Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs wing Carter Bryant are the first players to punch their tickets to the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The contest will take place Feb. 14 during All-Star Weekend.
Hayes, 25, is averaging 6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 77.3% from the field in his seventh NBA season. He has spent the last three years with the Lakers after beginning his career with the New Orleans Pelicans. Hayes and Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton have frequently been on the receiving end of lob dunks created by passes from Luka Dončić and LeBron James.
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Hayes’ most recent highlight-reel dunk came on a fast break against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. After getting a steal, Hayes finished with an Eastbay dunk.
Following the game, Lakers guard Jake LaRavia told reporters he wasn’t sure Hayes got high enough for the between-the-legs finish.
“He didn’t get that high,” LaRavia said. “The only player that does it in the league is Obi Toppin.”
While Dončić did not question Hayes’ dunk, he noted that he was only 13 years old when he first completed the move himself.
Bryant, 20, is averaging 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.1 minutes per game during his rookie season. He posted a career-high 11 points, two blocks and a steal on 4-of-5 shooting in the Spurs’ Jan. 19 win over the Utah Jazz.
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Bryant was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of the University of Arizona. Bryant participated in the 2024 Powerade Jam Fest before the McDonald’s All American Game.
It is not yet known who will compete alongside Hayes and Bryant in the dunk contest. Three-time defending champion Mac McClung has already announced he will not participate in the dunk contest this year.