標籤: Contest

chelsea Defender Ibrahima Konate ‘intends to try his luck’ this summer as he leaves Liverpool on a free transfer.

Team The report adds that Xabi Alonso’s side intend to keep their name in the hat for the Frenchman as he looks set to leave Anfield.

liverpool exit

The newspaper covered Ibrahima Konate’s departure today following Thursday evening’s report that he was no longer signing a new deal with the Reds.

The centre-back is set to become a free agent this summer but looked set to sign a new five-year deal at Anfield just a month ago. Now this French player also seems to be on his way out.

The newspaper reports that this happened due to ‘internal disagreement’. On the finances behind the scenes, and how they will be allocated. But other contenders have also started pushing the defender.

According to information from L’Equipe, they have ‘entered into much more concrete negotiations’ to try to secure the signature of the 27-year-old. They were there a month ago and are now in the picture.

chelsea offer

And the proposals are so concrete that Ibrahima Konate has been given ‘pause for thought’. Chelsea is one of those who is curious. He is described as a lover who ‘intends to try his luck’ this summer.

Like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid have also maintained contact with him. There is no one in front at this time. Indeed, Konate is expected to travel to the World Cup on June 10^th Without a clear picture of his future.

This suggests he will consider Chelsea’s offer carefully. On paper, the Blues are less attractive than a pair of European giants.

But despite the current squad having six players, a centre-back has been a priority for some time now. Eight if you include Jorel Hatto and Josh Acheampong.

Konate would come in as the immediate leader of the group, something that could be attractive after being Virgil van Dijk’s understudy for years at Anfield.

During the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Dallas Mavericks, one of their key players suffered a serious knee injury. As Warriors forward Moses Moody was going up for a breakaway dunk, the forward clutched his leg in pain. Moody was taken care of on the next dead ball and taken off the court on a stretcher.

moody Has been out of the game due to leg injury. A photo of Warriors forward Draymond Green shows a cast on his knee as he was taken off the court on a stretcher after his injury.

It’s a heartbreaking injury for Moody, who has missed the Warriors’ last 10 games with a wrist injury. Moody started this game against the Mavericks and was playing well. He led the shorthanded Warriors with 23 points and filled the stat sheet with three rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Moody’s injury occurred in overtime at the end of the game against the Mavericks. The Warriors held a strong 136–131 lead over Dallas, and Moody’s steal would have given the lead a solid seven points as the game was winding down. The injury appeared to be serious, as it appeared the forward’s lower leg was hanging off at one point.

Warriors fans will now await the results of further testing on Moody. The Warriors improved to 33-38 and are in last place in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. This is another brutal injury for Golden State, who are already without Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry for the remainder of the regular season.

A new rumor suggests that the Minnesota Vikings may be close to signing competition JJ McCarthy for the 2026 NFL season.

After former first-round pick McCarthy disappointed in his second season in Minnesota, reports quickly emerged after the season ended that the organization intended to bring in a veteran QB to serve as potential competition for the 23-year-old in training camp this summer. Well, that player may be signed soon.

In a new report from SNY’s Connor Hughes, an NFL insider claims the New York Jets are interested in soon-to-be-released two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray. Still, despite being a top target for a QB-needy team, Hughes revealed, “However, the strong belief from multiple sources is that he will sign with the Vikings.”

Kyler Murray stats (2025): 2-3 record, 962 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 88.6 rating

The Arizona Cardinals informed Murray this week that they would waive him when the new league year officially begins next week.

When the Cardinals used the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Murray, there were hopes he could be the franchise quarterback they have been lacking for decades. After his first three seasons, it looked as if he would earn Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2021. But in the four seasons that followed, Murray regressed. Partly due to injuries. However, when he was on the field, he was still ineffective.

Still, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has developed a reputation as a QB guru, and it makes sense that Murray would want to go to Minnesota in hopes of returning to his Pro Bowl form. If the 28-year-old gets back to being the player he was in 2020 and 2021, the Vikings will be a serious Super Bowl contender next season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Will Richard received unfortunate news during the Golden State Warriors’ clash with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.

Richard is coming off the rookie campaign of his NBA career, having enjoyed an incredible collegiate career at Florida that included winning a national championship. He has made valuable strides in the rotation and has earned the trust of Steve Kerr as a reliable two-way player.

However, misfortune struck Richard during Golden State’s contest against Los Angeles. He injured his ankle in the first half and had to go to the locker room for evaluation.

Golden State confirmed Richards will miss the remainder of the game with an ankle injury. His night ends after five minutes of action, finishing with four points, one rebound and one block.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks will face the Memphis Grizzlies without their star players for the sixth consecutive game.

“The Mavericks say Cooper Flagg will miss his sixth consecutive game tonight due to a left medial sprain. Memphis is at Dallas for the second straight home game night. This will be Flagg’s 10th game this season he has missed,” Steen, formerly of the X, wrote on Twitter.

It’s uncertain when Flagg will return to action, and the Mavericks may want to be cautious with his injury. During the All-Star break, Flagg was seen in the boot, which raised many eyebrows. Steen reported at the time that the Mavericks were fortunate that his injury was only a midfoot sprain.

“Cooper Flagg was seen with a boot on his left foot at Duke’s home game against Clemson on Saturday, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that Flagg’s MRI results last week revealed only a left foot sprain,” Stein wrote. “It is still not known exactly how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks are relieved that the injury is not more serious.”

Flagg had started to fire before he was hit and it was clear he was figuring things out. The Mavericks made some moves at the trade deadline that indicated they were ready to move forward with Flagg as the future of the team, and it seemed like he was ready for the moment.

