After a 2021 edition cut off from part of the festivities, and disputed over an evening in front of an almost empty room in Atlanta, the All-Star Weekend returns in a more classic formula. It’s in Cleveland, and it’s an opportunity for the NBA to celebrate its 75th anniversary with the announced presence of many legends. As in 1981 and 1997, for its 25th and then its 50th anniversary, the Salle des Cavaliers was therefore chosen for this event.
Always looking for new things, the NBA has modified the formula of the Rising Stars Challenge, but also that of the Skills Challenge, while highlighting the HBCU universities (“Historically Black Colleges and Universities”) and the youngest talents of the G-League. .
Here’s everything you need to know about it All Star Game 2022.
THE PROGRAM
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18
01:00 : Celebrity Game
3:00 : Rising Stars Challenge
SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY
8:00 p.m. : Morgan State–Howard (HBCU Classic)
2:00 : All-Star Game Contest (Skills Challenge, 3-point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest)
SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY
6:00 p.m. : NBA Legends Awards
8:00 p.m. : Ignite – Cleveland Charge (G League Next Game)
2:00 : 71st All-Star Game
Great deal: free NBA League Pass during All-Star Weekend
THE PARTICIPANTS
SLAM DUNK CONTEST
Jalen Green (Rockets), Obi Toppin (Knicks), Cole Anthony (Magic) and Juan Toscano-Anderson (Warriors)
3-POINT CONTEST
Desmond Bane (Grizzlies), CJ McCollum (Pelicans), Zach LaVine (Bulls), Luke Kennard (Clippers), Patty Mills (Nets), Karl-Anthony Towns (Wolves), Trae Young (Hawks) and Fred VanVleet (Raptors).
SKILLS CHALLENGE
Team Antetokounmpo (Giannis, Thanasis and Alex); Team Cavaliers (Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley); Team Rookies (Cade Cunningham, Josh Giddey and Scottie Barnes).
THE RISING STARS CHALLENGE TEAMS
TEAM THOMAS
Anthony Edwards, Saddiq Bey, Desmond Bane, Isaiah Stewart, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jaden Hardy.
TEAM BARRY
Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Jae’Sean Tate, Isaac Okoro, Alperen Sengun and Dyson Daniels.
TEAM PAYTON
LaMelo Ball, Scottie Barnes, Jaden McDaniels, Ayo Dosunmu, Jonathan Kuminga, Bones Hyland and Scoot Henderson.
TEAM WORTHY
Cole Anthony, Josh Giddey, Jalen Green, Herbert Jones, Jalen Suggs, Tyrese Maxey and MarJon Beauchamp.
THE RISING STARS CHALLENGE FORMULA
The NBA is testing a new format this year, with four teams, whose coaches are four legends: Rick Barry, Isiah Thomas, James Worthy and therefore Gary Payton. These four formations will face each other on Friday evening with the “Elam Ending” as a formula, with first two semi-finals, then a final. During the semi-finals, the teams will have to reach the score of 50, and the first to do so will advance to the final. The two victorious teams will then have to reach a score of 25 during the final meeting, which therefore makes 75 points in total to win the tournament, an obvious nod to the 75th season that the NBA is currently celebrating.
ALL-STAR GAME TEAMS
| TEAM LEBRON | TEAM DURING |
|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) | Joel Embiid (Sixers) |
| Stephen Curry (Warriors) | Ja Morant (Grizzlies) |
| DeMar DeRozan (Bulls) | Jayson Tatum (Celtics) |
| Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) | Trae Young (Hawks) |
| Luka Doncic (Mavericks) | Andrew Wiggins (Warriors) |
| Darius Garland (Horsemen) | Devin Booker (Suns) |
| Chris Paul (Suns) | Karl Anthony Towns (Wolves) |
| Jimmy Butler (Heat) | Zach LaVine (Bulls) |
| Donovan Mitchell (Jazz) | Dejounte Murray (Spurs) |
| Fred VanVleet (Raptors) | Khris Middleton (Bucks) |
| Jarrett Allen (Horsemen) | LaMelo Ball (Hornets) |
| Rudy Gobert (Jazz) |
THE ALL-STAR GAME FORMULA
As in 2020 in 2021, the NBA has opted for the “Elam Ending” formula. We recall the principle: independent quarters, and counters reset for the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and finally an accumulation of points to attack the 4th with a score to reach to win the match.
In tribute to Kobe Bryant, whose MVP trophy bears his name, it will be necessary to reach 24 points more than the highest total at the start of the 4th quarter.
TELEVISION
NBA League Pass (free trial for one week)
Bein Sports (Friday, from 2 a.m. on BeIN Sports 1)
