Players from across the NBA head to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this weekend for the league’s annual All-Star Weekend.
The weekend is based around Sunday night’s All-Star game and features several other events in which players, fans, coaches, celebrities, and others can participate.
Friday, February 16
Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, 6 p.m. CT
Lucas Oil Stadium
Teams of celebrities coached by Shannon Sharpe, 50 Cent, Stephen A. Smith, Lil Wayne, and A’Ja Wilson will play against each other to open the weekend. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is playing for Team Shannon, while Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is playing for Team Stephen. The game will also feature a brand-new LED playing surface.
***
Panini Rising Stars, 8 p.m. CT
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Four teams of rookies and sophomores will face off in a tournament. The first team to 40 wins the semifinal games, while the championship will be played to 25. Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II will play for Team Jalen, while San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan and Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. will also participate.
***
Saturday, February 17
HBCU Classic presented by AT&T: Winston-Salem State vs. Virginia Union, 1 p.m. CT
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Winston-Salem State and Virginia Union will play in an event honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
***
State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, 7 p.m. CT
Kia Skills ChallengeÂ
Lucas Oil Stadium
Participants: Team Pacers — Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), Myles Turner (Pacers); Team Top Picks — Paolo Banchero (Magic), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs); Team All-Stars — Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Trae Young (Hawks).
Three teams of three players will compete in events that showcase their shooting, passing, and ball handling.
***
Starry 3-Point ContestÂ
Participants: Malik Beasley (Bucks), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Damian Lillard (Bucks), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), Trae Young (Hawks).
Prediction: Young
Each shooter gets 70 seconds to shoot from five ball racks, which include four standard balls worth one point each and a “money ball” worth two points, placed around the three-point line. This year, there will also be two “Starry balls” for additional points from further behind the arc. The event involves two rounds, and the top three players after the first will advance to the championship.
***
Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Challenge
NBA star Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu go head-to-head in a shooting competition for charity.
***
AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
Participants: Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Â Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Heat), Mac McClung (G League, Osceola Magic), Jacob Toppin (Knicks).
Prediction: McClung
Five judges score each player on two dunk attempts based on creativity, difficulty, and other factors. After the first round, the two players with the highest scores will advance to the championship. Former Texas Tech player Mac McClung is returning to the competition after winning it last year.
***
Sunday, February 18
G League Up Next Game presented by AT&T, 12:30 p.m. CT
Indiana Convention Center
Four teams of seven (28 total) of the NBA’s best development players face off in a tournament similar to the Rising Stars Challenge.
***
73rd NBA All-Star Game, 7 p.m. CT
Gainbridge Fieldhouse
The NBA All-Star Game returns to its Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format after six years of having captains draft teams to play against each other. The West has won the last three matchups between the conferences, while the East last won in 2014.
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic will be a starter for the West.
***
The weekend will also include a Basketball Hall of Fame press conference, a news conference from Commissioner Adam Silver, and a brunch with NBA legends.
