> 3 Point ContestAll StarBasketballNBA
> 3 Point ContestAll StarBasketballNBA
Mac McClung of the G-League’s Delaware Blue Coats became the first G-League player ever to win the NBA Dunk Contest. McClung, the G-League Rookie of the Year in 2021-22, has been one of the most popular G-League players and finally got a chance to showcase his incredible talents on a national stage at this year’s NBA Dunk Contest in Utah. Right before the Dunk Contest, McClung signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and will be eligible to play in both the G-League and the NBA for the remainder of the season. The Dunk Contest has lacked hype and intrigue in recent years, but McClung’s amazing performance brought it back. Check out some of his insane dunks from this year’s Dunk Contest.
All 4 of Mac McClung's dunks from the NBA dunk contest… all of them on the FIRST TRY ?pic.twitter.com/odnuzeRBSs
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 19, 2023
Many current NBA stars and celebrities showed support and respect to McClung for his great performance.
These reactions to Mac McClung's dunks tonight ?#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday pic.twitter.com/MHBEWQ9nN8
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2023
Man was a viral HOH high school dunk phenom, still working his way to the League, but lemme go get that dunk contest trophy right quick and bring it back to life!!! Unreal #macmclung
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 19, 2023
Mac McClung has personally saved the slam dunk contest with his performance tonight!! He put on a show! ???
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 19, 2023
MAC MCCLUNG AGAIN ‼️
SHAQ CAN'T BELIEVE IT pic.twitter.com/0DzJbnEaDQ— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2023
McClung was a viral sensation for his incredible dunks in high school. Check out some of his impressive dunks as a youngster.
pic.twitter.com/UpT0s6CaLY https://t.co/U6zUJSKahf
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 19, 2023
This year’s 3PT contest featured some of the NBA’s elite shooters, with All-Star Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers taking the victory. Other stars that competed in this year’s 3PT contest included Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Lauri Markannen of the Utah Jazz, Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat, Kevin Huerter of the Sacramento Kings, and Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers. This 3-Point Shootout included two “starry range” shots worth triple points from deep range, something Lillard is known for. Lillard is one of the best deep-range 3-Point shooters in NBA history and capitalized on his extra money ball opportunities, giving him the edge over the Indiana Pacers’ backcourt tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in the final round. Check out his performance below!
DAME TIME! ⌚️
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 19, 2023
Damian Lillard wins the 3-point contest! #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/belQz126b7
Dame needed 26 or more points to outscore Buddy Hield and take the title and beat it on his final shot, showing why Dame is one of the most clutch players in the NBA. Check out Dame’s winning shot, and Hield’s reaction below!
Dame gets the dub and hits a clutch 3 to win the 3 point contest for the first time in his career
— ?????????? ? (@503Blazerfans) February 19, 2023
Some things just don’t change⌚️ pic.twitter.com/Q1Ztjo5gXj
Dame finally won a 3PT contest, cementing himself as one of the best shooters of all time.
"I think all the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these… I just wanted to get it done at least one time. So I'm happy I got it, now I can retire from it."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 19, 2023
Damian Lillard on winning the 3-point contest ? pic.twitter.com/C9BtBJQUw8
The 3-Point contest didn’t garner as much hype from the NBA crowd as the Dunk Contest, but Steph Curry, the NBA’s best shooter of all time who couldn’t compete in this year’s 3PT shootout due to a knee injury, gave Lillard his props.
⌚️ yessir get you one @Dame_Lillard congrats!!! Hahaha he said he retiring from it with the trophy in the hand ?? I feel you
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 19, 2023
This year’s Rising Stars Challenge took a slightly different form with the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores forming 3 teams, and the G-League All-Stars forming another team. The 4 teams would face off in a 3 game mini-tournament and the winning teams would face off the in the Rising Stars Finals. The three teams composed of the NBA’s best up-and-coming talents were named after their honorary head coaches: NBA All-Stars Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Deron Williams. The three coaches chose their players during the Rising Stars Draft, with each one selecting seven players to make up their rosters. The G-League team had been determined previously and was led by Utah Jazz assistant coach Jason Terry. Alongside #1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, New Orleans Pelicans 2nd year guard Jose Alvarado led Team Pau to the victory over Team Joakim and hit the game-winning shot, giving him the MVP of the tournament. Check out Alvarado’s game-winner and MVP-level performance below!
JOSE ALVARADO GAME WINNER‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2023
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/R9k4YmYVKh
Jose Alvarado’s journey is amazing:
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 18, 2023
-Undrafted out of Georgia Tech in '21
-Fought for a 2-way contract with Pelicans
-Earned pivotal minutes in Pels’ rotation & playoff run
-Signed 4-yr contract with NOLA this past offseason
-Wins Rising Stars MVP
Never counted himself out ? pic.twitter.com/qhRj28OKPT
This year’s Skills Challenge featured 3 teams of 3 players each. The Antetokounmpo brothers Thanasis, Alex, and Giannis formed the Antetokounmpo team, Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, and Walker Kessler made up the hometown Utah Jazz Team, and Jabari Smith Jr., Jaden Ivey, and Paolo Banchero made up the Rookie Team. The hosts of this year’s All-Star Weekend, Salt Lake City, Utah had something to celebrate, as Team Jazz took home the win.
Team Jazz wins the 2023 NBA Skills Competition ? pic.twitter.com/JRKVCsVOoX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2023
The 2023 Celebrity game featured former NBA stars, famous actors, musicians, media personalities, and athletes from other sports. DK Metcalf, a star Wide Receiver for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, dominated the game with a number of athletic plays and impressive dunks. He looked like a legit NBA player out there and proved why he is one of the best athletes in all of the sports.
DK Metcalf put on a show in Utah, earning himself the 2023 #NBAAllStar Celebrity Game MVP! ??#NBA #CelebGameMVP pic.twitter.com/hjqtG5Im0t
— NBA India (@NBAIndia) February 18, 2023
Richard Jefferson, a former NBA star and current NBA media member, became the first person to announce, referee, and play in the Celebrity Game.
“Aye, D? I’ve never liked you and you’re about to find that out”
— Bally Sports (@BallySports) February 18, 2023
Too good ? Richard Jefferson picking up a whistle at the NBA All-Star Celebrity game. @Rjeff24 | @DwyaneWade | @NBA #NBA #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/onYPZ7cy1e
Richard Jefferson goes from Ref to playing in the celebrity game pic.twitter.com/fS9wKaTINr
— Alex ? (@Dubs408) February 18, 2023
The Miz, a professional wrestler in the WWE, hit a halfcourt shot to tie the game at the buzzer, but unfortunately, the shot was too late and didn’t count giving NBA legend and minority owner of the Utah Jazz Dwyane Wade’s team the win over the Jazz’s governor Ryan Smith’s team
The Miz just made this halfcourt shot in a celebrity basketball game.
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) February 18, 2023
Get ready for him to talk about it on RAW ? pic.twitter.com/HsuS8jPjMX