The undisputed favorite from this year’s 2018 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest has taken his name from consideration thanks to an injury.
Aaron Gordon will not participate at this year’s event due to a strained left hip flexor, which will keep him out of tonight’s game with the Miami Heat as well. He is one of the only bright spots in the Orlando Magic’s season, as the team boasts a 15-36 record going into the halfway point of the year.
Replacing him at the Slam Dunk Contest will be breakout rookie Donovan Mitchell.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon will not play tonight at Miami due to a strained left hip flexor. It is the fourth straight game he has missed.
In addition, Gordon has withdrawn from the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend.
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) February 5, 2018
Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell is expected to replace Orlando’s Aaron Gordon in the dunk contest on NBA All-Star weekend, league sources tell ESPN. Gordon withdrew with a hip injury.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2018