Due to famous players declining to compete, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has lost some of its appeal over time. However, tonight’s contest featured Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, who was determined to win.
The native of Atlanta decided to recreate a slam that Hawks great Dominique Wilkins once executed during a competition for his first try at the hoop. Tonight Wilkins was a judge too.
After calling someone out who was wearing a Wilkins jersey, Brown made his debut.
Jaylen Brown with homage to Dominique 🙌
48.8 for the lead#ATTSlamDunk x #StateFarmSaturday on TNT pic.twitter.com/BowLrT9LQ7
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2024
Brown is still taking part in the dunk competition. For the Hawks team, this was virtually a historic evening.
Trae Young participated in the three-point competition as well as the skills challenge, placing second in both. He made it to the championship round of the three-point competition, but Damian Lillard, the reigning winner, was too strong for him. Young put on a fantastic show, but he was unable to become the first Hawk to ever win the three-point shootout.