WASHINGTON — Even amid an uneven season, the Miami Heat will have participants on each day of All-Star Weekend next weekend in Los Angeles.
Saturday, seldom-used forward Keshad Johnson was named to the four-player field for the dunk contest next Saturday night.
That comes in the wake of Heat forward Norman Powell last Sunday being named to the All-Star Game for the first time in his 11-season career. That game will be next Sunday.
Previously, second-year center Kel’el Ware was named to the Rising Stars competition for first-and second-year players, which will be contested on Friday night.
Additionally, Heat two-way player Jahmir Young will be participating in the G League Next Up Game and G League 3-Point Contest next Sunday during NBA All-Star Weekend.
While Johnson has been limited in his playing time with the Heat this season, including being sent for seasoning to the G League to play with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, he has produced several dramatic dunks during mop-up duty.
Signed to a two-way contract after going undrafted out of Arizona in 2024, Johnson has since been upgraded to a standard contract.
Johnson, 24, becomes the fifth Heat player over the franchise’s 38 seasons to participate in the dunk contest, joining Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2024), 2020 winner Derrick Jones Jr., two-time winner Harold Miner (1995 and ‘93 ) and Billy Thompson (1990).
Johnson will be joined in the dunk contest by three fellow first-time participants: Carter Bryant (San Antonio Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers) and Jase Richardson (Orlando Magic).
Johnson has appeared in 21 Heat games this season, all in reserve, averaging 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 7.6 minutes while shooting .404 from the field, .304 on 3-pointers and .765 from the line. Nine of his 23 baskets this season have been dunks. His nine dunks rank sixth on the Heat roster.
In two games on G League assignment, Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.5 blocks.
The Heat will not have a participant in the All-Star Weekend 3-point contest, with defending champion Tyler Herro currently sidelined with a rib injury, away from the team during this two-game trip that opened with Friday night’s loss to the Boston Celtics and concludes Sunday against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
The Heat begin their All-Star break after Wednesday night’s game against the Pelicans in New Orleans. They then return to action after an eight-day break with a Feb. 20 game in Atlanta against the Hawks.