It doesn’t seem like the Mavericks are too concerned about Flagg’s injury, and there should be a chance he returns at some point this season. For now, players like Najee Marshall, Klay Thompson, Brandon Williams and others will have to step up.

The popularity of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is declining, as the most famous players are refusing to compete. Not only are the most recognizable names going begging, even the best dunkers see no justification in putting themselves out there for the glory of being the league’s dunk king. The prestige that the competition once had is no longer there. But Phoenix Suns owner Matt Ishbia is on his way to doing something to try to change players’ minds.

In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, the Suns owner pledged $2 million to revitalize the Slam Dunk Contest.

“My take on it is how can we bring great players to it. How can we make it a great event. How can we make the fan experience phenomenal. We’re going to make it an amazing event,” Ishbia said. “Let’s do this. We can do this. Tell me what we’re doing?”

McAfee said, “You will invest one million dollars for the winner. And then donate one million dollars to the charity of their choice.”

“Done. Let’s get the best people in there. Let’s make it amazing,” Ishbia responded.

Suns owner Matt Ishbia has one last attempt to revive the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is considered by many to be one of the worst ever. Jackson Hayes did a warmup dunk in the actual contest. Jess Richardson risked his life. Carter Bryant tried, but he couldn’t keep up with Keshad Johnson and his bizarre dance moves.

Giving monetary incentives has certainly worked wonders in the past, although it is not at all clear whether this will give the best players a chance to compete again as they already have millions and crores in their bank accounts and will not be incentivized in any way.

The hits keep coming for the Los Angeles Clippers; Still without Darius Garland, the key player they got in exchange for James Harden, they lost John Collins to a serious head injury in Friday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.

To make matters worse, the Clippers will now be without Kawhi Leonard for the final few minutes of a close game against the Purple and Gold, as Tomer Azharli beat a ClutchPoints reporter.

Leonard was experiencing pain in his left ankle, and it looked as if he had dislocated it on the first play of the fourth when he attempted to post up and the ball slipped out of his grasp. The Clippers star was treading cautiously, and now, the team is opting to play it safe, refusing to risk any more losses to their best player.

Leonard scored 31 points on 11-19 shooting from the field, with four rebounds and five assists, before being forced to leave the game due to an ankle injury.

Things go from bad to worse for the plucky Clippers

To say that this season has not gone according to plan by any means for the Clippers would be a huge understatement. Leonard’s alleged involvement in a cap rigging business tied to a bankrupt company called Aspiration got this season off to a bad start for the Clippers, and now, LA is going to be without two key players at such a crucial point in the season.

The Clippers were one win away from reaching the .500 mark, which is a borderline miracle considering their 6-21 start to the season, but their loss to the Lakers has delayed their spectacular climb for the time being. If Leonard, Collins and Garland miss even more time, the onus will be on Benedict Mathurin to lead the team in scoring.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has been in decline for some time, with most of the league’s best players refusing to compete in the dunking exhibition. It certainly feels like the NBA has had to beg some players to go out and compete, and this year, there were plenty of throwbacks — from Jaxon Hayes’ routine tomahawk dunk, to Jace Richardson’s hard fall, to San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant’s timeout, to reigning Dunk Contest champion Keshad Johnson’s eccentric dance moves.

But it looks like a rising star in Spurs rookie Dylan Harper could at least bring a little name recognition to the dunk contest. In an appearance on the Cousins ​​Podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Harper, who was accompanied by his father and three-time NBA champion Ron and his brother, current Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr., was perhaps inspired to attend the 2027 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in Phoenix.

“I could have done every dunk you did in that contest,” Dylan told his father, referring to Ron’s appearances in the 1987 and 1989 dunk contests. “[But] “I’m not doing a no-dunk contest.”

“Don’t you think you’re good enough?” McGrady asked, provoking a reaction.

“No, I guess I don’t know that many tricks,” the Spurs guard replied. “[But] We can see like a year. We can see next year.

Can Spurs guard Dylan Harper at least outperform his father?

In 1987, Ron Harper, still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, self-lobed and tapped to the front rim for a reverse dunk before a reverse dunk for his second of two of the night. He finished fifth in the competition.

Two years later, he executed a one-handed, 360 Statue of Liberty jam (which he made on the second attempt) followed by a self-lob, a high toss off the ground, which he punctuated with a thrusting one-handed tomahawk.

The Spurs guard doesn’t have a high enough bar to clear given the dunks his father did.

This weekend, the NBA All-Star Weekend events took place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Representing the Phoenix Suns in both the three-point contest and the All-Star Game was Devin Booker, who has been playing at an elite level for Phoenix all year.

It seemed like Booker was in the driver’s seat to win consecutive three-point contests, but ultimately, he lost the contest to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard at the end of his final rack.

Now, Booker is getting 100% real on his anticipation for next year’s competition, which will take place in Phoenix during the 2027 All-Star weekend.

“It hurt a little bit. I wanted it so bad. I wish I was defending it in Phoenix, but if I get an invite it’ll probably be the last time next year. I’m looking forward to it,” Booker said, according to Duane Rankin of AZ Central, formerly of AZ Central, on Twitter.

Booker will almost certainly receive an invitation to compete in front of his home fans in Phoenix next year. However, as Starr hinted, Booker will have to feel like he let one slip over the weekend, getting off to a great start in the championship round before finally hitting a cold shoulder at the worst possible time.

