Sky Sports activities, YouTube and the NBA are partnering to completely host Chewkz’s watchalong of the NBA All-Star sport on the Sky Sports activities YouTube channel at 10pm on Sunday, February 15.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama are simply 4 of the glamorous names headlining this 12 months’s occasion – which incorporates the dunk contest, the three-point contest, and the celeb and rising stars video games as well.
However this 12 months’s headline occasion – the All-Star sport itself – brings an all-new spherical robin format, that includes three separate groups competing towards one another, with one made up fully of international stars and two American squads.
Here is the whole lot you should know forward of the NBA’s largest weekend:
What’s the new All-Star sport format?
Victor Wembanyama scored 37 of his 40 factors within the first half because the San Antonio Spurs beat the Los Angeles Lakers.
The All-Star sport is boasting a brand new and improved format, that includes groups divided by age and nation, and a mini spherical robin stage earlier than a ultimate between the highest two performing groups.
Till final 12 months, the NBA had operated utilizing a fantasy draft format – the place two gamers with probably the most votes would choose a workforce comprised of gamers from their convention – earlier than a spherical robin system was launched in 2025.
This 12 months, the All-Star sport is predicated on a Staff USA vs Staff World idea. Staff World – comprised solely of foreign-born gamers – will face Staff Stars and Staff Stripes, two groups of American-born gamers.
The 2 American groups are cut up by age – Staff Stars options youthful abilities like Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Tyrece Maxey, whereas Staff Stripes represents a longtime era of All-Stars together with LeBron, Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
Every workforce will play one another workforce in three 12-minute video games, earlier than the 2 prime groups face off in a 12-minute ultimate.
Is that this LeBron’s final All-Star weekend?
LeBron James combines with Rui Hachimura for the game-winner because the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors within the celebrity’s twenty third NBA season.
A lot of the speak surrounding the weekend has been over the way forward for LeBron, because the 41-year outdated performs in a record-breaking twenty second consecutive All-Star sport.
LeBron just lately gave the impression to be emotional throughout a pre-game tribute video in what may have been his final sport in his hometown Cleveland – the place he spent 11 years of his illustrious NBA profession.
“I am simply making an attempt to take the whole lot in, not take the moments with no consideration,” LeBron mentioned of Cleveland’s tribute. “As a result of it might be [my last season]. I clearly have not decided on the long run, but it surely very effectively might be.”
LeBron holds the file for many All-Star sport inclusions, chosen in 22 of his 23 seasons within the NBA, surpassing Corridor-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s file of 19, however was initially chosen as a reserve for this 12 months’s contest earlier than the brand new format was introduced.
What are the opposite All-Star weekend occasions?
Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg broke a 46-year NBA file after turning into the primary teenager to attain 49 factors in an NBA sport towards the Charlotte Hornets.
The NBA All-Star sport on Sunday night time headlines the weekend – however there are 5 different occasions reside on Sky Sports activities all through the weekend.
The All-Star weekend kicks off with the Rising Stars sport on Friday, with its personal spherical robin that includes a draft chosen by honorary coaches and NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Austin Rivers.
The 4 groups are made up of gamers of their first and second years within the NBA – headlined by Mavericks No 1 decide Cooper Flagg – bar Rivers’ workforce, which is made up fully of gamers from the G-League.
Friday’s motion finishes with the Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCU) traditional, which is able to see Hampton College tackle North Carolina AT&T.
Saturday options the Capturing Stars contest, the three-point contest and the dunk contest. Damian Lillard is seeking to take his third three-point crown in 4 years, whereas Jaxson Hayes headlines a dunk contest which could have a brand new winner after Mac McClung gained the final three contests in a row.
