Keshad Johnson Claims Slam Dunk Crown with Between‑the‑Legs Finish at All‑Star Saturday
Inglewood, Calif. — Keshad Johnson delivered the standout moment of All‑Star Saturday, winning the Slam Dunk contest with a between‑the‑legs reverse and a powerful running dunk from just inside the free‑throw line to finish with a 97. 4 total in the final round. Johnson edged rookie Carter Bryant, whose opening 50. 0 gave the crowd a scare, but a late misstep left Bryant with a 93. 0 final score.
How the final unfolded
The dunk final came down to consistency versus flash. Johnson opened the last round with a perfectly timed between‑the‑legs reverse, then followed with a running, high‑arc slam that started just inside the free‑throw line to post a combined 97. 4. Bryant countered with a perfect 50 on his first attempt of the final, raising the stakes for Johnson, but his second dunk — a 360‑degree attempt — earned a 43. 0 and fell short of the mark he needed to overtake Johnson.
Earlier in the competition, both Jase Richardson and Jaxson Hayes were eliminated in the opening round. Richardson suffered a scary fall during one of his attempts but said afterward that he was OK and expected no serious injury. Johnson, who has appeared in just 21 games this season and averages 7. 6 minutes per contest, outlasted them all.
The event took place at 5: 00 p. m. ET on Feb. 14 at the Intuit Dome and featured a judging panel loaded with former dunk champions and Hall of Famers. Fan engagement played a role in scoring through a designated member representative, while the on‑court judges supplied the remaining scores that decided the contest.
What the victory means for Johnson and his career
For Johnson, the win was more than a trophy — it was vindication. "I beat the odds. I made it. I made it into the NBA, " he said, reflecting on the long arc from watching dunk contests as a kid to headlining one. He acknowledged paying homage to past greats and leaned on faith and preparation to take the title in his native Southern California.
The victory offers an immediate boost to Johnson’s profile. A player who has spent much of the season in limited rotation duty now has a signature All‑Star moment that can translate into increased fan interest, confidence within the team structure, and potential opportunities on and off the court. For a young player trying to carve out a longer NBA tenure, the contest — and the memorable dunks — provide a vivid highlight to showcase his athletic upside.
Broader All‑Star Saturday takeaways
All‑Star Saturday delivered drama beyond the dunk contest. The three‑point competition crowned a veteran shooter who has battled through injury, underscoring how All‑Star Weekend can spotlight both established stars and rising talents. The dunk contest itself reaffirmed a perennial truth: success can come from a single spectacular moment or a pair of nearly flawless flights — and on this night, consistency won out.
For Johnson, the Slam Dunk title is a milestone that may prove pivotal. Whether it becomes a springboard to more playing time or simply remains a standout chapter early in his career, he walked off the court with the trophy and a reminder that moments seized on the league’s biggest stages can change narratives overnight.
