NBA All-Star

One week after a busy trade deadline shook up the league, the NBA's best players are in Salt Lake City for the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend.

29, he was first in the Eastern Conference in 3-point attempts. There are the marketing considerations that go into the experience, plus the extra media that he’s required to do in Utah, the site of this year’s festivities. In the five years since leaving Cary Academy High, Murphy has checked off quite a few accomplishments during his rise to the NBA. He’s the first Asian American to be tapped for the role. The only time Holiday did the Skills Challenge was ten years ago in Houston. A win for Sims would mark the first time in 37 years when an NBA franchise can brag about back-to-back winners from the same team. Athletes and entertainers have joined the NBA in supporting basketball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The second year of the event took place Feb. Jordan and Jonathan Majors, the stars of the upcoming film “Creed 3.” The Jazz team of Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton failed to finish after Sexton was unable to make a corner 3. Walker Kessler, the tallest player in the field and the only center, earned 40 of the 88 points for the Jazz as the hometown outfit edged by the 84 points scored by the Antetokounmpos (42 scored by Holiday.). Follow here as The Athletic's staff offers insights and observations from all of the festivities.

The last time Salt Lake City hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1993, Mark Price of the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 3-point contest – then known as the AT&T ...

Instead, I’ll choose the left wing, where Lillard has high volume (192 attempts) and is shooting 39.1%. Money Ball Rack Pick: This is one of the easier picks to make as Huerter shoots nearly 42% – 6.2 percentage points above league average from the left wing. That means the recommendation goes to the straight-on 3 from the top of the key, where Herro shoots nearly 38% on the season. If you’re worried about putting the all money ball rack in the first corner because you may start out cold and need to warm up, then what about putting it in the final corner? A common strategy is to place the rack in one of two corner locations. But there are four other players to keep an eye on from real long distance, a group led by Kevin Huerter, who has made five of his nine attempts from that distance for a 55.6% shooting percentage that tops any player in this contest. The decision of where to place the most valuable rack on the floor can make or break a shooter’s round. Not only will we see plenty of 3-point shots during Sunday’s 72nd NBA All-Star Game, eight of the top long-distance shooters in the league will compete in the Starry 3-Point Contest as part of All-Star Saturday Night. Four of the racks used in today’s contest are the same as the traditional contest – four orange balls worth one point each and one multi-colored money ball worth two points. If a player struggles early, but hits both “Starry” balls and clears his all money ball rack, then he’s right back in the competition. With the midseason classic back in Salt Lake City and the Starry 3-Point Contest set for Saturday, let’s take a look at the numbers. In 1993, the league average for 3-pointers attempted was 9.0 per team.

The three competitions will be held in this order: Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk. The events start at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on TNT.

"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" actor Simu Liu thought it "wasn't cool" that he was compared to an Asian fan during the 2023 NBA Celebrity ...

“this was just one person with a camera. [third explained](https://twitter.com/SaneUTDOM/status/1626847419278262280) why the shoutout was problematic, noting, “The issue here is that they have no similar characteristics other than being Asian. This is literally just playing into the ‘all Asians look alike’ stereotype.”

The 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend will be showcasing the top players in the league, but they wont be the only stars in Utah this weekend. Here's a look at some.

The All-Star Weekend usually brings out the most famous individuals in music and entertainment. businesswoman, entrepreneur and wife of NBA legend Pau Gasol, was seen in attendance for this year's Rising Stars Game in Utah. Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, was seen courtside in Vivint Arena for the Rising Stars Game.

The stage is set for this year's NBA All-Star weekend, which will be hosted by the Utah Jazz in the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The weekend will mark ...

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey put on a show on and off the court for this year's All-Star Weekend. Players are often spotted in their finest ensembles as they watch the events over the course of the weekend. The stage is set for this year's NBA All-Star weekend, which will be hosted by the Utah Jazz in the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The fans in Salt Lake City used to serenade Donovan Mitchell with “MVP” chants when he played for the Utah Jazz, a sign of their ...

