The NBA Dunk Contest has long been the showcase of All-Star Saturday, with legends like Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter putting on jaw-dropping displays of athleticism.
However, the event has lost some of its luster in recent years, as star players seem unwilling to participate.
Mac McClung helped bring some energy back to the event, winning three consecutive Dunk Contest titles, something that those NBA legends never did. With McClung not defending his title this year, the pressure is on four new faces to put on a show.
Let’s meet the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest participants before diving into the odds and our predictions for the final All-Star Saturday event.
NBA Dunk Contest Participants 2026
All four of the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest participants will be making their debuts in this event.
This year’s contestants are Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Keshad Johnson), and Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic).
NBA Dunk Contest Odds 2026
NBA odds used for these Dunk Contest predictions are current as of Friday, Feb. 13, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Jaxson Hayes (+175)
- Carter Bryant (+175)
- Keshad Johnson (+450)
- Jase Richardson (+500)
NBA Dunk Contest Best Bet
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic (+500)
There are a lot of unknowns in this NBA Slam Dunk Contest, so predicting a winner won’t be easy.
With that in mind, I’m taking the longest odds on the board with Jase Richardson, who happens to be the son of two-time Slam Dunk champion Jason Richardson.
Having a mentor like that could really help the Magic rookie, and the potential nostalgia factor of a father-son dunk or recreation of his dad’s dunks from the early 2000’s could sway the crowd and judges.
Historically, we’ve seen small guards who can jump out of the gym have success in this event, and at 6-foot-1, Richardson could certainly follow in his father’s footsteps.
I’m backing Jase Richardson to win the Dunk Contest as one of my best NBA bets today.
NBA Dunk Contest Contender
Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat (+450)
I’m avoiding the top of the board with my NBA Dunk Contest predictions, as Johnson and Richardson provide better value in an unpredictable event.
Johnson is a 6-foot-6 forward who tested out extremely well at the 2024 NBA Combine. He posted a 42-inch max vertical leap, which tied for the top spot in his draft class, and was well clear of the numbers that Carter Bryant (39.5 inches) and Jase Richardson (38 inches) had this year.
Combine that aerial ability with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and you’ve got all the ingredients for some powerful dunks.
Check out the rest of our NBA All-Star predictions and best bets:
- NBA Rising Stars Predictions
- NBA Shooting Stars Predictions
- NBA 3-Point Contest Predictions
- NBA All-Star Game Predictions
- NBA All-Star Game MVP Predictions
NBA Dunk Contest Format
There are two rounds in the dunk contest, and each player gets two dunks per round. Five judges will rate each dunk in the range of 40 to 50 points, and the average of their scores will be the final score for the dunk.
Each competitor will have 90 seconds and up to three attempts to complete their dunk. For a try to count as an attempt, the player must control the basketball and move it toward the rim.
All four players will participate in the first round. Then, the two competitors with the highest total scores will advance to the final round, where the process will be repeated.
Should there be a tie between the two finalists, a “dunk-off" will determine the winner, with each player getting one attempt. Unlike in years past, if there is still a tie after the dunk-off, the judges will choose the champion rather than proceed to another dunk-off.
NBA Dunk Contest Judges 2026
The panel of NBA Dunk Contest judges will consist of former winners Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson, and Brent Barry.
A fifth judge will be determined by a fan vote.
When is the NBA Dunk Contest?
The NBA Dunk Contest will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. It will be the final event of All-Star Saturday, which begins at 5 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Past NBA Dunk Contest Winners
2025: Mac McClung
2024: Mac McClung
2023: Mac McClung
2022: Obi Toppin
2021: Anfernee Simons
2020: Derrick Jones Jr.
2019: Hamidou Diallo
2018: Donovan Mitchell
2017: Glenn Robinson III
2016: Zach LaVine
2015: Zach LaVine
2014: John Wall
2013: Terrence Ross
2012: Jeremy Evans
2011: Blake Griffin
2010: Nate Robinson
2009: Nate Robinson
2008: Dwight Howard
2007: Gerald Green
2006: Nate Robinson
2005: Josh Smith
2004: Fred Jones
2003: Jason Richardson
2002: Jason Richardson
2001: Desmond Mason
2000: Vince Carter
1999: Canceled due to NBA lockout
1998: No Dunk Contest
1997: Kobe Bryant
1996: Brent Barry
1995: Harold Miner
1994: Isiah Rider
1993: Harold Miner
1992: Cedric Ceballos
1991: Dee Brown
1990: Dominique Wilkins:
1989: Kenny Walker
1988: Michael Jordan
1987: Michael Jordan
1986: Spud Webb
1985: Dominique Wilkins
1984: Larry Nance
