NBA All-Star Game 2023

Team James features Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving while Team Antetokounmpo includes Jayson Tatum and Ja Morant.

[Lauri Markkanen](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/lauri-markkanen-Ji3rG8vmasLxNWy8/)(Mr. [Anthony Edwards](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/anthony-edwards-od38ONt5aEAWM6H0/), the youngest player in the All-Star Game at 21. He starred here for six years before being traded to [Cleveland](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/cavaliers/)last summer. [Donovan Mitchell](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/donovan-mitchell-c5XmTqu40nNV02JE/), also on Team Giannis, showed out with 40 points in his return to Vivint Arena. [Jrue Holiday](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jrue-holiday-F5hrjac6YFBzx2nI/)(his Milwaukee teammate), [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/shai-gilgeous-alexander-Ghni3y9TrL9rBSl5/)(after mistakenly drafting [Ja Morant](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/ja-morant-O9seJiOia3fxGmjz/), who is a starter and therefore not yet eligible), [DeMar DeRozan](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/demar-derozan-1sVXxgSdLOq7XZwu/), [Pascal Siakam](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/pascal-siakam-O4WMbrh2Eb51D9jq/), [Bam Adebayo](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/bam-adebayo-cAqXbfeLJ8pkYCjZ/), Domantas Sabonis.LeBron’s bench went, in order: Jaylen Brown, [Paul George](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/paul-george-kIIUTtsJtSpaZfu1/), [Tyrese Haliburton](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/tyrese-haliburton-kd4uq1u3TjLLcGlB/), [Julius Randle](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/julius-randle-ZOBqK4RMFKL7YI2Q/), [De’Aaron Fox](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/deaaron-fox-HK4MAggNlmQ7dgSa/), [Jaren Jackson Jr.](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jaren-jackson-jr-3KAZAQAjmgeKKdDD/) [Luka Doncic](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/luka-doncic-gMyReUOesjAikT7S/), [Nikola Jokic](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/nikola-jokic-bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr/)(two-time MVP, playing on his 28th birthday). Tatum scored 27 in the third quarter en route to his first All-Star MVP.

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game caps off a weekend of activities in Salt Lake City. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain the game, which starts at ...

SALT LAKE CITY — The 2023 NBA All-Star Game is finally here. The Sunday showcase will be held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. The team captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — will draft their teams directly before the game in a ...

Tatum also set the record for most points in a single quarter with 27 in the third.

Tatum caught fire from downtown, and put on a brilliant display of shot-making that included a 43-second span where he made three pull-up 3s in a row. In addition to his 55 points, he added 10 rebounds and six assists in a strong all-around performance befitting his vast array of talents. [Giannis Antetokounmpo's](/nba/players/2067655/giannis-antetokounmpo/) first pick during the starters portion of the pre-game draft, and that turned out to be a terrific decision.

Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James' perfect 5-0 record as an NBA All-Star Game captain has come to an end after his team was defeated 184-175 by Team ...

He finished the night with 13 points and four assists. “So, I’ll hold it for as long as I can but I’m certain someone will come along in a couple of years and try to break it.” During halftime, the league honored James, who broke the NBA scoring record earlier this month. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum finished the game with a game-high 55 points, setting a new All-Star Game record. James was ruled out of the game after suffering a hand injury, after apparently hitting his hand on the rim in the first half, according to the TNT broadcast. “You think of all the legends and great players to play in this game and in all honesty, records are meant to be broken,” Tatum said on the TNT broadcast after the game.

From All-Star Game MVP Jayson Tatum to inflatable mascots and everything in between, your winners and loses from the NBA's weekend in Salt Lake City.

The Celtics star topped Anthony Davis' mark by scoring 55 points for Team Giannis.

Louis with a ball and a dream." [#NBAAllStar] [pic.twitter.com/MxQGu8iQgw] [February 20, 2023] [#NBAAllStar] [pic.twitter.com/l2jZZD6LTc] [February 20, 2023] [#NBAAllStar] [pic.twitter.com/Q4h1CexBD0] [February 20, 2023] [#NBAAllStar] [pic.twitter.com/iZxrPxuGt3] [February 20, 2023] 18, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers. The 73rd annual NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. They produce plenty of highlights, but this setting just isn't ideal for them. This is a game about fast-paced entertainment value. It seems as though your best bet to thrive in this game is to be a small, athletic guard that can make 3-pointers in bunches. The All-Star Game capped off an eventful weekend in Salt Lake City. In the end, Jayson Tatum stole the show as the Celtics star earned MVP honors after breaking Anthony Davis' All-Star Game scoring record with 55 points in the victory.

Who stood out, for better or worse, in Salt Lake City? We break down Jayson Tatum's MVP, Mac McClung's win, and more from the star-studded festivities.

