The NBA has officially revealed the lineup for the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, one of the most anticipated events of All-Star Weekend. The high-flying competition will take place Saturday, February 14 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday night festivities broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Four players – all making their debut appearances – will battle for the trophy:

• Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs) – 2025 first-round pick known for explosive athleticism
• Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers) – elite lob finisher and one of the league’s most frequent dunkers
• Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat) – second-year forward with strong G League rsum
• Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic) – rookie guard and son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson

The league confirmed the format will feature two rounds. In the opening stage, each competitor attempts two dunks and judges select the top two scorers. The finalists then perform two more dunks to determine the champion.

The contest tips off at 5:00 PM ET (third event of the night) following the 3-Point Contest and Shooting Stars competition.

Rising Stars, All-Star Game and Dunk contest history

All-Star Weekend begins Friday night with the Rising Stars Challenge and concludes Sunday with the All-Star Game, divided into mini-game matchups. But historically, the dunk contest remains the cultural centerpiece – the event where legends are made.

The competition dates back to the ABA in 1976, won by Julius Erving, while the first official NBA version was captured by Larry Nance in 1984. Since then, it has produced unforgettable moments.

Michael Jordan’s free-throw-line dunk in 1988, Vince Carter’s iconic 2000 performance and the famous LaVine-vs-Gordon duel in 2016 helped define the event’s legacy. Carter famously ended his performance declaring, “It’s over,” after a between-the-legs windmill that became one of basketball’s most replayed highlights.

The modern era has also seen dominance from Mac McClung, who completed a three-peat from 2023-2025 and even posted the contest’s only perfect score in 2025.

The NBA hopes the fresh rookie-heavy field can usher in a new generation of stars. Richardson’s participation is especially notable given his family legacy – his father won back-to-back contests in 2002 and 2003 – adding storyline intrigue to the competition.

Beyond the spectacle, the event remains a showcase for creativity, personality and athletic innovation. For younger players, a breakout dunk performance can elevate national recognition overnight, sometimes even more than regular-season play.

With a new champion guaranteed in 2026, fans will be watching to see whether a rookie steals the spotlight or an established athlete like Hayes delivers the night’s defining moment.

The stage is set – and history suggests the dunk contest often becomes the most talked-about part of All-Star Weekend.