Celtics NBA Champ Calls 2026 NBA Dunk Contest An ‘Embarrassment’
Former Boston Celtics center and NBA champ Kendrick Perkins offered a scathing assessment of the 2026 NBA dunk contest on Monday, calling the competition a complete disappointment after it wrapped up during All-Star Weekend.
“That was an embarrassment. … That dunk contest was horrible,” Perkins said on First Take.
The event drew criticism for lacking the energy and creativity fans expect, with multiple participants failing to impress and generating widespread negative reaction across the league. While the Celtics received positive attention at All-Star Weekend — especially through Jaylen Brown’s strong showing — the dunk contest itself fell short of expectations for many.
Perkins’ strong words align with broader commentary from analysts and fans who believe the contest has declined in quality in recent years. As the NBA reflects on All-Star Weekend, conversations about ways to reinvigorate the event and restore its status as a premier attraction are expected to gain traction.