• Jalen Duren has withdrawn from the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest due to right knee soreness.
  • Orlando rookie Jase Richardson, son of two-time dunk champion Jason Richardson, replaces Duren in the field.
  • The Feb. 14 contest at the Intuit Dome will feature Jase Richardson, Jaxson Hayes, Carter Bryant and Keshad Johnson.

H2: Why Duren withdrew

Detroit Pistons forward Jalen Duren, a first-time All-Star, pulled out of the Slam Dunk Contest after he experienced right knee soreness last week. Duren exited Thursday’s game against the Washington Wizards early and sat out Friday’s win over the New York Knicks. The team and league officials cited the knee issue as the reason for his withdrawal to avoid further risk ahead of All-Star Weekend.

H3: Jase Richardson steps in

The NBA announced that Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson will take Duren’s spot in the contest. Richardson, the son of two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson, is a high-flying young guard who will make his first dunk-contest appearance. He joins a four-player field that includes Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson — all first-time participants in the event.

H4: Watch: Richardson hustle clip

Embedded video (ESPN): “Jase Richardson shows ridiculous hustle before nutmeg assist on floor (0:20).” The short ESPN clip highlights Richardson’s quickness, court awareness and finishing ability — traits that could translate into creative dunk attempts on All-Star Saturday.

H3: Contest format and what to expect

The Slam Dunk Contest will take place Feb. 14 at the Intuit Dome and feature a two-round format. Each player will attempt two dunks in the first round, with judges scoring each attempt. The combined first-round total determines the top two finalists. Those finalists will then each attempt two more dunks, and the highest combined score wins the title.

Expect a mix of power and creativity. The contest had been dominated recently by Mac McClung, who chose to skip this year’s event after becoming the first three-time winner last season. With McClung out, the door is open for a new champion — and Duren’s absence reshuffles the dynamic, giving Richardson an unexpected opportunity to shine on a national stage.

H3: Timeline and logistics

All-Star Weekend events in Los Angeles run through the weekend, with the Slam Dunk Contest scheduled for Feb. 14 at the Intuit Dome. Teams are managing player loads carefully ahead of the showcase; Duren’s withdrawal underscores the league’s cautious approach to injuries during the All-Star break.

H5: Bottom line

Jalen Duren’s knee soreness removes a rising dunk favorite from the field, and Jase Richardson steps in with a chance to make an immediate impression during All-Star Weekend.

Image Referance: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47859573/jalen-duren-dunk-contest-replaced-jase-richardson