NBA All-Star Weekend is one of the biggest events on the association’s annual calendar. Before getting to Sunday’s game, the stars shine their brightest during All-Star Saturday Night.
Just as in years past, Saturday night’s festivities will culminate with the Slam Dunk Contest, pitting four of the game’s best dunkers against one another on the big stage at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
Last year, Mac McClung stole the show and broke the internet, raising the bar — and expectations — for this year’s contest. Will McClung be back to defend his title in 2024?
Here’s a look at the latest rumors and reporting on who could be participating in this year’s contest.
MORE: Full list of starters for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest participants updates & rumors
Feb. 6
The NBA’s “likely” Slam Dunk Contest field is set, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
While there has not been any confirmation by the league, it’s looking like Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown, Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., and G Leagues Mac McClung (Osceola Magic) and Jacob Toppin (Westchester Knicks) will take flight on All-Star Saturday Night.
Sources: The NBA’s likely Slam Dunk Contest participants at All-Star Weekend:
Mac McClung, Jaylen Brown, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jacob Toppin.
🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/P474qRHULz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2024Feb. 5
Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown is “seriously considering participating in the Slam Dunk Contest,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Brown, 27, is one of the league’s most athletic wings. His participation would be a major development for the weekend as he would be the first All-Star to participate in the contest since DeAndre Jordan in 2017.
Jan. 29
Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore turned down multiple invitations to participate in the dunk contest, as revealed in a report from the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen.
“I got asked twice for the dunk contest and I said ‘no,'” Whitmore explained. “I’m waiting until the time comes. I don’t see myself as a dunker. I don’t have anything up my sleeve right now. But in year two, year three, when I establish myself as somebody in this league, yeah I’ll do it.”
Jan. 9
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is asked about his reported participation in the upcoming dunk contest, to which he provided this cryptic response: “That’s something I can neither confirm nor deny, so I’ll leave it at that.”
Asked Jaime Jaquez Jr. about the reports of him entering the NBA Dunk Contest. He said he can’t confirm nor deny… #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/I8sIkguVBT
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 9, 2024Jan. 8
Greg Sylvander of Five Reasons Sports reports that Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. is “expected to participate” in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend.
Dec. 18
The NBA has extended an invite to reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
McClung, who won the contest in 2023 while on a two-way contract with the 76ers, is currently on a standard G League contract with the Osceola Magic, the affiliate of the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
When is the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest?
Date: Saturday, Feb. 17Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
The NBA Dunk Contest is the third and final event of All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 17.
All-Star Saturday Night will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
2024 NBA All-Star schedule
Fans in the United States can watch this year’s All-Star events on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) start at just $20 for your first month, or you can get Sling Orange + Blue starting at $27.50 for your first month.
Follow the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend festivities with Sling TV
There are no long-term contracts, and you can change your channel lineup anytime. DVR is included along with thousands of on-demand shows and movies.
Friday, Feb. 16Celebrity GameNBA Rising StarsSaturday, Feb. 17HBCU Classic (Winston-Salem State vs. Virginia Union)Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk ContestSunday, Feb. 18