The loss gave Lillard his third three-point championship win and prevented Booker from taking home what would have been his second win in that department. Meanwhile, Lillard recently hinted on Instagram that he would like to run it back next year with Booker, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Now, Booker and the Suns will turn their attention back to the 2025-26 season, where Phoenix has been one of the most surprising teams in the league. The Suns currently have a solid chance to clinch a top-six seed in the Western Conference as the season enters its home stretch.

They next hit the road on Thursday evening against the San Antonio Spurs.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has always been a major part of All-Star Weekend. It’s an event we always looked forward to seeing as kids, and it’s arguably the most searched-for NBA content on YouTube, as fans always want to relive amazing moments from Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon, among many others. It wasn’t that long ago that this competition meant anything.

Nowadays, the dunk contest is seen as something that makes us all ask, “Do we need to do this?”

At this point the event seems forced upon us, especially when it has overstayed its welcome and simply lost its touch.

If the tremendous dunk contests of the past several years were any indication of where this All-Star event has come to an end, Saturday night (technically afternoon) in Inglewood was the icing on top of the cake.

What was memorable about this incident, other than Jess Richardson almost being seriously injured when he fell hard on the court after attempting a dunk off the edge of the backboard? Honestly, can anyone remember what has happened at this event during All-Star Weekend the past few years, other than Mac McClung, who is the only player who has played a total of 10 NBA games in his career?

Frankly, getting the league to try to get players to participate in this event has been almost like pulling teeth over the years. This is especially true because star players aren’t as sought after as they were with the 3-point contest or the All-Star Game.

Lack of stars ruined the event

It wasn’t long ago that stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and others were competing in the dunk contest during All-Star Weekend. Although they were small at the time and the event has always catered to young players looking to make a name for themselves, it has suddenly become something that no one wants to participate in.

Jaylen Brown has been the only All-Star talent to participate in the event over the past several years. We see players and stars all the time talking about how the dunk contest should be changed, fixed, and saved, yet none of them are willing to step up and be the solution.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the problem here. The reason past dunk contests with Carter, Jordan, LaVine and Gordon have always been talked about is that they not only cared about putting on a show, but they were also willing to be the face of the event.

Nobody wants to do that these days except a G League player, which is why the talent in the dunk contest has been extremely low over the past few seasons.

This should in no way be taken as a disrespect to this year’s participants: Keshad Johnson, Carter Bryant, Jace Richardson and Jackson Hayes. These people did what they could, and should really be commended for making this program happen when so many others turned down the opportunity to participate.

Also, what have any of these players actually done that made people flock to this event and think it would be any different from the disappointments of almost every dunk contest over the years? Bryant and Richardson are rookies who have barely played, Hayes has been a backup big man for most of his career, and Johnson has played a total of 257 minutes in his career.

Unless they’re a fan of one of these four players’ teams or are a basketball buff like yours truly, the average NBA fan doesn’t know anything about this year’s participants. This is a big problem, and this issue has existed for years in relation to the Dunk Contest.

Needless to mention, Hayes criticized the dunk contest after the event on Saturday night, claiming he would rather be in Hawaii than Los Angeles for All-Star Weekend festivities. When a lesser-known player is saying this, there is a serious problem with spectacle.

After all, it’s not like this year’s event was all that memorable, as it was filled with a lot of dancing and a few dunks, most of which any player in the NBA could have done. There was nothing unique about this event, and it has almost turned into an event that fans are only attending and cheering for because they don’t want to let go of the past.

Keshad Johnson went under the backboard for this dunk.

pic.twitter.com/EHjdA3ADi5

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 February 2026

Even the young, rising stars, who can easily win the event and get a lot of endorsement deals and set the standards for the next generation, do not want to participate in the event. Prominent rookies and second-year players, who should see such an opportunity as an honor, are ignoring the event because it is not like it used to be.

VJ Edgecombe has had an All-Rookie and Rookie of the Year campaign this year with the Philadelphia 76ers, and fans would love to see him take a lead role in the dunk contest. But the Sixers rookie had other ideas and made it clear he would not be accepting an invitation to the event, giving no specific reason other than “I’m not doing that” and that he’s “cool.”

Perhaps the dunk contest has run its course, especially when every year it’s the same story of a disappointing event and star players pleading to save it. That’s exactly what happened in 2025, prompting Ja Morant and others to hint that this year’s event in Inglewood will be one to remember for years.

Ja Morant, Zach LaVine and even Giannis claimed on social media that they could save the event after McClung won for the third consecutive year. It takes that kind of energy to save the Dunk Contest, yet neither star participated in the event last weekend.

NBA All-Star Saturday has lost its touch as the dunk contest continues to dominate the headlines. But at the same time, that doesn’t mean All-Star Weekend as a whole needs a revamp.

All-Star Saturday still works… kind of

Fans and NBA media members alike have been very critical of All-Star Weekend over the years. More specifically, All-Star Saturday Night has become a major discussion topic, with some questioning whether it is even necessary anymore.

Just because the Dunk Contest has been disappointing and needs a change, doesn’t mean that every single fun event that basketball fans around the world enjoy watching should be abandoned.

The NBA 3-Point Contest is still a great spectacle, and one of the main reasons is that big names and elite 3-point shooting threats are willing to participate. Each of the past six winners of the event has been an All-Star talent, and Damian Lillard has now won the event in three of the last four seasons.

Less than 24 hours after the contest ended Saturday in Inglewood, Stephen Curry and Lillard made it clear they will be back in contention next season when the Phoenix Suns host All-Star Weekend.

For anyone who had any doubts about how serious Curry and Lillard are, these two are already teaming up to recruit Devin Booker, who said he would participate, and Klay Thompson, who Steph told Lillard via message that he would get them to sign.

