The NBA Slam Dunk Contest (officially known as the AT&T Slam Dunk) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
The contest was conceived of and started by the American Basketball Association (ABA) for its 1976 ABA All-Star Game in Denver. The winner was Julius Erving of the New York Nets.
History
1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest
The first-ever Slam Dunk Contest was held on January 27, 1976, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver during halftime of the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, the league's final All-Star game before the completion of the ABA–NBA merger. In Remember the ABA, Jim Bukata recalled, "We were sitting around the office one day, discussing things that would draw more people, and it just came to us…It was Julius [Erving] really giving us the idea that we're the league of the dunkers. So we said, 'Well if that's the case, let's have a contest.' It really was as simple as that. …Three guys talking about what we could do to sell a few more tickets." Bukata was the director of marketing and public relations for the ABA.
There was a format each competitor had to follow in which they must attempt five dunks in a row under two minutes, with the clock stopping after each shot to allow the player to plan their next attempt. That year, NBA held its first Slam Dunk Contest as a one-off, season-long event similar to NBA Horse event held the following season. During halftime at each game, there was a one-on-one slam dunk competition.
There were 22 competitors at multiple venues throughout the event—one for each team at the league—including future Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Alex English, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone, and David Thompson.
1990s
In 1990, Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks edged out Kenny Smith of the Sacramento Kings to win his second Slam Dunk Contest. He first won it in 1985 over Michael Jordan. Smith scored high points for originality with his signature dunk—he started by turning his back to the basket, bouncing the ball backward between his legs and off the backboard, then turning and grabbing it in the air and reverse dunking it. As the 1990s progressed, stars such as Jordan, Wilkins and Drexler sometimes declined to participate and were replaced by less-known players. Harold Miner was a standout in 1993, winning the contest with a reverse power dunk, reaching between his legs and down to his feet in mid-air before sending the ball down. In 1994 and 1997 respectively, Isaiah Rider and Kobe Bryant won the contest. The next four contests did not feature superstars like Carter and Bryant, and despite innovative efforts by the likes of Desmond Mason and Jason Richardson, the lack of A-list superstars willing to participate hurt the appeal of the contest.
In 2005, the Slam Dunk Contest returned to its birthplace in Denver. With the spectacular dunks of prior contests, there was buzz that the dunk competition could regain the popularity it had in the 1980s. The Phoenix Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire alley-ooping 360 off a soccer-style header from teammate Steve Nash; J. R. Smith putting it around his back and dunking, and the new champion, Josh Smith alley-ooping over Kenyon Martin all wowed the crowd with their maneuvers. With the change in the rules requiring an additional teammate starting in the second round, they proved there were indeed many ways to dunk a basketball that had not been done before. Amar'e Stoudemire received rave reviews, as did Smith when he did a tribute dunk to Dominique Wilkins while donning Wilkins' jersey.
Again in 2006, the Dunk Contest in Houston revitalized the interests of audiences as 5'9" Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks took the title with a great dunk-off. One of his most exciting dunks was a high-flying dunk over former Slam Dunk Contest winner, 5'7" Spud Webb. The 2006 Slam Dunk Contest was also the first Dunk Contest in history to have a "Dunk Off", the equivalent to a Dunk Contest overtime, between Knicks point guard Nate Robinson and shooting guard Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers. Many fans argue that Iguodala should have won the contest, as it took Robinson fourteen attempts before finally completing his dunk. Iguodala pulled off a dunk where he started out of bounds from the right side of the baseline while teammate Allen Iverson bounced the ball off the back of the right side of the backboard. Iguodala caught the ball in mid-air behind the backboard, spun around to the other side while ducking his head (to avoid colliding with the backboard) and dunked it with his right hand.
On February 17, 2007, the contest was held in Las Vegas. Judges for the event were all past winners: Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, and Vince Carter. The title was taken by the Boston Celtics' Gerald Green, who, among other dunks, jumped over reigning champ Nate Robinson while covering his face – a homage to 1991 winner, Dee Brown, whose jersey Green had worn. He also scored a perfect fifty with his last slam, a windmill over a table. Other noteworthy dunks include a dunk by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who, while making his dunk, stuck a sticker with his smiling face on the backboard a reported 12'6" from the ground, two and a half feet beyond the regulation NBA rim.
