INGLEWOOD, CA — The NBA’s grand opening of the $2 billion Intuit Dome was meant to save the Slam Dunk Contest. Instead, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes might have just buried it. In a night defined more by “what was that?” than “wow,” Hayes provided the evening’s most viral moment for a lack of effort that has the basketball world in an uproar.
The Slam That Silenced the Dome
Entering the night as a slight favorite due to his home-court advantage in Los Angeles, Hayes failed to deliver the aerial theatrics fans expected. His first attempt—a pedestrian, one-handed rim-grazer—earned a dismal 44.6 from the judges, the lowest score of the competition. The sequence was so basic that the viral account BrickCenter immediately labeled it the “worst dunk in dunk contest history.”
The 7-footer’s lack of creativity sucked the oxygen out of the building. While the contest was designed to showcase high-flyers like Carter Bryant and Keshad Johnson, the discourse shifted instantly toward Hayes’ perceived lack of preparation. Even with the advanced technology of the Intuit Dome’s “Halo Board” tracking every movement, there was simply no way to highlight a play that lacked a single spark of flair.
What They Said
“He should be disqualified with all zeros for this. Bro did a one-handed dunk in a professional competition. It’s an insult to the fans who paid thousands to be here.”
— Viral Fan Reaction via X (formerly Twitter)
“I’ve seen better dunks at a high school halftime show. We are looking for the next Vince Carter, and instead, we got a layup with extra steps.”
— Anonymous NBA Scout in attendance
Chaos and a Crown: Keshad Johnson Wins
The night wasn’t just about the misses. Heat forward Keshad Johnson emerged as the eventual champion, though the victory felt secondary to the safety concerns surrounding Jase Richardson. Richardson, son of dunk legend Jason Richardson, suffered a harrowing fall onto his head and back during the second round. Though he walked off under his own power, the incident cast a shadow over the remainder of the event.
Johnson eventually sealed the win with a 49.6 score on a between-the-legs reverse slam, beating out Carter Bryant. Bryant had earlier recorded the only perfect 50 of the night but stumbled on his final attempt, opening the door for the Miami rookie.
2026 Slam Dunk Contest Scoreboard
| Player | Team | Top Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keshad Johnson | Heat | 49.6 | Champion |
| Carter Bryant | Spurs | 50.0 | Runner-up |
| Jase Richardson | Magic | 46.2 | Eliminated (Injury Scare) |
| Jaxson Hayes | Lakers | 44.6 | Last Place |
What’s Next: The Main Event
The focus now shifts to the 75th NBA All-Star Game tonight, featuring the debut of the USA vs. World round-robin format. With LeBron James entering his record 21st All-Star appearance and Victor Wembanyama leading a powerhouse World roster, the league is desperate for the “Big Game” to wash away the bitter taste of Saturday’s dunking disaster. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM ET on NBC.
