The 2026 NBA Dunk Contest offered a chance for a few more obscure names to the casual basketball fan to introduce themselves on a national stage \u2014 but one of them took full advantage.<\/p>\n
Miami Heat<\/a> forward Keshad Johnson won the Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday night, beating out San Antonio Spurs<\/a> rookie Carter Bryant in the finals to hoist the trophy and the financial bonuses that come along with it<\/a>. While Bryant had the only perfect 50 on the night, Johnson had a steady performance, throwing down four strong dunks that impressed the judges.<\/p>\n Johnson’s best dunk of the evening was an electric, between-the-legs reverse jam that earned a 49.6 in the finals, which Bryant then topped with a perfect 50 thanks to his incredible bounce. But when the Spurs rookie struggled to make his final dunk, settling for a score of 43.0, it left Johnson as the champion.<\/p>\n All night, the Heat forward brought the energy, including plenty of dance moves after his dunks. Johnson, in his second NBA season, made a bigger name for himself thanks to his performance on Saturday, joining the list of legends to win a Dunk Contest.<\/p>\n The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the 2026 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest. Here’s a look at all the throw-downs from the event in L.A.<\/p>\n MORE: Full results from the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest<\/a><\/p>\n NBA Dunk Contest scoresPlayerDunk 1Dunk 2Round 1 TotalDunk 3Dunk 4Round 2 TotalCarter Bryant45.649.294.850.043.093.0Jaxson Hayes44.647.291.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Keshad Johnson47.445.492.849.647.897.4Jase Richardson45.443.488.8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n *Bold = winner<\/p>\n NBA Dunk Contest updates, results, highlights from 2026\u00a0All-Star Weekend<\/p>\n All times ET.\u00a0<\/p>\n 7:52 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Johnson’s winning finals score was 97.2, while Bryant had a 93.0, carried by a perfect 50 on his third dunk.<\/p>\n The final dunk that led to Johnson winning the event:<\/p>\n SPRINT \u27a1\ufe0f SLAM \u27a1\ufe0f DANCE! https:\/\/t.co\/ZZiLpab7WA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/aJverMcPV7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:50 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Your 2026 Dunk Contest champion is Keshad Johnson. He certainly brought some athleticism and energy, dancing after almost all of his dunks, with his best of the night being a 49.6 for Dunk 3.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bryant came close to winning, but his struggles on his last dunk allowed Johnson to take the win.\u00a0<\/p>\n Keshad Johnson is the NBA Slam Dunk champion \ud83c\udfc6 pic.twitter.com\/5vPvqycV8a<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:47 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Bryant could have sealed a win with one more strong dunk, but he has some failed attempts that lead to just a\u00a043.0 on his final dunk.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now, it’s in the judges’ hands to decide whether Bryant did enough to squeak by with a win.<\/p>\n 7:44 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Keshad Johnson’s final dunk is a long one, just beyond the free-throw line for takeoff, that earns him a\u00a047.8.<\/p>\n KESHAD JOHNSON WINDMILL FOR HIS FINAL DUNK pic.twitter.com\/xMe9u7vRXU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:42 p.m. \u2014 Carter Bryant may be the star of the evening. He gets all 50s from the judges, the only sweep of the night, getting serious bounce on a between-the-legs windmill.<\/p>\n CARTER BRYANT GETS A PERFECT 50 ON THIS DUNK pic.twitter.com\/NIHTpd6rKJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:40 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Johnson earns a 49.6 for his first dunk of the finals, with an impressive, twitchy move to throw down a dunk from the reverse side while going through the legs.<\/p>\n KESHAD SHOWTIME JOHNSON pic.twitter.com\/aXJhxuLTI3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Heat Clips \ud83c\udfac (@MiamiClip) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:37 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Carter Bryant and Keshad Johnson have a shot to make a big name for themselves in the Dunk Contest Finals.<\/p>\n Dunk 2<\/p>\n 7:32 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Keshad Johnson’s missed attempts don’t help him on Dunk 2, but he gets a 45.4 for a wrap-around style reverse jam.\u00a0<\/p>\n Johnson and Bryant are moving onto the finals, as they’ve both showcased the most impressive athleticism so far tonight.<\/p>\n Keshad Johnson’s second dunk \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/eZmXsl5PwF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Heat Clips \ud83c\udfac (@MiamiClip) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:30 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Carter Bryant will be advancing. He reaches for a long windmill that gets some juice, and receives a 49.2 score, the highest of the event so far.<\/p>\n SHEESH CARTER BRYANT \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n He scores 49.2pic.twitter.com\/EKGEo1uqpk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:27 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Richardson took a hard fall on his Dunk 2 attempt, but he gets right back up and still finishes one for a 43.4, doing a 180-style dunk.<\/p>\n Jase Richardson took a tough fall after his second dunk attempt.<\/p>\n Hopefully he\u2019s okay \ud83d\ude4f<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/9SvZRHUd35<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/ed79RuNJFR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Lopo (@bballforpeople) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:25 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Hayes improves with his second dunk for a 47.2, going between his legs for a nice jam that will give him more of a shot to advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jaxson Hayes second dunk \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/HEWUNS7txz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 15, 2026<\/a>Dunk 1<\/p>\n 7:17 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Jaxson Hayes’ first dunk is fairly uninspiring, as he merely jumps from a foot or two beyond the free-throw line for a one-handed slam. Somehow, he still receives a decent 44.6 score thanks to Dwight Howard giving him a 47, but his dunk is still the lowest of the bunch so far.