With Lillard, Curry, Booker and Thompson, the 2027 3-Point Contest already has the best field in the event’s history, as all four stars have won the 3-point crown before. So, if the big names can come together to do this for one of the All-Star Saturday events, why can’t they do the same for the others?

This year’s All-Star Saturday Night, which took place at noon, started with a fun and thrilling 3-point contest that came down to Lillard, Booker and rookie sensation Kon Knueppel. Overall, it was a great event that no one had any problems with, especially considering that Lillard has been out the entire season recovering from an Achilles injury and he not only participated, but won the event.

The next order of business was Kia Shooting Stars, which replaced the Skills Challenge. Although it was not as entertaining as previous events, Shooting Stars brought a level of excitement with the addition of past greats such as Alan Houston and Ron Harper. Whenever the NBA can add former players and Hall of Fame talent, they should always take advantage of the opportunity.

But after these first two events, the Dunk Contest, which is always the headliner of All-Star Saturday Night, was a complete waste of time. The attendees hardly made any noise, and there was virtually no over-the-top reaction from current and former players present to watch the competition.

The dunk contest has lost its touch. Unless some of the league’s best dunkers and stars are willing to save the event, it’s time to join the skills challenge. In doing so, the NBA could create a new event that both fans and players have been demanding:

A 1-on-1 tournament.

Time for a new 1 vs 1 event?

One thing the NBA does really well is involving the players and letting their input help make decisions to better the league. Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA office have worked long and hard with the players union over the past few seasons to improve the All-Star Game, and we can certainly see improvements in terms of competitiveness on the court.

Both the NBA and the players deserve a lot of credit for making All-Star Weekend better than ever.

However, there’s still room for growth, and it all goes back to All-Star Saturday Night, with the Dunk Contest coming off as an event that overstayed its welcome. Down the road, it might make sense to bring back the dunk contest, but for now, it’s time to put this event next to the Skills Challenge.

As for what will replace the Dunk Contest and become the main event of All-Star Weekend, the NBA should look no further than the success women’s basketball has had with its unmatched 1-on-1 tournament. WNBA players have taken the event as seriously as their season over the years, and the event has generated a lot of interest among NBA talent.

At the 2025 All-Star Game, Kevin Durant spoke highly of the idea of ​​a 1-on-1 tournament and claimed that the league is full of amazing talent that could make the event stand out.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy to predict who will come out on top,” Durant said on NBA TV. “I think there are a lot of guys that can come out here and put on a show in 1-on-1, so it will be a great addition to All-Star Weekend. We’ll see what happens.”

Durant talked about the idea of ​​a 1-on-1 tournament with Draymond Green and claimed he would play if the NBA added the event to All-Star Weekend.

This year, it was Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown who was the leading voice for a 1-on-1 tournament to be added to the All-Star calendar, as he fully supported the idea of ​​moving the event to All-Star Weekend.

“I’m really a big fan of one-on-one,” Brown said at All-Star media day. “There are some guys here this weekend that I would love to challenge. All of them. Luka (Doncic), Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), (Jalen) Brunson, Donovan (Mitchell). I would challenge all of those guys one by one. We can donate to any charity. Let’s set it up.”

With Durant and Brown publicly advocating for a 1-on-1 tournament over the past two All-Star Weekends, and many other stars likely feeling the same way, could we possibly see it debut in 2027? Maybe we could even see a 1-on-1 All-Star tournament replace the dunk contest for a while.

The NBA has some decisions to make regarding All-Star Weekend, and no decision is bigger than what happens with Saturday night’s activities, specifically the Dunk Contest. Unless they get stars and notable talent to participate, the event will continue to be disrespected and despised by players and fans alike.

With Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson winning the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest, there is still some discussion going on about the event and the changes that should be made to it. As people wonder what the future of the Slam Dunk Contest will look like, former player Kendrick Perkins has a request for the league.

Perkins didn’t hold back on his feelings toward the event on Saturday, saying the Slam Dunk Contest was a “disgrace” and “terrible.” He believes the addition of big-name players will help fix this, the three players he mentioned are Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant and Victor Wembanyama.

Perkins said, “That was an embarrassment. If there was one thing that was an embarrassing moment for All-Star Weekend, that dunk contest was terrible.” “And I wouldn’t say that … and I would sit here today and say the Dunk Contest doesn’t need to go anywhere, but it needs to be fixed. And the only way you fix it is you need bigger, top players, bigger names, Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant. Hey, I’d even like to see Wembey go seven-on-seven.”

“He was an embarrassment. … The only way you fix it is you need big-time players … Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant — I’d like to see Wembley in it, too.”

Kendrick Perkins wraps up this year’s dunk contest at NBA All-Star Weekend 😳pic.twitter.com/8912v95Mtf

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 16 February 2026

Kendrick Perkins compares the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Contest

While there were some viral moments on Saturday, such as Johnson winning the Slam Dunk Contest by helping rapper E-40 dunk, the excitement has been noticeably subdued. Perkins explained the difference between the event and the three-point contest, saying that stars compete there, with Damian Lillard winning his third title.

“The difference between the dunk contest and the three-point contest, the superstars and the stars, they participate in the three-point contest. We saw Dame Lillard… We need those big-name guys, Adam Silver and the NBA to do whatever they need to commit and get those guys to participate, damn it, get it done. It may cost a little salad, but make sure they make sure you get it done. Dunk Contest NBA and All-Star “It means a lot to the weekend.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen how the Slam Dunk Contest develops

On Saturday evening, the NBA hosted some of its All-Star weekend activities from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, home of the Clippers. Among them was the Three-Point Contest, which was won by the Portland Trail Blazers’ star point guard Damian Lillard, who defeated Devin Booker and Kon Knueppel in the final round of the contest.