Maybe it was gamesmanship, maybe it was a favor to the NBA (after all, half the event was known as Team Giannis). If the pass is imprecise, the timing is off, or the dunk is missed, the element of surprise is gone and Murphy gets eliminated. The Elam Ending was praised as a savior concept for the All-Star Game itself, but watching the first three quarters was like getting a basketball lobotomy. [repeatedly and soundly dismissed the notion this weekend](https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2023/02/19/ja-morant-dunk-contest-nba-all-star-game/69921796007/). Mann: It could just be me—I’ve seen a bunch of these—but it definitely feels like All-Star Weekend is teetering on the edge of a cliff before this event enters a real era of free fall. Look, is it weird for a G League player to win the Dunk Contest? Kyle Mann:](https://www.theringer.com/authors/j-kyle-mann) The distance between his status among all the greatest basketball players in the world and his level of giving a shit this weekend is immeasurable. But when you consider that 99 percent of people in attendance didn’t know who he was entering the weekend, you’ve got to give it up to McClung for making sure everyone remembers his name. Early on and throughout long stretches of the game, several stars jostled for the trophy, but Tatum eventually separated himself from a pack that was highlighted by Donovan Mitchell (in what would’ve been a very sweet homecoming), Kyrie Irving, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown, who engaged his Celtics teammate in several friendly but spirited one-on-one clashes in the middle of the game. When turnovers, errant shots, and wasted possessions don’t translate to regular-season losses, the court becomes a playground for them to freestyle and test the limits of their ability. Sohi: For the second year in a row, LeBron and Giannis, the respective captains of the Western and Eastern Conference teams, chose their players in a pickup-style draft. Was it Mac McClung emerging from anonymity to win the Dunk Contest?

Jayson Tatum took over the NBA All-Star Game, setting the record for the most points scored in the annual showcase with 55 as Team Giannis beat Team LeBron ...

Malone didn't mince words after the non-competitive exhibition, adding 'I don't know how you fix it'

These are the elite of the elite, and they're simply not going to risk their health for a game that ultimately has no bearing on standings. In the process, he caught his hand on the rim and was ruled out for the second half due to the injury. We really don't need a traditional All-Star Game if this is gonna be the product. Joel was imploring some of the guys to play harder, to try to get some defense in. It's an honor to be a part of a great weekend, great players. Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron on Sunday, 184-175, in a game that largely more closely resembled a layup line or shooting practice than a competitive basketball game between the world's best athletes.

The NBA All-Star game had an Afrobeats-themed halftime show with Nigerian artists Burna Boy, Tems and Rema. Watch their performances here.

[during Super Bowl halftime show](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/12/rihanna-expecting-second-child-pregnancy-announcement-super-bowl-halftime-show/11245955002/) Rema came in next to deliver "Calm Down" and "Holiday." [during the Super Bowl halftime show](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/13/asap-rocky-cheers-pregnant-rihanna-super-bowl-halftime-celebrities-react/11245336002/) [Jewel](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/04/15/jewel-talks-masked-singer-win-new-album-freewheelin-woman/7310373001/), a Utah native, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the game; [Post Malone](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/15/jewel-post-malone-vin-diesel-to-perform-at-all-star-game/51290337/) did a medley of "Wow" and "Rockstar" after LeBron James and Antetokounmpo drafted their teams; and Jully Black sang the Canadian national anthem before the game. [Rihanna](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/02/15/rihanna-british-vogue-baby-asap-rocky-new-music/11263923002/) set a high bar for halftime performances at the [Super Bowl ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/12/rihanna-expecting-second-child-pregnancy-announcement-super-bowl-halftime-show/11245955002/)last weekend, and [Burna Boy](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/05/grammy-2023-full-winners-list/11191068002/), [Tems](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/28/rihanna-releases-new-music-for-black-panther-lift-me-up/10616226002/) and [Rema ](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/12/23/barack-obama-2022-favorites-books-movies-songs/10948842002/)were able to keep the bar elevated at [NBA All-Star Weekend](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/15/2023-nba-all-star-game-players-teams-scoring-format-how-watch/11265847002/) in Salt Lake City Sunday night. [Burna Boy](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/08/13/beyonce-black-is-king-burna-boy-davido-african-artists-listen/3343901001/), Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated singer [Tems](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/10/28/rihanna-releases-new-music-for-black-panther-lift-me-up/10616226002/) and rapper Rema — doing an Afrobeats-themed performance.

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone had a front-row seat at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and he was not impressed with the players' effort.

"There was no effort whatsoever," Smith said. In recent years, the league Malone coached Team LeBron in the game. "… NBA viewing future, more](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/20/nba-all-star-weekend-game-takeaways/11305187002/) [scored 55 points to break the All-Star game scoring record](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2023/02/19/tatum-scores-all-star-record-55-team-giannis-wins-184-175/69923347007/).