WASHINGTON — Was Jaxson Hayes’ “East Bay Funk Dunk” during Monday’s win over the Chicago Bulls a preview of what’s to come in a couple of weeks?
The Lakers big man accepted an invitation to the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant also accepted an invitation.
Hayes and Bryant are the first two known participants for the dunk contest. Three-time defending champion Mac McClung isn’t participating.
AP
The Lakers’ big man will participate in the 2026 Slam Dunk contest during All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. NBAE via Getty ImagesThe dunk contest will take place Feb. 14 at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome as part of the All-Star Weekend, which is taking place from Feb. 13-15.
The league is expected to announce the participants for Saturday night’s events – including the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest – next week.
NBAE via Getty Images
Hayes will look to become the first Laker to win the dunk contest since Kobe Bryant in 1997. NBAE via Getty Images
Hayes will look to become the first Laker to win the dunk contest since Kobe Bryant in 1997.
Dwight Howard (2020) was the last Laker to participate in the event.
The 7-foot Hayes will become the seventh player in franchise history to participate in the dunk contest, joining: Michael Cooper (1984), Antonio Harvey (1995), Bryant, Shannon Brown (2010), Larry Nance Jr. (2018) and Howard.
Bryant is the only player in franchise history to win the dunk contest.
Hayes has been credited with 64 dunks through 38 games so far this season after having a career-high 120 dunks in 2024-25.