It was the third career Three-Point Contest win for Lillard, who is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury but still wanted to participate in the event, and now, the former All-Star is previewing what the competition could look like in the 2027 season.

“Me, you, Klay, Bucs, and 4 more real shooters,” Lillard wrote in a message to Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, which he posted on social media (via Lillard’s account on Instagram).

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have had some coveted three-point contest battles with Lillard over the years, and Devin Booker has also added his name to that discussion in recent seasons, winning a three-point battle and nearly winning another on Saturday evening before he fouled out down the stretch during the final period.

Meanwhile, the Blazers and their fans will be hoping that Lillard can continue his excellent level of performance on the court when he returns to action next year. Lillard re-joined the Portland franchise last offseason after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, and although he is still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered during last year’s playoffs, he is projected to provide some much-needed perimeter playmaking and shooting for a Blazers team that is surging in the Western Conference this year.

On Sunday, Blazers fans got a chance to see young star Deni Avdija play for the World Team in the All-Star Game, and Portland next faces off against the Denver Nuggets on Friday evening.

Let’s start the hype for the 2027 NBA Three-Point Contest. On Sunday, Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry confirmed that he will participate in the 2027 edition of the event.

After Damian Lillard became the third player in tournament history to win it three times when the Portland Trail Blazers lifted the trophy on Saturday, Curry said on the NBA Showtime broadcast that he would be there “100 percent.”

Additionally, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player said he would try to get former Warriors teammate and half of the famous “Splash Brothers” Klay Thompson in there, as well as other players.

“I’ve already scheduled it. We’re gonna bring some people. I, Dame [Damian Lillard]I’m going to try to get Clay [Thompson]God [Devin Booker]”Curry said.

🚨BREAKING: Steph Curry says he’ll have a 3-point contest next year 🔥

Curry says he’ll try to get Klay Thompson and Damian Lillard to compete next year 😳pic.twitter.com/NW1ljZbeql

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 February 2026

Like everyone else, Curry watched Lillard, now again with the Portland Trail Blazers, join 3-Point Shootout legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win the event three times. Bird held the top spot in 1986, 1987, and 1988, while Hodges ruled it in 1990, 1991, and 1992. Lillard won the championship in 2023 and 2024 and finished on top again in 2026, despite the fact that he is still recovering from an Achilles injury.

As for Curry, he is a two-time three-point shootout king, having captured the crown in 2015 and 2021.

As the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-pointers, Curry probably felt obligated to attend the event in 2027 for a chance to join Lillard, Bird and Hodges in the extremely exclusive three-time winners club.

Over the weekend, the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities bizarrely took place in the afternoon, with the Slam Dunk Contest being the major event of the day. Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson won the competition, although many fans were wondering why Chicago Bulls guard Mac McClung was not in the competition.

McClung has won the last three Slam Dunk Contests, and although he hasn’t been able to consistently carve out a spot for himself on an NBA team, he’s been with the Bulls for the past few weeks, which means he had every reason to be there in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Recently, according to Chaz NBA on YouTube, McClung showed off some of the dunks he would go with if he was selected to defend his title at the event.

Obviously, McClung still has every bit of the athleticism needed to win the event, but fans in Los Angeles had to be satisfied with bizarre dunks from Johnson, Jace Richardson, Jackson Hayes and Carter Bryant all night.

The dunk contest and the perceived decline in quality of the NBA All-Star weekend as a whole have come under some heavy criticism in recent years, with many fans lamenting the fact that big-name players often refuse to participate in the event these days.

Two years ago, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown changed that by participating in the competition, but that didn’t stop more criticism from coming the NBA’s way.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the league will be fully hopeful that the All-Star Game players will make some kind of effort after years of playing a boring middle school recess game that is a stark contrast to the performances of the best basketball players on the planet.

Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm ET from Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – For the first time since 2019-20, the Los Angeles Lakers have a participant for the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in the form of big man Jackson Hayes. Dwight Howard competed in the championship for the last time in his lone season with the Lakers. Howard did not advance to the final round that season, with Derrick Jones Jr. taking home the hardware.

Jackson Hayes is the sixth Lakers player to be selected for the Slam Dunk Contest, but only Kobe Bryant has won the marquee event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Hayes is now attempting to become the second player in franchise history to bring home the trophy.

Over the past few seasons, the Slam Dunk Contest has come under increased scrutiny from fans, media, and players alike, and the contest has lost some of its luster compared to previous years. But for Hayes, he’s just trying to go out there and have fun, and try to bring excitement back to the competition.

“I want to bring as much fun and life back to this competition,” Hayes said during his media availability session. “Me and the guys were talking about it, we just want to make it a show. Just try to bring the dunk contest back in the best way possible, just go all out and have fun, and make it entertaining for people to watch.”

Hayes has wowed fans with some impressive dunks in games this season. He is good for Luka Doncic in almost every game. But the one that stood out so far this season was his Eastbay dunk, which he threw down during the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls on January 26.

The inspiration for that dunk came when Hayes’ Lakers teammates made fun of him for throwing an ambiguous dunk on a fastbreak.

Hayes said, “At the beginning of the game my teammates were making fun of me. I had a fastbreak and I just did a simple two-handed dunk. Not hanging on the rim or anything, just dropping it in.” “Everyone was teasing me, they were all messing with me. I got a steal late in the game and I was just remembering the guys who were teasing me earlier and making fun of me, so I was like, ‘Okay I’ll do something.’

