Defending NBA dunk champion to miss out as new winner is guaranteed

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/san-antonio-spurs/IwmkErSH/"]San Antonio[/a] rookie forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bryant-carter/6JY2xIIi/"]Carter Bryant[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-heat/CQ7AXnT5/"]Miami[/a] forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johnson-keshad/Yqsng0SH/"]Keshad Johnson[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/orlando-magic/QZMS36Dn/"]Orlando[/a] rookie guard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/richardson-jason/6ibH1WoJ/"]Jase Richardson[/a] - the son of 2002 and 2003 Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson - will join center [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hayes-jaxson/007kPaCO/"]Hayes[/a] for the February 14 event at the home of the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-clippers/vPeTYlqm/"]Los Angeles Clippers[/a].[/p][p]The two-round format will feature judges scoring each dunk. A combined two-dunk score will decide which two of the four players advance to the final round, with combined scores from two more dunks determining a champion.[/p][p]Hayes, a 7-footer (2.13m), is in his seventh NBA campaign and third with the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-lakers/ngegZ8bg/"]Lakers[/a]. He was suspended for a game earlier this month for pushing a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/washington-wizards/W6vGWPsn/"]Washington Wizards[/a] mascot.[/p][p]Chicago guard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcclung-mac/lM05aFkM/"]Mac McClung[/a], who became the first player to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times in a row the past three years, was named to the NBA Rising Stars game next Friday.[/p][p]McClung will replace San Antonio guard [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jones-herbert/YkSv4hR8/"]David Jones Garcia[/a], who has an injured right ankle.[/p][embed guid="a70a1229-620f-45ad-989b-29150c4a5612" url="https://x.com/NBA/status/2020182580851597740?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The league also announced a return to All-Star festivities of the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/scarborough-shooting-stars/AZmm0NIC/"]Shooting Stars[/a] team skills competition to the lineup after last being contested in 2015.[/p][p]Rather than teaming a Women's NBA standout with an active player and retired star, the timed shooting event will include two current NBA players and a retired legend.[/p][p]This year's four trios include Team [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-york-knicks/WCNO4nbt/"]Knicks[/a], featuring New York stars [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/brunson-jalen/YLRvL3v7/"]Jalen Brunson[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/towns-karl-anthony/8np46E9P/"]Karl-Anthony Towns[/a] with former Knicks standout Allan Houston.[/p][p]Team All-Star includes Toronto swingman [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/barnes-scott/EuVVM62p/"]Scottie Barnes[/a], center [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/holmgren-chet/WxvJz45d/"]Chet Holmgren[/a] of reigning NBA champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oklahoma-city-thunder/0fHFHEWD/"]Oklahoma City[/a] and retired three-time NBA All-Star Richard Hamilton.[/p][p]Team Harper includes three family members - five-time NBA champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/harper-ronald/Cl9nCTx9/"]Ron Harper[/a] Sr. and sons Ron Harper Jr. of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/boston-celtics/KYD9hVEm/"]Boston[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/harper-dylan/E95BW6Df/"]Dylan Harper[/a] of San Antonio.[/p][p]The last squad includes All-Star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johnson-jalen/St5Wx0bR/"]Jalen Johnson[/a] of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/atlanta-hawks/xAO4gBas/"]Atlanta[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/charlotte-hornets/xftMikUg/"]Charlotte[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/knueppel-kon/YDOmqcSE/"]Kon Knueppel[/a] and retired 14-year NBA player [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maggette-corey/I9sab2uG/"]Corey Maggette[/a].[/p]