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Keshad Johnson Wins 2026 Slam Dunk Contest After Carter Bryant’s Decisive Miss

Bryant opened the final with a perfect 50, then left near tears vowing to try again in Phoenix next year.

Overview

  • Johnson sealed the title with a foul-line, one-handed windmill launched after starting behind the judges’ table, then accepted the trophy from Julius Erving.
  • Bryant earned five perfect 10s on his first final dunk, then missed his planned reverse twice and, needing about 47.5 to win, settled for a routine finish as the clock ran down.
  • The Spurs rookie called the loss devastating, saying losing is “the worst thing on planet earth,” and pledged to “get it back.”
  • First-time entrants Jaxson Hayes and Jase Richardson completed the four-man field, while three-time champion Mac McClung opted out of participating.
  • All-Star notes: Bryant helped his team win Rising Stars on Friday, Team Knicks took the Shooting Stars event, and Richardson recovered after a hard fall to continue competing.