As far as Hayes’ production for the Lakers, he has been one of the team’s most consistent players this season with his energy and effort. He has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, at a pace of just over 17 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.

Orlando Magic rookie Jess Richardson gave fans a big scare at the Intuit Dome on Saturday night, but luckily, he’s leaving Los Angeles with nothing more than a bruised ego and a viral moment.

While attempting his second dunk of the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Richardson suffered a terrible fall, hitting the back of his head on the hardwood. Despite the scary scene, the young guard quickly revealed on social media that he was “crying laughing” at the replay.

I’ve been crying laughing for the last hour😭 https://t.co/3rxhHUFFNu

– Jase Richardson (@JaseRich4) 15 February 2026

Richardson, the son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, entered the night looking to keep the family legacy alive. He opened the competition with a 45.4 after hitting a clean reverse slam on a bounce-up.

However, he needed a huge score in his second attempt to keep pace with Keshad Johnson and Carter Bryant. Richardson opted for a 360 tomahawk from the side of the backboard, but he misjudged the angle, causing it to hit the board before crashing hard onto the floor.

After a few tense moments, the former Michigan State star was able to get up under his own power. He even finished the round with a safe 360 ​​slam to record the score, although a 43.4 on his attempt effectively ended his night. Richardson finished last in the field of four with a total score of 88.8, behind Jackson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers.

While the Orlando Magic guard isn’t adding a trophy to his dad’s, his ability to find humor in a “backboard block” has already won over social media. With Miami Heat forward Keishad Johnson finally taking home the crown, Richardson is just happy to be healthy and heading back to Orlando with a story.

Damian Lillard didn’t need much convincing to step onto the Intuit Dome floor Saturday night. Despite being sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Portland Trail Blazers star proved that “Dame Time” is a permanent setting. Lillard captured his third career NBA 3-Point Contest title and joined legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners in the history of the event.

“People know I’m a real competitor.” 😤

let’s talk damian lillard @ChrisBHaynes About joining @state Farm NBA 3-Point Contest when slots are available! pic.twitter.com/PtEncrsEK7

– NBA TV (@NBATV) 15 February 2026

The nine-time All-Star admitted that the decision to join was almost a joke at first. While discussing holiday plans with NBA officials, Lillard mentioned he was available if a slot opened up. When this happened, he took the opportunity to “spice things up” and give fans something to cheer about during his long journey to recovery.

When the San Antonio Spurs selected Carter Bryant with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the consensus was that he was a raw prospect who would need at least a few years to develop before becoming a reliable contributor. The organization took the risk, in part, because of his attractive athletic talent. This feature was put on display during the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Bryant stunned fans inside the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome on All-Star Saturday and scored 50 across the board after an East Bay slam in the second period. The 20-year-old forward fell short in the finals against Miami Heat’s Keshad Johnson, but still put in a great performance in his native California.

Carter Bryant all 50!

Carter Bryant went high for this dunk

pic.twitter.com/BJ6aNtTBnS

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 15 February 2026

Bryant jumped off the floor and performed what might have been the best dunk of the night. Unfortunately, he missed a sure chance of winning the competition and was forced to settle for second place. The former Arizona talent can still take great pride in posting a perfect score.

Bryant still has a lot to learn, but he’s already making remarkable progress in his first NBA season. The 2024 McDonald’s All-American is enjoying a promising February, averaging 9.0 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range in just 16.7 minutes per contest. One can only learn a lot from a six-game sample size, but the young player is quickly earning the trust of his teammates and the coaching staff.

He should also earn more fans after his viral jam. Keep an eye on Carter Bryant.

LOS ANGELES – When the smoke cleared and the dust settled, Los Angeles Lakers big man Jackson Hayes 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 defeated by Miami Heat wing Keshad Johnson and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant for the final dunk-off.

After the end of the Slam Dunk Contest, Jackson Hayes talked about whether or not he would participate in the Slam Dunk Contest again. As the oldest player in this year’s event, he hasn’t completely closed the door on another appearance, although that seems highly unlikely.

Hayes said, “This is my seventh year in the NBA, I’ll be in my eighth next year. You can see these young guys have more legs. I went up for my first dunk, I felt it right in my knees.” “I don’t think so. It was fun to do it and say I did it, but I don’t know. I’m not going to turn down the dunk contest completely, but probably not. I’d rather be in Hawaii right now.”

Each participant received two dunk attempts in the first round, with Hayes’ second attempt looking like it was a better option for him to advance. For his first dunk, he tried to take off from the free-throw line, but it appears he made a jump mistake and ended up flying just inside the line, which was essentially just a fastbreak dunk.

His second dunk really had people out of their seats when he threw the ball in front of him, tossed it in the air from one hand to the other, tossed it back to the other hand between his legs and dunked.

Jackson Hayes taps it towards him and goes between the legs for his second slam @To slam dunk 😤

Tap to watch: https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vC pic.twitter.com/pBALENoNJ0

– NBA (@NBA) 15 February 2026

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 win the Dunk Contest.

Hayes is really known for his in-game dunks this season, catching a lob from Luka Doncic and throwing down an impressive Eastbay dunk during the Lakers’ win against the Chicago Bulls on January 26.

This is Hayes’ third season with the Lakers after re-signing a one-year contract last offseason. He originally signed with the Lakers as a free agent in 2023 after four seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

This year, Hayes has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, averaging a little over 17 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has ended, and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson is this year’s winner. However, Orlando Magic guard Jace Richardson had a scary moment as he was completely knocked unconscious during one of his attempts.

