Aaron Gordon robbed of victory in 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Aaron Gordon has now produced two of the most memorable dunking performances in NBA history - and still hasn’t won the contest.

Orlando forward Aaron Gordon managed to complete a slam dunk while jumping over a 226cm NBA giant, but still lost by one point.

What more does Aaron Gordon have to do?

The über-athletic Orlando forward thrilled basketball fans with another explosive performance in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Weekend dunk contest only to come up empty again as Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr took the trophy in a double tie-breaker.

In similar scenes when Gordon was pipped by Zach Lavine in the 2016 contest, Jones took the crown after being awarded a 48 for his final dunk — a through-the-legs windmill after catching a pass off the side of the backboard.

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Gordon pulled 226cm Boston Celtics giant Tacko Fall out of the crowd and dunked over him — but controversially was only given a 47.

AARON GORDON OVER TACKO FALL 😱

Yet he lost by ONE point to Derrick Jones Jr. in the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest 😳 #NBAAllStar #NBA pic.twitter.com/QBfZBN2OU8

— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) February 16, 2020

But it came after the Magic star had been awarded a perfect score of 50 for all five of his dunks to that point, in what NBA Hall of Famer Reggie Miller “the greatest dunk challenge since 1988”.

Gordon was faultless as he and Jones knocked out underwhelming Lakers centre Dwight Howard and Bucks forward Pat Connaughton in the qualifying round.

They couldn’t be split after the two-dunk final, leading to a two-dunk tie-breaker. After both scored 50s again it came down to the Tacko jam. It appears Gordon was penalised for slightly clipping the big man’s hands as he sailed over his head.

While boos rang around United Center in Chicago, Miller described Gordon’s defeat as “highway robbery”.

“You dunk over Taco, you win,” he cried.

“Oh my goodness, that ain’t right … Are you kidding me?

“This ain’t right. That’s highway robbery.”

That’s what you call highway robbery!#NBAAllStar

— Lawrence B. Jones III (@LawrenceBJones3) February 16, 2020

Why are you all getting upset, Aaron Gordon didn’t clear Tacko’s head🤷🏾‍♂️ #NBAAllStar2020 #SlamDunkContest

— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) February 16, 2020

Only 2 things are guaranteed to fail 100% of the time — NBA All-Star Dunk Contest judging, and the WiFi on every United Airlines flight.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 16, 2020

What Aaron Gordon would’ve had to do to win the dunk contest#ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/qmDxMU69NN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2020

Following the event, 24-year-old Gordon revealed he was done with the Slam Dunk Challenge.

“It’s a wrap, bro. I feel like I should have two trophies,” he said.

“It’s over — my next goal is to try and win the three-point contest.”

Even NBA legend LeBron James called for both competitors to be crowned victors after the controversial ruling.

2 🏆 should have been rewarded tonight that’s for damn sure!! Keep it a buck y’all. 🤦🏾‍♂️!! Them boys both put on a show! Professional DUNKERS

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 16, 2020

Miami Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. scored three 50s in the final against Aaron Gordon.

There was a sense of deja vu for Gordon, with himself and Levine also scoring a pair 50s in their 2016 two-dunk final. After accumulating another perfect score in the first tie-break, Gordon was awarded 47 for a beautifully-executed, but slightly underwhelming dunk over his head

Although he was chuffed with the victory, Jones was empathetic towards his opponent on Sunday.

“It was a great competition — we’re just out here putting on a show for the fans,” he said.

“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do.”