was still incredible. He really left no margin for error for any of the other dunkers and of course he moved on to the final round.
This was the first of four perfect dunks from Mac McClung. He brought out a KIA and not only jumped over it but grabbed it out of a dudes hand in the sun roof. It's one of the nastiest dunks I've seen. The best part of it was he got it on the first try.
It was a four man competition, but the Slam Dunk Contest came down to two men. Stephon Castle and Mac McClung. Castle started things off with a solid dunk to get on the board. Matas Bulevis and Andre Jackson Jr. didn't really bring it and they were out after a couple of weak first round dunks.
Lillard faded early, getting KO'd in the first round so that left Darius Garland, Hield and Tyler Herro left in the final round. Herro started the second round and put up 24 which turned out to be enough to take the Thee Point title.
The Three Point Contest was next and everyone was trying to keep the two-time defending champion Damian Lillard from three-peating. Hometown hero, and Golden State Warrior Buddy Hield put up 31 to lead everyone at the end of the first round after a red hot round to set the tone for the rest of the contestants.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are at the top of the Eastern Conference and Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell have a lot to do with that. They got through the first round and put up the best time to open the final round. Team Cavs took the opening trophy of the night in the Skill Challenge.
There was controversy right out of the gate as the Spurs tried to pull a fast one in the Skills Challenge. Watch how they shot their jumpers, trying to get through the rack as soon as possible. That would eventually get them disqualified. Chris Paul had his protests, but the league held firm.
THAT'S THE END OF THE NIGHT HERE FROM SAN FRAN AND WHAT A NIGHT IT WAS!!
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2025 Slam Dunk Champion. That's a three-peat for McClung who said in the trophy presentation that this might just be his last Dunk Contest ever. If it was, thanks for the memories.
Castle's second dunk of the final round was smooth and it got him a perfect 50 to put the pressure on McClung who needed a near perfect score to win.
I didn't think I could see a better dunk that the one in the first round, but McClung outdid himself. He brought out two guys, two props and two balls and dunked them both out of both guys hands. Of course it was a perfect 50.
This was Castle's first dunk of the last round, and I thought it was worth a 50. He got a shade under a perfect score. The only knock might have been, it was the third or fourth attempt.
Enough of this, let's get to the highlights.
MAC MCCLUNG IS THE SLAM DUNK CHAMPION FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW!!!!
THE THREE-PEAT IS REAL!!!
MAC MCCLUNG
He brings out Evan Mobley, puts a block under him to make him even taller, grabs it off his head, hits the front of the rim and slams it home
Score: 50
STEPHON CASTLE
He goes 360, behind the back and cups it home! It sounds simple, but wait until you see it.
Score: 50
MAC MCCLUNG
Mac brought out a ladder, and a dude on a hoover board. Each had a ball. He grabbed the first one from the guy spinning on the hoover board windmill dunked it while dunking the other ball that the guy on the ladder was holding.
Score: 50
STEPHON CASTLE
Castle had someone make a shot off the backboard and tried to dunk it down from behind the backboard, between his legs. It took a couple of tries but he did it and it was spectacular.
Score: 49.6
McClung as usual getting a 50 in the contest. This was sick, just not as crazy as the first one.
So It's Mac and Castle heading to the final round from San Fran. Castle has his work cut out for him. Hopefully he's saving the best for last.
Here was McClung's first monster mash. Just look at this and try to pick your jaw off the floor.
MAC MCCLUNG
Mac jumped over his buddy from the baseline, took the ball out of his hands and turns his whole body for the two handed jam. I can't explain what this guy goes. You just have to see.
Score: 50.
STEPHON CASTLE
Castle gets his first dunk to go and he catches if off the backboard and goes with a 180 reverse windmill.
Score: 47.8
ANDRE JACKSON JR.
He goes off the side of the backboard but his 360 dunk didn't drop so he cradled a windmill.
Score: 45
MATAS BUZELIS
Matas gets a pass off the side of the backboard and reverse windmills it. Not terrible, but again not spectacular. At lease he made it.
Score: 47.4
This highlight can't come quick enough. This is nasty.
OH MY LORD THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE BEST DUNK IVE EVER SEEN.
