The NBA All-Star Game is fast approaching, with February moving fast.
This year's edition of NBA festivities will take place this weekend from February 16 to February 18, with each day featuring a different event.
It will be the 73rd edition of the NBA All-Star Game and will take place at the Indiana Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This is the second time Indianapolis will host the games and the first since 1985.
Fans can catch the events through TNT or livestream through the TNT app.
The Rising Stars Game, featuring the league's best rookies and sophomores, will take place on February 16.
February 17, Saturday, will be about the Kia Skills Challenge, Starry 3-Point Contest, and AT&T Slam Dunk competition.
NBA All-Star Game Date, Format, and Rosters
The most-awaited event is the NBA All-Star Game, slated on Sunday, February 18.
The league reverted to the East vs West format after six years of having teams named after the voting leaders from both conferences.
Team Lebron went 5-1 in such a format, leading games against Team Steph (1x), Team Durant (2x), and Team Giannis (3x).
Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers will remain the captain of the Western Conference as the top vote-getter. His counterpart in the East is Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, who got the highest number of votes overall.
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The format also dropped the target score feature, but teams will continue competing for a win each quarter for the charity of their choice. Each quarter will run for 12 minutes.
The rosters are now set, with starters earning their spots through fan voting while the coaches selected the reserves.
Here are the starters for each conference:
Eastern Conference
Starters: Giannis (Captain), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers, out due to injury), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), and Damian Lillard (Bucks).
Reserves: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Julius Randle (Knicks, out due to injury). Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks) and Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) were selected as replacements.
Western Conference
Starters: Lebron (Captain), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Reserves: Devin Booker (Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Paul George (LA Clippers), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves).
Notes on the All-Star Game
1. With his selection this year, James now holds the record for most All-Star Game appearances with 20. He also has the most consecutive selections (20), most games played (19), and most consecutive games played (19). Truly a league of his own.
2. This is just the first time that Damian Lillard will start for an All-Star Game. He's been to seven ASGs while part of the Portland Trail Blazers, all as reserve. Back there, he competed for a starting spot against the likes of Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, and James Harden.
3. This is the first time Lebron James did not get the most votes in fan voting in seven years. He was the fans' most favorite from 2017 to 2023. He also led the voting in 2007, 2010 and 2014.
4. First-time All-Stars this year are Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Scottie Barnes. There is no first-time All-Star in the Western Conference.
5. Stephen Curry is not an All-Star Starter after being one since his MVP seasons. He missed last year's edition because of injury. He finished third behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic in fan voting.
He takes it in stride, though.
"You got two guys that are playing amazing this year, Luka and Shai," Curry said. "I've been around doing this for a very long time, and the fact that it's a talking point I'm not [starting] after nine healthy years - those two guys are playing fantastic, and they deserve it.
Related article: Getting to Know Competing Teams in NBA Rising Stars Challenge, Format and Predictions on Who Will Standout
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