The NBA's Slam-Dunk Contest could get a much-needed boost next season...if Zion Williamson is named a 2025 All-Star.
Following a dominant 139-98 win over the Raptors, the Pelicans power forward set a goal for himself when discussing potentially participating in the dunk contest.
"I got to do my part and make the All-Star Game," said Williamson. "If I'm in the All-Star Game, I'll do the dunk contest. But if I'm not, I'm not doing it," he added.
"If I'm in the All-Star Game, I'll do the Dunk Contest. But if I'm not, I'm not doing it."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 6, 2024
- Pelicans star Zion Williamson ⭐️
pic.twitter.com/d4YwdXaCzm
Williamson has already made two All-Star teams, and it's only a matter of time before he makes his third. He's played at an All-Star level this season, but the Western Conference's depth squeezed him out of a spot on this year's roster.
Through 51 games, Williamson is averaging 22 points per game and a career-high 5.2 assists.
If he makes the All-Star team in 2025, he could make the dunk contest a must-see television event again.
The top event during the NBA's All-Star Saturday Night has lost its relevancy over the years as fewer big-name stars have signed up for it.
Jaylen Brown became the biggest name to participate in the contest in years at the 2024 event, but he had a largely forgettable performance.
Williamson is one of the league's most exciting in-game dunkers. His explosiveness is apparent on these leak-out lobs from Naji Marshall and Jose Alvarado, where Williamson sneaks past the defense along the sideline before accelerating to the basket for the slam.
NAJI LOB. ZION SLAM. pic.twitter.com/HPtVUsTISQ
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 29, 2024
ZION WILLIAMSON GOES UP TOP FOR THE LOB
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 6, 2024
pic.twitter.com/kSNemL2Cd4
During Tuesday's win, he also had an incredible breakaway dunk after a steal, cocking the ball back before violently throwing it down.
Zion Williamson with the steal and dunk pic.twitter.com/lPN7owb8kN
— retroPels (@retro_pels) March 6, 2024
That's a sampling of the high-flying acrobatics we could get at next year's dunk contest. With Williamson's admission, he may have earned himself a few extra All-Star votes in 2025.
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