NBA All-Star

The Joker and the Magician have arrived. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic showed up to the All-Star Game in Utah in ...

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey put on a show on and off the court for this year's All-Star Weekend. The 23-year-old player was spotted in an icy blue pair of leather pants with a match turtle neck sweater. Players are often spotted in their finest ensembles as they watch the events over the course of the weekend.

Team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo chose their respective sides on the court playground style in a tweak to the format after the squads had ...

[Click here!](https://go.arena.im/live/fox-sports-australia/QFkNi0Y?v=2) (Memphis Grizzlies) was the last reserve taken. The Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. Knicks star Julius Randle was picked as a reserve for Team LeBron. James joined in the fun, too.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to betting on All-Star Games. The first, more prudent logic is that doing so is absolutely insane.

[Jayson Tatum](/nba/players/2268018/jayson-tatum/) has a chance to be the game's closer, but he's probably not going to put on much of a show from a highlight perspective. The same goes for [Donovan Mitchell](/nba/players/2842760/donovan-mitchell/) at +650. Speaking of opportunities to bet against the public, James (+525) is the current All-Star MVP favorite. The experience is still relatively novel to him, so he's likelier to take things seriously. Without knowing the rosters, we can't say for certain who the best value is going to be, but there are a few rules of thumb that we can work off of. This is where the randomness of the All-Star Game works in your favor. [Damian Lillard](/nba/players/1992810/damian-lillard/) is going to take a few shots from absurd distances, but at +600, his odds aren't appealing enough. [LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/) has never lost an All-Star Game in which he served as a captain. If you assume that it is one, you're essentially getting an extra 18 cents on the dollar to take Team Giannis. The value is too good to pass up. The second, more adventurous perspective is to embrace the randomness. He's 5-0 since the [NBA](/nba/) introduced the format in 2018.

Damian Lillard was the first pick among the reserves, while Joel Embiid was the first starter selected.

Team LeBron is 2-0 in their previous meetings. Team Giannis, which is the most common matchup. When it was time for the starters, James made [Joel Embiid](/nba/players/2135528/joel-embiid/) his first selection, while Antetokounmpo went for [Jayson Tatum](/nba/players/2268018/jayson-tatum/).

The team captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — will draft their teams directly before the game in a playground-style format. The draft starts at 7 ...

The 2023 Jordan Rising Stars participate in NBA Cares Day of Service as part of the NBA's commitment to social impact at All-Star weekend. It has been 30 years ...

“It very important, this is going to give all of the young players a chance to be seen by all of the general managers and coaches across the country; and they’ll get to meet all of the All-Stars and they’ll find out what it takes to be to be an All-Star,” said Love. The students will gain valuable experience and have the opportunity to see behind the scenes of NBA All-Star in Salt Lake City through a variety of roles across various league office departments, all working together to pull of this massive event. Team Giannis is playing for Raise the Future, which works to give a loving home to children in foster care and provide resources to adoptive families. It benefits everybody in the community that can give and receive and allows us to have the NBA help in this which brings a lot of fun and excitement to it.” “Student-athletes get a chance to show their skills on the court and learn about career opportunities across the league.” The focus will be on NBA and those who will be here to enjoy the weekend. The men’s basketball teams from Grambling State University and Southern University faced one another in a game broadcast on TNT, ESPN2, and NBA TV, and Grambling State came away with the win, 69-64. I’m looking forward to the game against our rival Southern University and I look forward to bragging to Bob Love when the game is over.” And the NBA is giving Encircle a microphone to share the work that we do so that more and more people know who we are and what we’re about. As part of the NBA Legacy Project, the NBA partnered with State Farm to renovate a STEM education space and provide enhancements to the school gymnasium at Lincoln Elementary in South Salt Lake. As much as this weekend is about showcasing the game with spectacular plays and various competitions, it is also about making an impact in the host city that will be felt long after Sunday’s 72nd NBA All-Star Game is over. Friday also marks the 15th NBA All-Star Day of Service, a tradition that began in 2008 in New Orleans as the city recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game caps off a weekend of activities in Salt Lake City. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain the game, which starts at ...

The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be tipping off Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah. Led by captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, teams will be ...

The NBA has made changes to the All-Star Game in recent years and has found great success with their new format. In previous years, teams were picked well in advance of All-Star Weekend, however this year, the draft will take place live an hour before tip-off which should set up for some entertaining drama heading into the game. Replacing the three are [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://www.canishoopus.com) guard Anthony Edwards, [Sacramento Kings](https://www.sactownroyalty.com/) guard De’Aaron Fox and [Toronto Raptors](https://www.raptorshq.com) forward Pascal Siakam. The 72nd NBA All-Star Game will be tipping off Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah. PT, Game - 5:30p.m. When: Draft - 4:30p.m.

Captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo switched off building their teams minutes before tip off of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, ...

- G Kyrie Irving, - G/F DeMar DeRozan, James is tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the most All-Star appearances at 19. The Bucks star -- who garnered plenty of laughs throughout the night -- apparently didn’t review his notes closely enough when it came to his third pick, because he chose Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant … Giannis Antetokounmpo, holding a book seemingly filled with notes about potential teammates, kicked things off by selecting Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard as the top overall reserve. [announcement ](https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/2023-nba-all-star-draft-take-place-live-all-star-game)of the inaugural NBA All-Star Draft, fans have been curious as to how this old-school style of selecting teams would play out.

During halftime of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, TNT announced that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James would not return to the exhibition due to an ...

Team Giannis got the best of Team LeBron on Sunday, leaving Salt Lake City with a 184-175 victory behind Jayson Tatum's record 55 points.

Team LeBron chose Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah as his local charity, and Team Giannis selected Raise the Future. The West won and Ralph Sampson earned MVP with 24 points and 10 rebounds. While he says he’s fine, he did not participate in the Skills Challenge on Saturday, and after starting the All-Star Game and dunking 15 seconds into the game, he immediately fouled Luka Doncic and exited the game with 11:40 left in the first quarter. Even before I was a great shooter I could shoot the ball far with my form." "My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him. He finished with 13 points and four assists and extended his All-Star career points record to 426. Boston’s Jaylen Brown led Team LeBron with 35 points and 14 rebounds, and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving each added 32 points. Tatum won the award, scoring an All-Star record 55 points, including 27 in the third quarter. "I'm just happy that we were able to get a win, and I got one against LeBron," Antetokounmpo said. "But I'll be fine. "It's extremely special for me," Tatum said. Jayson Tatum sets scoring record in win.

Follow Yahoo Sports for live updates from Salt Lake City.

Jayson Tatum took over the NBA All-Star Game, setting the record for the most points scored in the annual showcase with 55 as Team Giannis beat Team LeBron ...

Jayson Tatum's 55 points, an NBA All-Star Game record, powered a victory for Team Giannis over Team LeBron on Sunday night.

"I found out midway through the fourth [about the record]. He hit a finger on his right hand attempting a chasedown block and that was enough for him to call it a night. "So, it was a no-brainer." "I think it's important for them, it's important for our team, it's important for our organization. "I think it was fun," Brown said. But at the end of the day, we're competitors too and wanted to both go get it, and he got it, and I'm happy as hell for him." "So, that was a normal day for us. "At the end of the day, he caught fire," Mitchell said. "My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those." "I think I had like 49 and Team LeBron only had [LeBron James](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-james) for one half because of a right hand contusion and a plan to save the 20-year veteran's legs for the [Los Angeles Lakers](/nba/team/_/name/lal/los-angeles-lakers)' post-break [playoff push](/nba/story/_/id/35698518/lebron-james-prepares-push-lakers-make-playoffs). He shot 22-for-31 from the field (10-for-18 from 3) with nine rebounds and six assists.

“That was the worst basketball game ever played," Team LeBron coach Michael Malone said after the game. Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum took out the MVP ...

And Tatum, just as he vowed he would at his first All-Star Game in 2020 — when the award was named for Bryant — won the trophy that he's wanted for a while. The teams were tied at 46-46 in the first quarter, and Team Giannis took the second quarter 53-46. He didn’t return to the game, his night ending with a right hand contusion. The injury kept him out of Sunday's skills event, limited him to 20 seconds in this one. But his right wrist was wrapped, and that was an ominous sign. “It means the world," Tatum said. “I think it’s important, especially in this league, that guys are just able to be themselves." That’s never going to change.” Tatum had 27 points in the third quarter, another All-Star Game record for any period. “We’ve all been witnesses,” Wade said. It was James’ first loss in six times as captain. Joel was imploring guys to play harder to try and get some defence in.

Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James' perfect 5-0 record as an NBA All-Star Game captain has come to an end after his team was defeated 184-175 by Team ...

He finished the night with 13 points and four assists. “So, I’ll hold it for as long as I can but I’m certain someone will come along in a couple of years and try to break it.” During halftime, the league honored James, who broke the NBA scoring record earlier this month. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum finished the game with a game-high 55 points, setting a new All-Star Game record. James was ruled out of the game after suffering a hand injury, after apparently hitting his hand on the rim in the first half, according to the TNT broadcast. “You think of all the legends and great players to play in this game and in all honesty, records are meant to be broken,” Tatum said on the TNT broadcast after the game.

