One of the most anticipated events of the NBA calendar lights up ESPN, with the NBA All-Star Weekend seeing the 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and 2023 NBA All-Star Game take centre stage, LIVE on ESPN.
The NBA All-Star Game is LIVE on ESPN this Monday February 20 at 11.30am AEDT, where Team LeBron takes on Team Giannis.
NBA superstars LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain respective NBA All-Star sides, as both pick their teams shortly before the game in Salt Lake City – a newly announced twist and a departure from past years in which captains picked weeks in advance of All-Star Weekend.
James has been a captain every time the format has been used, and has never lost, taking a 5-0 record into 2023. Antetokounmpo is a captain for the third time, after also earning that right in 2019 and 2020.
The other eight starting players that James and Antetokounmpo will be choosing from are Denver’s two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell and Zion Williamson.
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game could present more history for LeBron James, after having just become the NBA’s All-time leading scorer. LeBron will become the first player in NBA history to play in 19 All-Star games.
But, before we get to All-Star Monday, the NBA All-Star Weekend sees a number of fan favourite events return in 2023.
NBA All-Star Weekend begins on Saturday at 11am AEDT, with the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
The 2023 edition sees Team Ryan take on Team Wade, as Utah Jazz team governor Ryan Smith and NBA champion and Jazz minority owner, Dwayne Wade serve as honorary captains.
Two-time NBA MVP and 2023 NBA All-Star Game Captain Giannis Antetokounmpo, his brothers Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo and three-time Olympic Medalist Lindsey Vonn will coach for Team Dwayne and will take on Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and Two-time WNBA Champion Lisa Leslie, rapper and actor Fat Joe and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, who will coach for Team Ryan.
Grammy Award-winning recording artist 21 Savage, recording artist and actress Janelle Monáe, Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Cordae, actors Simu Liu, Sinqua Walls, Everett Osborne, Latin global music icon and actor Nicky Jam and reggaeton artist Ozuna, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, 11-time MLB All-Star Albert Pujols, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live correspondent Guillermo Rodriguez, tennis star Frances Tiafoe, WWE Superstar The Miz, Brazilian TV host Marcos Mion and content creator Jesser will make their first Celebrity Game appearances.
Peloton coach and Puma athlete Alex Toussaint will return as the reigning MVP, while comedian Hasan Minhaj and five-time American Music Award winner Kane Brown will appear in their third Celebrity Game and actor and NBA brand ambassador for India Ranveer Singh in his second. Each team will also feature a WNBA star, with two-time WNBA All-Star and Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale and WNBA Champion and Phoenix Mercury All-Star Diamond DeShields on opposing rosters.
Following LIVE at 1pm AEDT, the 2023 NBA All-Star Jordan Rising Stars Challenge unleashes the next generation of NBA stars onto the court.
For the second straight season, NBA Jordan Rising Stars will feature a three-game mini tournament among four teams comprised of NBA rookies, sophomores and NBA G League players.
Sunday sees the NBA All-Star Weekend move to the business end, with the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge, NBA All-Star Three Point Contest and NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.
The NBA All-Star Weekend shifts to ESPN2 for Sunday, as the action begins LIVE at 12pm AEDT.
NBA All-Star Skills Challenge –
Team Antetokounmpo sees Giannis, Alex and Thanasis Antetokounmpo form a trio to take on the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
Team Jazz, comprising Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton will look to overcome the brothers on home court.
Team Rook, featuring NBA rookies Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey and Jabari Smith Jr complete the three team competition, fighting for the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge Crown.
3-Point Contest-
Eight NBA stars will go toe to toe to win the NBA All-Star 3 Point Contest.
Tyres Halburton (Pacers), Tyler Herro (Heat), Buddy Hield (Pacers), Kevin Huerter (Kings), Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers) and Jayson Tatum (Celtics) complete the eight man field.
The 3-Point Contest will also see two new deep shot locations added, between racks two and three, and additional ‘Starry’ ball worth three points.
NBA Slam Dunk Contest –
Four high flying NBA stars will fight for the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.
Kenyon Martin Jr (Rockets), Mac McClung (76ers), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans) and Jericho Sims (Knicks) will showcase their style, bringing all the tricks that the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest has become synonymous with.
It’s fitting that the Slam Dunk contest will also provide some All-Star judges, as two-time Slam Dunk winner Dominique Wilkins leads 14-time All Star Karl Malone, eight-time WNBA All Star Lisa Leslie, multiple time Dunk champion Harold Miner and three-time NBA Sixth Man, Jamal Crawford.
NBA All-Star Weekend on ESPN
Saturday February 18
11am AEDT, NBA All Star Celebrity Game, ESPN
1pm AEDT, NBA Rising Stars Challenge, ESPN
Sunday February 19
12pm AEDT, NBA All-Star Saturday, ESPN2
Monday February 20
11.30am AEDT, NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron vs Team Giannis, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
Media Release – ESPN
