The 2023 NBA All-Star Game concluded a weekend full of festivities as Boston Celtics star and All-Star MVP Jayson Tatum poured in 55 points to lead Team Giannis over Team LeBron 184-175 on Sunday at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who suffered a wrist injury last week, scored the first two points of the night before sitting out the rest of the game. LeBron James played in just the first half after suffering a right hand contusion on a block attempt.
For Team Giannis, Donovan Mitchell scored 40 and Damian Lillard had 26, including the winning shot. For Team LeBron, Jaylen Brown tallied 35, while Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving both netted 32 points each.
NBA All-Star Saturday began with the skills challenge won by the hometown favorite Team Jazz. Lillard won the 3-point contest in his third appearance in the event, and Mac McClung gave the ultimate grand finale in his dunk contest win. Grambling State defeated Southern 69-64 in overtime in the NBA HBCU Classic on Saturday.
On Friday night, Jose Alvarado was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge for Team Pau, which beat Team Joakim in the title game of the mini-tournament. NFL star DK Metcalf led Team Wade to a 81-78 victory over Team Ryan in the celebrity game.
Grading every player on Team LeBron and Team Giannis
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who earned MVP honors with a historic performance, broke the All-Star Game record with 55 points to lead Team Giannis to a long-awaited victory. Tatum obviously earned an A. What about the rest of the players in Sunday's showcase event?
Kevin Pelton: How did the starters and reserves do?
NBA All-Star draft results
TEAM LEBRON
Starters
LeBron James, Lakers (captain)
Joel Embiid, 76ers
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Reserves
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Jaylen Brown, Celtics
Paul George, Clippers
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Julius Randle, Knicks
De'Aaron Fox, Kings
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
TEAM GIANNIS
Starters
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (captain)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Lauri Markkanen, Jazz
Reserves
Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Jrue Holiday, Bucks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
DeMar DeRozan, Bulls
Pascal Siakam, Raptors
Bam Adebayo, Heat
Domantas Sabonis, Kings
ESPN's NBA All-Star Game mock draft
All-Star Saturday Night: Lillard, McClung, Team Jazz win
Team Jazz -- Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler -- won the All-Star Skills Challenge, beating out Team Antetokounmpo and Team Rookies in the process. Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard won his first 3-point contest, but Philadelphia 76ers two-way player Mac McClung stole the show with jaw-dropping dunks to win the slam dunk contest.
Kevin Pelton: Grading every event on All-Star Saturday
The Elam Ending has revived the All-Star Game
Nick Elam spent years perfecting the Elam Ending, in which two teams would instead play to a final target score instead of playing until the clock hit zeros in the fourth quarter. The NBA All-Star Game lacked competitiveness and was in dire need of a facelift, so the league called Elam to fix the problem. The result was one of the most entertaining All-Star games in recent history. Read more here.
Alvarado wins Rising Stars MVP
New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado's drifting 3-pointer clinched a 25-20 win for Team Pau (Gasol) over Team Joakim (Noah) in the title game of the Rising Stars event Friday at All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City. The win capped a memorable day for Gasol, who was named a Basketball Hall of Fame finalist earlier Friday. Read more here.
Kevin Pelton: Grading Paolo Banchero, Jose Alvarado and every player in the Rising Stars
Best-case All-Star comps for 2022-23 freshman class
NBA All-Star Weekend is underway, which means it's time for our second look at the ESPN Rookie Power Rankings. For each player in our top 10, we will provide a player comparison of a former or current NBA All-Star whom each rookie projects to be like if he can reach his full potential. We rate the top first-year players based on their success to this point, as opposed to future potential. Read more here.
NBA All-Star Weekend picks and best bets
Who are the players and teams to bet on at the 2023 during NBA All-Star weekend? Which events should you stay away from? And which longshots could be worth a look? Here are ESPN's betting experts Doug Kezirian, André Snellings and Eric Moody to offer up who they are looking at this weekend. Read more here.