Malone didn't mince words after the non-competitive exhibition, adding 'I don't know how you fix it'

These are the elite of the elite, and they're simply not going to risk their health for a game that ultimately has no bearing on standings. In the process, he caught his hand on the rim and was ruled out for the second half due to the injury. We really don't need a traditional All-Star Game if this is gonna be the product. Joel was imploring some of the guys to play harder, to try to get some defense in. It's an honor to be a part of a great weekend, great players. Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron on Sunday, 184-175, in a game that largely more closely resembled a layup line or shooting practice than a competitive basketball game between the world's best athletes.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum scored an All-Star Game record 55 points on his way to earning MVP honours as his Team Giannis rolled over Team LeBron ...

To quote Team LeBron head coach Michael Malone, “that was the worst basketball game ever played.” We watch pro sports because we want to see remarkable feats of human athleticism done in a high-pressure environment. Back to the general problem with Sunday’s game. Additionally, the four quarters were like their own contained games with the winner of each quarter earning money for the respective charity it was representing. I think we all get that. Team Giannis entered the fourth quarter leading 158-141 and came away with the win as Damian Lillard drilled his eighth three-pointer of the night to put an end to the game and give a James-captained team its first-ever loss in an All-Star Game.

But it was Lillard's teammate, Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), took home the 2023 Kobe Bryant Trophy awarded to the All-Star Game MVP. Tatum had a huge night, ...

His emphatic dunk took the cake for the night, but was rivaled by a double-clutch reverse dunk from Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) and a windmill dunk later in the contest from Brown. [Sacramento Kings](https://www.sactownroyalty.com/)) was the only player to go scoreless, missing on his lone dunk attempt, but it was a joy to see him be recognized for his stellar winning play this season. Nonetheless, he represented for the city of Portland and gave fans what they wanted to see — logo shots and a Dame Time finish to seal the deal. He had the first pick among starters and took Joel Embiid ( [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.libertyballers.com)), as well as being handed reigning two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic ( [Denver Nuggets](https://www.denverstiffs.com)). On the other side of the ball, Team LeBron lost every quarter, failing to bring in money for their respective charities on the scorecards. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.blazersedge.com) star Damian Lillard hit the game-winning shot with a sidestep three from the left wing for Team Giannis after Jaylen Brown ( [Boston Celtics](https://www.celticsblog.com)), Kyrie Irving ( [Dallas Mavericks](https://www.mavsmoneyball.com)) and Tyrese Haliburton ( [Indiana Pacers](https://www.indycornrows.com)) waged a late surge for Team LeBron. After three-plus years of (somewhat) reinvigorated defense and down-to-the-wire finishes, there was anything but defense for all 48 minutes of play tonight. He walked into his shot and gave a new definition to his “Logo Lillard” nickname. As fun as selecting teams live may be, anticipating the dreaded last pick per round drew a lot of buzz in the days leading up to the game. The performance gave him a grand promotion for the debut of his signature Tatum 1 sneaker with Jordan Brand. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com) superstar LeBron James’ first defeat as a team captain in the event’s six-year run with its reformed format. But it was Lillard’s teammate, Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), took home the 2023 Kobe Bryant Trophy awarded to the All-Star Game MVP.

As the Lakers star is feted for breaking the all-time scoring record, the Celtics standout sets a mark of his own at the NBA All-Star Game.

“He’s one of the best players in the league,” Antetokounmpo explained. The clock was turned off for the fourth quarter as the teams tried to reach a total target score of 182 points as part of the “Elam Ending,” which ensures every contest ends with game-winning points. Jokic hopped out of his seat early before James had made his last selection, leaving Utah’s Lauri Markkanen to shrug in confusion once he realized he was the last one onstage. Once Antetokounmpo finished his drafting duties, he took the court with a wrap protecting his injured right wrist. “I didn’t get an opportunity to watch Kareem live, but I know the history of the game,” James said. This year’s All-Star Game opened with a new twist: James and Antetokounmpo picked their rosters one-by-one as part of the pregame show. Antetokounmpo selected Lillard as the first pick among the reserves — to James’s surprise, given that Jrue Holiday, Antetokounmpo’s Bucks teammate, was on the board. In the NBA’s unconventional all-star format, the teams competed quarter-by-quarter for charity. “I did get an opportunity to watch a lot of Karl Malone games live. James, Abdul-Jabbar and Malone then stood side by side, embracing and waving to the crowd. That’s icing on the cake.” “He’s not just a four-time MVP or a 19-time all-star or a gold medalist or an NBA champion.

