The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was an exciting finaleto NBA All-Star Saturday Night, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 14.
It was a dunk show featuringSan Antonio Spursforward Carter Bryant,Los Angeles Lakerscenter Jaxson Hayes,Miami Heatforward Keshad Johnson, andOrlando Magicguard Jase Richardson.
A second-year forward out of Arizona, Johnson was crowned champion of the slam dunk Contest. An Oakland native, Johnson represented for the Bay Area from his introduction to every dunk, which was followed by a little dance.
"First and foremost, thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for allowing me to be here. Everybody's journey is different," Johnson said. "So all the kids out there, keep dreaming. Have crazy faith. Crazy faith, not just regular faith. Have crazy faith. Anything can happen."
Johnson danced his way to victory with showstopping dunks, showing an array of moves and love to California along the way.
"I just came out here and showed the people who Showtime was. We had all the legends out. I'm from California, brought my own Bay Area swag to L.A. We're all one. It's for the whole West Coast right here, baby," Johnson said. "In the Bay, we do it a little different, you know, we got our own little swag. So I had to bring the legend E-40 out, you know? And do my little thizz, do my little smeeze, put on, you know. And I'm also taking this back to the 305, in Miami too."
Johnson said it's a blessing to be in his shoes.
"I would just say like the blessing that God give me, it's abundant," he said. "They keep flooding, they keep flooding, and it's really beyond, beyond my comprehension. So that's why I just have to take a second and really thank Him. I'm speechless right now. It's the Lord. I give it all credit to the Lord, all glory to God."
Check out the highlights from the 2026 slam dunk contest, including all dunks and scores from the competition.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) competes in the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Miami Heat guard Normal Powell (24) reacts during the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Guy Fieri looks on during the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Tucker look on during the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts during the 3-point contest. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (20) reacts during the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel (7) competes in the 3-point contest." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Spike Lee acknowledges a fan before the start of NBA All-Star Saturday Night." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Stars shine on and off the court at NBA All-Star Saturday Night
2026 NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND:NBA All-Star results: 3-point contest, dunk contest highlights
2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest highlights
The dunk competition order in the first round went as followed:
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
Check out some of the dunks and highlights from Saturday's slam dunk showcase:
NBA Slam Dunk Contest: First Round
Spurs guard and Southern California-native Carter Bryant got things going as he walked on to the floor with "Still Dre" by Dr. Dre playing in the background.
His first dunk was an ode to Vince Carter, as Bryant pulled out a 360-degree windmill jam.
He scored a 45.6 on the first dunk.
Riverside's Carter Bryant walks out to Still DreOn the first try he went up, down, and around on a 360 windmill, earning a 45.6 from the judgesRidiculous degree of difficultypic.twitter.com/VqqGblIDmE
— Tom Petrini (@RealTomPetrini)February 15, 2026
Jase Richardson, who is the son of 2002 and 2003 NBA dunk contest winner Jason Richardson, opened with a tribute to his pops.
He served up a self-toss, double-pump reverse windmill jam. He scored a 45.4 on his first attempt.
the replay angle of Jase Richardson's first dunk! 🔥https://t.co/AOlFTjD1Kipic.twitter.com/AcsOe3Wg7N
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic)February 15, 2026
Take a look at his dad's dunk over 20 years ago.
Keshad Johnson represented for the Bay Area, the Oakland native bringing out legendary rapper E-40, as they were giggin' and going dumb to 40 Water's "Tell Me When To Go."
For his dunk choice, Johnson brought out a rock-the-cradle, Dr. J-esque type dunk as he leaped over E-40, while displaying the hand over the head, Karl "Mailman" Malone style.
To cap his dunk, he gave the fans his best dougie. He scored a 47.4 for the dunk, not the dance.
Keshad Johnson over E-40 at@ATTSlam Dunk 😳Tap to watch:https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vCpic.twitter.com/zGQfU8kDdR
— NBA (@NBA)February 15, 2026
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes seemed a little nervous and had a less-than-impressive first dunk, but he was saved by Dwight Howard, a judge, who gave a generous 47 score to keep the fellow big man in contention.
