Keshad Johnson Steals the Show at Slam Dunk Contest-with a Little Help from E-40
The NBA All-Star Weekend is all about star power and jaw-dropping moments-and this year, Keshad Johnson delivered both in one soaring leap. The Miami Heat rookie took home the 2026 Slam Dunk Contest crown in Inglewood, but it wasn’t just the dunk that had fans buzzing. It was how he did it-and who helped him do it.
Before Johnson even took flight, Bay Area rap icon E-40 walked him out to the court, setting the stage for what turned into the most electric moment of the night. Then came the dunk: no dribble, just a dead sprint toward the hip-hop legend, who stood braced as a human hurdle. Johnson launched himself over E-40’s back and threw down a one-handed slam that lit up the Intuit Dome.
The lights flickered. The crowd erupted. And just like that, Johnson had locked up the title.
It was a moment that blended basketball flair with cultural roots-a dunk that was as much about elevation as it was about connection. For Johnson, this wasn’t just a win on the court; it was a homecoming of sorts.
Though he’s now making waves in South Beach, the rookie’s roots run deep in California. He grew up in Oakland, starred at San Leandro High, and made his name in college at San Diego State and Arizona.
Saturday night was his chance to shine back in his home state-and he made it count.
And standing right there with him was E-40, a Vallejo native and one of the Bay Area’s most influential musical voices. With a career that’s spanned four decades, E-40 helped define the region’s sound, especially during the Hyphy movement of the mid-2000s. NBA fans know him as “Front Row 40” at Warriors games, where he’s a staple courtside presence and an unofficial ambassador for Golden State basketball.
Keshad Johnson CLEARS E-40 with ease for his first dunk 😤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026
pic.twitter.com/9kWfgsS3as
But on Saturday, he was more than a fan-he was part of the act. And while he’s got no formal ties to the Heat, his connection with Johnson brought a distinctly Oakland flavor to the festivities.
Together, Johnson and E-40 turned a dunk contest into a celebration of Bay Area pride. And fittingly, they weren’t the only ones repping “The Town” on All-Star Saturday. Damian Lillard, another Oakland native, took home his third three-point contest title earlier in the evening, adding to the city’s All-Star shine.
KESHAD JOHNSON IS YOUR 2026 SLAM DUNK CHAMPION 🏆 pic.twitter.com/l31lfSi79p
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026
In a weekend built for highlights, Keshad Johnson’s dunk stood tallest-not just for the elevation, but for the story it told. A rookie making his mark.
A legend lending his presence. And a city, once again, finding itself at the center of the basketball universe.