2026 NBA Slam Dunk contest picks, odds, field, time: Expert predictions for NBA All-Star Saturday Night
CBS Sports
by
Ross Kelly
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is set to take place as part of All-Star Saturday Night in Los Angeles, featuring a mix of rising stars and seasoned veterans. The four-player field includes rookies Jase Richardson and Carter Bryant, along with vets Jaxson Hayes and Keshad Johnson. Mac McClung, who has dominated the contest in recent years, will not compete this time around. The event format remains unchanged, with each player showcasing two dunks in the opening round, with the highest scorers advancing to the finals for another two-dunk showdown.
The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles will host the event, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. ET and marks the third event of All-Star Saturday Night. According to FanDuel Sportsbook odds, Carter Bryant enters as the favorite with a +180 odds, followed by Jaxson Hayes at +250. Keshad Johnson is listed at +320, while Jase Richardson, son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, is the longest shot at +350. Experts like Larry Hartstein, however, are advising against betting on the favorite despite his strong odds.
Hartstein’s analysis highlights potential risks for Bryant, noting that while he has shown promise as a player, his in-game performance under pressure raises concerns. Missed dunks and the complexity of his planned dunk routine could impact his score from judges. In contrast, Jaxson Hayes is seen as a more reliable choice, with a high success rate on dunks (90.4%) compared to Bryant’s 64.3%. Hartstein also points out that Bryant’s missed dunks in regular-season games (five misses across 14 attempts) and his lack
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/14/2026