MAC MCCLUNG
The two time champ brings out of KIA and and lines it up to where some one can hold the ball out of the sunroof. He missed the first one, but jumped over the entire car. The second attempt WAS DISGUSTING!!!!
SCORE: 50!!!!!
ANDRE JACKSON JR.
The Milwaukee Bucks high flyer goes for a 360 windmill but missed is first. Tried another dunk in which he threw the ball up and tried to alley oop it, missed that twice. Missed a regular windmill and and got a double clutch dunk to go finally. That was not very impressive at all. Not great, but enough for the next round unless McClung can top that.
Score: 43.8
MATAS BUZELIS
The lengthy Lithuanian is next and he starts from behind the back board, bounced it under his legs and tried to reverse it from underneath. His first four didn't work and on the final one he got rim checked. Good idea, but no dice.
SCORE: 40
STEPHON CASTLE
The MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge is first and he goes with a 360 windmill. Decent but nothing wild.
Score: 47.2
Vince Carter was just honored for his incredible Slam Dunk title that came 25 years ago in this same city. That will forever be the best Dunk Contest ever.
This was the controversy from the Skills Challenge. The Spurs though they were slick with the air ball, but they ended up getting KOd.
The Judges are half of the story, and tonight in the Bay we have T-Mac, KG, Jason Richardon and Baron Davis. There's a streamer too, but I'm not sure who he is. Don't incredibly interested either. I think he's representing the voters online.
IT'S TIME TO GET HIGH!!!
When I say that, I mean it's time for the Slam Dunk Contest from Chase Center in San Fran.
Here are your 2025 Dunk Contest Participants.
Tyler Herro went first and set the tone in the second half. He put down a 24 to take home the title and a juicy pay check.
TYLER HERRO IS THE THREE POINT CHAMPION WITH A FNAL ROUND SCORE OF 24!!!
BUDDY HIELD
Hield was red hot in the first round, but must have used all those makes up with his 31 because he started ice cold, heated up in the money round but came up a point short with a 23.
DARIUS GARLAND
Garland had a great first round, but starts cold going 4/10 but cooled down and needed a perfect rack to end it, but ended with an underwhelming score of 19.
HERRO GOES FIRST
He hits five of 10 to start, hit a starry ball had a nice top of the key with 4/5 and finished with 3/5 money balls to end with a final score of 24.
The hometown hero is in the lead after the first round, but Buddy Hield's 31 doesn't mean anything coming into this round.
The Cavs aren't messing around tonight. They already won the Skills Challenge and Garland put up a nice score to get to the 2nd round.
It's Hield, Herro and Garland moving on to the next round of the Three Point Contest!!
DAMIAN LILLARD
Lillard hits four of five to start, got hot from the last wing, but missed three of five money balls and ends with an 18!!! The two time defending champ has been KOd, and the three-peat bid is over!!!
That score of 31 just tied Steph Curry for the most ever in a round!!!
BUDDY HIELD
Hield starts off with 7 makes in 10, hits a starry ball, another starry ball, and drills his last three money balls for a final score of 31!!!!
JALEN BRUNSON
The Knicks super star hits four of five to start, hits a starry ball, had 14 on his final rack and hit two money balls, so he ends with a score of 18, which is good for third place will be enough for the next round.
TYLER HERRO
The Heat's stop scorer hits just 3 of 10 to start, but got hot at the top of the key, hits a Starry ball and he ends with a score of 19 after hitting three money balls. He's in second at the moment.
Here is your leader after the first four shooters. Darius Garland was red hot and it seemed like he posted a higher number than 24, but that's going to be hard to beat in the first round. He's a lock for next round.
NORM POWELL
Next up is Norm Powell and he hits five out of his first 15. He got hot at the wing, but cooled down to end and finished with a score of 14.
CADE CUNNINGHAM
The Pistons sharp shooter, and he hits just two of his first 10, He ends with a final score of 16, which is good enough for second right now, but there are still a lot of shooters to come.
DARIUS GARLAND
Garland off to a great start hitting 7 of 10, and he hits 4/5 from the wing then finished up with 4/5 with his money rack. That's a final score of 24 and that should get him into the next round.
