The NBA All-Star Weekend has officially kicked off in San Francisco, bringing excitement to fans and players alike with a variety of on-court events scheduled for three nights. The weekend will showcase the Rising Stars competition featuring promising rookie and sophomore talents on Friday, followed by the highly anticipated dunk and 3-point contests on Saturday, culminating in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
This year, the All-Star Game introduces a new format, transforming it into a mini-tournament structure with two matchups, where the first team to score 40 points wins, without the traditional game clock, aside from the shot clock. This innovative approach promises to deliver a dynamic and fast-paced experience for viewers.
Fans can catch the weekend’s festivities on TNT and truTV. Here’s the viewing schedule:
– Friday: The All-Star celebrity game starts at 6 p.m. (ESPN) followed by the Rising Stars competition at 8 p.m. (TNT, truTV).
– Saturday: NBA All-Star practice will air at 1 p.m. (NBA TV), with the NBA HBCU Classic at 4 p.m. (truTV, NBA TV, Max, ESPN+), leading into All-Star Saturday Night at 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV).
– Sunday: The main event, NBA All-Star Game, kicks off at 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV, Max), followed by the postgame on NBA TV.
This year’s All-Stars are organized into three teams, each comprising eight players, drafted by TNT analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith. Teams include:
– **Chuck’s Global Stars:** Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young.
– **Shaq’s OGs:** LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and James Harden.
– **Kenny’s Young Stars:** Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, and Tyler Herro.
In a nod to rising talent, the fourth team in the tournament will be determined by the winner of the Rising Stars competition, called Candace’s Rising Stars in honor of Candace Parker.
As for the betting favorites, Team Shaq is leading the odds at +155, closely followed by Team Chuck at +165. Team Kenny stands at +375, with Team Candace at +650. The Skills Competition favors Team Cavs and Lillard is predicted to win a third consecutive 3-point contest.
Officiating the All-Star Game will be Kevin Scott, Tre Maddox, and Eric Dalen, with a different crew overseeing the Rising Stars and other events.
Entertainment this weekend includes performances by DJ Cassidy, Too $hort, Saweetie, En Vogue, and Raphael Saadiq among others, adding musical flair to the athletic showcase.
Overall, this year’s All-Star Weekend aims to be an exhilarating celebration of basketball talent and entertainment, uniting fans and players in a unique and engaging way.