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Knicks' Jericho Sims Will Partake in Slam Dunk Contest

The New York Knicks are send their substitute big man over to Salt Lake City.

Geoff Magliocchetti

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Per Shams Charania, New York Knicks center Jericho Sims will partake in the NBA's 2023 Slam Dunk Contest when the Association converges in Salt Lake City for the All-Star Game festivities next weekend. 

This marks the third consecutive Dunk Contest featuring a New Yorker, as Sims follows in the footsteps of reigning exhibition champion Obi Toppin, who was the runner-up in 2021 before beating out Juan Toscano-Anderson last year. Sims is poised to replace Portland's Shaedon Sharpe, who is voluntarily sitting out to prepare for the second half of the Trail Blazers' season.

Sims is in the midst of his second season in New York and has been a mainstay in the Knicks' starting lineup since Mitchell Robinson went down with a thumb injury. Prior to Tuesday's game, a 102-98 victory over the Orlando Magic, Sims was averaging 4.4 points and 6.2 points in just over 25 minutes a game in nine starts since taking over for Robinson. Sims has been taking full advantage of his opportunities when he gets to shoot in the paint: primarily hitting minimum distance baskets, Sims has shot just 95 percent since entering the starting lineup most of his points appropriately coming through dunks. 

Perhaps foreshadowing what was time come, Sims came up big with several high-value dunks during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's comeback victory, part of a six-point tally in that final frame. Sims wrapped things up in Orlando with eight total points and nine rebounds, five of the latter total coming through the offensive variety.

The 2023 Slam Dunk Contest will be held on Feb. 18 at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. Sims will face off against Kenyon Martin Jr. of Houston, Trey Murphy of New Orleans, and McClung of Philadelphia's NBA G League affiliate in Delaware.

No team has experienced more dunk contest glory than the Knicks, who have been represented on the winner's stand five times. In addition to Toppin's title, Nate Robinson owns a record three victories (2006, 2009-10) while Kenny Walker succeeded Michael Jordan in 1989. 

Sims and the Knicks (30-26) return to action on Friday night when they battle the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center (7 p.m. ET, MSG), 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

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