Keshad Johnson Wins 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Keshad Johnson has won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Championship. He competed against Carter Bryant in the finals. The event was part of NBA All-Star Saturday.
By Newsroom | NBA, Basketball |

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Championship concluded with Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat securing the title. The event, held at the Clippers' Intuit Dome, saw Johnson edge out Carter Bryant of the Spurs in the finals. While Johnson's performance secured him the win, some observers noted the contest's overall level of play.

Event Overview

The 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday festivities included the 3-Point Contest, Shooting Stars competition, and the main event, the Slam Dunk Contest. Damian Lillard won the 3-Point Contest, and Team Knicks claimed the Shooting Stars title. The Slam Dunk Contest featured an eight-player field, with the top three scores from the first round advancing to the championship round.

  • Winner: Keshad Johnson (Miami Heat)

  • Runner-up: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs)

  • Venue: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles

  • Key Participants: Keshad Johnson, Carter Bryant, Jase Richardson

Contest Details and Performances

Keshad Johnson, a second-year forward for the Heat, earned his place in the contest through his athleticism and dunking ability shown in limited minutes. He is described as having a fearless approach and agility, despite his smaller frame.

Read More: Luka Dončić Will Play in All-Star Game

In the finals, Carter Bryant opened with a perfect 50 score, executing an off-the-bounce lob dunk between his legs. Jase Richardson, son of former dunk champion Jason Richardson, also made his first final-round attempt, a self-lobbed reverse windmill.

Keshad Johnson posts near-perfect score to claim 2026 Slam Dunk Championship - 1

Johnson's path to victory involved a baseline reverse dunk in the first round. In the finals, he started with a between-the-legs dunk off a lob. His winning dunks reportedly included a one-handed slam from inside the free-throw line. One report noted that Johnson "repeatedly missed a dunk where he attempted to put the ball between his legs before throwing himself an off-the-backboard lob," but this did not prevent him from winning.

  • Bryant’s first dunk in the finals: Perfect score (50).

  • Richardson's first dunk in the finals: Successful attempt, self-lobbed reverse windmill.

  • Johnson's final dunks: Included a one-handed free-throw line slam.

Other Competitors and Notable Moments

Jase Richardson experienced a difficult moment when he fell during an attempted 360 dunk. Powell, a 32-year-old participant, recorded a first-round score of 23. Another competitor, identified only as "Carter" in one report, was unable to deliver a score of 47.5 or better on his final dunk to win.

Context and Background

Keshad Johnson has played in a limited number of career NBA games (37) for the Miami Heat over the past two seasons. His inclusion in the contest was based on his athleticism and collegiate dunking highlights, suggesting he could be a surprise performer. This win marks a significant moment for Johnson, especially given his limited NBA experience.

Read More: NBA All-Star Weekend 2026 Ends in Los Angeles

  • Johnson's NBA experience: 37 career games with the Miami Heat.

  • Johnson's perceived strengths: Athleticism, dunking prowess.

Analysis of Performances

Bryant's opening perfect score placed significant pressure on Johnson. However, Johnson managed to respond effectively. The descriptions suggest a final round where both Johnson and Bryant performed difficult dunks, but Johnson's overall execution met the judges' criteria for the win. The exact scoring details for Johnson's winning dunks are not fully itemized in the provided reports, but his final performance was deemed superior to Bryant's.

  • Bryant's first final dunk: Perfect score.

  • Johnson's final round: Needed to match or exceed Bryant's high score.

  • Overall judging: Favored Johnson's final sequence of dunks.

Conclusion and Implications

Keshad Johnson has won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Championship, an achievement that could elevate his profile within the league. The contest, while featuring impressive athletes like Johnson and Bryant, also saw moments of difficulty and missed attempts, leading to varied assessments of its overall quality. Johnson's victory highlights his potential and provides him with a notable accomplishment early in his NBA career. The event also featured other competitions, with Damian Lillard winning the 3-Point Contest and Team Knicks winning the Shooting Stars.

Read More: Keshad Johnson Wins 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

  • Key Outcome: Keshad Johnson is the 2026 Slam Dunk Champion.

  • Potential Impact: Increased recognition for Keshad Johnson.

  • Broader Event: Included 3-Point and Shooting Stars contests.

Sources

Read More: Boston Celtics: Great Games and Players from History

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
Keshad Johnson from the Miami Heat won the contest. He beat Carter Bryant in the final round.
Q: Where was the contest held?
The contest was held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. It was part of the NBA All-Star Saturday events.
Q: Who else competed in the dunk contest?
Other competitors included Carter Bryant and Jase Richardson. Many players tried to win the title.
Q: Did Keshad Johnson have much NBA experience before winning?
No, Keshad Johnson had played in only 37 NBA games before the contest. He showed great skill despite limited playing time.