WASHINGTON — Was Jaxson Hayes’ “East Bay Funk Dunk” during Monday’s win over the Chicago Bulls a preview of what’s to come in a couple of weeks?
The Lakers big man accepted an invitation to the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant also accepted an invitation.
Hayes and Bryant are the first two known participants for the dunk contest. Three-time defending champion Mac McClung isn’t participating.
The dunk contest will take place Feb. 14 at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome as part of the All-Star Weekend, which is taking place from Feb. 13-15.
The league is expected to announce the participants for Saturday night’s events – including the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest – next week.
Hayes will look to become the first Laker to win the dunk contest since Kobe Bryant in 1997.
Dwight Howard (2019-20) was the last Laker to participate in the event.
More to come on this story.
