2018 NBA All-Star Game

2018 NBA All Star Game

1 2 3 4 Total Team LeBron 31 45 33 39 148 Team Stephen 42 36 34 33 145
Date	February 18, 2018
Arena	Staples Center
City	Los Angeles
MVP	LeBron James (Team LeBron)
National anthem	Fergie (American) Barenaked Ladies (Canadian)[1]
Halftime show	Pharrell Williams, Migos, N.E.R.D[1]
Network	TNT, TBS
Announcers	Marv Albert, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, David Aldridge, and Kristen Ledlow Brent Barry, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, Kenny Smith, Zach LaVine, and Dennis Scott (All-Star Saturday Night - Players Only) Kevin Harlan, Grant Hill and Chris Webber (Rising Stars Challenge)
NBA All-Star Game
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The 2018 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game that was played on February 18, 2018, during the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2017–18 season. It was the 67th edition of the NBA All-Star Game, and was played at Staples Center in Los Angeles, home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. Team LeBron defeated Team Stephen, 148–145. LeBron James, namesake of Team LeBron, was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player for recording 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists; it was his third time winning the award since the 2008 All-Star Game. This was the sixth time that Los Angeles had hosted the NBA All-Star Game and the first time since 2011.^[2] The game was televised nationally by TNT for the 16th consecutive year, and simulcast on TBS for the 4th straight year.

Format change

On October 3, 2017, the NBA announced that the All-Star Game format would change from the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format, and would instead switch to a draft-style format, similar to the format used by the NHL All-Star Game from 2011 through 2015 and the NFL Pro Bowl from 2014 through 2016. The team captains were determined by the most votes received in their respective conference. Each team will pick a charity to play for, and the winning team will have money donated to their charity.^[3] The winning team will receive $100,000 for each player and the losing team $25,000 each.^[4]

All-Star Game

Coaches

Dwane Casey (left) and Mike D'Antoni (right) were selected as head coach for Team LeBron and Team Stephen, respectively.

The two teams were coached from their respective conference.^[5] Mike D'Antoni, coach of the Houston Rockets, was named as the head coach for Team Stephen.^[6] Dwane Casey, coach of the Toronto Raptors, was named as the head coach for Team LeBron.^[7]

Rosters

The rosters for the All-Star Game were selected through a voting process. The starters were chosen by the fans, media, and current NBA players. Fans make up 50% of the vote, and NBA players and media each comprise 25% of the vote. The two guards and three frontcourt players who receive the highest cumulative vote totals are named the All-Star starters.^[8] NBA head coaches vote for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which can be players on their own team. Each coach selects 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 is to be selected, coaches are 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.

The All-Star Game starters were announced on January 18, 2018.^[9] Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics and DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors were named the backcourt starters in the East, earning their fifth and fourth all-star appearances, respectively. LeBron James was named a starter to his 14th career all-star game, breaking Dirk Nowitzki's record for most selections among active players. Joining James in the East frontcourt was Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, his first selection, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, his second selection.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and James Harden of the Houston Rockets were named to the starting backcourt in the West, earning their fifth and sixth all-star appearances, respectively. In the frontcourt, Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors was named to his ninth career all-star game, along with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, their fourth and fifth all-star selections, respectively.^[9] During the All-Star Game, Davis would wear his teammate Cousins' jersey as a means of honoring him after his season-ending injury occurred before the All-Star Game began.

The All-Star Game reserves were announced on January 23, 2018.^[10] The West reserves include Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, his seventh selection, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, their fourth and third all-star selections, respectively, LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs, his sixth selection, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, his third selection, and Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves, their first and fourth all-star selections, respectively. Westbrook would later be named the replacement starter for DeMarcus Cousins' open starting spot on the team.

The East reserves include Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, his fourth selection, Al Horford of the Boston Celtics, his fifth selection, John Wall and Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, their fifth and first all-star selections, respectively, Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers, his first selection, Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his fifth selection, and Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks, his first selection.

Eastern Conference All-Stars Pos Player Team No. of selections Starters[9] G Kyrie Irving Boston Celtics 5 G DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors 4 F LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 14 F Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks 2 C Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers 1 Reserves[10] G Bradley Beal Washington Wizards 1 G Goran Dragić^REP3 Miami Heat 1 C/F Al Horford Boston Celtics 5 F/C Kevin Love^INJ3 Cleveland Cavaliers 5 G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors 4 G Victor Oladipo Indiana Pacers 1 F/C Kristaps Porziņģis^INJ4 New York Knicks 1 G John Wall^INJ2 Washington Wizards 5 C Andre Drummond^REP2 Detroit Pistons 2 G Kemba Walker^REP4 Charlotte Hornets 2

Western Conference All-Stars Pos Player Team No. of selections Starters[9] G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 5 G James Harden Houston Rockets 6 F Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors 9 F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 5 C DeMarcus Cousins^INJ1 New Orleans Pelicans 4 Reserves[10] G Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 7 G Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers 3 F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 3 C Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves 1 F/C LaMarcus Aldridge San Antonio Spurs 6 G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 4 G/F Jimmy Butler Minnesota Timberwolves 4 F Paul George^REP1 Oklahoma City Thunder 5