On February 16, 2008, the contest was held in New Orleans. Judges for the event included Darryl Dawkins, Dominique Wilkins, Karl Malone, Julius Erving, and Magic Johnson. The title was taken by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. Howard's most noteworthy dunk came during the first round, his second dunk overall, when he took off his jersey to reveal a Superman shirt and cape. With teammate Jameer Nelson's assistance he would make a leaping dunk from just in front of the free-throw line after a running start, throwing the ball through the rim from a few feet away. Other noteworthy dunks included the first round slam by Jamario Moon while the previous year's winner, Gerald Green, relied heavily on theatrics by blowing out a cupcake with a birthday candle on the rim before dunking (a jam he termed "The Birthday Cake"). For the first time ever, fan voting determined the outcome of the final round of the contest; Howard beat Green for the trophy by claiming 78% of the fans' votes.
Nate Robinson won the 2009 contest on February 14 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Zach LaVine won the 2016 slam dunk contest with dunks from a windmill from the free throw line to a between-the-legs reverse dunk. Aaron Gordon (runner-up) of the Orlando Magic, Will Barton of the Denver Nuggets and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons also competed.
Gordon competed in the 2017 contest against the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, Indiana's Glen Robinson III and Phoenix rookie forward Derrick Jones Jr. Gordon and Jordan did not make it to the final round. Robinson III won the contest by dunking over Paul George, a Pacer cheerleader, and the Pacers' mascot, while Jones Jr. failed to make his first dunk in the final round.
For the 2018 contest, Oladipo and Aaron Gordon were set to return to the contest, and were joined by Larry Nance Jr. of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks. However, Gordon backed out due to an injury, and was replaced by Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell went on to win the contest by beating Nance Jr. in the final round.
The 2019 contest featured Hamidou Diallo, the returning Dennis Smith Jr., Miles Bridges, and John Collins. Diallo had the most memorable dunk of the contest when in the first round he jumped over Shaquille O'Neal and put his elbow through the rim. He went on to beat Smith Jr. in the final round to win the contest.
2020s
The 2020 contest saw the return of Aaron Gordon, Dwight Howard, and Derrick Jones Jr along with Pat Connaughton of the Bucks. It went down to a dunk-off between Gordon and Jones Jr. Gordon ended up losing despite jumping over 7'5" Tacko Fall.
In the 2021 contest, there were only three competitors, Portland's Anfernee Simons, Knicks rookie Obi Toppin, and Cassius Stanley, on a two-way contract from the Pacers. Simons won the contest, in which he nearly kissed the rim on his final dunk. Toppin was able to win it the following year.
From 2023 to 2025, the contest was won by Mac McClung.
Slam Dunk Contest champions
thumb|right|200px|Inaugural champion [[Julius Erving]]
thumb|right|200px|[[Nate Robinson became the first 3-time champion of the Slam Dunk Contest in 2010.]]
thumb|right|200px|[[Mac McClung is the only player to win the Slam Dunk Contest in three straight years.]]
thumb|right|200px|[[Zach LaVine won in back-to-back years after receiving four consecutive perfect scores in the final round in 2016.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|bgcolor=#00FFFF | || Active NBA player
|-
|bgcolor=#FFFDD0 | || Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
|-
|Player || Denotes the number of times the player has won
|-
|Team || Denotes the number of times a player from this team has won
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable sticky-header" style="width:72.5%"
|-
! Season
! Player
! Team
!
|-
| 1976
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Julius Erving || New York Nets
| align=center |
|-
| 1985
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Dominique Wilkins || Atlanta Hawks
|-
| 1986
| Spud Webb || Atlanta Hawks
|-
| 1987
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Michael Jordan || Chicago Bulls
|-
| 1988
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Michael Jordan || Chicago Bulls
|-
| 1989
| Kenny Walker || New York Knicks
|-
| 1990
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Dominique Wilkins || Atlanta Hawks
|-
| 1991
| Dee Brown || Boston Celtics
|-
| 1992
| Cedric Ceballos || Phoenix Suns
|-
| 1993
| Harold Miner || Miami Heat
|-
| 1994
| Isaiah Rider || Minnesota Timberwolves
|-
| 1995
| Harold Miner || Miami Heat
|-
| 1996
| Brent Barry || Los Angeles Clippers
|-
| 1997
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Kobe Bryant || Los Angeles Lakers
|-
| 1998
| colspan=2 align=center
|
|-
| 1999
| colspan=2 align=center
|
|-
| 2000
| bgcolor=#FFFDD0| Vince Carter || Toronto Raptors
| align=center rowspan=17|
|-
| 2024
| bgcolor=#00FFFF| Mac McClung || Osceola Magic
| align=center rowspan=2|
|-
| 2025
| bgcolor=#00FFFF| Mac McClung || Orlando Magic
|-
| 2026
| bgcolor=#00FFFF| Keshad Johnson || Miami Heat
| align=center|
<!--
|-
| 20
| [[]] || [[]]
| align=center|
-->
|}
Multiple-time leaders
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Rank!!Player!!Team!!Times leader!!Years
|-
|rowspan="2"|1||Nate Robinson
|New York Knicks || rowspan="2" |3|| (, , )
|-
|Mac McClung
|Philadelphia 76ers (1) / Orlando Magic (2)
| (, , )
|-
|rowspan="5"|3||Dominique Wilkins
|Atlanta Hawks || rowspan="5" |2|| (, )
|-
|Harold Miner
|Miami Heat
| (, )
|-
|Jason Richardson
|Golden State Warriors
| (, )
|-
|Michael Jordan
|Chicago Bulls
| (, )
|-
|Zach LaVine
|Minnesota Timberwolves
| (, )
|}
Slam Dunk Contest champions by franchise
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! No.
