2026 All-Star

Heat forward Keshad Johnson bests Spurs rookie Carter Bryant to win 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk

Keshad Johnson's consistency in the 2nd round outpoints Carter Bryant's high-water 50 in the AT&T Slam Dunk at All-Star Saturday.

Official release

Heat forward Keshad Johnson listens to the crowd reaction after thrilling fans at the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk.

> 2026 NBA All-Star: Complete Coverage

  • What: AT&T Slam Dunk
  • Winner: Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat

Competition rules: .PDF | Judges

2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Recap

Keshad Johnson's consistency at the top of the field takes home the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk championship.

LOS ANGELES – The 2026 version of the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest might have been short on name recognition but, as it turned out, not ambition or creativity. That’s precisely what the four participants wanted to supply and prove to an audience that scarcely knew Jaxson Hayes, Keshad Johnson, Jase Richardson and Carter Bryant before Saturday.

And as a bonus, the winner was guaranteed a measure of visibility and celebrity. That’s what Johnson won — the benefit of having his name forever attached to the dunk champs of the past — along with the trophy. The Miami Heat forward out-pointed Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs in the final round.

Richardson’s father, Jason, is a two-time winner in the contest. Jase survived a scary fall in the second round when he hit his head on the court following a miss. Despite a successful third attempt, the Orlando Magic guard was eliminated.

Hayes was an early sendoff as well. He was the most accomplished of the four players, as a backup center with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The final round: Johnson and Bryant. And the contest forced a second dunk comeback by Johnson. That’s because Carter scored a perfect 50 — the only one of the contest — by tossing the ball high, then bringing it between his legs successfully on his first attempt.

But Carter couldn’t follow-up strong. And Johnson emerged with a pair of solid dunks. His nickname is “Showtime” because he punctuates his Heat pregame warmup routine with dunks.

Winning the contest serves as a boost for Johnson, who was undrafted in 2024 and was recently recalled from the G-League. He has played 21 games for the Heat this season.

–Shaun Powell

Final Round

In order of first dunk:

  • Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat: 49.6 | 47.8 (Winner)
  • Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs: 50.0 (High Score) | 43.0x

x Eliminated

First Round

In order of first dunk:

  • Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs: 45.6 | 49.2^ (High Score)
  • Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic: 45.4 | 43.4x
  • Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat: 47.4 | 45.4^
  • Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers: 44.6 | 47.2x

^ Advances to Final
x Eliminated

2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Info & Participants

The 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California is the final event of NBA All-Star Saturday, which is airing LIVE on NBC and Peacock.

  • Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
  • Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
  • Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic

AT&T Slam Dunk will crown a new champion, with all four players making their event debuts.

The field includes two rookies: Bryant and Richardson.  Bryant, a 6-6 forward, was selected 14th overall by San Antonio in the 2025 NBA Draft, while Richardson, a 6-1 guard, was selected 25th overall by Orlando.  Richardson is the son of two-time AT&T Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003).

Hayes, a 7-foot center, is in his seventh NBA season and third with the Lakers.  Johnson, a 6-6 forward, is in his second NBA season after splitting last season between Miami and its NBA G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

AT&T Slam Dunk will feature a two-round format, with judges scoring each dunk.  In the first round, all four players will attempt two dunks, and the combined score will determine the top two who advance to the final round.  Each finalist will then attempt two additional dunks, with the higher combined score determining the champion.

  • Complete competition rules are available here.

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