Draft

LeBron James and Stephen Curry were named as captains due to being the leading vote getter from the East and West, respectively. James had the first pick in the draft as the leading vote getter overall, while Curry has first choice of jersey color, due to the Western Conference having home team status for the game. The draft pool consisted of the eight other starters, with no regard to conference designation, and 14 reserves (seven from each conference), chosen by NBA head coaches.^[9] On January 25, 2018, LeBron James and Stephen Curry created their rosters via a draft, which would not be televised for various reasons. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game, choosing a player from the same conference as the player who is being replaced. Silver's selection would 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 his cast of players instead.^[5]

Team LeBron Pos Player Team Starters[5] F Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans F LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers C DeMarcus Cousins^INJ1 New Orleans Pelicans G Kyrie Irving Boston Celtics Reserves[5] F/C LaMarcus Aldridge San Antonio Spurs G Bradley Beal Washington Wizards F/C Kevin Love^INJ3 Cleveland Cavaliers G Russell Westbrook^ST Oklahoma City Thunder G Victor Oladipo Indiana Pacers F/C Kristaps Porziņģis^INJ4 New York Knicks G John Wall^INJ2 Washington Wizards F Paul George^REP1 Oklahoma City Thunder C Andre Drummond^REP2 Detroit Pistons G Goran Dragić^REP3 Miami Heat G Kemba Walker^REP4 Charlotte Hornets Head coach: Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors)[7]

Team Stephen Pos Player Team Starters[5] G James Harden Houston Rockets G DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors G/F Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks C Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Reserves[5] G Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers G/F Jimmy Butler Minnesota Timberwolves F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors C Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves F/C Al Horford Boston Celtics Head coach: Mike D'Antoni (Houston Rockets)[6]

^INJ1 DeMarcus Cousins was unable to play due to a season-ending Achilles injury.^[11]
^REP1 Paul George was selected as DeMarcus Cousins' replacement.^[12]
^INJ2 John Wall was unable to participate due to a knee injury.^[13]
^REP2 Andre Drummond was selected as John Wall's replacement.^[14]
^INJ3 Kevin Love was unable to participate due to a hand injury.^[15]
^REP3 Goran Dragić was selected as Kevin Love's replacement.^[16]
^INJ4 Kristaps Porziņģis was unable to participate due to a season-ending torn ACL.^[17]
^REP4 Kemba Walker was named as Kristaps Porziņģis' replacement.^[18]
^ST Russell Westbrook was selected to start in place of Cousins.^[19]

Game

TNT, TBS

February 18, 2018 8:30 pm ET

Recap

Team LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145
Scoring by quarter: 31–42, 45–36, 33–34, 39–33
Pts: LeBron James 29 Rebs: LeBron James 10 Asts: Kyrie Irving 9		Pts: DeRozan, Lillard 21 each Rebs: Karl-Anthony Towns 10 Asts: Kyle Lowry 11

Staples Center, Los Angeles, California Attendance: 17,801 Referees: #19 James Capers #6 Tony Brown #59 Gary Zielinski

National anthem

Fergie's performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the game received heavy negative criticism and mockery online.^[20][21] The rendition—described as "unusual" and "bizarre"—was met with laughter from the arena crowd, and All-Star Draymond Green was shown chuckling on the television broadcast.^[22][23] The following day, Fergie said she "wanted to try something special for the NBA," but it "didn't strike the intended tone."^[24]

All-Star Weekend

Celebrity Game

Further information: NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game

The 2018 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.^[25][26][27] In honor of Los Angeles as host city, the two teams were named after its two NBA teams, with Rachel Nichols coaching Team Lakers and Katie Nolan coaching Team Clippers (Team Clippers).

ESPN

February 16, 2018 7:00 pm ET

Team Lakers 66, Team Clippers 75

Scoring by quarter: 13–19, 17–18, 19–17, 17–21

Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California

Team Lakers Player Background Justin Bieber (2) Singer Steelo Brim TV personality, host, actor Nick Cannon (10) TV personality, actor, rapper Terence Crawford Boxer Rachel DeMita (2) NBA 2KTV personality Jerry Ferrara Actor Flea Musician Michael B. Jordan (2) Actor Marc Lasry (3) Milwaukee Bucks owner Tracy McGrady (2) Former NBA player Caleb McLaughlin (2) Actor Candace Parker (2) WNBA player Nate Robinson Former NBA player Drew Scott (3) Actor Kris Wu (3) Actor, singer Head coach: Rachel Nichols (ESPN host) Assistant coach: Tracy McGrady (former NBA player, ESPN analyst) Assistant coach: Michael B. Jordan (actor)

Team Clippers Player Background Anthony Anderson (4) Actor Brandon Armstrong (2) Social media star, former NBA D-League player Miles Brown Actor Win Butler (4) Musician Common (7) Rapper, actor Andre De Grasse Olympic sprinter Stefanie Dolson WNBA player Jamie Foxx (3) Actor, comedian, singer Paul Pierce Former NBA player Dascha Polanco Actress Quavo Rapper, recording artist Offset Rapper Bubba Watson Golfer Jason Williams (2) Former NBA player Head coach: Katie Nolan (ESPN host) Assistant coach: Paul Pierce (former NBA player) Assistant coach: Common (rapper, actor)

