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LeBron James Shares Clear Decision on 2026 NBA Dunk Contest After JJ Redick’s Joke

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Shubham Singh | Last updated Jan 31, 2026 11:27 AM ET

On Friday, LeBron James put on a dunk-a-thon at Capital One Arena in Washington. He had had three special dunks that had fans jumping out of their seats during the 20-point, six-assist, and three-rebound performance in the Los Angeles Lakers' 142-111 blowout win over the Washington Wizards.

Two of the dunks were off a lob, while the other was a driving dunk with the left hand. Perhaps the most special of the lot was the first one with less than seven minutes to go in the third quarter.

Deandre Ayton threw a wayward high pass, but James extended his reach to grab the ball and then slam it in the basket with his left hand. It was a spectacular jam for a 41-year-old, and James has continued to defy expectations this season.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick quipped about the league asking James to perform in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 14.

“The early rumors are that the league is gonna try to get him to the dunk contest this year. There's some juice left in those legs, apparently. The great left bionic leg,” Redick said with a smirk.

JJ Redick says the league will try to get LeBron in the dunk contest

“There's some juice left in those legs apparently. The great left bionic leg.”

pic.twitter.com/bM7Ug8RSCu
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) January 31, 2026

On that note, James reacted to Redick’s comments.

Watching LeBron James in the Dunk Contest Will Remain a Dream

James had a humorous reaction to the comments. He completely dismissed any possibility of his competing in the contest.

“No chance,” he said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

LeBron James has never participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. During the 2009 Slam Dunk Contest, he expressed his desire to participate in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest.

“Right now I'm preliminarily putting my name in the 2010 contest Saturday night. LeBron James is saying, in 2010 in Dallas Stadium, I’m putting my name in the dunk contest,” said James

Fans were excited about the prospect, but the NBA legend backed away from entering the contest. Then, in 2012, he declared that he’d never participate in the competition.

Since then, he has shut the door, and the nature of the contest has changed, too. The modern dunk contest doesn’t feature All-Star-level players. Mac McClung, who plays for the Windy City Bulls in the G-League, has won the contest three times in a row.

Meanwhile, Lakers’ center Jaxson Hayes and Spurs’ Cartier Bryant have accepted the invitations for the competition thus far.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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