Jase Richardson says that he’s okay after suffering a bad fall while representing the Magic for the 2026 Dunk Contest.
“I’m good,” he said, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “I tried to go do a little 360 off the side of the glass, (but) my arm got caught on the side of the backboard.”
Richardson was eliminated in the first round after his backup dunk was given a 43.4 composite score.
“After taking a fall like that, I just had to move on from that dunk,” Richardson said. “It is what it is.”
Richardson took to social media after the contest to share a clip of how he intended the uncompleted dunk to look (Twitter video link).
Richardson had turned to his father, two-time Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson, to help with his preparation for the event, Kurt Helin writes for NBC Sports, though Jase resisted wearing his father’s jersey during the event, wanting to forge his own path, according to Beede.
“I just wanted to do the contest and try to make it my own thing instead of everything having to do with my father,” the younger Richardson said.
We have more from around the All-Star festivities:
- Stephen Curry would like to return to the three-point contest next season, writes Taylor Wirth for NBC Sports, especially after Damian Lillard won for a third time this year — the Warriors star only has two three-point championships to his name. “I already scheduled it,” Curry said. “We’re going to bring some people: Me, Dame, I’m going to try and get Klay [Thompson].”
- Jaylen Brown is one player in favor of bringing a 1-on-1 competition to All-Star weekend, per ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill (via Twitter). “I’m actually a big fan,” the Celtics‘ All-Star said. “It’s the purity of the game. I would love to challenge some people here. Like Luka [Doncic], Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], Donovan [Mitchell]. We could donate to charity. Set it up.” The idea of a 1-on-1 tournament has been a popular discussion topic this weekend following the success of the women’s league Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament, which was won by Aces guard Chelsea Gray.
- Keshad Johnson‘s journey from undrafted player to slam dunk contest champion for the Heat has given him a sense of gratitude, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I beat the odds. I made it. I made it into the NBA,” he said. “I dreamed of 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 I’m here.” Johnson said he was just excited to be able to introduce himself to the wider basketball world, both as a dunker and as a person. “Now they know who I am,” he said.
Now can we ALL STOP with Tiwns at tge 4. …..
WakeTFU he is not a perimeter DEFENDER ….
OK ………. did you watch. He is a CENTER. And his strength is as an offensive center …..
So stop all the nonsense about Mitch n KAT playing together. Or Towns playing the 4. He is an All Star Center. That’s how you win with him ….. the Claw just told you ….
Are on a rant again? This article has nothing to do with Towns. He played quite well as a PF with the Wolves with Gobert at center. At times he was even good on the defensive end. The answer isn’t Mitch though. His body wont hold up to starter minutes. They would be good together for short spurts matchup dependant though. I also can’t recall Kawhi mentioning anything on how to with KAT.
Who cares about the article. I am watching the game lol. and what Kawhi just did. I don’t rant. I speak the truth. Gotta be over 50 posters here who think Towns is a 4. Even the NY media was mostly for it since summer. I have an excellent memory.
So it was just on full display ……
Exhibition games with players that haven’t played together really don’t say anything meaningful about your obsession with KAT at the 4 vs the 5.
It wasn’t Kawhi that hit the three when KAT blew the defensive assignment!
Obsession …. do you understand what that word means. I will always remind posters of their brilliant takes. Especially when they think they know something. Like YoU. I mean I couldn’t ask for a better example then what Kawhi did. In front of everyone. You blind or just can’t ball ….
Are you asking imaginary people questions again?
You like you ???? Imagine you actually know this board. Tgen you can imagine what imagine who aI am talking too.
What?
I will say this new format has made for better play. I don’t think they will be able to do it every year because you are likely to get the same international players be named.
Kawhi scored like he is going to be a top trade candidate or going to be attracting some candidates.
He looked good. Then they got rocked in second game.
The format was ok with me. Although size needs to be spread around.
See what happens to small ball when you aren’t hitting your shots.
I don’t know how you keep a world team. If they don’t have enough all stars. All in all …
It was a good all star week. I would only want to see more history. All stars today talking about all stars of yesterday. Or watching old timers all stars for first
time. Like guys they never saw play. Show them highlights for first time. That would be cool.
1 on 1 is interesting. What if it was luka vs LeBron? Who whines more about the loss? What does it do to team chemistry post all star break??
Klay Thompson? Umm no.
Not much more boring than 1 on 1 basketball.
I think a cool option would be the same three teams Under 30, 30+, and World and include RETIRED All Stars. I could see KG, Vince and McGrady etc suiting up for one day and playing one MAYBE two 12 minute games. It shows the new fans a little bit of NBA history.