The NBA All-Star Weekend is upon us, and its scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 through Sunday Feb. 19. The mid-season matinee’s field is starting to fill up for all of the events.
Jordan Rising Skills
This annual event is the NBA’s way of showing the promising talent that is coming up through the ranks in the league. This years event has a new format with a player draft by honorary coaches and former All-Stars Pau Gasol, Deron Williams and Joakim Noah was held with Paolo Banchero going first overall to Team Pau.
Team Pau
- Paolo Banchero (Magic)
- Benedict Mathurin (Pacers)
- Jaden Ivey (Pistons)
- Scottie Barnes (Raptors)
- Jose Alvarado (Pelicans)
- Keegan Murray (Kings)
- Andrew Nembhard (Pacers)
Team Deron
- Franz Wagner (Magic)
- Jalen Green (Rockets)
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets)
- Trey Murphy III (Pelicans)
- AJ Griffin (Hawks)
- Bones Hyland (Nuggets)
- Walker Kessler (Jazz)
Team Jason
- Sidy Cissoko, G League Ignite
- Scoot Henderson, G League Ignite
- Mojave King, G League Ignite
- Kenneth Lofton Jr., Memphis Hustle
- Mac McClung, Delaware Blue Coats
- Leonard Miller, G League Ignite
- Scotty Pippen Jr., South Bay Lakers
All-Star Celebrity Game
This years Celebrity game at NBA All-Star Weekend is shaping up to be a fun one, with some retired NFL and MLB players as well as some current ones. Amongst other headlining names on each roster.
Team Ryan
- Ryan Smith (Utah Jazz governor and honorary captain)
- Kane Brown (5-time American Music Award winner)
- Cordae (rapper, recording artist)
- Diamond DeShields (WNBA All-Star; Phoenix Mercury)
- Calvin Johnson (former NFL player)
- Marcos Mion (TV host)
- The Miz (WWE Superstar)
- Albert Pujols (former MLB Player)
- Everett Osborne (actor)
- Ozuna (rapper, recording artist)
- Guillermo Rodriguez (ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live correspondent)
- Sinqua Walls (actor)
Team Dwyane
- Dwyane Wade (NBA champion, Utah Jazz minority owner and honorary captain)
- Nicky Jam (Latin global music icon and actor)
- Jesser (content creator)
- Simu Liu (actor)
- Hasan Minhaj (comedian)
- D.K. Metcalf (NFL player)
- Janelle Monáe (actress, singer, songwriter)
- Arike Ogunbowale (WNBA All-Star; Dallas Wings)
- 21 Savage (rapper, recording artist)
- Ranveer Singh (actor and NBA Brand Ambassador for India)
- Frances Tiafoe (tennis player)
- Alex Toussaint (Peloton coach and Puma athlete)
Skills Challenge
The NBA has changed the format of the Skill’s Challenge on a few different ocassions over the last decade. It’s still unclear, what this season’s format looks like and who will compete. The team format took a bit too long last season, so expect the NBA to transition back to the format from before, or make a new adjustment.
- Participants TBA
3-Point Contest
A few new wrinkles have been added to the three-point contest over the years. Including, the addition of the deep threes and an uptick to 70 seconds. Though, everything has stayed unchanged, which adds to the likeness of the event.
Participants
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (reported)
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (reported)
- Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings (reported)
- Tyler Herro, Miami Heat (reported)
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (reported)
- Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers (reported)
- Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers (reported)
- Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (reported)
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk contest is back as the main event of Saturday night. Over the years, it could be arguably be considered the most hyped-event heading into NBA All-Star Weekend. There have been some classics over the years, including Simons’ win (2021), or Derrick Jones Jr. win over Aaron Gordon in 2020.
There is some uncertainty on who will be competing though, as it’s been reported that Shaedon Sharpe has withdrew his name from the contest. Even though, He was the first entrant into the event and started preparing for it. He entered the league highly touted for his athleticism and ability as a dunker, and was likely one of the favorites.
With Sharpe out of the running, New York Knicks center Jericho Sims was named his replacement.
Participants
- Jericho Sims, New York Knicks
- KJ Martin, Houston Rockets
- Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
- Mac McClung, Delaware Blue Coats
McClung will be the first player from the G League to compete.
NBA All-Star Game
Before we know what the teams are, we have to wait until the NBA All-Star draft, which is set to take place on the day of the event. The draft is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT/TBS) on Sunday, Feb. 19.
Eastern Conference starters
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) [CAPTAIN]
- Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)^
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)~
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)
Western Conference starters
- LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) [CAPTAIN]
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)~
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)~
- Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)^
- Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)^
- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
^ = Injured, will not play
~ = Starter replacement
Western Conference reserves
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)+
- De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)+
- Paul George (LA Clippers)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings)
Eastern Conference
- Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls)
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
- Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
- Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)+
+ = Injury Replacement
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[…] — NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) January 29, 2023 Yes, mistakes happen. However, crucial missed foul calls could cost a team a game and potentially their season. NBA All-Star Weekend: The 2023 field is filling up […]