CAM JOHNSON
Cam Johnson is the first up in the Three Point Contest and he stars slow with just five after getting through the top of the key, and he ends with a final score of 14. Not a great round, but he made up a little ground with his money rack, hitting 3 of 5.
HOLD UP!!!
I got it all wrong. Next up is the Three Point Contest. If you forgot, here are the contestants. Remember, Damian Lillard is a back to back champ, looking for the Three-Peat the Chiefs couldn't complete.
It's Liangelo Ball, the other Ball who had the viral rap song Swerve take over the NBA in the last few months. He's the first performer of the night from Chase Center.
The NBA is suspiciously not putting highlights of the Spurs run. They didn't want TNT in the huddle between Wemby CP3 and the NBA official. This is serious business.
The next event is the Dunk Contest. Remember you can help the voting. I'll keep you posted with all the highlights so you can participate.
THE SKILLS CHALLENGE CHAMPS!!!!
With a time of 1:00, Team Cavaliers take it as Mobley and Mitchell take the first title of the night!!!
TEAM WARRIORS
Mooney with a time of 30 seconds but Green missed the chest passes and that threw him off track and the clock runs out!!!
TEAM CLEVELAND WIN IT AND HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN THE EAST!!! COINCIDENCE? MAYBE MAYBE NOT.
TEAM CAVS
Team Cavs start the final round and it's Mobley with a nice time of 30.7 and Mitchell brings it home with a final time of 1:00. Each go around these guys are getting better. Let's see what the Warriors can do.
The hometown team are through to the final round. Have a look at the course. They came up with the best time with 1:09 lets see if they can do better this round.
This was before the Spurs got DQd, but this is just incredible. One of the tallest players in NBA history dapping up one of the shortest players in the NBA.
FIRST ROUND IS OVER!!!
The first round is over in the Skills Challenge and it's the Warriors and the Cavs moving on.
Scandalous start from the Spurs who got DQ'd and the Rooks missed out on the second round by a second.
TEAM WARRIORS
Team Warriors are up next and Kevon Moody comes out with a nice round, and Draymond Green finishes with a final time of 1:09. They are on to the next round with that score.
Meanwhiel Chris Paul is arguing their disqualified.
TEAM CAVS
Evan Mobley and Dovovan Mitchell are next and Mobley gts a time of 41 seconds and MItchell ends with a final time of 1:19
TEAM ROOKS
Next up, it's Team Rookies and Risacher he get gets a time of 38.4 and then Sarr closes out the course with a final time of 1:20.
THEY HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFIED FOR THEIR STRATEGY!!!! STARTING OFF WITH A BIT OF CONTROVERSY!!!
Team Spurs start off with Wemby and Chris Paul and they go with a bold, but cowardly strategy throwing up air balls in the shooting portion and get booed by the home crowd. They end with a time of 47.8.
We are going through the introductions at Chase Center, but since you have been with us for a while you already have been introduced to these Skills Challenge Teams.
It said this was going to start at 8:00, but I had a sneaky suspicion that this shindig wasn't going to tip off until 8:30 or later. Now, we wait
WE ARE OFFICIALLY LIVE FROM SAN FRAN!!!! THE ACTION IS ABOUT TO START FROM CHASE CENTER. STRAP IN, GET COMFY AND ENJOY THE SHOW.
King in the Castle
I want to see Stephon Castle get crazy tonight. He killed it in the Rising Stars Challenge last night, and if follows that up with the Dunk Contest title, this might be the start of a legendary career. He is paired up with Wemby in San Antonio.Those two are going to make noise in the not so distant future.
WE ARE 10 MINUTES FROM STARTING ALL-STAR SATURDAY!!!
We are going to get started with the Skills Challenge. Here's a reminder of who is going to participating in the first event.
Three point champion prize money
Being the King of the Long Ball has it’s benefits other than a fancy trophy and the title of Three Point Champion for the next year. The winner of tonight’s Three Point Contest will be going home with a nice chunk of change. William Gittens has all the info
Dunk Contest prize money
There isn’t just prestige on the line tonight. The Heir or Air will take home a fat pay day for winning tonight’s Slam Dunk Contest. Our Andy Hall has more. Will it be enough to bring the Dunk Contest back to it’s prime? That remains to be seen.
