Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat emerged victorious in the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk contest held on Night 2 of NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, narrowly defeating San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant. The competition showcased high-flying athleticism and intense rivalry between the two finalists.
Highlights from the Slam Dunk Competition’s Opening Round
The first round featured four competitors: Johnson, Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, and Orlando Magic guard Jase Richardson. Johnson and Bryant advanced after posting top scores of 92.8 and 94.8 respectively, while Hayes and Richardson were eliminated following lower totals.
One notable moment came during the opening round with some dunks drawing mixed reactions. Hayes completed an uninspired one-handed dunk near the free-throw line, while Richardson unfortunately suffered a fall after being blocked against the backboard.
First attempt scores revealed Johnson with a 47.4, Bryant close behind at 45.6, Richardson at 45.4, and Hayes at 44.6. On the second tries, Bryant surged ahead with a 49.2, Johnson had 45.4, Hayes a 47.2, and Richardson dropped to 43.4.
Exciting Duel in the Final Round
The final round intensified as Johnson and Bryant delivered remarkable dunks to impress both judges and fans. Johnson kicked off with an electrifying between-the-legs dunk along the baseline, finishing with a one-handed reverse slam that wowed the crowd.
Bryant answered with his own spectacular first attempt, tossing the ball to himself and completing a smooth left-to-right between-the-legs dunk, earning a perfect score of 50.
Johnson’s second dunk, a full-extension windmill from just inside the free-throw line, sustained his lead. Meanwhile, Bryant struggled on his final attempt, unable to execute the planned dunk and settling for a spinning slam as time expired.
Reflecting on his missed chance, Bryant said,
“If I put that dunk down, I win it,”
and added,
“That’s probably the dunk I’ve made the most out of all the dunks I did today in my life. I’ve been doing that dunk since I’ve been 14. Just didn’t get the ball. Didn’t roll my way.”
?Carter Bryant, as reported by Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News
Overall Impact and What Lies Ahead
Johnson’s victory at the 2026 Slam Dunk contest cements his status as one of the league’s most acrobatic and creative dunkers, while Bryant’s impressive run marks him as a rising star to watch. The contest delivered thrilling moments that engaged NBA fans and spotlighted emerging talents. Moving forward, both players will likely capitalize on this exposure as NBA All-Star Weekend continues to evolve as a stage for showcase events.
Jaxson Hayes just had the worst dunk in contest history 😭pic.twitter.com/sLkZpkFbsm
— 5cuff (@HoodiAcuff) February 15, 2026
Jase Richardson Scary fall during slam dunk contest 😱😱😳
pic.twitter.com/3aqWDBqAyS— HoopVillain😈 (@HoopVillain_) February 15, 2026
