NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest rules, scoring, format, judges, past winners

Gilbert McGregor

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest rules, scoring, format, judges, past winners image

The Slam Dunk Contest is often the highlight of NBA All-Star Weekend, and even though this year's event doesn't have many household names, there are still some high-flyers you won't want to miss.

This year's dunk contest field features four leapers in Kenyon Martin Jr. (Rockets), Mac McClung (Delaware Blue Coats, G League), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) and Jericho Sims (Knicks).

Ahead of the competition, here is all you need to know about how the contest works.

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NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest rules, scoring, format and judges

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest rules, scoring and format

The NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest is a two-round competition in which five judges score every dunk on a scale of six to 10. The highest score a dunk can receive is a 50 while a 30 is the lowest possible score.

All four contestants will get two dunks in the first round. The two players with the highest combined score for their two dunks will advance to the final round.

If a tie needs to be broken in the first round, the advancing dunkers will be determined by "judges' choice." The judges will be asked to choose the advancing dunker(s) by raising a card that has the dunker’s name on it.

The two finalists each get two dunks in the final round. The dunker with the highest combined score for the two dunks in the final round will be crowned NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest champion.

If there is a tie after the final round, a one-dunk dunk-off will take place to determine the champion. If it is still tied after the one-dunk dunk-off, the champion will be determined by "judges' choice."

In both rounds, each player must complete his dunk in three attempts. Per the NBA, an attempt is defined as the player controlling the basketball and moving it toward the rim.

NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest judges

The 2023 Slam Dunk Contest judges will be Jamal Crawford, Lisa Leslie, Karl Malone, Harold Miner and Dominique Wilkins.

What time does NBA All-Star Dunk Contest start?

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 18
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. ET

The NBA All-Star Dunk Contest is the third and final event on All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 8 p.m. ET. The Dunk Contest will begin following the conclusion of the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest.

What channel is NBA All-Star Dunk Contest on?

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will be broadcast live on TNT, along with the Rising Stars Game, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest. 

Viewers in the United States can also stream the game on Sling TV.

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NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest past winners 

Year Winner Team Location
2022 Obi Toppin Knicks Cleveland
2021 Anfernee Simons Trail Blazers Atlanta
2020 Derrick Jones Jr. Heat Chicago
2019 Hamidou Diallo Thunder Charlotte
2018 Donovan Mitchell Jazz Los Angeles
2017 Glenn Robinson III Pacers New Orleans
2016 Zach LaVine Timberwolves Toronto
2015 Zach LaVine Timberwolves New York City
2014 John Wall Wizards New Orleans
2013 Terrence Ross Raptors Houston
2012 Jeremy Evans Jazz Orlando
2011 Blake Griffin Clippers Los Angeles
2010 Nate Robinson Knicks Dallas
2009 Nate Robinson Knicks Phoenix
2008 Dwight Howard Magic New Orleans
2007 Gerald Green Celtics Las Vegas
2006 Nate Robinson Knicks Houston
2005 Josh Smith Hawks Denver
2004 Fred Jones Pacers Los Angeles
2003 Jason Richardson Warriors Atlanta
2002 Jason Richardson Warriors Philadelphia
2001 Desmond Mason SuperSonics Washington, D.C.
2000 Vince Carter Raptors Oakland
1997 Kobe Bryant Lakers Cleveland
1996 Brent Barry Clippers San Antonio
1995 Harold Miner Heat Phoenix
1994 Isiah Rider Timberwolves Minnesota
1993 Harold Miner Heat Salt Lake City
1992 Cedric Ceballos Suns Orlando
1991 Dee Brown Celtics Charlotte
1990 Dominique Wilkins Hawks Miami
1989 Kenny Walker Knicks Houston
1988 Michael Jordan Bulls Chicago
1987 Michael Jordan Bulls Seattle
1986 Spud Webb Hawks Dallas
1985 Dominique Wilkins Hawks Indianapolis
1984 Larry Nance Suns Denver

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.