! Franchise
! Last Time
|-
| 5 || New York Knicks|| style="text-align:center;" |2022
|-
| 4 || Atlanta Hawks|| style="text-align:center;" |2005
|-
| 4 || Miami Heat|| style="text-align:center;" |2026
|-
| 3 || Orlando Magic|| style="text-align:center;" |2025
|-
| 3 || Indiana Pacers|| style="text-align:center;" |2017
|-
| 3 || Minnesota Timberwolves|| style="text-align:center;" |2016
|-
| 2 || Oklahoma City Thunder|| style="text-align:center;" |2019
|-
| 2 || Utah Jazz|| style="text-align:center;" |2018
|-
| 2 || Toronto Raptors|| style="text-align:center;" |2013
|-
| 2 || Los Angeles Clippers|| style="text-align:center;" |2011
|-
| 2 || Boston Celtics|| style="text-align:center;" |2007
|-
| 2 || Golden State Warriors|| style="text-align:center;" |2003
|-
| 2 || Phoenix Suns|| style="text-align:center;" |1992
|-
| 2 || Chicago Bulls|| style="text-align:center;" |1988
|-
| 1 || Philadelphia 76ers || style="text-align:center;" |2023
|-
| 1 || Portland Trail Blazers|| style="text-align:center;" |2021
|-
| 1 || Washington Wizards || style="text-align:center;" |2014
|-
|1 || Los Angeles Lakers|| style="text-align:center;" |1997
|-
| 1 || Brooklyn Nets|| style="text-align:center;" |1976
|-
|}
All-time participants
Bold denotes winner(s) of that year.
- Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf: 1993
- Ray Allen: 1997
- Chris Andersen: 2004, 2005
- Greg Anderson: 1988
- Nick Anderson: 1992
- Giannis Antetokounmpo: 2015
- Cole Anthony: 2022
- Darrell Armstrong: 1996
- Stacey Augmon: 1992
- Harrison Barnes: 2014
- Brent Barry: 1996
- Will Barton: 2016
- Kenny Battle: 1990
- Jonathan Bender: 2001
- David Benoit: 1993
- Eric Bledsoe: 2013
- Miles Bridges: 2019
- Dee Brown: 1991
- Jaylen Brown: 2024
- Shannon Brown: 2010
- Carter Bryant: 2026
- Kobe Bryant: 1997
- Chase Budinger: 2012
- Matas Buzelis: 2025
- Chris Carr: 1997
- Vince Carter: 2000
- Stephon Castle: 2025
- Cedric Ceballos: 1992, 1993
- Tom Chambers: 1987
- Rex Chapman: 1990, 1991
- Doug Christie: 1996
- John Collins: 2019
- Michael Cooper: 1984
- Pat Connaughton: 2020
- Antonio Davis: 1994
- Baron Davis: 2001
- Ricky Davis: 2000, 2004
- Johnny Dawkins: 1987
- DeMar DeRozan: 2010, 2011
- Hamidou Diallo: 2019
- Clyde Drexler: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Andre Drummond: 2016
- Tony Dumas: 1995
- Blue Edwards: 1991
- Julius Erving: 1984, 1985
- Jeremy Evans: 2012, 2013
- Rudy Fernández: 2009
- Michael Finley: 1996, 1997
- Steve Francis: 2000, 2002
- Rudy Gay: 2008, 2009
- Paul George: 2012, 2014
- Kendall Gill: 1991
- Aaron Gordon: 2016, 2017, 2020
- Gerald Green: 2007, 2008, 2013
- Jalen Green: 2022
- Blake Griffin: 2011
- Darrell Griffith: 1984, 1985
- Darvin Ham: 1997
- Ron Harper: 1987, 1989
- Antonio Harvey: 1995
- Jaxson Hayes: 2026
- Roy Hinson: 1986
- Allan Houston: 1994
- Dwight Howard: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2020
- Larry Hughes: 2000
- Serge Ibaka: 2011
- Andre Iguodala: 2006
- Andre Jackson Jr.: 2025
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 2024
- Richard Jefferson: 2003
- Keshad Johnson: 2026
- Larry Johnson: 1992
- Derrick Jones Jr.: 2017, 2020
- Edgar Jones: 1984
- Fred Jones: 2004
- Shelton Jones: 1989
- DeAndre Jordan: 2017
- Michael Jordan: 1985, 1987, 1988
- Shawn Kemp: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994
- Jerome Kersey: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Zach LaVine: 2015, 2016
- Damian Lillard: 2014
- Corey Maggette: 2001
- Kenyon Martin Jr.: 2023
- Desmond Mason: 2001, 2002, 2003
- Mac McClung: 2023, 2024, 2025
- JaVale McGee: 2011
- Tracy McGrady: 2000
- Ben McLemore: 2014
- Harold Miner: 1993, 1995
- Greg Minor: 1996
- Donovan Mitchell: 2018
- Jamario Moon: 2008
- Chris Morris: 1989
- Trey Murphy III: 2023
- Larry Nance: 1984, 1985
- Larry Nance Jr.: 2018
- Victor Oladipo: 2015, 2018
- Robert Pack: 1994
- Tim Perry: 1989, 1993, 1995
- Scottie Pippen: 1990
