NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2018 recap: Highlights, reactions, stats

We live blogged the All-Star celebrity game. All times Eastern! For full rosters, go here.

Full highlights below!

9:30 p.m. — We had some technical difficulties because Russia is trying to deny us from fully appreciating the celebrity game. Here’s the second half highlights:

8:48 p.m. — Look, they called a foul on Quavo here, but I’m officially here to say that this game is rigged and that was totally clean.

8:31 p.m. — Michael B. Jordan is IN THE GAME.

8:07 p.m. — League sources involved with this event have hooked me up with box scores, hilariously.

Andre De Grasse leads all scorers with 11 points, and he botched a wide-open layup, too! As it turns out, it’s slightly unfair to bring a recent Olympian to these games.

8:02 p.m. — Candace Parker draws a blocking foul and she almost got a half-courter to fall, too. Man! That would’ve might’ve made this all worth it.

8:01 p.m. — I’m so happy poor Mark Jones got a real NBA player to talk to during the past few minutes. Al Horford, because he is a grown up and not a small child actor put in a ridiculous circumstance, could hold a conversation!

7:56 p.m. — Marc Lasry the type of dude to buy an entire NBA team just so he can play in the Celebrity Game every year.

7:54 p.m. — Paul Pierce and Tracy McGrady are kinda sorta taking things seriously.

7:50 p.m. — Brandon Armstrong misses again and should probably try impersonating a basketball player who isn’t himself.

7:48 p.m. — Bubba Watson catching a leak out pass, thinking about a 20-foot jumper, and then driving the lane only to have Tracy McGrady destroy his layup is basically you saying “yeah, I’ll go to one more bar” at midnight and then suddenly it’s 4 a.m. and you’re making my Uber driving play Usher’s “Confessions, Pt. II” so you can sing along.

7:42 p.m. — The first quarter is done and the score is 19-13. I’m pretty mad there’s no live updating box score, but also grateful. Technology is a hell of a thing but maybe that’s one improvement we don’t need.

7:40 p.m. — “He is in some ways the Justin Bieber of China,” reads Mark Jones off his cheat sheet, desperately needing a double whiskey coke right about now. He better get a raise after slogging through this.

7:38 p.m. — The basketball, well ... it’s bad. Very bad, folks.

7:35 p.m. — This Issac Brown kid is way more successful than me but also wow this is a hilariously bad interview. Mark Jones can’t believe this is his job.

7:29 p.m. — I don’t know what a ‘Sterling Brim’ is but dude’s got a smooth jumper. Wait hahaha they showed his name on the screen and described his celebrity as “small role in Hardball” CAN YOU SHOW THE MAN AT LEAST A TINY BIT OF RESPECT PLEASE?

7:23 p.m. — I respect this.

7:15 p.m. — Let’s set some over/unders right now.

7:05 p.m. — First, Nick Cannon has played in the celebrity game 10 times!? I really can’t decide if I should be impressed. Second, the PA announcer wasn’t holding back — “a name that has become synonymous with ridiculous shot selection and bad defense, Nick Cannon.” I respect that.

Actors, actresses, musicians, former NBA stars, and more will play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game as All-Star Weekend opens. You can watch some of your favorite stars compete on the hardwood at 7 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN (live stream).

Since the All-Star Game will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles, the teams are named in honor of the hosts, Team Lakers and Team Clippers. Rachel Nichols, who hosts The Jump, will coach Team Lakers. Nick Cannon, NBA legends Tracy McGrady and Nate Robinson, and Jerry Ferrara are a few people who will play on the Team Lakers squad.

Katie Nolan, an ESPN commentator, will oversee Team Clippers. NBA veteran Jason Williams, Jamie Foxx, Common, and Anthony Anderson are among those who will play on Nolan’s team.

The NBA added a new wrinkle to this contest. This year’s All-Star Celebrity Game will include a new four-point line, which is called “The Ridge,” sponsored by Ruffles potato chips. Ruffles will donate $4,000 for each shot made.

Last year, Brandon Armstrong won the MVP honors by finishing the game with 16 points and 15 rebounds.