Report: Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes, Spurs’ Carter Bryant chosen for dunk contest
Jan 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts towards the Denver Nuggets bench in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant will participate in the NBA slam dunk contest during All-Star Weekend, ESPN reported Thursday.
They are the first two known participants in the contest, which has typically featured four players in recent years. Three-time defending champion Mac McClung will not participate this year.
Hayes, who'll make his first appearance in the contest, is a 7-footer who had a between-the-legs dunk in a recent win over the Chicago Bulls. In his seventh NBA season and his third with the Lakers, he is averaging 6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
Bryant has appeared in 37 games off the bench for San Antonio, averaging 2.5 ppg. He was the 14th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The dunk contest will be Feb. 14 in Inglewood, Calif., one day before the All-Star Game.
--Field Level Media
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