We’re just a few more hours into the NBA All-Star Weekend and basketball fans sure have a lot to look forward to this weekend.
Enthusiasts may still be hungover from all the excitement of the recent trade deadline, but there is no rest in the NBA. We’re moving right along to the NBA All-Star Weekend, where the biggest stars of the Association head to the Windy City for the annual series of events.
Beginning on Friday and running through Sunday, the weekend have plenty of excitement sandwiched in between. The 69th All-Star Game, which is the main event of the weekend, takes place on Sunday night between teams headed by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Prior to this though, the festivities dial up with the Celebrity Game, Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest and more.
We’ve listed all the dates and times for every event, along with their respective locations to make sure you won’t miss any of the weekend’s actions.
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Date: Friday, Feb. 14
Time/Where to Watch: 7 p.m. ET | ESPN
Location: Wintrust Arena – Chicago, IL
Set to open the weekend events is the Celebrity All-Star Game, perhaps the most anticipated next to the All-Star Game. But honestly, who wouldn’t be thrilled to see a mix of stars from across music, sports, television and movies on a different stage this time?
Well-known ESPN commentators Stephen A. Smith and Chicago native Michael Wilbon are the celebrity coaches for this year’s game. Wilbon’s team will serve as the “Home Team,” while Stephen A’s team will be designated as the “Away Team.”
Team Home will be headed by three-time Grammy® Award winner, Oscar winner and Chicago native Common while Chance The Rapper, also a Chicago native and three-time Grammy® Award winner will lead Team Away.
Get your All-Star Celebrity Game tickets HERE.
NBA Rising Stars Challenge
Date: Friday, Feb. 14
Time/Where to Watch: 9 p.m. ET | TNT
Location: United Center – Chicago, IL
Rounding out the first night of festivities is the NBA Rising Stars Challenge at the United Center. While not always a springboard to Association success, it is good to note that some of the best ever to play in the NBA starred in this spotlight. Team US and Team World will face off in this game, with rookies and sophomores in between.
NBA All-Stars Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks lead the list of 20 players selected by NBA assistant coaches. The game will pit 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.
For tickets to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, click HERE.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time/Where to Watch: 9 p.m. ET (First event) | TNT
Location: United Center – Chicago, IL
Kicking off one of the biggest nights of the NBA calendar is the Skills Challenge. On this challenge, a bracket of eight of the most skilled players in the NBA is built to complete an on-court obstacle course testing almost every ability one would need to survive and thrive in the league. Defending champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics will be joined by former champions Patrick Beverley of the LA Clippers. Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets will also be amongst the players who will be displaying their vast array of talents,
MTN DEW 3-Point Contest
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time/Where to Watch: 9 p.m. ET (Second event) | TNT
Location: United Center – Chicago, IL
After the Skills Challenge, the Saturday night action continues to the Three-Point Contest. Eight of the NBA’s best shooters will be given 70 seconds to take 27 total shots from behind the arc from five different spots. The final ball at each spot is called the Moneyball, and is worth an extra point.
Defending champion Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets and NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks will participate.
The eight-player field for the two-round, timed shooting competition also includes Davis Bertans of the Washington Wizards, Devonte’ Graham of the Charlotte Hornets, Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings, Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls and Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat.
AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
Date: Saturday, Feb. 15
Time/Where to Watch: 9 p.m. ET (Third event) | TNT
Location: United Center – Chicago, IL
Completing the Saturday night festivities is the evening’s premier event — the Slam Dunk Contest. Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into this year’s slate of events is Dwight Howard’s return to the dunk contest for the first time in 11 years. He participated three straight years from 2007-09, which included a win in 2008. That was the year he awed the judges and viewers with his Superman-themed slam.
Howard is joined by two previous second-place finishers, Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic and Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat, as well as first-time participant Pat Connaughton of the Milwaukee Bucks.
For tickets to NBA All-Star Saturday Night events, click HERE.
NBA All-Star Game
Date: Sunday, Feb. 18
Time/Where to Watch: 9 p.m. ET | TNT
Location: United Center – Chicago, IL
Closing out the weekend is probably what all basketball fans have been waiting for: the actual All-Star Game itself. For the second straight year, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the captains for the All-Star Game. Team LeBron is stacked with the likes of Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić, the Houston Rockets’ James Harden and the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard . Meanwhile, Team Giannis includes Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid, the Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, the Boston Celtics’ Kemba Walker and the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young.
As a tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who both tragically died in a helicopter crash in late January, Team LeBron will all be wearing No. 24 uniforms while Team Giannis will wear No. 2, the jersey numbers worn by Kobe and Gianna.
For tickets to the All-Star Game, click HERE.