If you were watching the NBA All-Star Saturday night in Indianapolis, you saw something that honestly felt like it belonged in a video game. Mac McClung, a 6-foot-2 guard who spends most of his time in the G League, basically saved the dunk contest. Again.
It’s wild. Most people expected him to win, but the way he did it—jumping over a legend like Shaquille O’Neal—was just different.
What Really Happened with the Mac McClung Dunk Contest 2024 Win
Leading up to the event, the vibes were a bit weird. Usually, we want the biggest stars like Ja Morant or Zion Williamson to show up. Instead, we got Jaylen Brown, which was cool because he’s an actual All-Star, but the spotlight was firmly on the defending champ. Mac McClung wasn't just there to participate; he was there to prove the 2023 performance wasn't a fluke.
He didn't just win. He dominated.
The final round came down to McClung and Brown. Jaylen had done a decent job, but honestly, the crowd was lukewarm on some of his stuff, especially that "left-handed" dunk with the sequin glove that felt a little forced. McClung knew he needed a 49.1 on his final attempt to take the trophy home.
He didn't play it safe.
McClung called out Shaq—all 7-foot-1 of him—and put his old Gate City High School jersey on the big man. It was a nostalgic nod to his roots in Virginia. Then, Mac literally flew over Shaq’s head, grabbed the ball, and finished with a clean reverse.
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The judges didn't even hesitate. Straight 50s.
The Scoring Breakdown and the Jaylen Brown Rivalry
It wasn't a "gimme" win, though. Jaylen Brown brought some heat. He did a tribute to the late Terrence Clarke and jumped over Donovan Mitchell. But there was a noticeable difference in the "wow" factor.
- Mac’s First Final Dunk: He jumped over two people, stayed in the air for what felt like an eternity, and finished with a windmill. Score: 48.8.
- Jaylen’s Final Dunk: The gloved left-handed slam over a seated person. Score: 49.2.
- The Winner: Mac’s leap over Shaq. Score: 50.0.
Basically, Mac won because he makes the impossible look smooth. When he’s in the air, he doesn't look like he’s struggling. He looks like he’s hovering.
Why Everyone Is Still Talking About This
A lot of people think the dunk contest is "dead." We've seen every variation of a 360 or a between-the-legs dunk. But McClung brings this weird, frantic energy. He’s a small guy—at least by NBA standards—so when he clears a guy who is nearly a foot taller than him, it resonates.
There's also the "underdog" factor. Since the Mac McClung dunk contest 2024 victory, people keep asking: why isn't this guy on an NBA roster full-time? He’s been with the Osceola Magic, winning G League titles and MVPs, but the league still views him as a "specialist."
It’s a bit of a paradox. He’s the most famous player on the court during All-Star weekend, yet he’s fighting for a 10-day contract on Monday morning.
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Is he the Greatest Dunker Ever?
That’s a heavy title. You have Vince Carter in 2000, which is basically the gold standard. Then you have the Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon duel in 2016. Mac is definitely in the conversation now.
He’s now joined a tiny club of back-to-back winners:
- Michael Jordan
- Jason Richardson
- Nate Robinson
- Zach LaVine
- Mac McClung
(And if you're keeping track of the future, he actually went on to three-peat in 2025, which is just insane.)
The thing that makes him different is his prep. He told reporters he spent months practicing these specific movements. It’s not just "hops." It’s physics. He knows exactly where his head needs to be relative to the rim to get the maximum "snap" on the ball.
The Controversy That Wouldn't Die
Some fans on social media felt like Jaylen Brown got "superstar calls" from the judges. There was a moment where Jaylen did a fairly standard dunk but got a high score because of the presentation.
McClung doesn't really do the fluff. He doesn't need the LED floor or the fancy lights to distract you. He just jumps. That's probably why the "purists" love him. He reminds people of the old-school contests where it was just a man and a hoop.
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What You Can Learn from Mac’s Rise
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the Mac McClung dunk contest 2024 story, it’s about niche mastery. Mac realized he might not be a 20-point-per-game starter in the NBA (at least not yet), but he could be the best in the world at this one specific thing.
He leaned into it. He became a brand.
Now, when people think of the Slam Dunk Contest, they don't think of LeBron or KD. They think of a kid from Gate City who refuses to let the event die.
Your Next Steps to Follow the Mac Era
If you want to keep up with what Mac is doing now or how the dunk contest is evolving, here’s what you should actually do:
- Watch the raw footage: Don't just watch the highlights. Watch the missed attempts (if there are any) to see how he adjusts his mid-air body control.
- Follow the G League: If you want to see if he ever gets that permanent NBA call-up, keep an eye on the Osceola Magic stats. He’s more than just a dunker; he’s a legit floor general.
- Compare the eras: Go back and watch the 2016 LaVine/Gordon highlights and then watch Mac’s 2024 set. You’ll notice Mac uses much more "hang time" and double-clutching to compensate for his height.
The 2024 contest wasn't just a win for Mac; it was a reminder that sometimes the best show in basketball comes from the guys you least expect.