The NBA Dunk Contest just witnessed a moment that will go down in history—but for all the wrong reasons. Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been mercilessly criticized for what many are calling the most underwhelming dunk in the event’s storied past. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it really that bad, or did the hype overshadow the actual performance? Let’s dive in.
Hayes, already in the spotlight after a recent one-game suspension for an incident involving the Washington Wizards mascot, delivered a one-handed dunk in the first round that left judges and fans alike scratching their heads. With an average score of 44.6 from the five judges, it was less of a slam and more of a pre-game warm-up routine. Social media erupted, with fans and commentators alike labeling it a historic flop. Brickcenter on X bluntly declared, ‘THE WORST DUNK IN DUNK CONTEST HISTORY. BRO DID A ONE-HANDED DUNK,’ while LakeShowYo lamented, ‘OMG THE DUNK CONTEST IS OFFICIALLY DEAD. JAXSON HAYES WTF WAS THAT.’
And this is the part most people miss: Hayes’s second attempt, a more creative sequence involving a self-pass, a bounce, and a between-the-legs finish, only slightly improved his score to 47.2. It wasn’t enough to save him from the online backlash, as his first dunk cemented his place in NBA All-Star Weekend infamy. Watch the cringe-worthy moment in the video above—if you dare.
But let’s shift gears to a brighter highlight of the weekend. Damian Lillard, sidelined all season due to a torn left Achilles tendon, made a stunning return to the spotlight by winning his third NBA Three-Point Contest. With special league approval, the 35-year-old Portland Trail Blazers guard edged out Phoenix’s Devin Booker 29-27 in a nail-biting final. ‘In a season where I’m not participating, the league allowing me to come in and do something like this… it was a great experience,’ Lillard reflected. His victory ties him with legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most Three-Point Contest wins, further solidifying his legacy as one of the NBA’s greatest shooters.
Lillard’s journey to this triumph is particularly inspiring. Injured during last year’s playoffs with Milwaukee, waived by the Bucks, and then signed by the Trail Blazers—his original team for 11 seasons—he’s proven that resilience pays off. ‘That’s all I do it for, to keep adding to my legacy,’ he said. His performance in the contest was a masterclass in composure, as he hit five consecutive shots on the left wing to secure his spot in the final. ‘You’ve got to just let the ball fly and trust your instincts,’ he advised.
In the final, Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel opened with 17 points, but Lillard’s clutch shooting and Booker’s missed opportunities sealed his victory. ‘I was praying on his downfall,’ Lillard admitted about Booker, showcasing the competitive spirit that defines these events.
Meanwhile, in the Slam Dunk Contest, Miami’s Keshad Johnson claimed the title with a jaw-dropping windmill dunk that scored 97.4 points. San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant wowed the crowd with a perfect 50-point, between-the-legs slam in his first finals attempt. However, his final dunk—a complex between-the-legs, off-the-backboard reverse—proved elusive, even with advice from dunk legend Vince Carter. Despite a last-ditch 360-degree dunk, Bryant couldn’t overtake Johnson, scoring only 43 points.
In other All-Star Saturday highlights, the Shooting Stars competition was won by Team Knicks, featuring New York’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns alongside former Knicks star Allan Houston.
But here’s the burning question: Did Jaxson Hayes truly deserve the harsh criticism, or did the dunk contest’s high expectations set him up for failure? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—and don’t hold back!