During halftime of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, TNT announced that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James would not return to the exhibition due to an ...

All-Star weekend has come and gone, and the festivities were about as much fun as they've been in years. The Rising Stars tournament had its moments.

And while Saturday's performance doesn't guarantee long-term success there, it should at least put him on the radar for executives all over the rest of the league. Jokić acting thoroughly uninterested every time he plays in the All-Star Game is a factor, too. THAT'S GAME.#TeamGiannis reaches the target score of 182 to win the 2023 #NBAAllStar Game! Jokić is one of the best passers in basketball history. At media availability the day before, Zion Williamson [said](https://twitter.com/SwipaCam/status/1627364629323161601) Jokić was the best player in the league. But I don't think we've had a single year without some unnecessary awkwardness during this phase of the event. to Team LeBron...

Then Ernie shouts out Joker for being the first player to start the #NBAAllStar game on his birthday. And as if that wasn't enough, he cameoed for Trey Murphy III in the dunk contest too. This year, the event didn't just consist of the obstacle course we've come to know. The answer might be the rookies. The biggest from each side of the ledger can be found below. A player who was in the G League earlier this month resuscitated the dunk contest.

Who stood out, for better or worse, in Salt Lake City? We break down Jayson Tatum's MVP, Mac McClung's win, and more from the star-studded festivities.

Maybe it was gamesmanship, maybe it was a favor to the NBA (after all, half the event was known as Team Giannis). If the pass is imprecise, the timing is off, or the dunk is missed, the element of surprise is gone and Murphy gets eliminated. The Elam Ending was praised as a savior concept for the All-Star Game itself, but watching the first three quarters was like getting a basketball lobotomy. [repeatedly and soundly dismissed the notion this weekend](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2023/02/19/ja-morant-dunk-contest-nba-all-star-game/69921796007/). Mann: It could just be me—I’ve seen a bunch of these—but it definitely feels like All-Star Weekend is teetering on the edge of a cliff before this event enters a real era of free fall. Look, is it weird for a G League player to win the Dunk Contest? Kyle Mann:](https://www.theringer.com/authors/j-kyle-mann) The distance between his status among all the greatest basketball players in the world and his level of giving a shit this weekend is immeasurable. But when you consider that 99 percent of people in attendance didn’t know who he was entering the weekend, you’ve got to give it up to McClung for making sure everyone remembers his name. Early on and throughout long stretches of the game, several stars jostled for the trophy, but Tatum eventually separated himself from a pack that was highlighted by Donovan Mitchell (in what would’ve been a very sweet homecoming), Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown, who engaged his Celtics teammate in several friendly but spirited one-on-one clashes in the middle of the game. When turnovers, errant shots, and wasted possessions don’t translate to regular-season losses, the court becomes a playground for them to freestyle and test the limits of their ability. Sohi: For the second year in a row, LeBron and Giannis, the respective captains of the Western and Eastern Conference teams, chose their players in a pickup-style draft. Was it Mac McClung emerging from anonymity to win the Dunk Contest?

From All-Star Game MVP Jayson Tatum to inflatable mascots and everything in between, your winners and loses from the NBA's weekend in Salt Lake City.

The NBA All-Star game had an Afrobeats-themed halftime show with Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Tems and Rema. Watch their performances here.

[during Super Bowl halftime show](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/12/rihanna-expecting-second-child-pregnancy-announcement-super-bowl-halftime-show/11245955002/) Rema came in next to deliver "Calm Down" and "Holiday." [during the Super Bowl halftime show](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/13/asap-rocky-cheers-pregnant-rihanna-super-bowl-halftime-celebrities-react/11245336002/) [Jewel](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/15/jewel-talks-masked-singer-win-new-album-freewheelin-woman/7310373001/), a Utah native, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game; [Post Malone](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/15/jewel-post-malone-vin-diesel-to-perform-at-all-star-game/51290337/) did a medley of "Wow" and "Rockstar" after LeBron James and Antetokounmpo drafted their teams; and Jully Black sang the Canadian national anthem before the game. [Rihanna](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/02/15/rihanna-british-vogue-baby-asap-rocky-new-music/11263923002/) set a high bar for halftime performances at the [Super Bowl ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/12/rihanna-expecting-second-child-pregnancy-announcement-super-bowl-halftime-show/11245955002/)last weekend, and [Burna Boy](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/05/grammy-2023-full-winners-list/11191068002/), [Tems](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/28/rihanna-releases-new-music-for-black-panther-lift-me-up/10616226002/) and [Rema ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/12/23/barack-obama-2022-favorites-books-movies-songs/10948842002/)were able to keep the bar elevated at [NBA All-Star Weekend](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/15/2023-nba-all-star-game-players-teams-scoring-format-how-watch/11265847002/) in Salt Lake City Sunday night. [Burna Boy](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/08/13/beyonce-black-is-king-burna-boy-davido-african-artists-listen/3343901001/), Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated singer [Tems](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/28/rihanna-releases-new-music-for-black-panther-lift-me-up/10616226002/) and rapper Rema — doing an Afrobeats-themed performance.

