So, you're looking for the NBA Dunk Contest 2025 start time. You've probably seen a dozen different graphics floating around Twitter (or X, whatever) and you just want to know when to actually sit on your couch and turn on TNT.
Look, NBA All-Star Saturday Night is a marathon, not a sprint. If you tune in exactly when the broadcast starts, you’re going to be waiting a while before anybody actually starts flight-testing the rim.
The NBA Dunk Contest 2025 is the grand finale of All-Star Saturday Night, which officially kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
But here's the kicker: the dunks don't start at 8:00. Not even close.
What Time is NBA Dunk Contest 2025 Actually Starting?
If you're asking what time is nba dunk contest 2025, you have to factor in the two events that come before it. NBA All-Star Saturday Night at the Chase Center in San Francisco follows a strict three-act play.
First, you’ve got the Skills Challenge. Then, the 3-Point Contest (which, let’s be honest, has become the "real" main event for a lot of fans lately). Finally, when the floor is cleared and the tension is high, the Dunk Contest begins.
Realistically? Expect the first dunk to go down somewhere between 9:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. ET.
If the 3-Point Contest goes to a tie-breaker or if there's a particularly long musical performance (Gelo Ball performed "Tweaker" between events this year, for instance), it could push even later. Basically, if you only care about the dunks, you've got time to grab dinner before things get serious.
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Where to Watch the 2025 Flight Show
If you're in the U.S., the whole night is on TNT and truTV. If you've cut the cord, you can stream it through services like Sling TV, Max (formerly HBO Max), or YouTube TV.
Since the game is in San Francisco at the Warriors' home, the local fans are going to be loud. It’s the first time the All-Star festivities have hit the Bay Area since 2000—back when Vince Carter basically shut down the building. No pressure, right?
The 2025 Dunk Contest Lineup: Can Mac McClung 3-Peat?
The biggest storyline of the night is undoubtedly Mac McClung. The guy is a G League legend who has basically kept the dunk contest on life support for the last two years. He's back in 2025 aiming for a historic three-peat.
Honestly, the field is a bit younger this time around. We aren't seeing the All-NBA superstars here, but we are seeing high-flyers who actually want to be there.
- Mac McClung (Osceola Magic/G League)
- Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs rookie)
- Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls rookie)
- Andre Jackson Jr. (Milwaukee Bucks)
It's a "rookie-heavy" field, which is usually a coin flip. Either these guys have been practicing these dunks since high school and they’re going to blow our minds, or the nerves of the Chase Center crowd get to them.
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The Judges and the Format
The NBA brought back some heavy hitters to sit at the judges' table this year. We’re talking about guys who know exactly what it’s like to catch air in this building.
The panel features Baron Davis and Jason Richardson (both Warriors icons), along with Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady.
The rules are pretty standard for 2025:
- First Round: All four dunkers get two dunks.
- The Finals: The two highest scores advance.
- The Win: Each finalist does two more dunks. Highest total score takes the trophy.
Each dunker has a time limit of 90 seconds plus one additional try to complete their dunk. We’ve all seen those painful years where someone tries the same dunk 15 times and the energy just drains out of the building. The NBA is trying to avoid that.
Why the Start Time Can Be Tricky
The reason people get confused about the NBA Dunk Contest 2025 start time is because the NBA markets the "event" as a single block.
Think of it like a concert. The ticket says 8:00 p.m., but the headliner doesn't come out until the openers are done. If you're a die-hard hoops fan, the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest (featuring stars like Tyler Herro and Buddy Hield) are worth the watch. If you're just here for the 50-point scores and the "let's go home" moments, you can afford to be fashionably late.
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Pro-Tip for Viewers
If you're watching on the West Coast, everything is three hours earlier. That means the "main event" is actually happening during prime dinner time at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning your Saturday night around this, here is how to handle the NBA Dunk Contest 2025:
- Set your DVR for 8:00 p.m. ET just to be safe, but don't expect the dunks until at least 9:30 p.m.
- Check the TNT app if you're on the move; they usually have a "Dunk Cam" or alternate angles that are pretty cool.
- Follow the live scores on the NBA App if you're trying to time your entry perfectly. Once the 3-Point Contest trophy is handed out, that's your 10-minute warning to get to a screen.
The 2025 All-Star weekend is a massive production, and while the start times are "scheduled," the actual flow depends on how many times these guys miss their first attempt. Keep your snacks ready and your phone charged for the replays.