2023 NBA All-Star Game explained

2023 NBA All-Star Game
Visitor:Team Giannis
Home:Team LeBron
Visitor Total:184
Home Total:175
Visitor Qtr1:46
Visitor Qtr2:53
Visitor Qtr3:59
Visitor Qtr4:26
Home Qtr1:46
Home Qtr2:46
Home Qtr3:49
Home Qtr4:34
Date:February 19, 2023
Arena:Vivint Arena
City:Salt Lake City
Mvp:Jayson Tatum (Team Giannis)
Anthem:Jully Black (Canadian)
Jewel (American)
Halftime:Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema
Network:TNT
TBS (as all-star game)
Announcers:Brian Anderson, Reggie Miller, Candace Parker, and Dennis Scott (All-Star Game, TNT)
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Draymond Green (Inside the All-Star Game, TBS)
Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Draymond Green, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O'Neal, and Adam Lefkoe (All-Star Saturday Night)
Adam Lefkoe, Jamal Crawford, Candace Parker, and Stephanie Ready (Rising Stars Tournament)
Prev Year:2022
Next Year:2024

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on February 19, 2023, during the National Basketball Association's 2022–23 season, held on the 30th anniversary of the first All-Star Game held in Salt Lake City in 1993. It was the 72nd edition of the event.[1] The game was hosted by the Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena (later Delta Center), and was televised nationally by TNT for the 21st consecutive year.

The announcement of the site selection was made on October 23, 2019, at a press conference held by the NBA and the Jazz.[2] [3] [4]

Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184–175. It was Team Giannis' first All-Star Game victory, handing Team LeBron their first (and only) loss in such game. Jayson Tatum scored an All-Star Game record 55 points, and was named All-Star Game MVP. This also marked the last NBA All-Star Game using the format with the team captains' names on their teams, as the NBA announced the return to the East vs. West format in October 2023.[5]

All-Star Game

Coaches

Joe Mazzulla, coach of the Boston Celtics, qualified as the head coach of Team Giannis on January 30.[6] Michael Malone, coach of the Denver Nuggets, qualified as the head coach of Team LeBron on February 1.[7]

Rosters

As had been the case in previous years, the rosters for the All-Star Game were selected through a voting process. The fans could vote through the NBA website as well as through their Google account. The starters were chosen by the fans, media, and current NBA players. Fans made up 50% of the vote, and NBA players and media each comprised 25% of the vote. The two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest cumulative vote totals in each conferences were named the All-Star starters and two players in each conferences with the highest votes were named team captains.[8] NBA head coaches voted for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which could be players from their own team. Each coach selected two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, with each selected player ranked in order of preference within each category. If a multi-position player was to be selected, coaches were encouraged to vote for the player at the position that was "most advantageous for the All-Star team", regardless of where the player was listed on the All-Star ballot or the position he was listed in box scores.[9]

The All-Star Game starters were announced on January 26, 2023. Kyrie Irving of Brooklyn Nets (who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on February 6) and Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers were announced as of the starting guards for the East, earning their eighth and fourth all-star appearances respectively. Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets (who was traded to the Phoenix Suns on February 8) were named the frontcourt starters in the East, earning their fourth and 13th all-star appearances, respectively. Joining the East frontcourt was Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, his seventh all-star selection.[10] Durant and Irving's trades to West teams means that only 3 of the 5 East starters will be representing East teams at the time of the ASG.

Additionally, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks were named to the starting backcourt in the West, earning their ninth and fourth all-star appearances respectively. In the frontcourt, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers earned his 19th all-star appearance, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most appearances in NBA history. Joining James in the frontcourt were Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, earning their second and fifth all-star appearances, respectively.[10]

The All-Star Game reserves were announced on February 2, 2023. The West reserves included Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers, his eighth selection; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, his first selection; Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, his first selection; Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, his seventh selection; Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, his first selection; Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, his second selection; and Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings, his third selection.[11]

The East reserves included Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, his second selection; Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, his second selection; DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls, his sixth selection; Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, his sixth selection; Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, his first selection; Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks, his second selection; and Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, his second selection.[11]

After injuries were reported from Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Zion Williamson, the NBA announced that Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, and De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings would replace them as participants in the all-star game.[12] [13]