How to vote for the Dunk Contest
If you want to be a part of the action tonight, and have a favorite dunk or dunker you can join along with the panel of judges and put your vote in for who you think should be the winner. The fans will have their say in the Dunk Contest. Our Will Gittens has more information on where and how you can vote.
Meet Mr. McClung
If you haven’t seen the Dunk Contest in the last few years and haven’t been on Instagram in ages than you may not have seen or heard of Mac McClung. The G Leaguer has a spectacular highlight reel of dunks and surely has something special planned for tonight as he tries to tie Nate Robinson for the the all-time record for most Dunk Contests won. Our Joe McMahon has all the info you need on the two time defending Slam Dunk Champ.
Three Point contestants
The Three Point Contest has been the thing that has remained unchanged really since it’s inception to All-Star Weekend. The sharp shooting contest will consist of five stations, and five balls. Players have 70 seconds to sink as many threes as they can with the final ball of each rack being the money ball, worth two. Damian Lillard has won the last two contests and is looking to make history with a three-peat and join Craig Hodges and Larry Bird on the list of three-peat champs. Here are the list of players that will be looking to knock him off.
Dunk Contest participants
The Dunk Contest has been dominated by a young dude that has barely played in the NBA over the last few seasons. Mac McClung has been a sensation over the last couple of years as the G Leauger has soared past the competition, but that hasn’t been enough to bring the viewers and the excitement back to the event that used to highlight this weekend. This year there are no stars like we saw 25 years ago when Vince Carter brought the house down with one of the most incredible catalogue of dunks we have ever seen. Trying to keep McClung from tying a record of three Slam Dunk titles, are a group youngsters trying to bring the title back to the NBA.
Skills Challenge participants
The Skills Challenge will start the night off as four two-man teams will go head to head in a battle of ball handling, shooting and passing. The league always tweaks the structure from year to year, but that is the general idea. Each team will be timed and who ever ends up with the fastest time will be crowned champs. The four teams will feature two stars from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Team Rookie which will consist of the top two picks of this year’s NBA Draft.
Last night’s recap
Last night the Weekend kicked off with the Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Challenge. The Celeb game was packed with stars from the music, movie and social media world but it was an Olympian and a basketball trainer that stole the show. Shelby McEwen, the Team USA high jumper in Paris, and Rome Flynn who is the trainer of Trae Young and Shai Gilgeous Alexander. Team Bonds and Flynn ended up winning the Celeb game before the youngsters took the stage for the Rising Stars Challenge. Stephon Castle led Team C to the Game 1 win over Team T, and the G-Leaguers stunned Team M in the second game to make the championship. The G-Leaguers kept up with Team C, but Stephon Castle and company were too much as they went on a late run and earned a spot in Sunday’s All-Star Games.
What’s in store tonight
You never really know how things are going to play out, or the timing of everything on All-Star Saturday. We can’t exactly tell you the schedule of things, or when to tune in, because we aren’t exactly sure but the best way to keep up with the action is going to be to stick with AS English all night and we will guide you through all the action and keep you posted on everything you need to know and have to see. One thing is for certain, we will start with the Skills Challenge, and take it from there. The action starts at 8 p.m and will be broadcast on TNT and Tru TV. Our Joe Brennan has more.
We are live from Chase Center
Hello everyone and welcome to the Bay where the NBA will try to recover some of the magic from All-Star Weekends past from a familiar host city that has seen it’s fair share of memorable moments over the years. A group of youngsters will try and bring back the luster of the Dunk Contest while the top shooters in the world, minus the best shooter ever, will light it up from downtown in the Three Point Contest and four different teams of two will put their talent on display in the Skills Challenge.
All-Star Saturday live
It might be the most exciting day of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. It’s Saturday and that means it’s time for the NBA’s top high fliers and sharp shooters to take the stage tonight from San Francisco. We have a big night in store and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage and highlights of tonight’s Three Point Contest, Dunk Contest and Skills Challenge from the Chase Center.