INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Former San Leandro Excessive star Keshad Johnson of the Miami Warmth gained the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Saturday, overcoming excellent scores by San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant on his first dunk within the closing spherical.
For his closing 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 larger rating for a between-the-legs transfer.
Bryant earned the competition’s highest rating for his first dunk within the closing. He bounced the ball in entrance of him, caught it between his legs and dunked together with his proper hand, incomes excellent 50.0 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 closing 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 fingers with the entire judges.
“All the children on the market, maintain dreaming, something can occur,” Johnson mentioned. “I simply got here out right here and confirmed individuals.”
If there’d been a dance contest, Johnson would have gained that, too. He got here dancing onto the court docket, smiling all the way in which, and danced after claiming the title.
Three-time dunk winner Mac McClung — at present 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 decide on all of his dunks final yr in San Francisco.
It was a four-man area for the fifth consecutive yr, with Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers and Berkeley native Jase Richardson of Orlando becoming a member of Johnson and Bryant. However Hayes and Richardson, the son of former Warriors star and two-time Slam Dunk champ Jason 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 holding his left hand behind his head.
Judging the competition have 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, profitable the 3-point contest over Devin Booker.
Lillard tied Larry Fowl and Craig Hodges together with his third title, most within the contest’s historical past. Defending champion Tyler Herro of the Miami Warmth didn’t compete.
Lillard scored 30 factors within the closing spherical, edging Booker, who received 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 mentioned.
Charlotte Hornets standout rookie Kon Knueppel completed third with 17 factors, wrinkling his nostril on the consequence.
Lillard gained his first title in 2023 whereas taking part in for the Portland Path Blazers. He gained it once more the next yr with Milwaukee. He’s not taking part in for the Blazers whereas rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon. Nonetheless, he informed the NBA he’d swimsuit up for the competition if he wanted.
“That’s all I do it for, maintain including to my legacy,” he mentioned.
Booker was the highest scorer after the primary spherical with 30 factors. Knueppel and Lillard have been tied for second with 27.
Lillard fired away within the closing, with the The Wall part of followers on the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome holding up crimson umbrellas in an indication he was making it rain.
“You simply received to let the ball fly, belief your instincts as a shooter, and you may’t get ruffled when another person will get scorching,” Lillard mentioned.
Eradicated after the primary spherical have been Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis Jr.
Among the many celebs available have 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
Group Knicks, comprised of Karl-Anthony Cities, Allan Houston and Jalen Brunson, gained the Capturing Stars trophy with 47 factors. Lee, sporting his New York bucket hat, grinned from courtside.
They rallied within the closing seconds to beat Group 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 profitable workforce’s “superstar” passer.
Group 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 Group Harper, together with Group All-Star’s Richard Hamilton, Chet Holmgren and Scottie Barnes have been eradicated after the primary spherical.
Groups had 70 seconds to attain factors whereas rotating by means of seven designated taking pictures areas across the court docket, with all three gamers on a workforce taking pictures at every spot in a set order.
