Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes said he is unlikely to enter the NBA Slam Dunk Contest again after an early elimination during All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 14, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
The seventh-year big man accepted an invitation to this year’s competition and spent the week before the event practicing a series of highlight dunks. Those preparations, however, did not translate to success on contest night; Hayes failed to advance past the opening round after posting what he called a “subpar” score.
Speaking to reporters afterward, the 6-foot-11 center cited knee discomfort as the primary reason he is leaning against another appearance.
“This is my seventh year in the NBA; I’ll be in my eighth next year,” Hayes said. “You see these young guys—way more legs. I went up for my first dunk and felt it right in my knees. It was fun to say I did it, but I don’t know. I’m not going to fully shut out the dunk contest, but most likely no. I’d much rather be in Hawaii right now.”
Hayes’s stance reflects a broader concern among veterans about adding extra wear and tear during the long regular season. The Lakers have battled injuries throughout 2025-26, and the organization can ill afford further setbacks as it pursues a playoff berth.
Slovenian national team plans moving forward
While another dunk contest appears doubtful, Hayes is close to completing the process of obtaining Slovenian citizenship. If finalized, the 25-year-old would become eligible to join the Slovenian national team, potentially teaming up with Lakers teammate Luka Doncic in international play—a move that could bolster a roster short on NBA talent.
No timetable has been announced for when his citizenship could be finalized.
Source: LakersNation.com