In the fourth quarter, the total score from the first three quarters becomes the score again. The Jazz also had the NBA’s midseason showcase in 1993. The only other past MVP in this year’s game is Kyrie Irving, the 2014 winner. Indianapolis joins that list next year when it plays host to the weekend’s events. The final target score will be the leading team’s score to that point plus 24 points. There’s never any real defense in these games until the fourth quarter, when players get serious, and there inevitably will be a bunch of them scoring a bunch of points. God has blessed me enough to be seven times an All-Star so far, and this might be my last one, so I try to enjoy to the fullest and appreciate every moment with the best players in the world.” The first three quarters can be considered mini-games, with the score starting at zero — but with the total score is still tracked because it comes into play later. “Every day, every time I step to my locker and I see my jersey with my name and I’m around all these great players, which are the best players in the world, it’s always a great feeling. The winning team also picks up another $150,000 for its charity. After all, that’s been a trend this season: 20 times a player has scored 50 points in a game, a list topped by Mitchell scoring 71 for the Cavaliers against Chicago on Jan. You know, we go against all these guys all season, so just to kind of detach and play with these guys is definitely an honor.”

Starting at 8:00 PM the NBA All Star Weekend events on Saturday night include the Skills Challenge, the 3 Point Contest, and the Dunk Contest.

The NBA's All-Star Saturday night features a mix of stars and lesser-known players. A trio of Utah Jazz players won the skills challenge.

1 hour ago While Utah has been dogged by negative impressions, Jazz owner Ryan Smith hopes this is a moment for the state to shine. The NBA’s All-Star Saturday night features a mix of stars and lesser-known players.

3-point Contest: Damian Lillard; Jayson Tatum; Kevin Huerter; Tyler Herro; Tyrese Haliburton; Buddy Hield; Julius Randle; Lauri Markkanen; Dunk Contest: KJ ...

Each contestant gets two dunks in the first round, and the two highest combined scores move on to the championship round, where they get two more dunks to decide the winner. Damian Lillard went to school at little-known Weber State in Ogden, Utah, which is about 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, where tonight's festivities will be taking place. [pic.twitter.com/RBreWc0ihW] [February 19, 2023] His All-Star teammate Jrue Holiday will take his place for the event, joining Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo Team Jazz won the event with 13 points, which was a poor showing itself but was better than Team Antetokounmpo and Team Rooks combined There were five spots in the floor, each worth a different amount of points, and the three players from each team had to rotate shot attempts. Team Jazz got off to a disappointing start in the Skills Challenge, as both Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton were way too cool for school during the relay. [pic.twitter.com/ZydS6ri7Iy] [February 19, 2023] [pic.twitter.com/d1NnOXiBj4] [February 19, 2023] Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Damian Lillard have all advanced to the championship round of the 3-Point Contest. [pic.twitter.com/2T54wP2LYP] [February 19, 2023] NBA All-Star weekend continues with a jam-packed All-Star Saturday Night in Salt Lake City.

The second day of NBA All-Star weekend will feature the most anticipated annual basketball events; Skills Challenge, 3 Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest.

The Skills Challenge involves nine players split into three teams, and it comprises of three rounds, namely relay, passing, and shooting. Up next is Team Passing. The latest modification includes the addition of two extra-long shots that are worth three points each. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton is dominating the challenge with an impressive score of 31, securing his position as a frontrunner. NBA All-Star weekend's day 1 was power-packed with breathtaking moments with a star studded celebrity game and a three-game rising stars challenge. Catch all the live updates on State Farm All-Star Saturday Night here

NBA All-Star Saturday continues with the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest. Here are the highlights!