Eastern Conference All-Stars
PosPlayerTeamNo. of selections
Starters
GKyrie IrvingDallas Mavericks8
GDonovan MitchellCleveland Cavaliers4
FGiannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks7
FKevin DurantPhoenix Suns13
FJayson TatumBoston Celtics4
Reserves
GJaylen Brown2
GDeMar DeRozanChicago Bulls6
GTyrese HaliburtonIndiana Pacers1
GJrue HolidayMilwaukee Bucks2
FJulius RandleNew York Knicks2
CBam AdebayoMiami Heat2
CJoel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers6
FPascal SiakamToronto Raptors2
Western Conference All-Stars
PosPlayerTeamNo. of selections
Starters
GStephen CurryGolden State Warriors9
GLuka DončićDallas Mavericks4
CNikola JokićDenver Nuggets5
FLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers19
FZion WilliamsonNew Orleans Pelicans2
Reserves
GShai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder1
GDamian LillardPortland Trail Blazers7
GJa MorantMemphis Grizzlies2
FPaul GeorgeLos Angeles Clippers8
FJaren Jackson Jr.Memphis Grizzlies1
FLauri MarkkanenUtah Jazz1
CDomantas SabonisSacramento Kings3
GAnthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves1
GDe'Aaron FoxSacramento Kings1
NotesItalics indicates leading vote-getters per conference. Stephen Curry was unable to play due to a leg injury.[14]
Kevin Durant was unable to play due to a knee injury.[14]
Zion Williamson was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.[14]
Pascal Siakam was selected as Kevin Durant's replacement.[14]
Anthony Edwards was selected as Zion Williamson's replacement.[14]
De'Aaron Fox was selected as Stephen Curry's replacement.[14]
Joel Embiid was selected to start in place of Kevin Durant.[14]
Ja Morant was selected to start in place of Stephen Curry.[14]
Lauri Markkanen was selected to start in place of Zion Williamson.[14]
After being announced as an Eastern Conference All-Star, Kyrie Irving was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks of the Western Conference.[15]
After being announced as an Eastern Conference All-Star, Kevin Durant was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns of the Western Conference.[16]

Draft

The NBA All-Star draft started at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT/TBS) on Sunday, Feb. 19. For the first time, the All-Star draft took place right before the game.[17] LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named captains as they both received the most votes from the West and East, respectively. Giannis selected the first reserve player and alternated picks until each bench is filled. James had the first selection of the starters as he has had the most votes overall in the balloting process.[18] The first eight players to be drafted will be starters. The next 14 players (seven from each conference) will be chosen by NBA head coaches. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select replacements for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game, choosing a player from the same conference as the player who was being replaced. His selection will join the team that drafted the replaced player. If a replaced player is a starter, the head coach of that team will choose a new starter from their cast of players instead.

2023 All-Star Draft!Pick!Player!Team
1Damian LillardGiannis
2Anthony EdwardsLeBron
3Jrue HolidayGiannis
4Jaylen BrownLeBron
5Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderGiannis
6Paul GeorgeLeBron
7DeMar DeRozanGiannis
8Tyrese HaliburtonLeBron
9Pascal SiakamGiannis
10Julius RandleLeBron
11Bam AdebayoGiannis
12De'Aaron FoxLeBron
13Domantas SabonisGiannis
14Jaren Jackson Jr.LeBron
15Joel EmbiidLeBron
16Jayson TatumGiannis
17Kyrie IrvingLeBron
18Ja MorantGiannis
19Luka DončićLeBron
20Donovan MitchellGiannis
21Nikola JokićLeBron
22Lauri MarkkanenGiannis

Lineups

Team LeBron! Pos! Player! Team
Starters
FLeBron JamesLos Angeles Lakers
CNikola JokićDenver Nuggets
CJoel EmbiidPhiladelphia 76ers
GKyrie IrvingDallas Mavericks
GLuka DončićDallas Mavericks
Reserves
FAnthony EdwardsMinnesota Timberwolves
GJaylen BrownBoston Celtics
FPaul GeorgeLos Angeles Clippers
GTyrese HaliburtonIndiana Pacers
FJulius RandleNew York Knicks
GDe'Aaron FoxSacramento Kings
FJaren Jackson Jr.Memphis Grizzlies
Head coach: Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets)
Team Giannis! Pos! Player! Team
Starters
FLauri MarkkanenUtah Jazz
FJayson TatumBoston Celtics
FGiannis AntetokounmpoMilwaukee Bucks
GJa MorantMemphis Grizzlies
GDonovan MitchellCleveland Cavaliers
Reserves
GDamian LillardPortland Trail Blazers
GJrue HolidayMilwaukee Bucks
GShai Gilgeous-AlexanderOklahoma City Thunder
GDeMar DeRozanChicago Bulls
FPascal SiakamToronto Raptors
CBam AdebayoMiami Heat
CDomantas SabonisSacramento Kings
Head coach: Joe Mazzulla (Boston Celtics)

Game

The 2023 All-Star Game used the same format as the 2020 edition; the team that scores the most points during each of the first three 12-minute quarters will receive a cash prize, which will be donated to a designated charity. The pot will roll over if the teams are tied. The fourth quarter will be untimed, with the first team to meet or exceed a "target score"—the score of the leading team in total scoring after three quarters plus 24—declared the winner.[19] The "target score" in this game was 182, since Team Giannis was leading 158–141 at the end of the third quarter.

Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184–175. It was Team Giannis' first (and only) win, and Team LeBron's first (and only) defeat. It was also the first (and only) time in All-Star Game history that the target score was exceeded since the format was changed in 2020. Jayson Tatum, who scored a record-breaking 55 points, was named All-Star Game MVP. His 55 points surpassed Anthony Davis' record of 52 points in 2017. Damian Lillard scored the game-winning 3-pointer to give Team Giannis their first victory in NBA All-Star history.

This also marked the last time the NBA used the drafted teams format, which has been used since 2018. The NBA All-Star Game returned to its traditional East vs. West format the following year in 2024.[5]

All-Star Weekend

Skills Challenge

Team Rooks[20]
Pos. Player width=150Team
FOrlando Magic
GDetroit Pistons
FHouston Rockets
Team Jazz
Pos. Player width=150Team
GJordan Clarkson Utah Jazz
CWalker Kessler Utah Jazz
GCollin Sexton Utah Jazz
Team Antetokounmpos
Pos. Player width=150Team
FMilwaukee Bucks
FWisconsin Herd
FMilwaukee Bucks
GMilwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo was unable to play due to a wrist injury.[20]
Jrue Holiday was selected to play instead of Antetokoumnpo.[20]

Three Point Contest

Player !! width=175
Team !Height Weight First round Final round
GDamian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers 6–2 195 26 26
G6–4 220 23 25
G6–5 185 31 17
F7–0 240 20DNQ
F6–8 210 20
G6–5 195 18
F6–8 250 13
G6–7 198 8
G6–3 181DNP
Anfernee Simons was unable to play due to an ankle injury.
Julius Randle was selected as Anfernee Simons' replacement.

Slam Dunk Contest

Player !! width=175
Team !Height Weight First round Final round
GMac McClung Philadelphia 76ers 6–2 185 99.8 100
FNew Orleans Pelicans6–8 206 96 98
C6–10 250 95.4 DNQ
FHouston Rockets6–7 216 93.2
G6–5 200DNP
Shaedon Sharpe withdrew from the competition focusing on the rest of the regular season.
Jericho Sims was selected as Shaedon Sharpe's replacement.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Salt Lake City to host 72nd All-Star game in 2023.
  2. Utah Jazz to host NBA All-Star 2023. NBA.com.
  3. Web site: NBA All-Star Game returning to Utah in 2023. Jabari. Young. October 24, 2019. CNBC.
  4. Web site: The Utah Jazz will host NBA All-Star Game in 2023. www.ksl.com. Miller, Ryan. October 23, 2019.
  5. Web site: Classic format returns for 2024 NBA All-Star Game. NBA.com. October 25, 2023. October 26, 2023.
  6. Web site: Celtics' Joe Mazzulla named coach of Team Giannis in 2023 All-Star Game. NBA.com. January 30, 2023. January 31, 2023.
  7. Web site: Nuggets' Michael Malone named coach of Team LeBron in 2023 All-Star Game. NBA.com. February 1, 2023. February 2, 2023. Reynolds, Tim.
  8. Web site: 2020 NBA All-Star voting first returns released. NBA.com. January 2, 2020.
  9. News: Stein. Marc. 1. Reserve Judgment: Stein's All-Star Benches. January 18, 2013. January 18, 2013. ESPN. https://archive.today/20130216031956/http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-130118-19/nba-2013-all-star-reserve-picks. February 16, 2013. live. mdy.
  10. Web site: 2023 NBA All-Star starters announced. NBA.com. January 26, 2023. January 26, 2023.
  11. Web site: 2023 NBA All-Star reserves revealed. NBA.com. February 2, 2023. February 2, 2023.
  12. Web site: Anthony Edwards, De'Aaron Fox, Pascal Siakam named injury replacements for All-Star Game . 2023-02-17 . NBA.com . en. February 10, 2023.
  13. Web site: 2023-09-06 . Promises, sacrifices and betrayal: Inside the feud between James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers . 2023-09-06 . ESPN.com.
  14. Web site: Anthony Edwards, De'Aaron Fox and Pascal Siakam named as injury replacements for 2023 All-Star Game. NBA.com. February 10, 2023. February 10, 2023.
  15. Web site: Sefko. Eddie. Kyrie Irving coming to the Mavericks. mavs.com. February 6, 2023. February 7, 2023.
  16. Web site: Brooklyn Nets Acquire Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Draft Compensation in Four-team Trade . NBA.com . February 9, 2023 . February 9, 2023.
  17. Web site: NBA All-Star teams to be picked on game night. NBA.com. February 18, 2023.
  18. Web site: 2023 All-Star Draft & All-Star Game: Format, explainer and FAQ's. NBA.com. February 3, 2023. February 6, 2023.
  19. Web site: 2021 All-Star Game Format. NBA.com. February 18, 2021. February 19, 2021.
  20. Web site: 2023 Kia Skills Challenge. NBA.com. February 14, 2023.