Keshad Johnson soars to victory in 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, edges Carter Bryant in dramatic finale
Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 14, taking the crown at All-Star Saturday at the Intuit Dome after a back-and-forth final with San Antonio’s Carter Bryant. Johnson’s mix of creativity and consistency carried him past a night in which Bryant flashed near-perfection but stumbled on his closing attempt. The event began at 5: 00 p. m. ET and featured judges who are former dunk champions and league stalwarts.
Final-round drama: Bryant’s high mark undone by a missed closer
Carter Bryant opened the final with a jaw-dropping between-the-legs dunk that had the judging panel raving and produced perfect scores. In earlier rounds Bryant had showcased a 360 and a windmill that earned him top marks and vaulted him into the championship frame. His first-round sequence included a pair of standout attempts that combined flair and power, setting the bar high for the night.
Needing just a mid-40s number on his last attempt to secure the title, Bryant tried a reverse slam off his own pass off the backboard on his final leap. The attempt did not come together; he returned to a 360 repeat and received a lower score that left the door open. That missed signature finish proved costly and handed momentum to Johnson, who capitalized with two strong final dunks.
Johnson’s mix of flash and replication seals the win
Johnson’s winning package combined a spectacular underneath-the-rim between-the-legs leap and a running windmill launched from inside the key. The earlier under-the-backboard effort — launched from beneath the rim and executed with a between-the-legs flourish — drew the loudest reactions and underscored why Johnson advanced to the final round.
Though some noted similarities between one of Johnson’s closing throws and a dunk attempted by another competitor in round one, the Heat wing added his own spin with a running windmill that impressed the judges enough to push his average past Bryant’s effort. The victory is notable for a player who went undrafted in 2024, has appeared in just 21 games this season, and averaged 3. 1 points per game in those looks. His win gives Miami its fourth Slam Dunk crown and its first since 2020.
Context and broader All-Star highlights
The judging panel included several former dunk champions and longtime NBA figures, bringing a mix of historical perspective and star power to each score. The format also incorporated a fan-influenced element that gave members of the league’s ID program a role in the scoring mix.
Saturday’s All-Star Saturday slate opened with the three-point contest, where Damian Lillard made his first official in-season appearance this year while still rehabbing an Achilles and captured the 3-point title with two strong rounds — including a 29 in the final — to top Devin Booker. Lillard’s victory marks his third 3-point contest crown and added another highlight to an already eventful evening at the Intuit Dome.
For Johnson, the dunk contest win offers a moment of national exposure and the kind of highlight-reel moment that can alter a young player’s trajectory. For Bryant, the night underscored both his spectacular upside and the fine margins that separate a memorable All-Star performance from a championship finish. The contest delivered high-flying theatrics, a few near-misses and a worthy champion crowned under the bright lights of All-Star Saturday.
