Keshad Johnson Wins NBA Dunk and 3-Point Contests

The atmosphere felt lackluster, but the Miami Heat player put on an impressive performance.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won both the NBA Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest at the league's All-Star Weekend, though the events lacked star power and energy. Johnson's standout dunks, including a between-the-legs jam from under the rim, helped him edge out fellow Arizona alum Carter Bryant in the dunk final. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard won his third career 3-Point Contest title with 29 points in the final round.

Why it matters

The NBA's dunk and 3-point contests have struggled in recent years to attract top talent and generate excitement, with this year's events feeling more like a high school competition than the league's premier showcase of athleticism. Johnson's victories, however, demonstrate the continued appeal of the contests and the opportunity for rising stars to make a name for themselves on the national stage.

The details

Johnson was the third contestant in the dunk competition and came out dancing alongside rapper E-40. His most impressive dunk was a between-the-legs slam from under the rim, and his final windmill dunk from just inside the free throw line helped him edge out Carter Bryant in the final round. In the 3-point contest, Damian Lillard, who has missed the entire season due to a torn Achilles, won his third career title with 29 points in the final round. Meanwhile, Norman Powell of the California-based Orlando Magic struggled, scoring just 23 points in the first round and getting eliminated.

  • The NBA All-Star Weekend events took place on February 15, 2026.

The players

Keshad Johnson

A player for the Miami Heat who won both the NBA Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest at the 2026 All-Star Weekend.

Carter Bryant

An Arizona alum who competed against Keshad Johnson in the NBA Dunk Contest final.

Damian Lillard

A player who has missed the entire 2026 NBA season due to a torn Achilles, but won his third career 3-Point Contest title.

Norman Powell

A player for the Orlando Magic who struggled in the 3-Point Contest, scoring just 23 points in the first round.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

An NBA superstar who was spotted courtside recording the dunk contest with his phone, reminiscent of Shaquille O'Neal's camcorder recordings years ago.

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What they’re saying

“This is home to me… once you're in a dream, you can control your dream, you can do anything in your dream.”

— Keshad Johnson (NBA)

What’s next

Keshad Johnson plans to bring the dunk contest trophy back to the Miami Heat locker room, as the team continues its pursuit of an NBA championship.

The takeaway

While the NBA's dunk and 3-point contests lacked energy and star power this year, Keshad Johnson's impressive performances demonstrate the continued appeal of these events as a platform for rising stars to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves on the national stage.