The 2020 Slam Dunk Contest took place at United Center in Chicago on Saturday. It was the third and final event of All-Star Saturday, followed by the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest.
The Slam Dunk Contest is always a fan favorite. This year’s participants were Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks, Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers, and Derrick Jones Jr., Miami Heat.
The players were judged by Common, Chadwick Boseman, Candace Parker, Scottie Pippen, and Dwyane Wade.
As things got going, everyone brought their A-game. If you missed it live, here are some highlights.
Dwight put the cape back on! 👀 #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/78kdtBmWTQ
Aaron Gordon. UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/MMDdFqZRPN
DERRICK JONES JR. SNAPPED. 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/noYwn9lbV5
After the first round, the final round was between Jones Jr. and Gordon, where they each got two dunks. In the end, Jones Jr. got a slight edge over Gordon after Gordon’s final attempt over Boston Celtics center Tacko Fall didn’t completely clear over Fall’s head. Jones Jr. was crowned the winner and named the 2020 Slam Dunk champion.
Aaron Gordon lost the dunk contest by one point to Derrick Jones Jr. after jumping over Tacko Fall. pic.twitter.com/3nBarEXuwb
THE DUNK THAT WON THE DUNK CONTEST FOR DERRICK JONES JR. 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cr7mJ0wbg5
While many NBA fans were hyped over watching their favorite players pull off some impressive dunks, some believed Gordon got robbed and aired out their frustrations about it. You can read some reactions below.
2 🏆 should have been rewarded tonight that’s for damn sure!! Keep it a buck y’all. 🤦🏾♂️!! Them boys both put on a show! Professional DUNKERS
We just witnessed the greatest dunk contest of all time..!!! My guy @pconnaughton got a 50🙏🏽
Can't have the dunk contest be at the level, then end it like that smh....
THAT’S BULLJIVE AARON GORDON GOT ROBBED IN THE DUNK CONTEST. GORDON DUNKED OVER THE TALLEST PLAYER IN THE NBA AND GOT A 47. FOH🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Only 2 things are guaranteed to fail 100% of the time — NBA All-Star Dunk Contest judging, and the WiFi on every United Airlines flight.
I STAND WITH AARON GORDON THE TWO-TIME SLAM DUNK CONTEST CHAMPION
Aaron Gordon got five 50s. Most in history. And still lost. Robbery.
Dwayne Wade doing the math in his head to see what number he needs to make Aaron Gordon lose pic.twitter.com/5awAuXLGOy
D Wade an A+ parent and an D+ Judge.
So Aaron Gordon is never doing the dunk contest again ... and they want to bring the best dunkers to participate.
The elite dunkers aren't going to want to be part of judging like that.
Derrick Jones Jr deserved to win this Dunk Contest a long time ago. He deserves it now.
Aaron Gordon got robbed straight up!!!! Man jumped over Tacko!!!! Derrick Jones Jr and Gordon should’ve got 50s for their last dunks and both got the trophy. This year judging some bs!!!! @NBA #SlamDunkContest
By far the best dunk contest since the Michael Jordan in 88. Aaron Gordon got robbed once again. I told u Derrick Jones Jr. can fly. Wow that was unbelievable🙆♂️#NBAAllStar2020
DWade just did Aaron Gordon so dirty in favor of the Miami Heat player, Derrick Jones Jr. DIRTY AS HELL.
Aaron Gordon now robbed of TWO (2) dunk contest titles in his career. Yikes. #NBAAllStar #DunkContest pic.twitter.com/jfFo2zHXVF
Aaron Gordon got robbed in 2016 and he robbed Derrick Jones Jr in 2020
What a terrible score to end maybe the greatest dunk contest of all-time. Aaron Gordon just got robbed even though Derrick Jones Jr definitely deserves it, just not as much as Gordon
If Aaron Gordon won, we would all be saying Derrick Jones Jr. got robbed. They both deserved to win and whoever lost got robbed. Such a great night. #NBAAllStar
Gordon says he won't be participating in the Dunk Contest next year after his loss.
The crowd's reaction when they found out AG lost. pic.twitter.com/cIJGHNhZhj
Aaron Gordon says he won't do the dunk contest again:
“It’s a wrap. I feel like I should have two trophies. So it’s over for that.” pic.twitter.com/52gXeJBDqJ
But what if it was supposed to be a tie?
Complex caught up with Dwyane Wade and he tried to shed light on the results of the contest.
"I wasn't the only on that gave him a 9," Wade said. "People are going to talk and you allow them to talk but most of anything, hopefully they all just enjoyed the dunk contest. ... It was entertainment and at the end of the day, as judges, we had to come up with a winner." He also took to Instagram, where he had some fun with the controversy.