2023 NBA All-Star rosters
The All-Star starters have been revealed, and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will be team captains.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant will not play in the All-Star Game as he continues to recover from a sprained MCL, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Durant's replacement has not yet been named. New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson also will not play as he is rehabs a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez.
Boston Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla and his staff will coach Team Giannis. Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone and his staff will coach Team LeBron.
Fans account for 50% of the votes, while NBA players and a media panel account for 25% each.
STARTERS
Eastern Conference
Coach: Joe Mazzulla and staff, Boston Celtics
Giannis Antetokounmpo, C, Milwaukee Bucks
Kyrie Irving, G, Brooklyn Nets
Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Durant, F, Brooklyn Nets
*Out due to injury
Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics
Western Conference
Coach: Michael Malone and staff, Denver Nuggets
LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers
Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets
Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors
*Out due to injury
Luka Doncic, G, Dallas Mavericks
Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans
*Out due to injury
Three voting groups determined the starters:
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 27, 2023
• Fans (50%)
• NBA players (25%)
• Media panel 25%)
Complete voting results here: https://t.co/M8btg7M0GP
Below are the overall scores for the top finishers at each position. pic.twitter.com/HQ9W20Z6Ke
RESERVES
Eastern Conference
Jaylen Brown, G, Boston Celtics
Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Demar DeRozan, G, Chicago Bulls
Julius Randle, F, New York Knicks
Jrue Holiday, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana Pacers
Pascal Siakam, F, Toronto Raptors
*Injury replacement
Western Conference
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
Paul George, G, Los Angeles Clippers
Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies
Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Memphis Grizzlies
Domantas Sabonis, F, Sacramento Kings
Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
*Injury replacement
De'Aaron Fox, G, Sacramento Kings
*Injury replacement
Embiid, Markkanen and Morant will be starters due to the injuries to Durant, Curry and Williamson
James and Antetokounmpo will select their teams in a draft held immediately before the All-Star Game. The captains will pick their reserves first before picking starters.
James has been a captain in each of the five seasons the NBA has used this format. He has drafted against Curry, Antetokounmpo (twice) and Durant (twice). Team LeBron has won the past five All-Star Games.
Team LeBron will play for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah and Team Giannis will play for Raise the Future. In total, the game will raise more than $750,000 for the Utah community.
All-Star Saturday night participants revealed
The participants have been named for the All-Star Saturday's events (8 p.m. ET, TNT) in Salt Lake City, including the skills competition, the 3-point contest and the dunk contest. It'll be a particularly busy weekend for 11 players who are now slotted to be in multiple events during the three days of action in Utah. Read more
SKILLS CHALLENGE
Antetokounmpos
Alex Antetokounmpo, Wisconsin Herd
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Utah Jazz
Rooks
Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
The Kia Skills Challenge participants and teams ⬇️
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 15, 2023
Event format and rules: https://t.co/VAIPdW1jWl pic.twitter.com/ur44fm07JN
SLAM DUNK CONTEST
Judges: Jamal Crawford, Lisa Leslie, Karl Malone, Harold Miner and Dominique Wilkins.
