Let’s be real for a second. Every year, right around February, the same conversation starts bubbling up on social media. "The dunk contest is dead." "The stars don't care anymore." "We’ve seen every dunk already."
Honestly? People have been saying that since the 90s. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest remains the absolute centerpiece of All-Star Saturday Night. There is something primal about it. It’s the one night where the laws of physics feel like more of a suggestion than a rule.
The Mac McClung Era and the Three-Peat
If you missed the 2025 contest in San Francisco, you missed literal history. Mac McClung, the guy who basically single-handedly saved the event's reputation, did the unthinkable. He didn't just win; he became the first person ever to three-peat. Not Michael Jordan. Not Nate Robinson. Mac.
He went perfect. Four dunks, four scores of 50.
Think about that. In a room full of NBA giants, a G-League legend (who was then with the Osceola Magic) jumped over a car—specifically over the roof, not just the hood—and then later leaped over 7-footer Evan Mobley while tapping the ball on the rim mid-air. It was absurd. Stephon Castle, the Spurs rookie, put up a hell of a fight with a 49.8 on a between-the-legs alley-oop through the net, but McClung is just a different breed of contest dunker.
He’s mentioned that 2025 might have been his curtain call because, honestly, how many more ways can you innovate? But his impact proved that you don't need a household superstar name to make the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest feel electric. You just need someone who treats it like an art form.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Judging
There’s a lot of "home cooking" talk whenever the scores come out. Remember 1988? Dominique Wilkins vs. Michael Jordan in Chicago. Wilkins threw down a baseline windmill that probably should have ended the night, but he got a 45. Jordan then flew from the free-throw line for a 50 to win it. People still argue about that one at bars to this day.
Judging is subjective. That’s the point. The panel—usually a mix of legends like Dominique, Dr. J, or even past winners like Vince Carter—looks for specific things:
- Originality: Did we see this on Vine in 2014? If yes, the score drops.
- Difficulty: How many moving parts are there? A 360 is cool. A 360 while catching a lob off the side of the backboard is a 50.
- Completion: This is the big one. If you take three tries to nail a dunk, the hype dies. The "one-and-done" factor is worth at least 5 points in pure "wow" factor.
The current 2026 rules still stick to the two-round format. Four players. Two dunks each in the first round. The two highest total scores move to the finals. It’s simple, but it’s high-pressure. You mess up one landing, and you're watching the finals from the sidelines.
The Greatest Duels Nobody Can Forget
You can't talk about the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest without mentioning 2016. Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon.
That wasn't just a contest; it was a heavyweight title fight. Gordon’s dunk over the mascot—sitting in the air, putting the ball under both legs—is arguably the greatest single dunk in the history of the sport. The fact that he didn't win that year is still considered one of the biggest robberies in sports history.
Then you have the 2000 contest. Vince Carter basically ended the "is the dunk contest dead?" debate for a decade. The 360 windmill? The "honey dip" where he stuck his entire forearm in the rim? He didn't even need props. He was the prop.
Why Stars Stopped Competing
It’s the elephant in the room. Why doesn't LeBron James have a dunk trophy? Why did Ja Morant hesitate for so long?
Basically, it’s a risk-reward thing. If a superstar enters and loses to a G-Leaguer or a rookie, the "brand" takes a hit. Plus, the physical toll is real. These guys are mid-season, and throwing down five or six maximum-effort dunks in one night is a recipe for a sore landing or a tweaked hammy.
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But there’s a shift happening. For 2026, the rumors are swirling about a "heavyweight" lineup. With the All-Star game moving toward a USA vs. World format, the league is looking for ways to inject that same energy into Saturday night.
Iconic Moments that Defined the Event
- Spud Webb (1986): At 5'6", he defeated his teammate Dominique Wilkins. It proved that verticality isn't just for the giants.
- Dee Brown (1991): The "no-look" dunk. He pumped up his Reebok pumps and covered his eyes with his elbow. Pure showmanship.
- Dwight Howard (2008): The Superman cape. He actually threw the ball into the hoop from a distance on one attempt, which started a massive debate on whether it counted as a "dunk."
- Blake Griffin (2011): Jumping over the hood of a Kia while a choir sang in the background. A bit theatrical? Sure. Memorable? Absolutely.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Contest in Los Angeles
The 2026 festivities are heading to the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The new home of the Clippers is basically a tech cathedral, and the NBA is expected to lean heavily into that for the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.
Expect more integration with tracking chips and "dunk metrics." We're talking real-time data on hang time, launch angle, and vertical leap displayed on those massive halo screens. It adds a layer of objective "science" to the subjective judging.
If Mac McClung truly stays retired from the contest, the throne is wide open. We're seeing a new crop of young flyers like Amen and Ausar Thompson, or maybe even a return from someone like Zion Williamson if the stars align.
Actionable Insights for the Ultimate Fan Experience
If you're planning to follow the next contest or even head to the arena, here is how to actually enjoy it without the "it was better in the 80s" cynicism:
- Watch the Warm-ups: Often, the best dunks happen 20 minutes before the cameras go live. Players test the rim tension and try "impossible" variations they’re too scared to do for a score.
- Ignore the Prop Hate: People complain about props, but they allow for creativity that humans just can't do solo. Appreciate the choreography.
- Check the G-League Rosters: As McClung proved, the best dunkers in the world aren't always the best basketball players in the world. Look for the specialists.
- Follow the Social Feed: The "behind the basket" angles from fans in the front row usually show the height and speed way better than the official broadcast cameras.
The NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest isn't just about putting a ball in a hoop. It’s a theater of the impossible. Even when it’s "bad," it’s still the most talked-about event of the weekend for a reason.
Whether we get a legendary duel or a night of missed attempts, we'll all be tuned in, waiting for that one moment that makes us jump off the couch. That's the power of the dunk. It never actually gets old; we just get more spoiled.
To keep up with the latest roster announcements for the upcoming All-Star weekend, keep an eye on the official NBA communications typically released in late January. You can also monitor the "Dunk Score" metrics on various sports analytics platforms to see which players have the highest "effective vertical" going into the mid-season break.