New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson expressed disbelief at the scoring during the 2024 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest, particularly feeling teammate Jacob Toppin deserved higher marks for his executed dunks.
In the elimination round, Toppin showcased two impressive dunks, including one where he utilized Obi, now playing for the Indiana Pacers, to execute a jam over his brother. Despite the display, it garnered an average score of 47.8 points from the panel of judges.
Needing a higher score to advance to the finals, Toppin executed a between-the-legs 360 slam. However, to the surprise of many, including Brunson, it only earned a 47.2 from the panel.
It included former dunk champions Dominique Wilkins and Fred Jones, NBA legends Gary Payton and Mitch Richmond, and Pacers ABA legend Darnell Hillman.
Expressing his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), Brunson remarked, “I guess Jacob needed to jump over the shot clock to get higher than a 46.” Toppin and Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. were eliminated first, leading to the Celtics’ All-Star Jaylen Brown and defending champion McClung advancing to the finals.
Ultimately, it was the G-Leaguer who emerged victorious in the championship showdown, edging out the Celtics All-Star by a narrow margin of 98.8 to 97.8 in their two-dunk showdown.
