Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat is your 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, outdueling San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant in a dramatic final at the Inuit Dome in Los Angeles.
The second-year forward from Arizona entered as a +310 longshot (second-lowest odds) but delivered a star-making performance. Post-victory, Johnson beamed: “I just came out here and showed people who showtime was. Had all the legends out. I’m from California, brought my own Bay Area swag out to LA. We’re all one, it’s for the whole west coast right here, baby.”
The win gives the Heat four Slam Dunk Contest titles—second-most in NBA history behind the New York Knicks. Derrick Jones Jr. (2020), Harold Miner (1993, 1995) set the stage; this marks back-to-back All-Star Weekend event wins for Miami after Tyler Herro’s 3-Point Contest victory last year.
Judges: Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette, Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry, and Julius Erving.
Johnson’s Dunk Breakdown
- Round 1: Jumped over Oakland legend E-40 (his walk-out partner) → 47.4 (highest first-dunk score).
- Round 2: Reverse two-handed slam → 45.4 (advanced to finals but trailed Bryant temporarily).
- Finals (first): In-between-the-legs, one-handed reverse → 49.6 (near-perfect).
- Finals (last): Attempted one-handed windmill from free-throw line but stepped in too far → 47.8.
Bryant’s final attempt—an off-the-backboard, in-between-the-legs—failed; he settled for a late 360° two-hander that scored 43. Johnson wins!
Who Is Keshad Johnson? Undrafted in 2024, signed two-way with Miami, excelled in G League (Sioux Falls Skyforce), earned standard deal in 2025. This season: 21 games, 3.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 40.4% FG in limited minutes. Known for explosive athleticism and high-flying finishes—on full display Saturday.
A feel-good story: from undrafted to All-Star Weekend champion. Heat’s culture of developing role players shines again. Expect more spotlight minutes for Johnson down the stretch.
Miami Heat fans: Your team just added another piece of All-Star hardware. West Coast pride on full display—Keshad Johnson is the new face of “Showtime.” What a night!