Mac McClung, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Brown, and Jacob Toppin to participate in NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The field is set for the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest for this year’s All-Star weekend festivities. This year, reigning champion Mac McClung is set to defend his slam dunk crown against Miami Heat rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, and the New York Knicks Jacob Toppin.

Last year, the 6-foot-2 guard, who was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023, was able to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans Trey Murphy III for the title. This year, McClung will have his hands full, attempting to stave off yet another group of serious high-flying talent from throughout the NBA.

Changes coming to the NBA All-Star Weekend

The NBA plans on using a new experimental court for All-Star Weekend. But that’s not the only change coming to the event filled weekend. For the first time ever, the events will include a WNBA player. WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu will square off against the NBA’s all-time leading 3-point shooter, Steph Curry, in a special 3-point contest.

Additionally, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has placed an emphasis on creating a more competitive NBA All-Star Game. In the past, the competition has grown stale, slowly transforming into a highlight reel instead of an actual game.

In a conversation with ESPN, Silver promised to make changes this season to encourage competitiveness between the All-Stars.

“We’re sending mixed signals,” Silver said. “If we want guys to treat this like a real game, and again, this is not about Finals intensity, it’s just a fun game. But if we want players to treat it that way, we have to treat it that way. And so, it means that the introduction is going to have to be a little bit shorter and halftime’s going to have to be a little bit more typical, starting in Indianapolis.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re playing lockdown defense,” Silver said. “Maybe it does during the end of the fourth quarter. It means guys come out and say, ‘It’s a game. Let’s go try to win it.’ And again, I think we have to make that message clear to the players.”

NBA All-Star 2024 will take place inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 16-18, 2024. Of course, all events will take place on the NBA’s state-of-the-art court, which is expected to “enhance the fan experience in-arena and on broadcast through its interactive displays.”