Boston Celtics

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown officially participating in Slam Dunk Contest

Brown is the first All-Star to take part in a Slam Dunk Contest since Victor Oladipo in 2018.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics yells after a dunk during the second quarter against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on October 27, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jaylen Brown has established himself as one of the top in-game dunkers in the NBA. (Photo by Maddie Schroeder/Getty Images)

By Conor Ryan

1 minute to read

For the first time since 2007, a Celtics player will take part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Following a few days of speculation, Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown will officially take part in the 2024 showcase during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis from Feb. 16-18.

Brown will compete against a field that also features reigning contest champion Mac McClung (Orlando Magic), Jacob Toppin (New York Knicks), and Jaime Jacquez Jr. (Miami Heat).

Brown, who was named an NBA All-Star for the third time last week, is set to bring some star power back to the gravity-defying event. Brown is the first All-Star to take part in a Slam Dunk Contest since Victor Oladipo in 2018. 

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Following the Celtics’ win over the Hawks on Wednesday, Jayson Tatum was asked about Brown’s participation in the event.

“If he asked me, I would be open to it,” Tatum said of potentially helping Brown try to win the event. “I don’t know, officially, if he’s announced that he’s in it, but I think it would be great for him to participate in it; kind of bring back that star power to the dunk contest that we want to see; all the big name guys be in it; that’s how I grew up watching it. So, I would love for him to be in it, and I would love for him to win, and I think it would be exciting to see.”

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Brown, who is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game this season, is the fifth Celtics player to take part in a Slam Dunk Contest — and the first since Gerald Green, who won the event in 2007.

Dee Brown also won the event in 1991 with his famous no-look dunk while donning Celtics green. Other Celtics who took part in the contest were Greg Minor (1996) and Ricky Davis (2004). 

The 2024 Slam Dunk Contest will be held during the NBA’s All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 17 in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Conor Ryan

Sports Writer

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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