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Keshad Johnson Wins 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Over Carter Bryant

Cumulative scoring rewarded steady finishes as the Miami forward prevailed despite Bryant’s lone perfect 50.

Overview

  • Johnson captured the title with a 97.4–93.0 final-round edge after Bryant posted a perfect 50 then failed to convert his last attempt.
  • The four first-time entrants—Keshad Johnson, Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes and Jase Richardson—competed on Feb. 14 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
  • Johnson’s first-round highlight was a leap over Bay Area rapper E-40 that scored 47.4 and helped send him to the final.
  • Richardson took a hard fall on a missed try in the opening round before getting up, drawing renewed attention to safety in the contest.
  • Three-time champion Mac McClung declined to participate this year, and Johnson said he had only four to five days’ notice to prepare.