Richardson, who is 20, ran along the baseline to attempt his dunk. However, the ball got stuck on the backboard, causing Richardson to fall and land directly on his back. Fortunately, he did not appear to suffer any related injuries, and he was able to get back on his feet after about three seconds.

Jace Richardson’s scary fall during the slam dunk contest 😱😱😳
pic.twitter.com/3aqWDBqAyS

– HoopVillain🔥 (@HoopVillain_) 15 February 2026

Richardson was one of the first contestants to be eliminated from the dunk contest. Jackson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers was the other contestant eliminated early. The Magic rookie at least got a chance to show off his athletic talents on Saturday, even if he didn’t win the dunk contest.

After being selected 25th overall by Orlando, Jace Richardson has had a great first year so far in the NBA. He plays an average of 12.1 minutes per game in a reserve role for the club. During 39 appearances off the bench, Richardson averaged 5.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He’s also shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the three-point line.

The Dunk Contest was the only competition Richardson competed in during NBA All-Star Weekend. He will now enjoy the remainder of the break before the Magic are back in action on Thursday, February 19, giving him approximately five days of rest. Orlando will face the Sacramento Kings in that contest.

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is the 2026 Three-Point Contest Champion. He achieved this feat despite sitting out this season due to an Achilles tear. He managed to defeat guard Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and rookie Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets in the championship round of the tournament.

While accepting his award, the 35-year-old point guard was asked what was going through his mind as he watched Booker take his turn in the three-point contest. Lillard cheerfully admitted he was “praying” for the Suns star to “fall.”

“I was praying for his downfall,” Lillard claimed.

“I was praying for his downfall”

What Damian Lillard was thinking when he saw Devin Booker in the final round😅

pic.twitter.com/4329tM90fm https://t.co/bci6DfMFGu

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

It appears to have worked, as Devin Booker failed to surpass Damian Lillard’s 29 points in the championship round. The win marked Lillard’s third three-point contest win of his career. he joins larry bird And Craig Hodges is the only player in league history to win the competition three times.

With the competition over, Lillard will likely go back to taking care of his Achilles tendon tear in preparation for the 2026-27 campaign. The nine-time All-Star is not expected to return this season, even if the Trail Blazers reach the playoffs. Meanwhile, Portland will continue to lean on Deni Avdija and its young roster. The club is ranked No. 9 in the Western Conference at the All-Star break.

Damian Lillard signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Trail Blazers last season after the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. His deal includes a no-trade clause, so there’s a chance Lillard finishes his career in Portland. Over the course of 13 years in the league, Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game as well as a 43.9% career field goal percentage and 37.1% three-point percentage.

Last postseason, Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles injury while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Less than 10 months later, he is again wearing a Portland Trail Blazers uniform and winning his third 3-point contest in the last four years. Welcome to the twilight zone.

The star point guard, who hasn’t played a game this season and likely won’t, overcame long layoffs and fierce competitors like Devin Booker and rookie Kon Knuppel to reclaim his throne during NBA All-Star Weekend. He joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players in NBA history to win the championship three times. Booker was poised to snatch the trophy, but Lillard’s 30-point performance in the final round came up short.

Although it’s been a while since the seven-time All-NBA selection took an official 3-pointer, fans got a reminder that it’s still really dam time.

Damian Lillard surprised people

@JDCowboys2 commented, “He’s seriously one of the greatest players to ever do it, he won the three-point contest with half an Achilles.” @rozaydaghost commented, “This guy has really been through a lot and is almost in tears.” “w“A wonderful chapter is added to his story.”

“From Achilles tear to 3x 3PT champion in just one year?” @loftymimi surprised. “The Dame is created differently. Pure inspiration.” While many fans were surprised by Lillard’s still-smooth shooting stroke, others were equally surprised by the NBA’s decision to allow him to compete in the All-Star Weekend staple despite missing the entire campaign. Someone clearly lost the chance to enter the 3-point contest due to the 35-year-old’s involvement.

@YoungSixtus expressed, “Crazy talent but let’s be real – ranking a guy who played 0 games compared to active shooters this season feels like pure NBA entertainment marketing.” “Congratulations Dame.”

“This is a blatant insult to the rest of the league,” declared @coldog05. “Damian Lillard is dominating a skills competition here while doing virtually nothing else all season. Crazy.”

Whether or not fans believe Lillard should have competed, he deserves ample praise for outshining everyone else at less than full strength. History will remember this event for the skill and tenacity of the nine-time All-Star, and will likely also forget the lack of NBA minutes he logged this season.

Perhaps more than anything, this surprising performance gives Blazers fans a big reason to look forward to next season.

The Charlotte Hornets already know they have one of the NBA’s best shooters in rookie guard Kon Nueppel. The rest of the league got to see it for the first time in the 2026 3-Point Contest.

Knueppel is the only rookie in the 2026 Shootout and he represented himself well in the first round. The 20-year-old took an early lead by scoring 27 points in his first 3-point contest and punched his ticket to the final round.

Con Knueppel led the way in the first round of the 3-pt contest with 27 points.pic.twitter.com/iftC0I2uU7 https://t.co/g8xEWy35Ww

– ClutchPoints (@clutchpoints) 14 February 2026

Knueppel’s 27 points were bested only by Devin Booker, who led the first period with 30 points. Damian Lillard also posted 27 points to join the final trio. Lillard won the contest with a 29-point championship round.

