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Get ready for lift-off. The 2026 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest takes center stage Saturday night as some of the league’s newest high-flyers try to steal the spotlight at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
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Jan 12, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the second quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (final event of All-Star Saturday Night)
TV Channel: NBC, Peacock
Live Stream: Peacock (Watch Live)
With three-time defending champion Mac McClung sitting this year out, the door is wide open for a new dunk king, and that usually means chaos, creativity, and plenty of attempts that instantly go viral. As the final event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, the Slam Dunk Contest is once again expected to deliver the kind of highlights fans talk about long after the weekend ends.
Peacock is the streaming home for the full 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, carrying everything from Friday’s Rising Stars Game through Sunday’s All-Star Game.
Unlike recent years that featured returning champions, this year’s field is all about fresh energy. Four first-time participants will take the floor looking to make a name for themselves on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
The lineup includes Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, and Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson. Each enters with something to prove, and with McClung absent, none of them will have to chase an established dunk-contest legend.
That mix of newcomers often makes for unpredictable outcomes, as dunkers try to outdo each other with creativity, props, and sheer athleticism.
The Slam Dunk Contest sticks with its tried-and-true two-round format, which means there’s little room for mistakes.
In the opening round, all four contestants attempt two dunks each while a panel of judges plus live fan voting, evaluates their creativity, difficulty and execution. The two highest scorers move on to the final round, where two more dunks decide the winner.
Expect plenty of suspense between attempts, as players strategize on the fly and adjust after seeing what the competition brings.
Adding to the fun, the judging panel features former dunk legends and fan favorites, including Nate Robinson, Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry and Dwight Howard. Their personalities, and occasionally strict scoring often become part of the show itself.
June 5, 1998; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan dunks in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
The dunk contest has evolved into one of All-Star Weekend’s signature attractions, mixing nostalgia with fresh talent and social-media-ready moments. Whether it’s a perfect 50, a missed first attempt, or a surprise dunk no one saw coming, the event consistently delivers entertainment.
With a brand-new field and no defending champion in sight, Saturday’s showcase feels wide open, and that unpredictability is exactly why fans keep tuning in year after year.
Live stream the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest with Peacock: Start your subscription now!
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
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The post How to live stream NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest 2026: Watch for free, TV channel appeared first on The Big Lead.
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MORE: Highest NBA career earnings: Top 10 biggest basketball paydays
How to Watch NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest
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Jan 12, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) dunks the ball over Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) in the second quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET (final event of All-Star Saturday Night)
TV Channel: NBC, Peacock
Live Stream: Peacock (Watch Live)
With three-time defending champion Mac McClung sitting this year out, the door is wide open for a new dunk king, and that usually means chaos, creativity, and plenty of attempts that instantly go viral. As the final event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, the Slam Dunk Contest is once again expected to deliver the kind of highlights fans talk about long after the weekend ends.
Peacock is the streaming home for the full 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, carrying everything from Friday’s Rising Stars Game through Sunday’s All-Star Game.
New faces take flight in 2026
Unlike recent years that featured returning champions, this year’s field is all about fresh energy. Four first-time participants will take the floor looking to make a name for themselves on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
The lineup includes Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes, Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson, and Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson. Each enters with something to prove, and with McClung absent, none of them will have to chase an established dunk-contest legend.
That mix of newcomers often makes for unpredictable outcomes, as dunkers try to outdo each other with creativity, props, and sheer athleticism.
Contest format keeps the drama high
The Slam Dunk Contest sticks with its tried-and-true two-round format, which means there’s little room for mistakes.
In the opening round, all four contestants attempt two dunks each while a panel of judges plus live fan voting, evaluates their creativity, difficulty and execution. The two highest scorers move on to the final round, where two more dunks decide the winner.
Expect plenty of suspense between attempts, as players strategize on the fly and adjust after seeing what the competition brings.
All-star judges add extra flair
Adding to the fun, the judging panel features former dunk legends and fan favorites, including Nate Robinson, Dominique Wilkins, Brent Barry and Dwight Howard. Their personalities, and occasionally strict scoring often become part of the show itself.
Why the Slam Dunk Contest still matters
You must be registered for see images attach
June 5, 1998; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan dunks in game two of the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
The dunk contest has evolved into one of All-Star Weekend’s signature attractions, mixing nostalgia with fresh talent and social-media-ready moments. Whether it’s a perfect 50, a missed first attempt, or a surprise dunk no one saw coming, the event consistently delivers entertainment.
With a brand-new field and no defending champion in sight, Saturday’s showcase feels wide open, and that unpredictability is exactly why fans keep tuning in year after year.
Live stream the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest with Peacock: Start your subscription now!
Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
NFL: NFL teams with the highest winning percentages over the last 10 years
CFB: Ole Miss given huge Trinidad Chambliss boost for 2026 college football season
MLB: Former Dodgers World Series champion to sign with Angels
NHL: Full list of NHL players in the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament
VIRAL: Myles Garrett, girlfriend Chloe Kim share heartfelt moment after Olympic stunner
The post How to live stream NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest 2026: Watch for free, TV channel appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
