ORLANDO, Florida (AP) – Hindi na lalaro si Zach Lavine ng Timberwolves para idepensa ang titulo, sapat para maging liyamado si Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon sa 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Pangungunahan naman nina Boston Celtic star Isaiah Thomas at Philadelphia Sixers rookie center Joel Embiid ang NBA Skills Challenge, ayon sa opisyal na pahayag ng NBA nitong Huwebes (Biyernes sa Manila).

Makakaharap ni Gordon, last year runner-up, sina Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, Indiana forward Glen Robinson III at Phoenix rookie forward Derrick Jones Jr.

“It’s incredibly special just to be out there,’’ pahayag ni Gordon.

May nandura? Komosyon sa pagitan ng UP, La Salle coaches, lumala!

“You have to trust your skills. To grow up wanting to be in the dunk contest and then to finally be doing it, performing at a high level, it’s an incredible feeling.’’

Sa 2017 NBA Taco Bell Skills Challenge, masusubok ang tambalan nina Thomas at Embiid laban kina John Wall, Gordon Hayward, Anthony Davis at Kristaps Porzingis.

Nakatakda ang All-Stars sa Pebrero 18 sa Smoothie King Arena sa New Orleans.