Mac McClung stuns with clutch game-winner in G League

McClung finished with 33 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the field and knocking down five three-pointers. He added five rebounds, five assists, a steal and two blocks in a well-rounded performance that helped push Osceola into the playoff picture. The Magic now sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 13-9 record.

Across 34 G League games this season, including the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season, McClung is averaging 21.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists on 46.8 percent shooting. However, since the start of the regular season, his production has leaped.

In 20 regular-season contests, he is averaging 24.3 points per game — the second-highest mark of his G League career — while shooting 37.6 percent from three. Over 105 career games, he has posted averages of 22.6 points and 6.3 assists, shooting 40.8 percent from deep and solidifying himself as a high-level offensive threat at the G League level.

Yet, NBA opportunities have remained elusive for the 6-foot-2 guard. This season, McClung has played just five minutes of NBA action for Orlando, his lone appearance coming in October. Across his career, he has featured in just five NBA games for the Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, totaling just 70 minutes and 33 points.

Twenty of those points came in a standout late-season game for the 76ers in 2022-23 where he flirted with a triple-double, recording nine rebounds and nine assists. Despite that impressive performance and his dunk contest dominance, McClung has struggled to secure a lasting NBA role. His size presents defensive challenges against elite guards, but his offensive firepower continues to shine in the G League, proving he is far more than just a dunker.