Dominique Wilkins champions the Dunk Contest, judging a thrilling 2026 finale and cementing his enduring legacy with the high-flying spectacle.
Even after decades in the spotlight, Dominique Wilkins still can’t turn down All-Star Saturday night.
“I can never tell the NBA no to be a part of this again,” Wilkins told Forbes ahead of the 2026 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest.
On Saturday night in Los Angeles, that commitment placed the former Atlanta Hawks superstar front and center as a judge for one of the most dramatic finishes in recent contest history. Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson captured the 2026 title, defeating San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant 97.4 to 93.6 in the final round at Intuit Dome.
Wilkins, who won the contest in 1985 and 1990, has long been synonymous with the event. His battles with Michael Jordan helped define the contest’s golden era, and he now serves as one of its custodians, alongside fellow former champions.
This year’s judging panel featured Hall of Famer Dwight Howard (2008 winner), three-time champion Nate Robinson (2006, 2009, 2010), and 1996 champion Brent Barry. The fifth score came from an NBA ID Member Representative, reflecting fan-submitted averages on the traditional 50-point scale.
Johnson’s path to the trophy was built on consistency and showmanship. In the final round, he delivered a reverse between-the-legs dunk that nearly drew a perfect score and effectively sealed the contest. Earlier in the night, he energized the crowd by dunking over Bay Area rapper E-40, earning a 47.4 that set the tone for his performance.
Bryant, meanwhile, produced the single most explosive dunk of the evening — a between-the-legs slam that earned a perfect 50 from the judges. He opened the final with that flawless attempt and followed earlier rounds with a 360 featuring a leg kick and windmill variations that consistently scored in the high 49 range, including a 49.2 on one attempt.
But inconsistency on Bryant’s final try created the margin Johnson needed. While Bryant’s peaks were higher, Johnson’s cumulative total proved decisive under the scoring format, which aggregates scores across attempts to determine advancement and ultimately the champion.
The four-man field also included Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic — the son of two-time champion Jason Richardson — highlighting a mix of legacy and new-generation athleticism.
For Wilkins, Saturday’s contest reinforced why he continues to return. The fellowship among past champions, the energy of a live crowd, and the opportunity to help shape the event’s outcome all contribute to what he views as a special responsibility.
Decades after his own iconic performances, Wilkins remains woven into the fabric of the Slam Dunk Contest. As Johnson celebrated his breakthrough moment and Bryant left with the night’s most memorable single dunk, Wilkins once again played his role — not as “The Human Highlight Film,” but as one of the guardians of an event he helped elevate into must-see television.