The Slam Dunk Contest is often the highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend, and even though this year's event doesn't have many household names, there are still some high-flyers you won't want to miss.
This year's dunk contest field features four leapers in Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat) and Jase Richardson (Magic).
Ahead of the competition, here is all you need to know about how the contest works.
MORE:History of the NBA 3-point contest
NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest rules, format and scoring
The NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest is a two-round competition in which five judges score every dunk on a scale of 40-50. The highest score a dunk can receive is a 50 while a 40 is the lowest possible score.
All four contestants will get two dunks in the first round. The two players with the highest combined score for their two dunks will advance to the final round.
Contestants will have 90 seconds to complete each dunk attempt. Within that 90-second window, players are allowed up to three attempts per funk. If the 90 seconds runs out without completing the dunk, the contestant gets one last chance. If a contestant still fails to convert the dunk, the player will receive a minimum score of 40.
If a tie needs to be broken in the first round, the advancing dunkers will be determined by "judges' choice." The judges will be asked to choose the advancing dunker(s) by raising a card that has the dunker’s name on it.
The two finalists each get two dunks in the final round. The dunker with the highest combined score for the two dunks in the final round will be crowned NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest champion.
If there is a tie after the final round, a one-dunk dunk-off will take place to determine the champion. If it is still tied after the one-dunk dunk-off, the champion will be determined by "judges' choice."
In both rounds, each player must complete his dunk in three attempts. Per the NBA, an attempt is defined as the player controlling the basketball and moving it toward the rim.
MORE: What to know about NBA Slam Dunk Contest winners
NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest judges
The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest judges will be:
Dominique Wilkins
Dwight Howard
Nate Robinson
Brent Barry
Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews, Druski or Tyler Toney
The mix of judges typically is tweaked from year to year. One of the more memorable panels of judges was from 2007 in Las Vegas:
Michael Jordan
Dominique Wilkins
Kobe Bryant
Julius Erving
Vince Carter
MORE: Revisiting NBA 3-point Contest records
NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest past winners
Year Winner Team Location
2025 Mac McClung Magic San Francisco
2024 Mac McClung Magic Indianapolis
2023 Mac McClung 76ers Utah
2022 Obi Toppin Knicks Cleveland
2021 Anfernee Simons Trail Blazers Atlanta
2020 Derrick Jones Jr. Heat Chicago
2019 Hamidou Diallo Thunder Charlotte
2018 Donovan Mitchell Jazz Los Angeles
2017 Glenn Robinson III Pacers New Orleans
2016 Zach LaVine Timberwolves Toronto
2015 Zach LaVine Timberwolves New York City
2014 John Wall Wizards New Orleans
2013 Terrence Ross Raptors Houston
2012 Jeremy Evans Jazz Orlando
2011 Blake Griffin Clippers Los Angeles
2010 Nate Robinson Knicks Dallas
2009 Nate Robinson Knicks Phoenix
2008 Dwight Howard Magic New Orleans
2007 Gerald Green Celtics Las Vegas
2006 Nate Robinson Knicks Houston
2005 Josh Smith Hawks Denver
2004 Fred Jones Pacers Los Angeles
2003 Jason Richardson Warriors Atlanta
2002 Jason Richardson Warriors Philadelphia
2001 Desmond Mason SuperSonics Washington, D.C.
2000 Vince Carter Raptors Oakland
1997 Kobe Bryant Lakers Cleveland
1996 Brent Barry Clippers San Antonio
1995 Harold Miner Heat Phoenix
1994 Isiah Rider Timberwolves Minnesota
1993 Harold Miner Heat Salt Lake City
1992 Cedric Ceballos Suns Orlando
1991 Dee Brown Celtics Charlotte
1990 Dominique Wilkins Hawks Miami
1989 Kenny Walker Knicks Houston
1988 Michael Jordan Bulls Chicago
1987 Michael Jordan Bulls Seattle
1986 Spud Webb Hawks Dallas
1985 Dominique Wilkins Hawks Indianapolis
1984 Larry Nance Suns Denver