Kenyon Martin Jr., Houston Rockets
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
Mac McClung, Philadelphia 76ers
3-POINT CONTEST
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers
ESPN's experts weigh in on starters and reserves
Things heated up quickly when the All-Star starters were announced on Jan. 26 and there were several new names on the coveted list. Our NBA insiders break down the biggest snubs, surprises and selections on the roster. More from our insiders
A week later, things got interesting in the NBA world when the All-Star reserves were revealed, but some of the biggest names in basketball being left out of the game entirely. More from our insiders
The 2023 NBA All-Snub Team
When the All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday night, there were bound to be some deserving players left off of the list. After all, there are only 14 spots. ESPN's Marc Spears breaks down the top players who should've made the roster. Read more
2023 Rising Stars Challenge Roster
Friday's Rising Stars Challenge (9 p.m. ET, TNT) will feature a mini-tournament with four teams and three games. There are 21 NBA players to be drafted onto three teams and seven G League players will comprise the fourth team. Honorary coaches are Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Jason Terry and Deron Williams. Each game will be played to a Final Target Score: two semifinal matchups to 40, and a championship game to 25. Read more
TEAM PAU GASOL
Jose Alvarado, G, New Orleans Pelicans
Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic
Jaden Ivey, G, Detroit Pistons
Bennedict Mathurin, G, Indiana Pacers
Keegan Murray, F, Sacramento Kings
Andrew Nembhard, G, Indiana Pacers
Scottie Barnes, F, Toronto Raptors
TEAM JOAKIM NOAH
Josh Giddey, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jalen Williams, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
* Tari Eason, F, Houston Rockets
Quentin Grimes, G, New York Knicks
Evan Mobley, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jeremy Sochan, F, San Antonio Spurs
Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets
* Replaces injured forward Jalen Duren
TEAM DERON WILLIAMS
Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets
Trey Murphy III, G, New Orleans Pelicans
* Ayo Dosunmu, G, Chicago Bulls
Franz Wagner, F, Orlando Magic
* Replaces injured guard Jalen Green
TEAM JASON TERRY (G League)
Scoot Henderson, G, Ignite
Sidy Cissoko, G, Ignite
Mojave King, F, Ignite
Kenneth Lofton Jr., F, Memphis Hustle
Leonard Miller, F, Ignite
Mac McClung, G, Delaware Blue Coats
Scotty Pippen Jr., G, South Bay Lakers
Celebrity game: It's Team Wade vs. Team Ryan
Janelle Monae, Calvin Johnson, Kane Brown and Simu Liu are just a few of the participants who will be playing in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, set for Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN and will be available to stream on the ESPN App.
New this year, each team captain will have the ability to activate "Ruffles Crunch Time," which starts a two-minute period in which point values are doubled. Additionally, the Celebrity Game's "Unlock a Legend" feature will return in 2023, giving a team the ability to add an NBA player to its roster midgame.
Check out the full rosters for this year's celebrity event:
🌟 The 2023 #RufflesCelebGame rosters! 🌟#RufflesCelebGame: Friday, Feb. 17 on ESPN pic.twitter.com/v3MVQ7WP2q
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023
These players stand to make some extra dough
There are seven players who are eligible to receive a bonus if they are selected as a reserve to the All-Star Game, five of whom have a legitimate chance of being selected to one of the final spots (sorry, Buddy Hield and Collin Sexton). The reserves will be announced on Thursday. Read more from Bobby Marks in The Hoop Collective
2023 NBA All-Star schedule
Friday
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN and the ESPN App)
NBA Rising Stars Challenge, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
Saturday
NBA HBCU Classic: Grambling State vs. Southern, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN2 and the ESPN App)
NBA All-Star Saturday (skills challenge, 3-point contest, dunk contest), 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
Sunday
72nd NBA All-Star Game, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
2023 All-Star news and analysis
• Jayson Tatum scores All-Star record 55 points, wins MVP
• NBA 2023 All-Star Game mock draft: Who will be the top picks for Team LeBron and Team Giannis?
