LA Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes, Spurs’ Carter Bryant join NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Carter Bryant will take part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, ESPN reported Thursday.

They are the first two confirmed participants in this year’s contest, which usually features four players. Three-time defending champion Mac McClung will not be competing this year.

Hayes, making his first appearance in the contest, is a 7-footer known for his athleticism, including a between-the-legs dunk in a recent win over the Chicago Bulls. In his seventh NBA season and third with the Lakers, he is averaging 6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Bryant has played in 37 games off the bench for San Antonio this season, averaging 2.5 points per game. He was the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Slam Dunk Contest is set for Feb. 14 in Inglewood, California, one day before the All-Star Game.

—Field Level Media/Reuters