Heat's Keshad Johnson Wins NBA Dunk Contest

Second-year forward sticks to plan, impresses with high-flying dunks

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the NBA Dunk Contest at the 2026 All-Star Weekend, impressing the crowd with his high-flying dunks. Johnson said he stuck to the plan laid out by his dunk coach despite wanting to change it, and the strategy paid off with the championship.

Why it matters

The dunk contest is one of the marquee events of the NBA All-Star Weekend, providing a platform for young and rising stars to showcase their athleticism and creativity. Johnson's victory helps raise his profile and establishes him as an up-and-coming talent in the league.

The details

Johnson wowed the crowd with a series of impressive dunks, including several that incorporated props and acrobatic moves. He said he had to resist the urge to change his plan, instead sticking to the strategy laid out by his dunk coach Chuck.

  • The 2026 NBA Dunk Contest took place on February 15, 2026 at the Intuit Dome.

The players

Keshad Johnson

A second-year forward for the Miami Heat who won the 2026 NBA Dunk Contest.

Chuck

Keshad Johnson's dunk coach who advised him to stick to the plan during the contest.

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What they’re saying

“Just stuck to the plan. My (dunk) coach Chuck, he told me stick to the plan. I wanted to change it so bad. My blood was boiling a little bit. Stick to the plan, and look what happened.”

— Keshad Johnson (wn.com)

The takeaway

Keshad Johnson's victory in the NBA Dunk Contest showcases his athleticism and potential as an up-and-coming star in the league. His ability to follow his coach's plan and execute impressive dunks under pressure demonstrates his poise and skill, which should help raise his profile and open up new opportunities for the young Heat forward.