NBA Dunk Contest 2026: Four Debutants Set for High-Flying All-Star Show in Inglewood
The AT&T Slam Dunk returns to All-Star Saturday on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., with four first-time contestants ready to put on a vertical spectacle. The event tips off at 5: 00 p. m. ET and will use a two-round format to determine a new dunk champion.
Field of dunkers — newcomers take center stage
The contest features Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson. All four are making their event debuts, guaranteeing a fresh look and unpredictable night of creativity above the rim.
Bryant, a 6-foot-6 forward and a 2025 first-round pick at No. 14, arrives as one of two rookies in the field. Richardson, the other rookie and the shortest contestant at 6-foot-1, was taken 25th overall and carries a notable family legacy: his father won the dunk contest twice in the early 2000s.
Hayes is the veteran presence, a 7-foot center now in his seventh season and entering the competition with established athleticism and length. Johnson, a 6-foot-6 forward in his second NBA season, brings a mixture of pro and G League experience after splitting last season between a top-level roster and its G League affiliate.
Format and scoring — two rounds, two-dunk tests
The contest will follow a two-round structure. In the opening round each of the four competitors will attempt two dunks; judges will score each effort and the combined total will identify the two finalists. Those finalists will each attempt two additional dunks in the championship round, and the higher combined total will determine the winner.
The format rewards consistency and spectacle alike — a single head-turning dunk helps, but a pair of strong attempts is the path to the title.
Judging panel brings a mix of slam dunk pedigree
The judging roster pairs former dunk champions and high-flying NBA veterans, ensuring a panel familiar with executing and evaluating complex aerial feats. That blend should produce tough, informed scoring decisions and plenty of debate about difficulty versus execution.
Richardson's entry draws attention and reaction
Jase Richardson's selection was met with surprise among some peers and observers. His initial social-media response was lighthearted — a short "I guess" accompanied by laughing and shrugging emojis — but he has since emphasized a competitive mindset: he intends to try to win.
One former college roommate and longtime observer described the pick as unexpected but stressed Richardson’s upside as a dunker. "He was surprised, we all were surprised, " the teammate said after a recent practice. "He’s got some 360s, he’s got some windmills, he’s got some stuff. He’s just a scorer so he don’t really show it too much, but I’ve seen some stuff in practice and open gym. "
That mix of humility and hidden explosiveness — plus the family connection to past champions — gives Richardson an intriguing narrative heading into All-Star Saturday.
What to watch in Inglewood
Beyond the individual dunks, several storylines will shape the evening: whether the rookies can handle the spectacle and pressure of the All-Star stage, how the finalists pace themselves through two rounds, and whether a veteran like Hayes uses size and creativity to dominate. Expect inventive props, coordination with teammates, and attempts to one-up opponents with both difficulty and theatricality.
With every participant making a debut, the contest is wide open. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see who can combine technical polish with jaw-dropping athleticism to walk away as the 2026 slam dunk champion.
