NBA All Star: Derrick Jones Jr. Edges Aaron Gordon To Become Slam Dunk Champ On 23rd B'day

Jones and Gordon each got a perfect 50 on both of their dunks in the final. Then they got two more perfect scores on their first jam in the dunk-off. Jones then took off from just inside the foul line and threw down a windmill jam with his left hand, drawing a 48 from the panel of five judges

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Chicago: Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. presented himself with a perfect gift on his 23rd birthday by winning the nba All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, edging Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon in a nerve wrecking showdown that went to the distance requiring two tiebreaker jams to decide on the eventual winner. Jones and Gordon each got a perfect 50 on both of their dunks in the final. Then they got two more perfect scores on their first jam in the dunk-off. Jones then took off from just inside the foul line and threw down a windmill jam with his left hand, drawing a 48 from the panel of five judges. After a short discussion with Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, Gordon brought out 7-foot-5 Boston Celtics rookie Tacko Fall and positioned him near the basket. He then took the ball from Fall's hands on his way to a thunderous dunk. The United Center gasped as the courtside NBA stars celebrated. But Gordon was awarded a 47, giving the victory to Jones. It is notable that Gordon also lost a memorable dunk contest to Zach LaVine in 2016. Pat Connaughton was eliminated in the first round despite throwing down massive dunks over Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich and teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lakers big man Dwight Howard broke out the Superman cape in the first round and paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant in the first round, too, but didn’t make the cut.