The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest will take place on Saturday, February 14, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, kicking off at 5:00 PM ET as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. Fans can watch the contest live on NBC and stream it through Peacock, where the 2025-2026 NBA season will also feature 100 regular-season games. This highlight event is part of a weekend filled with basketball excitement that includes other competitions leading to the 75th All-Star Game on Sunday.
Contestants Set to Compete in the Slam Dunk Showdown
Several promising players are expected to showcase their aerial skills this year. Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat, a second-year guard from Arizona, has appeared in 21 games this season, mostly playing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the G League.
Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson, a first-round rookie and son of two-time Slam Dunk winner Jason Richardson, has logged 12.2 minutes per game and posted a season-best 20 points against the Washington Wizards on January 6.
From the San Antonio Spurs, Carter Bryant is a first-year player from Arizona averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game. Bryant recently had a career game with 16 points and multiple assists in a win over the Lakers.
The Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes is a regular starter, averaging 17.3 minutes and six starts. Known for his lob dunks, Hayes ranks 19th in the league with 75 dunks this season, making him a top slam dunk contender.
Details on When, Where, and How to Watch
The Slam Dunk Contest is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, at 5:00 PM ET at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. It will be the third event on the night’s All-Star Saturday slate, which also features the State Farm 3-Point Contest and Kia Shooting Stars competition starting simultaneously at 5:00 PM ET. NBC will broadcast the event live, and it will be available for streaming on Peacock.
Additional NBA All-Star Weekend Events on NBC and Peacock
NBA fans can enjoy a full lineup of events throughout the All-Star Weekend, starting Friday evening:
- Rising Stars Challenge Game 1: Team Melo vs. Team Austin at 9:00 PM ET
- Rising Stars Challenge Game 2: Team Vince vs. Team T-Mac at 9:55 PM ET
- Castrol Rising Stars Championship at 10:35 PM ET
- NBA HBCU Classic Presented by AT&T at 11:00 PM ET
Saturday features the State Farm 3-Point Contest and Kia Shooting Stars event beginning at 5:00 PM ET, right before the Slam Dunk Contest.
Sunday wraps up the weekend with a unique All-Star Game session, broken into four mini-games starting at 5:00 PM ET:
- All-Star Game 1: Stars vs. World – 5:00 PM ET
- All-Star Game 2: Stripes vs. Game 1 Winner – 5:55 PM ET
- All-Star Game 3: Stripes vs. Game 1 Loser – 6:25 PM ET
- All-Star Championship – 7:10 PM ET
Historical Context and Notable Moments from Slam Dunk Contests
The Slam Dunk Contest has a rich history, with 42 events held including the original 1976 and 1977 contests before the NBA’s official competition began in 1984. Legendary figures such as Julius Erving, Larry Nance, and Kobe Bryant have secured their places in dunk history, with Bryant being the youngest winner at just 18 years old in 1997.
Seven athletes have won the title multiple times, including Nate Robinson and Mac McClung, who made history with three consecutive wins from 2023 to 2025. The New York Knicks hold the team record with five slam dunk victories. Mac McClung also recorded the only perfect score in contest history, a flawless 50 in 2025.
Memorable Dunk Contest Highlights Over the Years
Some dunk contests stand out due to iconic performances. In 1986, Spud Webb, standing only 5’7”, stunned audiences by winning over Dominique Wilkins after stepping in for Michael Jordan. Jordan himself delivered one of the most famous dunks in the 1988 contest, soaring from the free throw line to earn a perfect score.
The 2000 contest, often considered the greatest ever, saw Vince Carter execute a breathtaking between-the-legs windmill dunk before declaring, “it’s over,” after defeating Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis.
The 2008 contest showcased Dwight Howard dressed as Superman out-jumping Gerald Green, who blew out a cupcake candle on the rim. More recently, the 2016 duel between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon captivated fans with a back-and-forth display of athleticism, with LaVine narrowly claiming the win.
Watching NBA Games Beyond the Slam Dunk Contest on NBC and Peacock
Throughout the season, NBC and Peacock will provide broad coverage beyond All-Star Weekend. “Peacock NBA Monday” streams up to three Monday night games weekly during the regular season, while “Coast 2 Coast Tuesday” offers doubleheaders across NBC and Peacock, with games tailored to various time zones.
Sunday Night Basketball will debut on both platforms starting February 1, 2026. To stay updated, viewers should check local listings, but all games will stream live nationwide on Peacock, ensuring broad access to NBA action.
How to Access Peacock and Compatible Devices
Peacock subscribers gain access to live sports, documentaries, original programming, and an extensive library of movies and TV shows. Signing up is straightforward and unlocks NBA live streams among other entertainment options.
The service supports a range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile phones, and gaming consoles, making it accessible for most viewers wishing to watch the Slam Dunk Contest and regular-season games on the go or at home.
