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 will feature an exciting mix of rising stars and veteran contenders as part of All-Star Saturday Night in Los Angeles. The four-man field includes rookies Jase Richardson and Carter Bryant, alongside veterans Jaxson Hayes and Keshad Johnson. This year marks the absence of Mac McClung, who has won the last three contests but is skipping an unprecedented fourth title. Each participant will showcase two dunks in the opening round, with top scorers advancing to the finals, where they’ll perform two more dunks for a chance to claim victory.
Larry Hartstein, SportsLine’s senior analyst and NBA expert, has provided his breakdown of the event. He predicts that Carter Bryant, despite being the +180 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook, is a “shocker” pick to fade due to concerns about his inexperience under pressure and a higher risk of missed dunks. While Bryant’s youthful energy is seen as an asset, it also raises doubts about his ability to deliver when the spotlight intensifies. Hartstein points out that Bryant has struggled with missed dunks in games, converting only 64.3% of his attempts so far this season.
In contrast, Jaxson Hayes emerges as a strong contender for Hartstein, who believes the 7-foot-tall center could make history by becoming the first player of his height to win the contest. Hayes’ impressive dunk success rate (90.4%) and ability to perform under pressure make him a safer bet in Hartstein’s eyes. Meanwhile, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson round out the field, with Johnson seen as a potential dark horse due to his technical skills and creativity, while Richardson is viewed as the longest shot (+350 odds) but could “explode to the rim” with an impressive performance.
The event, held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Saturday night, begins at 5 p.m. ET. For sports fans, this contest offers a thrilling mix of athleticism, creativity, and
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/14/2026