[2023 NBA Buyout Market Tracker: Where will Wall, Westbrook land?](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nba-buyout-tracker-where-will-john-wall-russell-westbrook-land) [‘Weve got work to do’: Kevin Durant ready to roll with Suns](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/weve-got-work-to-do-kevin-durant-ready-to-roll-with-suns) [The NBA's sneakiest skill? The two players who advance will then have two dunks in the final round and will have the same rules as the previous round. [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/nba-roundtable-where-do-teams-stand-at-all-star-break) [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/nba-all-star-weekend-updates-highlights-from-celebrity-all-star-game-rising-stars) [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/vince-carter-describes-greatest-nba-dunk-contest-that-never-happened) There are two rounds in the dunk contests with five judges — Jamal Crawford, Lisa Leslie, Karl Malone, Harold Miner and Dominique Wilkins — scoring each dunk. The two players with the highest composite scores between their first and second dunks advance to the final round. Team Antetokounmpos went first, finishing the course in 1:23. Team Rooks was next, scoring a mere three points. The Skills Challenge consisted of three rounds: relay, passing and shooting. With that, Lillard was crowned the winner of the Starry 3-Point Contest. The 3-Point Contest featured eight of the game's best shooters, but it was seven-time All-Star

The NBA has laid out at least the next two seasons for All-Star Game locations. Fans who want to see LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and ...

Here are the biggest moments from All-Star Weekend's lineup featuring the dunk contest, 3-point shootout and skills competition.

and [Collin Sexton](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277811/collin-sexton) cruised to victory in the skills challenge and [Damian Lillard](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6606/damian-lillard), who went to college outside of Salt Lake City, secured another win for Utah by coming out on top in the 3-point contest. The hometown McClung, who is under a two-way contract with the Sixers and their G-League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats, dominated the competition, receiving a score of 50 in all but one instance.

SportsLine's Mike Barner just released his pick, predictions, and best bets for the NBA Slam Dunk contest 2023.

He is including this player in his All-Star weekend bets, and so should you. Prior to earning his slam dunk invitation, he had become a dunking sensation on YouTube, with his high school, college and professional dunks earning millions of views. Signed to a two-way contract by the 76ers just on Tuesday, McClung has spent most of the last two seasons in the G League with the South Bay Lakers and Delaware Blue Coats. "McClung has provided some exciting dunks in the G League, but he'll have his work cut out for him competing against three more established players," Barner told SportsLine. Before making any 2023 Slam Dunk contest picks or All-Star weekend predictions, you need to Sims (+380) and Murphy III (+410) are the two longest shots in the field. Over the past three seasons at SportsLine, Mike has crushed sportsbooks with a 425-343-12 record, returning $4,416 to $100 bettors on against-the-spread picks. Barner's expertise has been on full display over a wide sample. Barner digs deep into the data, examining team trends and projecting game outcomes. ET and also includes the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest. The 2023 Slam Dunk contest will be the third and final event on All-Star Saturday Night, which begins at 8 p.m. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter are just three players who elevated their profiles by winning the contest.

The Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk competitions highlight NBA All-Star Saturday night.

Here are the biggest moments from All-Star Weekend's lineup featuring the dunk contest, 3-point shootout and skills competition.

and [Collin Sexton](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277811/collin-sexton) cruised to victory in the skills challenge and [Damian Lillard](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6606/damian-lillard), who went to college outside of Salt Lake City, secured another win for Utah by coming out on top in the 3-point contest. The hometown McClung, who is under a two-way contract with the Sixers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats, dominated the competition, receiving a score of 50 in all but one instance.

The league has often toyed with the format for the event, and they recently debuted a new three-team format that was back again this year. The teams faced ...

"It feels good, especially to do it in front of the home team," Sexton added. While this event is still mildly entertaining, it seems to have lost some luster and it could probably benefit from another shake-up in the future. Things started off well for Team Rooks, as they put up the fastest time in the relay round. But then, it was Team Jazz's time to shine. The challenge was split up into three different rounds: a relay round, a passing round and a shooting round. The teams faced obstacles that tested their ability in major facets of the game: dribbling, passing and shooting.

The Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk competitions highlight NBA All-Star Saturday night.

The Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Dunk Contest all go down on All-Star Saturday Night.