- Mason Plumlee: 2015
- Paul Pressey: 1986
- Jase Richardson: 2026
- Jason Richardson: 2002, 2003, 2004
- Isaiah Rider: 1994, 1995
- Glenn Robinson III: 2017
- James Robinson: 1994
- Nate Robinson: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
- Terrence Ross: 2013, 2014
- Ralph Sampson: 1984
- Anfernee Simons: 2021
- Jericho Sims: 2023
- Dennis Smith Jr.: 2018, 2019
- J. R. Smith: 2005, 2009
- Josh Smith: 2005, 2006
- Kenny Smith: 1990, 1991, 1993
- Otis Smith: 1988, 1991
- Jerry Stackhouse: 1996, 2000
- Cassius Stanley: 2021
- Terence Stansbury: 1985, 1986, 1987
- John Starks: 1992
- DeShawn Stevenson: 2001
- Amar'e Stoudemire: 2003, 2005
- Bob Sura: 1997
- Stromile Swift: 2001
- Tyrus Thomas: 2007
- Billy Thompson: 1990
- Jacob Toppin: 2024
- Obi Toppin: 2021, 2022
- Juan Toscano-Anderson: 2022
- Terry Tyler: 1986
- Kenny "Sky" Walker: 1989, 1990
- John Wall: 2014
- Gerald Wallace: 2002, 2010
- Hakim Warrick: 2006
- Jamie Watson: 1995
- Clarence Weatherspoon: 1993
- Spud Webb: 1986, 1988, 1989
- Doug West: 1992
- Dominique Wilkins: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990
- Gerald Wilkins: 1986, 1987
- Derrick Williams: 2012
- Kenny Williams: 1991
- Orlando Woolridge: 1984, 1985
All-time results
1980s
1984
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Larry Nance || 134 || 140 || 134
|-
|Julius Erving || 134 || 140 || 122
|-
|Dominique Wilkins || 135 || 137 ||
|-
|Darrell Griffith || 121 || 108 ||
|-
|Edgar Jones || 118 || colspan=2|
|-
|Ralph Sampson || 118 || colspan=2|
|-
|Orlando Woolridge || 116 || colspan=2|
|-
|Clyde Drexler || 108 || colspan=2|
|-
|Michael Cooper || 70 || colspan=2|
|}
1985
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Dominique Wilkins || 145 || 140 || 147
|-
|Michael Jordan || 130 || 142 || 136
|-
|Terence Stansbury || 130 || 136 ||
|-
|Julius Erving || BYE<sup>a</sup> || 132 ||
|-
|Larry Nance || BYE<sup>a</sup> || 131 ||
|-
|Darrell Griffith || 126 || colspan=2|
|-
|Orlando Woolridge || 124 || colspan=2|
|-
|Clyde Drexler || 122 || colspan=2|
|}
<sup>a</sup>
1986
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Spud Webb || 141 || 138 || 100
|-
|Dominique Wilkins || BYE<sup>a</sup> || 138 || 98
|-
|Terence Stansbury || 129<sup>b</sup> || 132 ||
|-
|Gerald Wilkins || 133 || 87 ||
|-
|Jerome Kersey || 129 || colspan=2|
|-
|Paul Pressey || 116 || colspan=2|
|-
|Roy Hinson || 112 || colspan=2|
|-
|Terry Tyler || 110 || colspan=2|
|}
<sup>a</sup><br />
<sup>b</sup>
1987
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Michael Jordan || 88 || 148 || 146
|-
|Jerome Kersey || 92 || 147 || 140
|-
|Terence Stansbury || 99 || 144 ||
|-
|Clyde Drexler || 92 || 136 ||
|-
|Ron Harper || 83 || colspan=2|
|-
|Johnny Dawkins || 81 || colspan=2|
|-
|Tom Chambers || 62 || colspan=2|
|-
|Gerald Wilkins || 62 || colspan=2|
|}
1988<br />Ron Harper (Cleveland) was to participate but withdrew due to injury.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Michael Jordan || 94 || 145 || 147
|-
|Dominique Wilkins || 96 || 143 || 145
|-
|Clyde Drexler || 88 || 133 ||
|-
|Otis Smith || 87 || 109 ||
|-
|Jerome Kersey || 79 || colspan=2|
|-
|Greg Anderson || 76 || colspan=2|
|-
|Spud Webb || 52 || colspan=2|
|}
1989
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Kenny "Sky" Walker || 91.3 || 96.4 || 148.1
|-
|Clyde Drexler || 93.7 || 95.0 || 49.5
|-
|Spud Webb || 94.5 || 91.8 ||
|-
|Shelton Jones || 89.5 || 90.6 ||
|-
|Tim Perry || 89.4 || colspan=2|
|-
|Jerome Kersey || 88.9 || colspan=2|
|-
|Ron Harper || 88.5 || colspan=2|
|-
|Chris Morris || 83.2 || colspan=2|
|}<sup>a</sup>
1990s
1990
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Dominique Wilkins || 96.3 || 97.7 || 146.8
|-
|Kenny Smith || 93.0 || 98.3 || 145.1
|-
|Kenny "Sky" Walker || 95.2 || 97.4 ||
|-
|Shawn Kemp || 98.2 || 96.4 ||
|-
|Scottie Pippen || 92.2 || colspan=2|
|-
|Rex Chapman || 92.1 || colspan=2|