<\/p>\n Johnson has the early lead after Dunk 1.<\/p>\n Jaxson Hayes in the Dunk Contest \ud83d\ude05pic.twitter.com\/FBnkNzKYLs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:14 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Keshad Johnson introduces himself as “Flight 305” from Miami, and while he did miss his initial attempt, he jumps over E-40 then hits a dougie after a one-handed dunk with the other hand on his head.<\/p>\n He receives a 47.4 on his first dunk, the highest so far.<\/p>\n KESHAD JOHNSON JUMPS OVER E-40 AND HITS THE DOUGIE pic.twitter.com\/IDp8XXTlOL<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \ud835\ude43\ud835\ude5a\ud835\ude56\ud835\ude69\ud835\ude3e\ud835\ude6a\ud835\ude61\ud835\ude69\ud835\ude6a\ud835\ude67\ud835\ude5a (@WadexFlash) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Keshad Johnson jumps over E-40 for his dunk pic.twitter.com\/JSpHqdrDdy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:12 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Jase Richardson, a rookie from the Magic<\/a>, opens slightly below Bryant with a 45.4 score for a reverse slam on a bounce-oop to himself.<\/p>\n Jase Richardson 1st dunk \ud83d\udc40 \u2014 Michigan State Hoops (@michsthoops) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:10 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Carter Bryant opens things up with a\u00a045.6, a great start thanks to a clean first attempt.<\/p>\n Carter Bryant gets the Dunk Contest started \ud83d\udd25pic.twitter.com\/F9AhuImga6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 7:09 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Our dunkers are being introduced. Who will win the 2026 Dunk Contest?<\/p>\n 6:53 p.m. \u2014\u00a0With the 3-point Contest and Shooting Stars events over, it is officially time for the dunks.<\/p>\n 5:31 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The four Dunk Contest participants:<\/p>\n The 2026 @ATT<\/a> Slam Dunk Participants!<\/p>\n Jase Richardson Tap to watch NBA All-Star Saturday on NBC & Peacock: https:\/\/t.co\/BpnjnxQ8vC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/PZAJVCxn6h<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:30 p.m. \u2014\u00a010 years ago at this event, we got one of the greatest dunk contests ever.<\/p>\n The Greatest NBA Dunk Contest: Aaron Gordon vs. Zach LaVine (2016) pic.twitter.com\/mymA0nDdqz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) January 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 5:28 p.m. \u2014 The 3-point contest is under way, meaning we will soon reach the Dunk Contest. Jaxson Hayes is ready.<\/p>\n Dunk contest ready \u2b50\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/c8PyhQ2ZMR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 14, 2026<\/a>Who won the NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest?PlayerRound 1FinalDevin Booker3027Kon Knueppel2715Damian Lillard2729Tyrese Maxey\u00a0(Eliminated)17–Donovan Mitchell\u00a0(Eliminated)24–Jamal Murray\u00a0(Eliminated)18–Bobby Portis\u00a0(Eliminated)11–Norman Powell\u00a0(Eliminated)23–What time does\u00a0the NBA All-Star\u00a0Dunk Contest start?Date:\u00a0Saturday, Feb. 14Time:\u00a05\u00a0p.m. ET | 2\u00a0p.m. PT<\/p>\n The Dunk Contest is the third and final event of 2026 All-Star Saturday from Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The Dunk Contest will begin after the conclusion of the 3-point Contest and Shooting Stars events, with the first of the three beginning at 5 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0The full history of NBA Dunk Contest winners<\/a><\/p>\n What channel is the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest on?<\/p>\n All three events during 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday will be broadcast nationally on NBC.<\/p>\n The events can also be streamed live through Peacock<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n NBA All-Star Slam\u00a0Dunk Contest format<\/p>\n The NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest will be a similar format to 2025. It will have two rounds, with five judges scoring dunks on a scale of 40 to 50.\u00a0This year’s judges\u00a0are NBA legends Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard,\u00a0Nate Robinson, and\u00a0Brent Barry, with the fifth judge being an NBA ID Member Rep who will reveal the average score given by fans in real time via the NBA App.<\/p>\n The average of the five judges’ scores will be the individual dunk score. The highest score a dunk can receive is 50, while 40 is the lowest possible score.<\/p>\n Contestants will have 90 seconds to complete each dunk attempt. Within that 90-second window, players are allowed up to three attempts per dunk. If the 90 seconds runs out without completing the dunk, the contestant gets one last chance. If a contestant still fails to convert the dunk, the player will receive a minimum score of 40.<\/p>\n Each of the four contestants gets two dunks in the first round. The two players with the highest combined score for their two dunks will advance to the finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n The two finalists also get two dunks each in the final round. The dunker with the highest combined score for the two dunks will be named champion.<\/p>\n In the event of a tie in the final round, a one-dunk dunk-off will determine the champion. “Judges’ choice” will determine the outcome if there is a tie beyond the dunk-off.<\/p>\n MORE: Full breakdown of dunk contest format, judges, past winners<\/a><\/p>\n NBA All-Star schedule 2026<\/p>\n Here is the schedule of events for NBA All-Star Weekend, which takes place from Feb. 13-15:<\/p>\n DateEventTime (EST)Channel\/StreamingFri, Feb. 13NBA All-Star Celebrity Game7 p.m.\u00a0ESPN,\u00a0ESPN app<\/a>-NBA Rising Stars Game9 p.m.\u00a0Peacock<\/a>-NBA HBCU Classic\u00a011\u00a0p.m.Peacock<\/a>Sat, Feb. 14All-Star Media Day2 p.m.NBA TV-All-Star Saturday Night5 p.m.NBC,\u00a0Peacock<\/a>Sun, Feb. 15NBA All-Star Game5\u00a0p.m.\u00a0NBC,\u00a0Peacock<\/a><\/p>\n
pic.twitter.com\/oC3r3VPHyy<\/a><\/p>\n
Keshad Johnson
Jaxson Hayes
Carter Bryant<\/p>\n