• Hometown Team Utah wins All-Star Skills Challenge
• Thank the Elam Ending for the thrilling fourth-quarter finish in Salt Lake City
• Grading Paolo Banchero, Jose Alvarado and every player in the Rising Stars
• NBA alters All-Star Game draft; starters to be picked last
• NBA All-Star Weekend picks and best bets
• NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Best-case All-Star comps for 2022-23 freshman class
• Giannis, Damian Lillard among All-Star Saturday participants
• NBA 5-on-5: Our experts break down 2023 All-Star reserves
• Joel Embiid, Ja Morant headline 2023 NBA All-Star reserves
• Nuggets' Michael Malone to coach Team LeBron in All-Star Game
• Magic's Paolo Banchero headlines squad for NBA's Rising Stars
• Celtics' Joe Mazzulla to coach Team Giannis in All-Star Game
• These players stand to make extra dough with All-Star selections
• LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo voted as All-Star captains
• NBA All-Star captains picking rosters live on night of game
• Giannis, KD 1-2 in the East, LeBron tops in NBA All-Star voting
NBA All-Star history
2021: Team LeBron 170, Team Durant 150 | MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
2020: Team LeBron 157, Team Giannis 155 | MVP: Kawhi Leonard
2015: West 163, East 158 | MVP: Russell Westbrook
2012:West 152, East 149 | MVP: Kevin Durant
2009: West 146, East 119 | MVP: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal
2008: East 134, West 128 | MVP: LeBron James
2007: West 153, East 132 | MVP: Kobe Bryant
2006: East 122, West 120 | MVP: LeBron James
2005: East 125, West 115 | MVP: Allen Iverson
2004: West 136, East 132 | MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
2003: West 155, East 145 (2OT) | MVP: Kevin Garnett
2002: West 135, East 120 | MVP: Kobe Bryant
2001: East 111, West 110 | MVP: Allen Iverson
2000: West 137, East 126 | MVP: Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal
1999: Game canceled due to lockout
1998: East 135, West 114 | MVP: Michael Jordan
1997: East 132, West 120 | MVP: Glen Rice
1996: East 129, West 118 | MVP: Michael Jordan
1995: West 139, East 112 | MVP: Mitch Richmond
1994: East 127, West 118 | MVP: Scottie Pippen
1993: West 135, East 132 (OT) | MVP: Karl Malone and John Stockton
1992: West 153, East 113 | MVP: Magic Johnson
1991: East 116, West 114 | MVP: Charles Barkley
1990: East 130, West 113 | MVP: Magic Johnson
1989: West 143, East 134 | MVP: Karl Malone
1988: East 138, West 133 | MVP: Michael Jordan
1987: West 154, East 149 (OT) | MVP: Tom Chambers
1986: East 139, West 132 | MVP: Isiah Thomas
1985: West 140, East 129 | MVP: Ralph Sampson
1984: East 154, West 145 (OT) | MVP: Isiah Thomas
1983: East 132, West 123 | MVP: Julius Erving
1982: East 120, West 118 | MVP: Larry Bird
1981: East 123, West 120 | MVP: Nate Archibald
1980: East 144, West 136 (OT) | MVP: George Gervin
1979: West 134, East 129 | MVP: David Thompson
1978: East 133, West 125 | MVP: Randy Smith
1977: West 125, East 124 | MVP: Julius Erving
1976: East 123, West 109 | MVP: Dave Bing
1975: East 108, West 102 | MVP: Walt Frazier
1974: West 134, East 123 | MVP: Bob Lanier
1973: East 104, West 84 | MVP: Dave Cowens
1972: West 112, East 110 | MVP: Jerry West
1971: West 108, East 107 | MVP: Lenny Wilkens
1970: East 142, West 135 | MVP: Willis Reed
1969: East 123, West 112 | MVP: Oscar Robertson
1968: East 144, West 124 | MVP: Hal Greer
1967: West 135, East 120 | MVP: Rick Barry
1966: East 137, West 94 | MVP: Adrian Smith
1965: East 124, West 123 | MVP: Jerry Lucas
1964: East 111, West 107 | MVP: Oscar Robertson
1963: East 115, West 108 | MVP: Bill Russell
1962: West 150, East 130 | MVP: Bob Pettit
1961: West 153, East 131 | MVP: Oscar Robertson
1960: East 125, West 115 | MVP: Wilt Chamberlain
1959: West 124, East 108 | MVP: Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit
1958: East 130, West 118 | MVP: Bob Pettit
1957: East 109, West 97 | MVP: Bob Cousy
1956: West 108, East 94 | MVP: Bob Pettit
1955: East 100, West 91 | MVP: Bill Sharman
1954: East 98, West 93 (OT) | MVP: Bob Cousy
1953: West 79, East 75 | MVP: George Mikan
1952: East 108, West 91 | MVP: Paul Arizin
1951: East 111, West 94 | MVP: Ed Macauley