The Indiana Pacers made a surprising roster move this week by cutting former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman and signing reigning dunk contest champion Mac McClung to a multi-year contract.
McClung got his first minutes with the Pacers on Wednesday during the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. Although his first bucket wasn’t a dunk, it was a highlight-worthy play nonetheless.
Mac McClung’s first basket with the Pacers came in the second quarter. After coming off a screen set by Pascal Siakam, he found himself open for a three-point shot. McClung knocked down the shot and was fouled by Mavericks guard Brandon Williams, earning an and-one opportunity. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play.
It has been a long journey for McClung to reach this point, where he now holds a multi-year NBA contract. Undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, McClung’s early career included brief stints with the Chicago Bulls on two 10-day contracts and with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract.
He spent part of the 2022-23 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, also on a two-way contract, before joining the Orlando Magic for the entire last season under a similar deal. In between his time with the 76ers and Magic, McClung made history as the first G League player to win the NBA’s dunk contest during the 2023-24 season.
Over three NBA seasons, McClung has appeared in six games, averaging just over 12 minutes per game. His career stats include 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, with shooting splits of 42.9% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 66.7% from the free-throw line.
If invited to this season’s dunk contest, McClung will be aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive win. Currently, he is tied with former NBA player Nate Robinson as the only athletes to have won the dunk contest three times.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/indiana-pacers/mac-mcclungs-1st-pacers-bucket-isnt-a-dunk-but-still-a-highlight