New NBA Dunk Contest Champ Assured as Shooting Stars Return

Four newcomers named to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at next week's NBA All-Star festivities in Los Angeles.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:55pm

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The NBA has announced the lineup for the upcoming Slam Dunk Contest at the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, along with San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, and New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin, will be competing in the high-flying event. Additionally, the popular Shooting Stars competition will make a return to the All-Star festivities after a brief hiatus.

Why it matters

The Slam Dunk Contest is one of the most anticipated events during the NBA All-Star weekend, showcasing the league's most athletic and creative players. With a lineup of newcomers, this year's contest promises to deliver fresh excitement and a new champion. The return of the Shooting Stars competition also adds to the overall entertainment value of the All-Star festivities.

The details

The four players selected to compete in the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest are Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, and Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks. The Shooting Stars competition, which features teams of three (an NBA player, WNBA player, and a retired NBA player) competing in a shooting challenge, will also make a comeback after being absent from recent All-Star weekends.

  • The 2026 NBA All-Star weekend will take place in Los Angeles next week.

The players

Jaxson Hayes

A power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Carter Bryant

A rookie forward for the San Antonio Spurs.

Cade Cunningham

A guard for the Detroit Pistons.

Obi Toppin

A forward for the New York Knicks.

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What’s next

The Slam Dunk Contest and Shooting Stars competition will take place during the 2026 NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The lineup for the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest features a mix of young, athletic players, promising an exciting and unpredictable competition. The return of the Shooting Stars event also adds to the overall entertainment value of the All-Star festivities.