Each contestant gets two dunks in the first round, and the two highest combined scores move on to the championship round, where they get two more dunks to decide the winner. (Houston Rockets) The 3-Point Contest has seen a few new wrinkles in recent years; there are now two additional long-range shots worth three points each and the time limit has been increased to 70 seconds. The Skills Challenge, which debuted in 2003, is the night's opening act. You try to do the sickest dunk possible, and the five judges score your effort on a scale of 1-10, which makes a maximum of 50 points available. The league has often toyed with the Skills Challenge format, and they recently debuted a new team format that is back again and features three teams. - When: Saturday, Feb. Always one of the most exciting nights of the season, the pre-cursor to the All-Star Game will once again feature a trio of star-studded events: the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest. The NBA's annual midseason exhibition is always a highlight of the league's calendar, and this season is no different. [Jordan Clarkson](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2135523/jordan-clarkson/), [Walker Kessler](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/3178012/walker-kessler/), [Collin Sexton](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2891955/collin-sexton/) [Paolo Banchero](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/26775953/paolo-banchero/)( [Orlando Magic](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/ORL/orlando-magic/)), [Jaden Ivey](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/3178475/jaden-ivey/)( [Detroit Pistons](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/DET/detroit-pistons/)), [Jabari Smith](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/26776259/jabari-smith/)Jr. [Thanasis Antetokounmpo](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2135516/thanasis-antetokounmpo/)(Bucks), Alex Antetokounmpo (Wisconsin Herd)

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 three competitions will be held in this order: Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk. The events start at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on TNT.

Team Jazz won the 2023 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge, but that was not the focal point for social media.

Team Jazz topped the leaderboard with 300 points, Team Rook logged 100 and Team Antetokounmpo blanked with zero among the mini competitions. Team Jazz -- comprising Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler -- topped Team Antetokounmpo (Giannis Antetokounmpo was replaced by Bucks teammate Jrue Holiday) and Team Rook (Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith Jr., Jaden Ivey), but it was not the sight fans hoped for. The hometown Team Jazz won the 2023 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge, but spectators lost.

Mac McClung, who hasn't appeared in an NBA game this season, took home the dunk contest trophy with some nasty throwdowns.

But I wasn't really even thinking in the moment," McClung said of his reaction. "If you guys will have me, I'll be back," he said on the court. Mac McClung posted the best score of the first round, recording 50s across the board for his dunk. "It was just kind of something that happened, to be honest with you." Sporting his high school jersey, McClung closed down the competition with another 50. When he opened it, it revealed the No. "That's I was banking on, the slow-motion video. My goal is to make an impact in the NBA, and I'm just going to keep working until that happens," McClung said. He received the second-highest score. McClung has averaged 19.1 points in 18 games in the G League this year. McClung has spent this season in the Philadelphia 76ers' organization, playing for the G League's Delaware Blue Coats. "I'm super grateful for this opportunity," McClung said afterwards.

Injured captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo remained uncertain for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game after missing All-Star events on Saturday.

"We're going to play hard and hopefully we can enjoy the game and try to take them down this time." Milwaukee Bucks star Antetokounmpo sprained his right wrist in a Thursday victory over Chicago and was replaced by NBA teammate Jrue Holiday on a Skills team with Alex and Thanasis Antetokounmpo -- with Giannis acting as coach and cheerleader. Four-time NBA champion James, a 19-time All-Star, is set to speak to reporters before Sunday's game and the league said it "appeared" the injury would not keep him from playing on Sunday.

Follow Yahoo Sports for live updates from Salt Lake City on all three events.

Damian Lillard held off Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton to win his first career 3-point contest in three attempts.

I think being able to shoot the ball the way I can shoot it off the dribble, off the catch, off screens, whatever, that's a weapon that allows you to play for a longer period of time." "Unfortunately, I choked in the last round, but, things happen. I knew I had to make all of them, but I thought I was on track to tie him. "This time I started counting, and I lost track. That's why I took this one a little more serious, and it just happened that way." "This was a goal of mine because as a shooter, any time you come into a competition like this, you want to win it," Lillard said.

Thanks to some elite sharpshooting over two rounds, Lillard won the 3-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Utah. By finishing on top, Lillard became the ...

Lillard needed to score 26 in the final round to best Hield, and he did it on the final shot. "I think all the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these," Lillard said after his win. But since it doesn't sound like he'll be coming back to defend his title, there will likely be a new champion next year, Lillard came out firing in the first round while wearing his jersey from his days at Weber State. By finishing on top, Lillard became the first player in Trail Blazers history to win the contest. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/POR/portland-trail-blazers/) guard Damian Lillard has had an extremely well-decorated career, and he added some more hardware to his collection on Saturday night.