|-
|Billy Thompson || 91.4 || colspan=2|
|-
|Kenny Battle || 85.8 || colspan=2|
|}
1991<br />Beginning with this year, final round competitors were allowed three dunks, with the two highest scores comprising the total.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Dee Brown || 92.4 || 98.0 || 97.7
|-
|Shawn Kemp || 95.8 || 95.6 || 93.7
|-
|Rex Chapman || 95.2 || 94.0 ||
|-
|Kenny Smith || 90.8 || 87.9 ||
|-
|Kenny Williams || 86.9 || colspan=2|
|-
|Blue Edwards || 84.3 || colspan=2|
|-
|Otis Smith || 83.0 || colspan=2|
|-
|Kendall Gill || 81.0 || colspan=2|
|}
1992
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Semifinals
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Cedric Ceballos || 85.4 || 90.4 || 97.2
|-
|Larry Johnson || 98.0 || 98.0 || 66.0
|-
|Nick Anderson || 88.6 || 89.8 ||
|-
|John Starks || 89.6 || 87.9 ||
|-
|Doug West || 84.1 || colspan=2|
|-
|Shawn Kemp || 81.4 || colspan=2|
|-
|Stacey Augmon || 79.5 || colspan=2|
|}<sup>a</sup>
1993<br />The two highest score dunks of three in each round constituted the competitor's score.<br />Shawn Kemp (Seattle) was scheduled to compete but was injured.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background: #ffdead;"
|Harold Miner || 94.8 || 97.4
|-
|Clarence Weatherspoon || 87.5 || 92.2
|-
|Cedric Ceballos || 87.3 || 79.8
|-
|David Benoit || 85.8 ||
|-
|Kenny Smith || 85.0 ||
|-
|Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf || 80.8 ||
|-
|Tim Perry || 70.0 ||
|}
1994<br />In the first round, each competitor was allowed 90 seconds to do as many dunks as he chooses with one overall score. The final round score was the best of two dunks.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Isaiah Rider || 46.8 || 49.0, 47.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Robert Pack || 42.0 || 43.8, 25.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Shawn Kemp || 46.6 || 25.0, 25.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Allan Houston || 41.5 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Antonio Davis || 40.0 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|James Robinson || 39.0 ||
|}
1995<br />This year, each competitor was allowed 90 seconds to do at least three dunks and then given an overall score in round one. In the final round, each competitor was allowed 60 seconds to do at least two dunks and then given an overall score.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Harold Miner || 49.2 || 46.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Isaiah Rider || 44.6 || 34.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Jamie Watson || 40.4 || 26.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Antonio Harvey || 35.2 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Tim Perry || 31.0 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Tony Dumas || 15.0 ||
|}
1996<br />Beginning this year, in the first round, each competitor was allowed 90 seconds to do as many dunks as he chooses with one overall score. The final round score was the best of two dunks.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Brent Barry || 45.5 || 8.0, 49.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Michael Finley || 45.0 || 7.0, 46.2
|- align=center
|align=left|Greg Minor || 41.0 || 2.0, 40.0
|- align=center
|align=left|Jerry Stackhouse || 40.0 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Doug Christie || 39.5 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Darrell Armstrong || 25.5 ||
|}
1997
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Kobe Bryant || 37 || 49
|- align=center
|align=left|Chris Carr || 44 || 45
|- align=center
|align=left|Michael Finley || 39 || 33
|- align=center
|align=left|Ray Allen || 35 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Bob Sura || 35 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Darvin Ham || 36 ||
|}
1998<br />No competition was held.
