{"id":604258,"date":"2026-02-15T08:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T08:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/604258\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T08:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T08:28:13","slug":"jaxson-hayes-hawaii-admission-hints-at-future-dunk-contest-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/604258\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaxson Hayes\u2019 \u2018Hawaii\u2018 admission hints at future Dunk Contest plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES \u2013 When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>\u2019 big man Jaxson Hayes<\/a> failed to advance to the final round of the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend. After a combined score of 91.8 in the first round, Hayes was edged out by Miami Heat wing Keshad Johnson and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant for the final dunk-off.<\/p>\n

Following the end of the Slam Dunk Contest, Jaxson Hayes<\/a> spoke about whether or not he would partake in the Slam Dunk Contest again. As the oldest player in this year\u2019s event, he didn\u2019t fully shut the door on another appearance, although it is highly unlikely.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my seventh year in the NBA, I\u2019m gonna be in my eighth year next year. You see these young guys got way more legs. I went up for my first dunk, I felt it right in my knees,\u201d Hayes said. \u201cI don\u2019t think so. It was fun to do and to say I did it, but I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m not gonna fully shut out the dunk contest, but most likely no. I\u2019d rather much be in Hawaii right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

With each participant receiving two dunk attempts in the first round, Hayes second attempt seemed like it was a better option for him to lead off with. For his first dunk, he tried to take off from the free-throw line, but seemingly mistimed the jump and ended up taking off inside the line for what was essentially just a fastbreak dunk.<\/p>\n

His second dunk actually got people out their seats when he threw the ball in front<\/a> of him, tapped it in the air from one hand to the other, flipped it back to the other hand between his legs and dunked.<\/p>\n

Jaxson Hayes taps it to himself & goes between the legs for his second slam in @ATT<\/a> Slam Dunk \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n

Tap to watch: https:\/\/t.co\/BpnjnxQ8vC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/pBALENoNJ0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Hayes became the sixth Lakers player to participate in the dunk contest following Michael Cooper, Antonio Harvey, Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown and Dwight Howard, respectively. Bryant is the only Laker to have ever won the dunk contest.<\/p>\n

Hayes has actually become known for his in-game dunks this season, catching lobs from Luka Doncic, and throwing down an impressive Eastbay dunk<\/a> back on Jan. 26 during the Lakers\u2019 win against the Chicago Bulls.<\/p>\n

This is Hayes\u2019 third season with the Lakers after he re-signed on a one-year contract this past offseason. He originally signed with the Lakers as a free agent in 2023 following four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n

This year, Hayes has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, at a little over 17 minutes per game. He\u2019s been averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.<\/p>\n