The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend is in full swing, and all eyes are on the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, where the annual Slam Dunk Contest promises to electrify fans and shake up the highlight reels. This year’s event, set for Saturday, February 14, is loaded with fresh faces, intriguing storylines, and a wide-open field—especially since three-time defending champion Mac McClung has opted not to defend his crown. With the contest scheduled as the third event of All-Star Saturday Night, tip-off is set for 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, and anticipation is sky-high.
The official lineup, as announced by the NBA, features four dynamic competitors: Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat, and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic. Each brings their own flair, athleticism, and narrative to the contest, setting the stage for what could be one of the most unpredictable dunk-offs in recent memory.
Carter Bryant, the Spurs' rookie forward, enters the contest as the odds-on favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with +170 odds to claim the trophy. Drafted 14th overall in 2025, Bryant has quickly made an impression, not just with his leaping ability but also his overall game. He received a boost ahead of All-Star Weekend when he was tapped as a Rising Stars replacement, underscoring his growing profile in the league. But there’s a twist: NBA expert Larry Hartstein warns that Bryant’s penchant for high-risk, high-reward dunks could be his undoing. "One of his planned dunks will 'test my limits,'" Hartstein notes, adding that while the rookie’s exuberance is exciting, it also increases the odds of missed attempts—a crucial factor, given the contest’s unforgiving format. In regular-season play, Bryant has connected on just 9 of 14 dunk attempts, a 64.3% success rate, which is lower than his fellow competitors.
On the other end of the spectrum is Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers’ veteran center, who’s no stranger to the big stage. Drafted eighth overall in 2019, Hayes is now in his seventh NBA season and his third with the Lakers. This year, he’s averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game, shooting a remarkable 77.2% from the field. More telling for dunk contest fans: Hayes has nailed 90.4% of his dunks this season, making him the model of consistency and execution. Sportsbooks have him as the second favorite at +240 odds, and many analysts believe his experience and reliability could give him the edge when the pressure mounts.
Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat adds another layer of intrigue. After going undrafted in 2024, Johnson signed a two-way deal with Miami and has since earned his stripes, working his way into the rotation in his first NBA season. His 2025-26 averages—3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game—may not leap off the stat sheet, but his athleticism and hunger to prove himself could make him a dark horse in this contest. Johnson’s odds stand at +310, and his steady dunking in games has caught the attention of scouts and fans alike.
Then there’s Jase Richardson, the Orlando Magic rookie guard, who brings a legacy factor to the competition. Selected 25th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, Richardson is the son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, who took home the trophy in 2002 and 2003. Jase is averaging 5.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game on 47.1% shooting in his debut season. While he enters the contest as the biggest longshot at +430, his pedigree and creativity could surprise everyone—after all, who doesn’t love a good underdog story, especially when the family name is already etched in dunk contest lore?
The format for the 2026 contest is straightforward but unforgiving: all four contestants get two dunks in the first round, with judges scoring each attempt. The top two scorers advance to the finals, where they’ll each throw down two more dunks. The contestant with the highest combined score in the final round takes home the hardware. If there’s a tie, the NBA will turn to a tiebreaker based on judges’ scoring. As always, the contest rewards not just difficulty but execution and pacing—a single missed attempt can spell disaster, especially in the early rounds. Contestants are expected to blend creativity with consistency, often saving their most jaw-dropping dunks for the finals after banking a reliable opener.
With the contest set to close out the All-Star Saturday broadcast, fans are encouraged to tune in early—not just for the dunk contest, but for the entire evening of festivities, which also includes the State Farm 3-Point Contest and the Kia Shooting Stars competition. The NBA’s All-Star Weekend is a three-day celebration of basketball, with additional events like the Rising Stars games, the NBA HBCU Classic, and the G League Next Up Game filling out the schedule. The All-Star Game itself is slated for Sunday, February 15, at 5 p.m. ET, capping off a jam-packed weekend.
For those looking to catch the action without traditional cable, Peacock is the streaming home for NBA All-Star Weekend. Subscriptions start at $10.99 for the Premium Plan, with options for ad-free viewing and even free access for Walmart+ members. The NBA has made it easier than ever for fans to watch live, whether at home or on the go, ensuring that no one misses a minute of the high-flying action.
The betting markets are buzzing as well, with Bryant and Hayes the favorites to reach the finals at -160 and -140, respectively. The most likely exact outcome, according to FanDuel, is Bryant beating Hayes in the finals at +600 odds. But predictions only go so far—when the lights come on and the crowd roars, anything can happen. As Hartstein puts it, there’s always room for a longshot to "explode to the rim" and steal the show.
And let’s not forget the off-court drama: the Spurs’ decision to cut former top-10 pick Jeremy Sochan just days before the contest to give Bryant more playing time adds another wrinkle to the rookie’s already compelling narrative. It’s a move that signals confidence in Bryant’s potential but also ramps up the pressure for him to deliver under the brightest lights.
With a new champion guaranteed and a field full of hungry, high-flying athletes, the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is shaping up to be a can’t-miss spectacle. Whether you’re rooting for the steady hand of Hayes, the raw athleticism of Bryant, the underdog grit of Johnson, or the legacy play of Richardson, one thing’s for sure: fans are in for a treat at the Intuit Dome. Stay tuned as the NBA’s best leapers take center stage and battle for dunk supremacy on All-Star Saturday Night.