McClung, who was promoted out of the G League earlier this week, stunned the Vivint Arena crowd with an array of slams.

They beat The Antetokounmpos (Thanasis, Alex, and [Jrue Holiday](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jrue-holiday-F5hrjac6YFBzx2nI/), who filled in for Giannis because of a sprained right wrist) and The Rookies ( [Paolo Banchero](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/paolo-banchero-4AtM6kuhg6XMXsS1/), [Jaden Ivey](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jaden-ivey-rauvOcEzaJhA78P0/), Jabari Smith). 1 Weber State jersey (the school is in Utah) as he scored a 26 in each of his two rounds to win. On the court after the Jazz won, Clarkson said “there is no reason to do this ever again.” Hield, the NBA’s leader in 3s this season and the 2020 3-point champion, carded rounds of 23 and 25. A passing contest in round 2, and a shooting drill in the final round. Murphy’s two dunks in the finals were both impressive — he jumped and flipped the ball under his legs from the 3-point line, caught it in the paint and dunked with a windmill motion. [76ers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/sixers/), stunned the Vivint Arena crowd with an array of perfect or near-perfect slams to beat the field. In the finals, McClung first jumped over just one guy this time, when he took the ball, he spun and pumped twice before dunking. “I wasn’t even really thinking in the moment. I think probably a lot of stuff is happening on the internet and everything. Out of the NBA until this week. From a town in Virginia of 1,600 people.

Coverage of the event begins at 7:30 p.m. ET as team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will draft their teams from the list of participants, ...

G Head coach John Calipari is known for his ability to recruit young talent and usher them into quick, yet affective, years playing for Kentucky. On his way to securing the six, major National Player of the Year awards, Williamson was the only player in DI men’s basketball during the 2018-19 season to average more than 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Before Jayson Tatum was leading the Boston Celtics to deep playoff runs in the NBA, he put up impressive numbers as a member of the Blue Devils. Irving scored in double figures in all 11 games he played in, including a 31-point performance against Michigan State, set a freshman record for assists in his program debut (9), and helped Duke reach the Sweet Sixteen in the March Madness tournament before declaring for the draft at the end of the season. ET as team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will draft their teams from the list of participants, followed by the game at 8:30 p.m.

Clarkson and his Jazz teammates—Collin Sexton, and Walker Kessler—redeemed themselves in the passing portion of the event, an overall frantic display featuring ...

[Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.libertyballers.com)) stole the show with dunks registering scores of 50, 49.8, 50, and 50, in one of the more impressive performances seen in recent years. He finished second of the eight competitors in the the first round, with his 26 points trailing only Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton. After Haliburton’s teammate Buddy Hield started the final round with a score of 25, Dame took it right down to the wire before sinking the “money-ball” (worth two points) on his final shot to pull in front. The Skills Challenge featured three teams of three players each taking part in a relay, passing, and shooting competition. [NBA All-Star Weekend](http://www.sbnation.com/nba-all-star-game) is in full swing, and All-Star Saturday Night is arguably more anticipated each year than the actually game itself. This was a dud, but the night was just getting started.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The fans in Salt Lake City used to serenade Donovan Mitchell with “MVP” chants when he played for the Utah Jazz, a sign of their ...

In the fourth quarter, the total score from the first three quarters becomes the score again. The only other past MVP in this year’s game is Kyrie Irving, the 2014 winner. The Jazz also had the NBA’s midseason showcase in 1993. Indianapolis joins that list next year when it plays host to the weekend’s events. The final target score will be the leading team’s score to that point plus 24 points. There's never any real defense in these games until the fourth quarter, when players get serious, and there inevitably will be a bunch of them scoring a bunch of points. God has blessed me enough to be seven times an All-Star so far, and this might be my last one, so I try to enjoy to the fullest and appreciate every moment with the best players in the world.” “Every day, every time I step to my locker and I see my jersey with my name and I’m around all these great players, which are the best players in the world, it’s always a great feeling. The winning team also picks up another $150,000 for its charity. After all, that's been a trend this season: 20 times a player has scored 50 points in a game, a list topped by Mitchell scoring 71 for the Cavaliers against Chicago on Jan. You know, we go against all these guys all season, so just to kind of detach and play with these guys is definitely an honor." “That would be nice," Mitchell said.