1999<br />No competition was held as All-Star Weekend was not held due to the NBA's lockout.
2000s
2000<br />
Beginning with this year, the two highest dunks in each round constituted the competitor's total score.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Vince Carter || 100 || 98
|- align=center
|align=left|Steve Francis || 95 || 91
|- align=center
|align=left|Tracy McGrady || 99 || 77
|- align=center
|align=left|Ricky Davis || 88 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Jerry Stackhouse || 83 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Larry Hughes || 67 ||
|}
2001
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Desmond Mason || 91 || 89
|- align=center
|align=left|DeShawn Stevenson || 95 || 85
|- align=center
|align=left|Baron Davis || 94 || 77
|- align=center
|align=left|Stromile Swift || 90 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Jonathan Bender || 90 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Corey Maggette || 88 ||
|}
2002<br />A tournament format was adopted for this year.
2003
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Jason Richardson || 100 || 95
|- align=center
|align=left|Desmond Mason || 90 || 93
|- align=center
|align=left|Amar'e Stoudemire || 79 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Richard Jefferson || 74 ||
|}
2004
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Fred Jones || 92 || 86
|- align=center
|align=left|Jason Richardson || 95 || 78
|- align=center
|align=left|Chris Andersen || 88 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Ricky Davis || 76 ||
|}
2005
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Josh Smith || 95 || 100
|- align=center
|align=left|Amar'e Stoudemire || 95 || 87
|- align=center
|align=left|J. R. Smith || 90 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Chris Andersen || 77 ||
|}
2006
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
!Tie-break
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Nate Robinson || 93 || 94 || 47
|- align=center
|align=left|Andre Iguodala || 95 || 94 || 46
|- align=center
|align=left|Hakim Warrick || 86 || colspan=2|
|- align=center
|align=left|Josh Smith || 81 || colspan=2|
|}
2007
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Gerald Green || 95 || 91
|- align=center
|align=left|Nate Robinson || 90 || 80
|- align=center
|align=left|Dwight Howard || 85 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Tyrus Thomas || 80 ||
|}
2008<br />The final round was decided by fan voting via text messaging for the first time.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Dwight Howard || 100 || 78%
|- align=center
|align=left|Gerald Green || 91 || 22%
|- align=center
|align=left|Jamario Moon || 90 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Rudy Gay || 85 ||
|}
2009<br />The final round was decided by fan voting via text messaging.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Nate Robinson || 87 || 52%
|- align=center
|align=left|Dwight Howard || 100 || 48%
|- align=center
|align=left|J. R. Smith || 85 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Rudy Fernández || 84 ||
|}
2010s
2010<br />The final round was decided by fan voting via text messaging.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Nate Robinson || 89 || 51%
|- align=center
|align=left|DeMar DeRozan || 92 || 49%
|- align=center
|align=left|Gerald Wallace || 78 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Shannon Brown || 78 ||
|}
2011<br />The final round was decided by fan voting via text messaging.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Blake Griffin || 95 || 68%
|- align=center
|align=left|JaVale McGee || 99 || 32%
|- align=center
|align=left|DeMar DeRozan || 94 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Serge Ibaka || 90 ||
|}
2012<br />The format for this season was changed so that each participant had 3 dunks, and the results would be entirely decided by fan voting online, via text messaging, and (for the first time) via Twitter.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!Voting results
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Jeremy Evans || 29%
|- align=center
|align=left|Chase Budinger || 28%
|- align=center
|align=left|Paul George || 24%
|- align=center
|align=left|Derrick Williams || 19%
|}
2013<br />The final round was decided by fan voting via text messaging.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Terrence Ross || 99 || 58%
|- align=center
|align=left|Jeremy Evans || 90 || 42%
|- align=center
|align=left|Eric Bledsoe || 89 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Kenneth Faried || 89 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Gerald Green || 83 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|James White || 77 ||
|}
2014<br />A team format was adopted this year. The first round was a Freestyle Round, with the winning team choosing the order of dunkers for the Battle Round. The Battle Round was then composed of one-on-one "battles", with the first team to three victories being the champion.
