BREAKING REPORT
“End of an Era: NBA Officially Retires Dunk Contest, Introduces Star-Studded 1-on-1 ‘King of the Court’ Tournament in 2026”
Byline: Fictional Sportswire | August 5, 2025
In a move that has left basketball purists stunned and fans debating across every social media platform, the NBA is making one of the most dramatic All-Star Weekend changes in league history.
Starting in 2026, the Dunk Contest—once the marquee event of Saturday night—will be officially retired and replaced by a 1-on-1 “King of the Court” tournament, league sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.
🏀 The Decision: Why the Dunk Contest Had to Go
According to multiple sources inside the league office, the decision to pull the plug on the Dunk Contest wasn’t sudden. It’s been brewing for years.
“Interest has declined dramatically,” said one executive. “We haven’t had a true star participate in a decade. Fans want to see competition, not gimmicks.”
The 2025 Dunk Contest in San Francisco drew the lowest TV ratings in the event’s history, despite strong performances from up-and-coming players. While the creativity remained, the energy—once brought by legends like Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins, and Michael Jordan—has faded.
Even recent attempts to revive the contest with YouTubers, props, or low-tier NBA talent weren’t enough.
👑 King of the Court: A New Era of All-Star Competition
The replacement? A single-elimination 1-on-1 tournament dubbed “King of the Court”, pitting 8 of the league’s most dynamic scorers against each other in half-court battles. The format is already being tested in private training camps and NBA G-League events.
Here’s what fans can expect:
8-Star Bracket: Players will be seeded based on fan voting and All-Star performance.
Games to 11: Straight ones. No time limit. No help defense.
Refereed, mic’d-up, and intense: Think All-Star flair meets playground fire.
Rumored players who’ve already expressed interest? Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and even Stephen Curry, who said, “If my ankles hold, I’ll be there.”
🎤 Mixed Reactions from Players and Fans
Retired dunk legend Zach LaVine tweeted:
> “RIP Dunk Contest 💔 But I get it. The King of the Court is gonna be different.”
Meanwhile, LeBron James—who famously never entered the Dunk Contest—joked during a post-game interview:
> “Now they want me to go 1-on-1 at age 41? I gave y’all 22 years, man!”
Younger fans are buzzing with excitement. On TikTok and X, the hashtags #KingOfTheCourt and #RIPDunkContest are trending. YouTube creators are already simulating potential matchups on 2K and NBA Street.
📉 Cultural Shift or Smart Evolution?
The NBA’s All-Star Weekend has long struggled to keep pace with modern entertainment and viral attention spans. While the 3-Point Contest has thrived thanks to sharpshooters like Curry and Lillard, the Dunk Contest was seen as “too safe, too stale, and too forgotten.”
“This isn’t about erasing the past,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reportedly said in a closed-door meeting. “It’s about writing the next chapter.”
🏁 What’s Next?
The inaugural “King of the Court” tournament is set to debut on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Las Vegas, which is also hosting All-Star Weekend for the first time since 2007.
Rumors suggest a $1 million cash prize, fan voting on matchups, and possible celebrity undercard bouts (imagine Kevin Hart vs. Drake for laughs).
📝 Final Thoughts
Love it or hate it, the Dunk Contest is officially done. After 45 years of unforgettable aerial artistry, it bows out to make way for something grittier, more competitive, and unapologetically modern.
Will it live up to the hype? Only time—and one-on-one bragging rights—will tell.
#LongLiveTheDunk
#MakeWayForTheKing 👑