The 2nd day of NBA All-Star weekend will feature the most anticipated challenges and contests of the year. Here is all you need to look forward to on ...

The NBA All-Star Saturday Night is set to feature one of its main attractions, with this year's Slam Dunk contest taking place on February 18 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. The contest will feature several All-Stars, including Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum, who will go head-to-head with some of the most lethal knockdown shooters in the game. Fans are excited to see which players will participate in this year's Skills Challenge, as the event has been known to showcase some of the league's most impressive and creative moves. The participants for the 2023 3-point contest have been announced, and it's a star-studded lineup that promises to provide an unforgettable event for the fans. The team with the most half-court shots made will be declared the winner. NBA's All-Star Weekend will feature the 2023 NBA Skills Challenge, an event that has been gaining popularity since its introduction in 2003.

NBA All-Star Saturday is here with a former champion in the 3-point contest and four newcomers to the dunk contest.

[Buddy Hield](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/buddy-hield-AD3NeTjxgBd5qvz0/) (42.6%) and [Lauri Markkanen](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/lauri-markkanen-Ji3rG8vmasLxNWy8/) (41.3%). [Tyrese Haliburton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyrese-haliburton-kd4uq1u3TjLLcGlB/) (39.9%) and [Kevin Huerter](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/kevin-huerter-pFBfxnui7ecjtoYI/) (39.2%) are north of 39%. [Jordan Clarkson](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jordan-clarkson-lZN2TqEprnwssIGM/), [Collin Sexton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/collin-sexton-jCFYX7EfPBqJnZIT/) and [Walker Kessler](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/walker-kessler-QJCTnsvWhhoDUYd0/). He is the first G-League player to participate in the dunk contest, although the [Philadelphia 76ers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/sixers/) gave him a two-way contract on Valentine’s Day. [Jayson Tatum](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jayson-tatum-3O7MInr4zV5KKhZ5/) (35.7%) and [Damian Lillard](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/damian-lillard-kE0E92pvJGKazRQb/) (37.2%) are the biggest names in the field. McClung has only played in two [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/) games in his career. He is also the most prolific scorer of the bunch at 12.9 points per game, for whatever that’s worth. The dunk contest features four newcomers this year, and the betting odds are a virtual toss-up. Randle is shooting 33.8% from 3-point range this season, which is the lowest mark of any of the eight competitors. The Antetokounmpos finished in third place last year while the host Cavs team won. One team is composed of players from the This year’s dunk contest and 3-point shootout are lacking a lot of big names, but all it takes is a special dunk or two to change that.

Zion Williamson, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry will each miss the game with injuries. Joel Embiid, Lauri Markkanen, and Ja Morant were bumped up to starters ...

Bet on the All-Star Game at [DraftKings Sportsbook](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/nba-all-star-weekend). Zion Williamson, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry will each miss the game with injuries. [NBA All-Star Game](https://www.sbnation.com/nba-all-star-game) moved to a draft format in 2018 with the leading vote-getters in each conference serving as captains. James gets the first pick in the draft because he earned the most votes of any player this year. [Read our full breakdown on the NBA All-Star starters](https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/1/26/23572934/nba-all-star-game-starters-lebron-giannis-durant-curry-doncic) and the [All-Star reserves](https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/2/2/23582801/nba-all-stars-rosters-2023-reserves-joel-embiid-julius-randle). For the first time in 2023, the draft will take place immediately before the All-Star Game with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo making the picks.

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is underway at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. Here are the top moments from Sunday's action!

[ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/mac-mcclung-commits-to-2024-nba-dunk-contest-ill-be-back) [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/durant-silver-offer-differing-views-on-trade-demands-in-nba) [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/nba-odds-skills-contests-draws-shooters-dunkers) [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/kevin-love-picks-miami-heat-also-to-sign-cody-zeller) [Damian Lillard](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/damian-lillard-player) showed it was his time in the 3-Point Contest. [ National Basketball Association](/stories/nba/2023-nba-title-odds-updated-championship-futures-after-trade-deadline) Both players will pick from the reserve pool first before moving to the starter pool. [View All Stories](/stories) The recently-signed [Sixer](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/philadelphia-76ers-team) stole the show with a slew of never-before-seen jams to make off with the Dunk Contest title. [Ja Morant](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/ja-morant-player), [Luka Dončić](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/luka-doncic-player), [Nikola Jokić](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/nikola-jokic-player), [Lauri Markkanen](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/lauri-markkanen-player), [Joel Embiid](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/joel-embiid-player), [Kyrie Irving](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/kyrie-irving-player), [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/donovan-mitchell-player) and [Jayson Tatum](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/jayson-tatum-player). [LeBron James](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/lebron-james-player) and [Giannis Antetokounmpo](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/giannis-antetokounmpo-player) will pick their respective teams. But [Mac McClung](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/mac-mcclung-player) might have been the man of the night.

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo picked their squads for the 72nd NBA All-Star Game.

The leader for each conference, LeBron James (West) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (East) got to select his squad and have the team named after him. The two team captains, LeBron and Giannis, drafted the team rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference. Antetokounmpo did eventually draft Morant with his second pick from the starters pool.

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.

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.

Team James features Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving while Team Antetokounmpo includes Jayson Tatum and Ja Morant.

[Lauri Markkanen](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/lauri-markkanen-Ji3rG8vmasLxNWy8/)(Mr. [Anthony Edwards](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/anthony-edwards-od38ONt5aEAWM6H0/), the youngest player in the All-Star Game at 21. He starred here for six years before being traded to [Cleveland](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/cavaliers/)last summer. [Donovan Mitchell](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/donovan-mitchell-c5XmTqu40nNV02JE/), also on Team Giannis, showed out with 40 points in his return to Vivint Arena. [Jrue Holiday](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jrue-holiday-F5hrjac6YFBzx2nI/)(his Milwaukee teammate), [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/shai-gilgeous-alexander-Ghni3y9TrL9rBSl5/)(after mistakenly drafting [Ja Morant](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ja-morant-O9seJiOia3fxGmjz/), who is a starter and therefore not yet eligible), [DeMar DeRozan](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/demar-derozan-1sVXxgSdLOq7XZwu/), [Pascal Siakam](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/pascal-siakam-O4WMbrh2Eb51D9jq/), [Bam Adebayo](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bam-adebayo-cAqXbfeLJ8pkYCjZ/), Domantas Sabonis.LeBron’s bench went, in order: Jaylen Brown, [Paul George](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/paul-george-kIIUTtsJtSpaZfu1/), [Tyrese Haliburton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyrese-haliburton-kd4uq1u3TjLLcGlB/), [Julius Randle](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/julius-randle-ZOBqK4RMFKL7YI2Q/), [De’Aaron Fox](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/deaaron-fox-HK4MAggNlmQ7dgSa/), [Jaren Jackson Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jaren-jackson-jr-3KAZAQAjmgeKKdDD/) [Luka Doncic](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/luka-doncic-gMyReUOesjAikT7S/), [Nikola Jokic](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic-bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr/)(two-time MVP, playing on his 28th birthday). Tatum scored 27 in the third quarter en route to his first All-Star MVP.

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.

SALT LAKE CITY — The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is finally here. The Sunday showcase is being held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. The team captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — drafted their teams before the game in a ...

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made sure he wouldn't be the last pick of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game Draft.

James obliged and announced Jokic as his selection. But before James announced his pick, Jokic got up from his chair and walked toward the NBA's all-time scoring leader in an apparent effort to ensure he wasn't the final pick of the draft. [Nikola Jokic hilariously avoids being last pick of All-Star Draft](https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/nikola-jokic-hilariously-avoids-being-nba-all-star-drafts-last-pick?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs&chrcontext=WVIT) originally appeared on [NBC Sports Chicago](https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago?cid=MSN&chrcontext=WVIT)

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.

