Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes will showcase his athleticism in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, scheduled to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Hayes will join his Lakers teammates LeBron James and Luka Dončić, who have both been named as All-Star players for this prestigious weekend of basketball events.
Overview of the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles
Los Angeles will host the NBA All-Star Weekend for the seventh time, with the main festivities centered at the Intuit Dome, home to the LA Clippers. The weekend will include several events such as the celebrity game and NBA Crossover, attracting a wide audience of fans and basketball enthusiasts. The All-Star Saturday lineup begins at 2 p.m. PT.
Luka Dončić was announced as an All-Star starter, and LeBron James earned a spot as a reserve player, extending his consecutive All-Star selection streak to 22 years. In addition to the All-Star Game, Hayes will take the spotlight in the slam dunk competition, joining fellow contestants Carter Bryant from San Antonio, Keshad Johnson of Miami, and Jase Richardson representing Orlando.
The Dunk Contest as a Personal Milestone for Hayes
In a recent interview, 25-year-old Jaxson Hayes described participating in the slam dunk contest as a dream come true since childhood. He expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity and his style of play, which is well suited for exciting dunk performances.
“For me, I’ve always dreamed of being in the dunk contest,”
Hayes said.
“I was always big into the dunk contest — if you can’t tell by the way I play. So when I got the call, I was definitely down.”
Event Timing and Broadcast Information
The AT&T Slam Dunk Contest will take place on February 14, 2026, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday. The entire slate of events will begin at 2 p.m. Pacific Time and will be broadcast live on NBC, with streaming access available on Peacock. Fans can expect high-energy performances and memorable competition moments during this highly anticipated segment of All-Star Weekend.
Additional Highlights from the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend
Other notable updates surrounding the 2026 NBA All-Star Game include the addition of Kawhi Leonard to the roster, as well as star-studded coaching from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mookie Betts for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Veteran players such as LeBron James continue to contribute to the weekend’s prestige, while voices like Baron Davis offer insights into the next generation of basketball superstars expected to shine in Los Angeles.
As the event approaches, excitement is building for what promises to be a dynamic and memorable All-Star Weekend with Jaxson Hayes’ participation in the slam dunk contest a key highlight among celebrated basketball talents.
