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

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.

NBA Slam Dunk judges pic.twitter.com/hMzY07nu88

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 15, 2023

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?

• TV channel: TNT (USA)
• Live Streams (USA): Sling TV (free trial)

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.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest past winners