The NBA is having one of the most entertaining seasons in years and its biggest stars will converge in New York City for a mid-season celebration. All-Star weekend offers something for everyone, from a chance to meet the league’s up-and-coming players in the Rising Stars Challenge to the main even, the All-Star game, in which the best the Eastern and Western Conferences have to offer match up against each other. The three-day gathering will feature nine events in total.
NBA All-Star Weekend schedule 2015: Basketball’s best converge on New York
A full guide to all the events at the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The celebrity game on Friday night is an annual tradition in which stars from the entertainment industry as well as the political sphere share the court with NBA legends and WNBA stars. This year the game will feature comedian Kevin Hart, little league star Mo'ne Davis, America's got talent host Nick Cannon, Memphis Grizzlies owner Robert Pera and member of the Dream Team Chris Mullin, among others. Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and film director and Knicks superfan Spike Lee will be the coaches.
After the celebrity game, the young players take center stage for the Rising Stars Challenge. This year there's a twist, as the contest will pit America vs. the rest of the world, showcasing the league's international flavor as well as introducing a the best homegrown talent to the public. Former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams and FIBA World Cup winner Mason Plumlee headline the U.S. Team while Canadian rookie phenom Andrew Wiggins and the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetekounmpo, will lead the World Team.
The Shooting Stars competition kicks off Saturday action. A WNBA star, an NBA star and an NBA legend team up to compete in a shooting exhibition that shows off their touch from all over the court, including from mid-court. Chris Bosh, Dominque Wilkins and Swin Cash have won the last two events. After that, the league’s best guards get to demonstrate their ability on the Skills Challenge. Dribbling, passing and shooting are all put to the test on an obstacle course. Damian Lillard, winner of the past two editions, won’t be there to defend his crown so someone new will hoist the trophy this year.
The three-point shooting contest is next on the schedule and this year it's threatening the slam dunk contest's place as Saturday's most anticipated event. It will feature a star-packed group, headlined by MVP candidate Stephen Curry and the league's best outside shooter, Kyle Korver. Other two All-Stars, Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, will participate as well, while snipers Wesley Matthews and J.J. Redick will try to pull off the upset. No one has ever had a perfect score but if anyone can, is one of these guys.
The slam-dunk contest closes the evening with some of the league's best leapers competing for dominance. After a confusing rule change for last season's contest, the league has gone back to basics and will have four players competing against each other. The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nets' Mason Plumlee, the Magic's Victor Oladipo and high-flying Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine are some of the best young dunkers in the league and will square off trying to stamp their names next to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant on the winner's list.
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The D-League All-Star game is Sunday's appetizer before the main event, the NBA All-Star game closes the festivities. The biggest stars in the league will face off representing the East and the West. Atlanta Hawks' Mike Bundeholzer will coach starters LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, John Wall and Pau Gasol for the East and Golden State Warriors' Steve Kerr will roam the sidelines when Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Rich Harden and Marc Gasol take the court for tip off for the West. Anthony Davis announced on Wednesday he would miss the All-Star Game, with his replacement in the West starting lineup not yet revealed.
The All-Star game is usually a big highlight reel until the final minutes, when competitive nature kicks in and everyone wants to win. Last season’s MVP Kyrie Irving will be there and Tim Duncan will be making his 15th appearance.
Schedule and TV
Sprint Celebrity Game
Date: Friday, Feb 13.
Time: 7 p.m. ET.
Place: Madison Square Garden.
TV: ESPN
Participants: Kevin Hart, Ansel Elgort, Anthony Anderson, Common, Mo’ne Davis, Win Butler, Chadwick Boseman, Nick Cannon, Alan Houston, Chris Mullin, Blake Leeper, Michael Rapaport, Robert Pera, Kristen Ledlow, Abhishek Bachchan, Shoni Schimmel, Skylar Diggins and Tina Charles.
BBVA Rising Stars Challenge
Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Place: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Participants: U.S. Team: NBA Rising Stars
Degree Shooting Stars
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Time: 8:30 p.m. (First event)
Place: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Participants:
Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (Second event)
Place: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Participants:
Foot Locker Three-Point Contest
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (Third event)
Place: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Participants: Kyle Korver (Hawks), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Klay Thompson (Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Wesley Matthews (Trail Blazers), J.J. Reddick (Clippers).
Sprite Slam Dunk
Date: Saturday, Feb. 14
Time: 8:30 p.m. (Fourth event)
Place: Barclays Center
TV: TNT
Participants: Zach LaVine (Timberwolves), Victor Oladipo (Magic), Mason Plumlee (Nets) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks).
NBA D-League All-Star Game
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Place: Barclays Center
TV: NBA TV
Participants: D-League All Stars
64th NBA All-Star Game
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Place: Madison Square Garden
TV: TNT
Participants: NBA All-Stars
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