John Wall was voted Dunker of the Night.
{| class = "wikitable"
|+ Freestyle Round
! Division
! Members
! Result
|-
! East
| Paul George, Indiana Pacers<br />Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors<br />John Wall, Washington Wizards
|
|-
! West
| Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors<br />Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers<br />Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
|
|}
{| class = "wikitable"
|+ Battle Round
! Division
! Player
! Result
|-
! East
| Terrence Ross, Toronto Raptors
|
|-
! West
| Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
|
|-
| colspan = "3" |
|-
! East
| Paul George, Indiana Pacers
|
|-
! West
| Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors
|
|-
| colspan = "3" |
|-
! East
| John Wall, Washington Wizards
|
|-
! West
| Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
|
|}
2015<br />This year saw the return of the voting style that was last used in 2007.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
|align=left|Zach LaVine || 100 || 94
|- align=center
|align=left|Victor Oladipo || 89 || 75
|- align=center
|align=left|Mason Plumlee || 76 ||
|- align=center
|align=left|Giannis Antetokounmpo || 65 ||
|}
2016
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
!Tie-break 1
!Tie-break 2
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Zach LaVine || 99 || 100 || 50 || 50
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Aaron Gordon || 94 || 100 || 50 || 47
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Andre Drummond || 75
|
|
|
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Will Barton
|| 74
|
|
|
|}
2017
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" | Glenn Robinson III ||91
|94
|- align="center"
| align="left"| Derrick Jones Jr. ||95
| 87
|- align="center"
| align="left"| DeAndre Jordan ||84
|
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Aaron Gordon ||72
|
|}
2018
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" | Donovan Mitchell ||98
|98
|- align="center"
| align="left"| Larry Nance Jr. ||93
|96
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Dennis Smith Jr. ||89
|
|- align="center"
| align="left"| Victor Oladipo ||71
|
|}
2019
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" | Hamidou Diallo ||98
|88
|- align="center"
| align="left"| Dennis Smith Jr. ||95
|85
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Miles Bridges ||83
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left"| John Collins ||82
|}
2020s
2020
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
!Tie-break 1
!Tie-break 2
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Derrick Jones Jr. || 96 || 100 || 50 || 48
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Aaron Gordon || 100 || 100 || 50 || 47
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Pat Connaughton || 95
|
|
|
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Dwight Howard
|| 90
|
|
|
|}
2021<br />The final round was decided by judges.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" | Anfernee Simons ||95
|3
|- align="center"
| align="left"| Obi Toppin ||94
|2
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Cassius Stanley ||81
| DNQ
|}
2022
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Obi Toppin || 90 || 92
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Juan Toscano-Anderson || 87 || 69
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Jalen Green || 83
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Cole Anthony || 70
|}
2023
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Mac McClung || 99.8 (50+49.8)|| 100 (50+50)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Trey Murphy III || 96 (46.6+49.4)|| 98 (48.8+49.2)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Jericho Sims || 95.4 (47.6+47.8)
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Kenyon Martin Jr. || 93.2 (46+47.2)
|}
2024
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Mac McClung || 97.4 (48+49.4)|| 98.8 (48.8+50)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Jaylen Brown || 96.4 (48.8+47.6)|| 97.8 (48.6+49.2)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Jaime Jaquez || 94.2 (47.4+46.8)
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Jacob Toppin || 95.0 (47.8+47.2)
|}
2025
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" |Mac McClung || 100 (50.0+50.0)|| 100 (50.0+50.0)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Stephon Castle || 94.4 (47.2+47.4)|| 99.6 (49.6+50.0)
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Andre Jackson Jr. || 88.8 (43.8+45.0)
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left" |Matas Buzelis || 87.4 (40.0+47.4)
|}
2026
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Player
!First round
!Finals
|- style="background:#ffdead; text-align:center;"
| align="left" | Keshad Johnson || 92.8 (47.4+45.4) || 97.4 (49.6+47.8)
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Carter Bryant || 94.8 (45.6+49.2) || 93.0 (50.0+43.0)
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Jaxson Hayes || 91.8 (44.6+47.2)
| rowspan="2" |
|- align="center"
| align="left" | Jase Richardson || 88.8 (45.4+43.4)
|- align="center"
|}
Criticism and controversies
Historically, the dunk contest drew some mild criticisms. One is that players who often compete in these contests are seen as dunkers only (with the notable exceptions of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Julius Erving), which is why notable high flying athletes like Shawn Marion and LeBron James have sometimes refused to participate. High-profile players such as Dwyane Wade and Charles Barkley have also declined to participate citing it as an unnecessary risk to injury. In the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Tracy McGrady injured his wrist while performing a dunk. Also in the 1995 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Tony Dumas hurt his knee while performing his "Texas Twister" dunk. Although a longtime critic, LeBron James said he would perform in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest. This decision was made after watching the 2009 dunk contest when Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson went at it. However, he withdrew his statement once the All-Star Weekend came around.