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.

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 ...

Team Giannis topped Team LeBron and Jayson Tatum broke an All-Star Game record going for 55 points earning him the MVP honors from Salt Lake City.

At the end of the third quarter, there will be a target set and the first team to hit that target will be named the winner of the All-Star Game. The fans vote the 24 members of both teams and the top vote getters from each conference. Giannis gets to the basket on an easy drive and finishes with the dunk. LUka Doncic has the headset in and is talking with the broadcast team while playing. The Greek is out with a wrist injury, and now LeBron will miss the second half after injuring his hand on the rim. With no LeBron or Giannis in the second half, it's MItchell and Tatum looking like they want to take the reigns. Tatum had 27 points in the third quarter and goes into the final period with 44 points. HE HAS 53 ON THE NIGHT AND TEAM GIANNIS IS 5 POINTS AWAY. He was just 9 points away from the record, and on a night where he debuted his new shoes in collaboration with Jordan, Tatum dropped 55 points on 22/31 shooting and was named MVP of the All-Star Game. He had the All-Star record 52 points in the back of his mind. LeBron had an alley top off the glass to himself, hit a 35 foot three pointer and even had a block in a rare defensive display in an All-Star game. LeBron would not return in the second half after jamming his hand on the rim at the end of the first half.

The Sunday showcase is being held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. The team captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — drafted their teams ...

Follow Yahoo Sports for live updates from Salt Lake City.

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 ...

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 ...

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.

Tatum surpassed the 52 points set by Anthony Davis in 2017. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The captain of Team Giannis sprained his right wrist in Milwaukee’s final regular-season game before the break on Thursday night. I don’t think it is too much to worry about but for precautionary reasons, I had to take the rest of the night off.” Jaylen Brown of the Celtics led Team LeBron with 35 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Tatum became the eighth different player in Celtics history to win All-Star MVP honours but the first since Larry Bird in 1982. “At the end of the day, he caught fire. “It means the world,” Tatum said of breaking Davis’ mark.

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.

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.

When the NBA announced that the two All-Star Game captains would be drafting their teams minutes before the game started, it created great anticipation ...

"He thought he was the last pick. Despite being a back-to-back MVP winner, and a frontrunner to win his third straight this season, Jokic even said after the game that he wouldn't choose himself if he was captain. Early in the draft selections when Giannis and LeBron were still picking from the pool of reserve players, Antetokounmpo said he was drafting He just didn't realize he was up there." [LeBron James](/nba/players/400553/lebron-james/) and [Giannis Antetokounmpo](/nba/players/2067655/giannis-antetokounmpo/) were down to their last selection each with the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) forward choosing who he wanted next. I just feel bad, I thought that I was last and I just stood up.

The Sunday showcase is being held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. The team captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — drafted their teams ...

Jayson Tatum scored a record 55 points and Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184-175 to win the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday and hand James his first loss i.

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 ...

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.

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.

While not much defense was played, Jayson Tatum still put on an offensive performance for the ages, en route to an All-Star Game scoring record.

[2023 NBA Buyout Market Tracker: Where will Wall, Westbrook land?](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nba-buyout-tracker-where-will-john-wall-russell-westbrook-land) [‘Weve got work to do’: Kevin Durant ready to roll with Suns](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/weve-got-work-to-do-kevin-durant-ready-to-roll-with-suns) [The NBA's sneakiest skill? [Lakers](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers-team) will be scraping to make the play-in tournament. [Bucks](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks-team)' 112-100 win over Chicago on Feb. She previously covered the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. He added 10 rebounds and six assists for Team Giannis, setting a new All-Star scoring record by surpassing [Anthony Davis'](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/anthony-davis-player) 52 points in 2017. It's just not part of my DNA." "At the end of the day, obviously, you want to participate, you want to run up and down, joke around, have some dunks, create some work," said Antetokounmpo, who had two points in 20 seconds. "My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him. I'll be fine. "But I'll be fine. "I thought that I was last, and I just stood up because I didn't see Lauri," said Jokić, who finished with four points and five rebounds in 20 minutes. I liked the format on TV.

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 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/).