INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Keshad Johnson of the Miami Warmth received the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Saturday, overcoming excellent scores by San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant on his first dunk within the last spherical.
For his last dunk, Johnson began behind the judges desk, took off from the free-throw line and threw down a one-handed windmill jam. His first dunk earned a barely greater rating for a between-the-legs transfer.
Bryant earned the competition’s highest rating for his first dunk within the last. He bounced the ball in entrance of him, caught it between his legs and dunked along with his proper hand, incomes excellent 50 marks from all 5 judges.
However Bryant struggled on his second dunk. He missed his first two tries, pausing to speak to Vince Carter in between. He tried bouncing the ball off the glass and throwing down a reverse nevertheless it rolled across the rim and out. He settled for a much less flashy however profitable dunk on his third and last try.
It wasn’t sufficient, giving the NBA a brand new slam-dunk champion in Johnson. He accepted the trophy from Corridor of Famer Julius Erving after shaking palms with the judges.
“All the youngsters on the market, hold dreaming, something can occur,” Johnson stated. “I simply got here out right here and confirmed folks.”
If there’d been a dance contest, Johnson would have received that too. He got here dancing onto the courtroom, smiling all the way in which, and danced after claiming the title.
Three-time dunk winner Mac McClung — presently on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls — didn’t take part. He was the one competitor in historical past to have an ideal contest, scoring 50s from each choose on all of his dunks final yr in San Francisco.
It was a four-man discipline for the fifth consecutive yr, with Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic becoming a member of Johnson and Bryant. However Hayes and Richardson didn’t advance to the ultimate.
Within the first spherical, Johnson introduced out rapper E-40. After lacking on his first attempt, he leapt over E-40’s bowed head and slammed the ball down whereas maintaining his left hand behind his head.
Judging the competition had been Erving, fellow Corridor of Famer Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Corey Maggette and Brent Barry.
3-point contest
Damian Lillard isn’t taking part in this season. He nonetheless scored large anyway, successful the 3-point contest over Devin Booker.
Lillard tied Larry Hen and Craig Hodges along with his third title, most within the contest’s historical past. Defending champion Tyler Herro of the Warmth didn’t compete.
Lillard scored 30 factors within the last spherical, edging Booker, who obtained scorching early however tailed off and completed with 27. Booker of the Phoenix Suns was the champion in 2018.
“I used to be praying for his downfall,” Lillard stated.
Charlotte Hornets standout rookie Kon Knueppel completed third with 17 factors, wrinkling his nostril on the outcome.
Lillard received his first title in 2023 whereas taking part in for the Portland Path Blazers. He received it once more the next yr with the Milwaukee Bucks. He’s not taking part in for the Blazers whereas rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon. Nonetheless, he instructed the NBA he’d go well with up for the competition if he wanted.
“That’s all I do it for, hold including to my legacy,” he stated.
Booker was the highest scorer after the primary spherical with 30 factors. Knueppel and Lillard had been tied for second with 27.
Lillard fired away within the last, with the The Wall part of followers on the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome holding up pink umbrellas in an indication he was making it rain.
“You simply obtained to let the ball fly, belief your instincts as a shooter, and you may’t get ruffled when another person will get scorching,” Lillard stated.
Eradicated after the primary spherical had been Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis Jr.
Among the many celebs available had been Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Queen Latifah, James Worthy, comics Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Tucker and singer Joey Fatone. Ludacris carried out “All I Do Is Win” and different hits in a flame- and firecracker-filled present earlier than the dunk contest.
Capturing stars
Crew Knicks, comprised of Karl-Anthony Cities, Allan Houston and Jalen Brunson, received the Capturing Stars trophy with 47 factors. Lee, carrying his New York bucket hat, grinned from courtside.
They rallied within the last seconds to beat Crew Cameron’s Knueppel, Jalen Johnson and Maggette, who completed with 38 factors within the contest’s return for the primary time since 2015.
Brunson’s father, Rick, a present Knicks assistant, served because the successful group’s “movie star” passer.
Crew Cameron, a nod to the trio’s alma mater of Duke, took its passes from actor-comedian Anthony Anderson.
Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper and Ron Harper of Crew Harper, together with Crew All-Star’s Richard Hamilton, Chet Holmgren and Scottie Barnes had been eradicated after the primary spherical.
Groups had 70 seconds to attain factors whereas rotating by means of seven designated taking pictures places across the courtroom, with all three gamers on a group taking pictures at every spot in a set order.