Hayes scored a 44.6 overall.
Jaxson Hayes SLAMS it down with ease for his first dunk 🔥pic.twitter.com/BZM70uACa4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints)February 15, 2026
Hayes scored the lowest on his first dunk so he was the first to land a second dunk. For his second choice, he decided to spice things up a bit.
The Lakers' seventh-year center went with a self-toss, tap to himself before going for an East Bay, between-the-legs funk dunk. He was awarded a 47.2 on the second dunk.
Jaxson Hayes taps it to himself & goes between the legs for his second slam in@ATTSlam Dunk 😤Tap to watch:https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vCpic.twitter.com/pBALENoNJ0
— NBA (@NBA)February 15, 2026
Richardson couldn't get a clean toss and couldn't get a great look for a slam. He even fell hard on his back and was down for a split second.
Jase Richardson almost Just diedpic.twitter.com/LpdcbUN5gG
— John (@iam_johnw)February 15, 2026
He sprang back up and completed a 360-degree dunk, which earned him a 43.4 for the second dunk.
A rough go of it for#Magicrookie Jase Richardson on his second dunk, which included a scary fall.But he was able to recover with a nice backup dunk for a score of 43.4 to bring his total to 88.8.Alas, he won't advance in the Slam Dunk Contest.pic.twitter.com/z5f0dM04Kt
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede)February 15, 2026
Bryant, on his second dunk, gave the crowd a self-toss, windmill jam where he nearly saw inside of the rim he was so high. He earned a 49.2 on the dunk. He advanced to the final round.
CARTER BRYANT BEST DUNK OF THE NIGHT SO FAR. 😮💨pic.twitter.com/BPgGq5KMrv
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral)February 15, 2026
Johnson, who earned the nickname "Flight 305," scored a 45.4 on his second dunk, which was a reverse cradle, two-hand slam. He advanced to the final round with the jam.
Johnson "squabbled up" after the dunk, this dance being more LA-inspired, fitting for the site of All-Star weekend.
Keshad Johnson's second dunk moves him into the FINAL!(via@MiamiClip)pic.twitter.com/FhgaOamycX
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters)February 15, 2026
Final Round: Carter Bryant vs. Keshad Johnson
Johnson opened the final round with a self-toss, between-the-legs reverse dunk. He scored a nearly-perfect, 49.6 score for his first dunk of the final round.
His dance afterwards, just a little smeeze dance, another ode to the Bay Area.
The degree of difficulty on this dunk from Keshad Johnson is ABSURD 🤯pic.twitter.com/5GLpadzizm
— Whistle (@WhistleSports)February 15, 2026
Bryant, in the final round, answered Johnson's opening dunk with a jaw-dropping jam of his own. Bryant brought out the self-toss, between-the-legs at the front of the rim.
He was given a perfect 50 for the action.
CARTER BRYANT WITH A 50 🔥He needs a 47.5 on his final attempt to win@ATTSlam Dunk!Tap to watch:https://t.co/Cc3TznvNLrpic.twitter.com/YMeqAi2whh
— NBA (@NBA)February 15, 2026
Johnson, for his final dunk attempt, responded with a one-handed windmill from just inside the free throw line. He got a 47.8 score which put him in position to secure the win.
Another look at the winning dunk by Keshad Johnson. That's that#HeatCulturepic.twitter.com/Jghy1r22Uf
— 𝔴𝔞𝔡𝔡𝔩𝔢 (@waddlecity)February 15, 2026
It was Bryant's contest to win but multiple misses in the final round as time ticked down led to his demise. He attempted a between-the-legs self-toss, 180-degree reverse two-hand jam. He never made it.
He wouldn't go without a jam, finishing with a 360-degree slam as the dunk clock wound down. He earned a 43 for it.
Unaware of the rules, Bryant could've allowed time to expire and chose one dunk to attempt.
Carter Bryant MISSED 3 DUNKS 😭😭pic.twitter.com/5pcTvNnWHY
— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops)February 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA dunk contest highlights as Keshad Johnson wins