Knueppel entered the All-Star break making 43.1 percent of his three-point attempts. He has been consistently good from deep throughout the season, making over 40 percent of his long-range shots in all but one month this season.

Knueppel’s 183 three-pointers made before the All-Star break are second in the league, two behind Donovan Mitchell. The rookie was off to a hot start in February before the break, averaging 4.6 triples per game in his last five contests.

Had Knueppel won the championship, he would have been the first rookie in NBA history to do so. Stephen Curry, Kyle Korver, Dennis Scott and Lillard all participated as rookies, but none claimed a victory.

Despite the cheater curse, Knueppel was the favorite to win the competition. Even with a strong performance in the second round, he likely would have lost to Lillard, who won his third 3-Point Contest crown.

Although Damian Lillard is not playing this season due to an Achilles tear, the Portland Trail Blazers point guard was still able to compete in this year’s Three-Point Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend. By performing brilliantly on Saturday, he proved that he still has this ability.

According to ESPN, the 35-year-old guard managed to win the three-point contest outright. He recorded a score of 29 in the championship round, defeating Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

“Damian Lillard wins 2026 3-pt contest less than a year after overcoming his affliction.”

Lillard was on fire during the three-point contest. The 13-year veteran (he would be 14 if he played this season) recorded 27 points in the first round, 30 in the second round and 29 points in the championship round. By the end of the tournament he was no match for Booker or Knueppel.

Damian Lillard’s 2nd round score: 30 🎯

He has a score to beat in the final round @state Farm NBA 3-Point Contest!

Tap to watch: https://t.co/BpnjnxQ8vC pic.twitter.com/aMkcI3Liec

– NBA (@NBA) 14 February 2026

This is Damian Lillard’s third three-point contest win in his career. He has been one of the league’s best shooters, earning him the nickname “Logo Lillard” due to his ability to consistently hit three-pointers from near midcourt range. Winning the three-point contest also indicates that the nine-time All-Star may finally be in great form in his return from injury.

Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 129–103 Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers in the 2024–25 playoffs. Milwaukee waived Damian Lillard after the season, leading him to sign a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Trail Blazers. His deal also includes a no-trade clause.

Damian Lillard is not expected to play this season, even if Portland reaches the playoffs. With the Trail Blazers gradually improving the roster, the club could be ultra-competitive upon Lillard’s return next season.

NBA All-Star Weekend is finally here and all the festivities are starting in Los Angeles as one of the weekend’s longest-running events returns with a new group of players. Larry Bird, Stephen Curry, Mark Price and other greats have graced the stage in the NBA 3-Point Contest, but only one can emerge victorious on Saturday.

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat won the competition in 2025, but was replaced by teammate Norman Powell. The Blazers’ Damian Lillard comes into the event having won two of his last three, but it’s the Charlotte Hornets’ rookie sharpshooter Kon Nueppel who comes in as the betting favorite. The Suns’ Devin Booker will also return after his memorable final round victory in 2018.

3-Point Contest Odds, courtesy of DraftKings

2026 NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest Odds

Kon Knuppel: +240
Damian Lillard: +400
Jamal Murray: +650
Devin Booker: +650
Tyrese Maxey: +700
Donovan Mitchell: +750
Norman Powell: +1000
Bobby Portis: +1200

overview

Each contestant will have 70 seconds (1:10) to pass five racks of five balls, each rack containing a “money ball”. In general, a regular basketball will be worth one point while a money ball will be worth two points. The fifth rack, which can be placed at any position by the participant, will exclusively contain five money balls. Finally, two “from the logo” spots will be designated with two shots for three points each.

Each player will take a total of 27 shots in the first round. The three highest scores will advance to the championship round, shooting in the reverse order of their total from the first round.

Main storyline, returning participants

The most interesting name to watch here is Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who has already won this championship two of the last three years. He is not expected to return to action during the 2025–26 season due to pain, but is determined to compete and regain his former crown. The Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell and the Heat’s Norman Powell return for another breakout season after a brief absence over the past two years.

Of all the contestants, Tyrese Maxey has had the best season and is garnering MVP votes for his performances with the 76ers this season. Kon Knueppel is challenging the Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg for “Rookie of the Year” and winning this contest could certainly raise his stock in the eyes of fans.

player to watch

Rookie Kon Nueppel is the clear betting favorite here, shooting 43.1% from deep on an average attempt ratio of 3.4-7.9 this season. Additionally, he is also adept at taking open looks, so this type of competition is tailored to his skill set. Players like Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell provide a serious chance as they are both capable of catching heat from deep, but they can be considered more of in-game shooters.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis actually has the highest three-point percentage in the entire field at 45.1%, so don’t be surprised if he is able to advance to the championship round. Making sure to conserve energy through all five racks is a lesson first-timers usually learn very late in the round, so expect Portis, Maxi and Knueppel to pace themselves early in this rack.

In terms of taking a risk in this contest, Devin Booker could be a solid choice as he has already won this contest. I expect Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell to go down early as they are more effective when heated up during the game, but players like Booker, Nueppel and Lillard could step up because of their rhythm.

Final 3-Point Contest Predictions and Winners

It’s hard to say how effective Damian Lillard will be in regaining his title while competing despite an injured Achilles. The Hornets’ Kon Knueppel seems to be the most obvious pick here due to his expertise on the three-point shot and if he is able to get off to a strong start he is the most capable of winning this contest.

Although he will be looking to work on his timing and find his rhythm for the first time in this competition, he has been playing like this against other opponents for most of the season. He is also likely to reach the ground early and hit some shots, making him a likely choice to win in his first outing.

Final Prediction: Conn Knueppel (+240)