Mac McClung Represents Sixers Well at NBA Rising Stars Game

Mac McClung's first NBA All-Star event was a personal success.

In his first event in Utah for the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in 2023, Philadelphia 76ers guard Mac McClung represented his team well. 

Playing for Team Jason Terry, McClung had the opportunity to check in for a little under ten minutes in the matchup. In a game that was first to 40, McClung wasted no time putting his stamp on the matchup. Although the opponent had the ball first, McClung snatched a steal on the opening possession. 

Moments later, McClung assisted on a Kenneth Lofton Jr. three-point jumper. His first two shots from the field were unsuccessful. After going out of the game while shooting 0-2 from the field, McClung wouldn’t get on the board until after a short break.

With his team trailing 24-11, McClung snagged his first set of points with a 16-foot step-back shot. Two possessions later, McClung nailed a 24-footer to get the double-digit deficit down to eight. Another McClung three-pointer minutes later helped his team get within one point of the opponent.

Unfortunately for Team Jason, they went cold and struggled down the stretch. Four turnovers and four missed field goal attempts gave the other team a chance to capitalize on an incoming cold streak. With a Quentin Grimes steal followed by a three-point running pull-up shot, Team Joakim Noah put McClung and Team Jason away with a 40-32 victory.

Although his team lost, McClung turned heads at the event. With nine minutes of action, he drained 50 percent of his shots from the field, knocking down two of his four three-point attempts. McClung led Team Jason in scoring with ten points. He also came down with two rebounds, produced two assists, snatched one steal, and was the only starter not to turn the ball over. 

With the Rising Stars Game in the rearview, McClung has the dunk contest next up on the agenda for this weekend in Utah. McClung is set to compete against Jericho Sims, Trey Murphy, and Kenyon Martin Jr. at 8:30 PM ET. 

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.