Keshad Johnson Steals the Show, Damian Lillard Makes History at All-Star Saturday Night
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - The stars were out in full force for All-Star Saturday, but it was a pair of unlikely headliners - one rising, one recovering - who owned the night.
Keshad Johnson, a second-year forward for the Miami Heat who’s yet to start a game this season, delivered a breakout performance by winning the Slam Dunk Contest in front of a roaring hometown crowd. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard, sidelined all season with an Achilles injury, reminded everyone why he's one of the league’s elite shooters by taking home his third 3-Point Contest title - tying legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges in the process.
Let’s break it all down.
Dunk Contest: Keshad Johnson’s Moment in the Spotlight
Johnson might not be a household name - yet - but he made sure the basketball world knew who he was Saturday night. The 6-foot-7 Heat forward, who’s averaged just 7.6 minutes over 21 games this season, put together a pair of high-flying dunks in the final round that had the crowd on its feet and the judges reaching for their highest scores.
First came a smooth between-the-legs reverse dunk that showed off his hang time and creativity. Then, with the pressure mounting, Johnson took off from just inside the free-throw line and threw down a running one-hander that sealed the deal. His combined score of 97.4 was enough to hold off San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, who opened the final round with a perfect 50 but couldn’t match the flair on his second attempt.
Bryant, needing a 47.5 to win it, went for a 360-degree dunk but came up short on execution and earned a 43.0 - finishing with a final-round total of 93.0.
For Johnson, who grew up just a few hours away in Southern California, the moment was personal.
“I beat the odds. I made it.
I made it into the NBA,” Johnson said. “Every year I was watching the NBA Dunk Contest, I dreamed of being out there, putting on a show for everybody.
I learned from all the people that came before me, paying homage to them. And now that I'm here, I had to have crazy faith to be here and be in this position.”
It wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. A player fighting for minutes in the league's grind delivered under the brightest lights.
Bryant, for his part, didn’t hide his frustration with the runner-up finish.
“I could care less if it was an Uno game, I could care less if it was running lines, I could care less if it's a shooting competition,” Bryant said. “I feel like losing is something that burns.
I just hate it. That's just something you don't want to feel.”
Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic had a scary moment on one of his attempts but confirmed afterward that he was OK. He and Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers were eliminated in the first round.
3-Point Contest: Lillard’s Legacy Grows
While Johnson was introducing himself to the league, Damian Lillard was reminding everyone why his name already belongs among the greats.
The 35-year-old, who’s been out since tearing his Achilles during last year’s playoffs with Milwaukee, stepped back into the spotlight and delivered a vintage performance - winning the 3-Point Contest for the third time in his career.
Lillard dropped 29 points in the final round, outlasting Devin Booker (27) and rookie Kon Knueppel (17). Booker looked poised to force a tie, needing just one more make on his final three shots, but missed them all.
“For me, it means a lot just being able to get involved in some competition, feel a little bit of pressure, to do something that I haven't been able to do all year,” Lillard said. “But just as a shooter, any time you can get in this competition and win it amongst other great shooters, I think that's one of the greatest honors you can have as a shooter in this league.”
Booker had the high score of the night with a 30 in the first round, while Lillard and Knueppel each posted 27 to advance. Among those who didn’t make it past the opening round: Donovan Mitchell (24), Norman Powell (23), Jamal Murray (18), Tyrese Maxey (17), and Bobby Portis Jr. (15).
Lillard’s entry came together quickly - almost by accident. According to him, it started as a joke with NBA executive Michael Levine and became reality when a spot opened up.
“It didn't really take much,” Lillard said. “I think I've done it enough times. ...
I think this was my sixth time doing it. I get up every day, and my mind is engaged in being able to play the game.
I knew it was an opportunity to get back on this stage.”
Even while rehabbing, Lillard showed that muscle memory is real - and that elite shooters don’t forget how to rise to the moment.
Shooting Stars: Team Knicks Take the Crown
The Shooting Stars competition added a fun wrinkle to the night, and it was Team Knicks - featuring Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and franchise legend Allan Houston - who took top honors with 47 points in the final round.
They edged out Team Cameron (Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Maggette), who finished with 38 points.
The format had each team shooting from seven designated spots on the court, with varying point values based on distance. Team All Star (Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton) and Team Harper (Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper) were eliminated in the opening round.
What It All Means
All-Star Saturday is always about more than just trophies and scores - it’s about moments. For Keshad Johnson, it was a dream realized.
For Damian Lillard, it was a legacy extended. And for fans, it was a night filled with the kind of drama, athleticism, and emotion that makes the NBA’s midseason showcase must-watch TV.
If this was the appetizer, Sunday’s All-Star Game has a tough act to follow.