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone had a front-row seat at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and he was not impressed with the players' effort.

"There was no effort whatsoever," Smith said. In recent years, the league Malone coached Team LeBron in the game. "… NBA viewing future, more](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/20/nba-all-star-weekend-game-takeaways/11305187002/) [scored 55 points to break the All-Star game scoring record](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/19/tatum-scores-all-star-record-55-team-giannis-wins-184-175/69923347007/).

NBA All-Star Weekend is complete, and with it comes the playoff race and some takeaways from weekend including dunk contest and competitive landscape.

Cleveland All-Star Donovan Mitchell said the Cavs are part of the group, but they might be a year away from true contention, But how many teams have a legitimate chance to win the championship? After watching clips of NBA and college football games in a brief demo, it is an amazing viewing experience. It’s competitive in the NBA this season. Cosm calls it shared reality because the idea is to watch with friends and other sports fans in a theater-style venue where you can also purchase food and drinks. Cosm announced a partnership with the NBA on Thursday and plans to open its first venue in Los Angeles near SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome in the spring of 2024, followed by another venue in Dallas. Discovery Sports expires after the 2024-25 season, and the league will seek a lucrative deal, impacting players’ salaries and the value of franchises. At least 12 teams in the East are competing for a spot in the playoffs. “I think that it would be an awkward position to say to a player: You must enter the Dunk Contest. Can McClung jump-start the event so that it regains its status as a must-see Saturday night event during All-Star Weekend, and will he return for next year’s event? “I think that’s a reflection of the incredible quality of play we have in this league.” Golden State might be in the final days of its dynasty and LeBron James could miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season – something he hasn’t done since his first two seasons in the league two decades ago.

Jayson Tatum put on a show Sunday night en route to winning NBA All-Star Game MVP -- and set himself up to continue a trend that should excite Celtics fans.

But it's a good reminder that having one of the best players in the world who can shine on any stage goes a long way toward raising a banner. So, Tatum could extend that streak to three if he helps the Celtics raise Banner 18 in June. "I think I had like 49 and Dame (Lillard) was like, 'Yo, the record's 52.' He was like, 'Go get it.'

The Nuggets coach didn't mince words after the non-competitive ASG, adding 'I don't know how you fix it'

These are the elite of the elite, and they're simply not going to risk their health for a game that ultimately has no bearing on standings. In the process, he caught his hand on the rim and was ruled out for the second half due to the injury. More captains, pick teams of five, have a round robin tournament with games to 21. We really don't need a traditional All-Star Game if this is gonna be the product. Joel was imploring some of the guys to play harder, to try to get some defense in. It's an honor to be a part of a great weekend, great players.

The NBA All-Star Game, for all its fanfare and pageantry, was a letdown with no defense or intensity leading to uncontested dunks and long-range shots.

Nikola Jokic, the front-runner for most valuable player — which would be his third in a row — admitted that he had no place out on the court. You do float that line of, for a guy like me that likes to play on the defensive side, when is it, at what point, do you turn the defense up?” The game itself doesn’t need to be good — the moments are what most people remember anyway. It was just a glorified layup line,” Brown said. One agent suggested that maybe if players had more time off before and after the game the product would look better. “This was like a layup line. On Saturday during media day when players get asked goofy questions, one reporter asked players like Jokic what it would look like if they disguised themselves and played a high school game today. “I liked the last format. It’s always great to have an opportunity to try new formats, new ways to spice up the game, spice up the viewership and things of that nature.” I liked the format on TV. “That was just highlights and layups and jump shots. I think it was a little bit — it looked fun, more fun, cooler, whatever the case may be.

The weekend-long event has not come to the Circle City since 1985 when it was held in the Hoosier Dome. It was then postponed in 2021 because of the ...