The 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Competition between Nate Robinson and Andre Iguodala drew much criticism because players were not penalized for missing a dunk attempt. Consequently, Robinson attempted a single dunk 14 times before completing it. Prior to the 2007 competition, the NBA changed a few rules to prevent excessive dunk attempts. Each participant has two minutes to complete their dunk (with a maximum of 3 attempts). At the end of the two minutes allotted, they then have their number of dunk attempts limited to one.
Authenticity
Many people, including 2010 winner Nate Robinson, thought that the 2011 contest was rigged to allow up-and-coming star Blake Griffin to win and that runner-up JaVale McGee deserved to win. It was even disputed if Griffin even legitimately qualified for the finals since his final dunk got a perfect score but was basically a copy of DeMar DeRozan's first dunk with a lower degree of difficulty. Ben Maller of Fox Sports Radio reported that the NBA issued a media advisory over an hour before the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest began, referring to Blake Griffin as the winner.
Records
- Mac McClung in his 2025 victory became the only competitor in history to have a perfect dunk contest, scoring all 50s from all judges on all of his dunks.
- Zach LaVine posted the highest score in any round with 200 in the 2016 final round, as well as the best overall score with 299 points.
- 38 players have scored at least one perfect 50 on an individual dunk: (95 Times) Julius Erving, Terence Stansbury, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Gerald Wilkins, Spud Webb, Jerome Kersey, Cedric Ceballos, Vince Carter, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Jason Richardson, Desmond Mason, Fred Jones, Josh Smith, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andre Iguodala, Nate Robinson, Gerald Green, Dwight Howard, DeMar DeRozan, JaVale McGee, Terrence Ross, Eric Bledsoe, Kenneth Faried, Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, Glenn Robinson III, Derrick Jones Jr., Donovan Mitchell, Larry Nance Jr., Dennis Smith Jr., Hamidou Diallo, Miles Bridges, Pat Connaughton, Mac McClung, Stephon Castle, and Carter Bryant.
- Aaron Gordon and Mac McClung hold the record with eight perfect 50s, followed by Zach LaVine with seven, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Jason Richardson with five, Derrick Jones Jr. and Dwight Howard with four, and Vince Carter with three.
- Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson, Zach LaVine, and Mac McClung are the only players to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest back-to-back.
- Michael Jordan, Isaiah Rider, Kobe Bryant, Brent Barry and Dwight Howard are the only players to have won an NBA championship and a slam dunk championship.
- Kobe Bryant is the youngest player to win the slam dunk contest at the age of 18, while Dominique Wilkins is the oldest player to win the slam dunk contest at the age of 30.
- At , Spud Webb is the shortest player to win the NBA slam dunk contest.
- Ralph Sampson, at , is the tallest player to compete in the dunk contest, while Dwight Howard is the tallest winner, at .
- Nate Robinson and Mac McClung are the only players to win the contest three times. Mac McClung is the only player to win the contest three years in a row.
- The 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Competition between Nate Robinson and Andre Iguodala was the first time that the competition had to go into a sudden-death dunk-off.
- In 1996, Greg Minor of the Boston Celtics received the lowest individual score for a single dunk, with a 2.0 for a missed first attempt.
- Spud Webb became the first rookie to win a slam dunk title. He was followed by Dee Brown, Harold Miner, Isaiah Rider, Brent Barry, Kobe Bryant, Desmond Mason, Jason Richardson, Josh Smith, Nate Robinson, Terrence Ross, Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell, Hamidou Diallo, and Mac McClung.
- Including 1976 ABA All Star Game Dunk Contest, Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant are the only players that won Slam Dunk Contest and NBA Most Valuable Player Award.