Mountain Dew KickStart Rising Stars Challenge

Further information: Rising Stars Challenge

Team World[28] Pos. Nat. Player Team R/S G Bogdan Bogdanović Sacramento Kings Rookie G/F Dillon Brooks Memphis Grizzlies Rookie C Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers Sophomore G Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings Sophomore F Lauri Markkanen Chicago Bulls Rookie G Jamal Murray Denver Nuggets Sophomore G Frank Ntilikina New York Knicks Rookie F/C Domantas Sabonis Indiana Pacers Sophomore F Dario Šarić Philadelphia 76ers Sophomore G/F Ben Simmons Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Head coach: Rex Kalamian (Toronto Raptors)

Team USA[28] Pos. Player Team R/S G Lonzo Ball^INJ2 Los Angeles Lakers Rookie G Malcolm Brogdon^INJ1 Milwaukee Bucks Sophomore G/F Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics Sophomore F/C John Collins Atlanta Hawks Rookie G Kris Dunn Chicago Bulls Sophomore G/F Brandon Ingram Los Angeles Lakers Sophomore F Kyle Kuzma Los Angeles Lakers Rookie G Donovan Mitchell Utah Jazz Rookie G Dennis Smith Jr. Dallas Mavericks Rookie F Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics Rookie F Taurean Prince^REP1 Atlanta Hawks Sophomore G De'Aaron Fox^REP2 Sacramento Kings Rookie Head coach: Roy Rogers (Houston Rockets)

^INJ1 Malcolm Brogdon was unable to participate due to a leg injury.^[29]
^REP1 Taurean Prince was selected as Malcolm Brogdon's replacement.^[30]
^INJ2 Lonzo Ball was unable to participate due to a knee injury.^[31]
^REP2 De'Aaron Fox was selected as Lonzo Ball's replacement.^[32]

TNT

February 16 9:00 pm ET

Boxscore

Team World 155, Team USA 124
Scoring by half: 78–59, 77–65
Pts: Buddy Hield 29 Rebs: Domantas Sabonis 11 Asts: Ben Simmons 13		Pts: Jaylen Brown 35 Rebs: Jaylen Brown 10 Asts: Donovan Mitchell 7

Staples Center, Los Angeles Attendance: 19,060 Referees: #21 Dedric Taylor #7 Lauren Holtkamp #39 Tyler Ford

Skills Challenge

Further information: NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge

Contestants

Pos.	Player	Team	Height	Weight
G	Spencer Dinwiddie	Brooklyn Nets	6–6	200
C	Joel Embiid	Philadelphia 76ers	7–0	250
F/C	Al Horford	Boston Celtics	6–10	245
F	Lauri Markkanen	Chicago Bulls	7–0	230
G	Donovan Mitchell^OUT	Utah Jazz	6–3	215
G	Jamal Murray	Denver Nuggets	6–4	207
F/C	Kristaps Porziņģis^INJ	New York Knicks	7–3	240
G	Lou Williams	Los Angeles Clippers	6–1	175
G	Buddy Hield^ALT	Sacramento Kings	6–4	214
C	Andre Drummond^REP	Detroit Pistons	6–11	279

^OUT Donovan Mitchell was removed due to replacing Aaron Gordon in the Slam Dunk Contest.^[33]
^ALT Buddy Hield was named as Donovan Mitchell's replacement.^[33]
^INJ Kristaps Porziņģis unable to participate due to a torn ACL.^[17]
^REP Andre Drummond was named as Kristaps Porziņģis' replacement.^[34]

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Finals

Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn)

O

Buddy Hield (Sacramento)

X

Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn)

O

Jamal Murray (Denver)

X

Jamal Murray (Denver)

O

Lou Williams (LA Clippers)

X

Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn)

O

Lauri Markkanen (Chicago)

X

Al Horford (Boston)

X

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia)

O

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia)

X

Lauri Markkanen (Chicago)

O

Lauri Markkanen (Chicago)

O

Andre Drummond (Detroit)

X

Three-Point Contest

Further information: Three-Point Contest

Contestants

Pos.	Player	Team	Height	Weight	First round	Final round
G	Devin Booker	Phoenix Suns	6–6	210	19	28
G	Klay Thompson	Golden State Warriors	6–7	215	19	25
F	Tobias Harris	Los Angeles Clippers	6–9	235	18	17
G	Wayne Ellington	Miami Heat	6–5	200	17	—
G	Bradley Beal	Washington Wizards	6–5	207	15	—
G	Eric Gordon	Houston Rockets	6–4	215	12	—
G	Kyle Lowry	Toronto Raptors	6–0	205	11	—
F	Paul George	Oklahoma City Thunder	6–9	220	9	—

Slam Dunk Contest

Further information: Slam Dunk Contest

Contestants

Pos.	Player	Team	Height	Weight	First round	Final round
G	Donovan Mitchell^REP	Utah Jazz	6–3	215	98 (48+50)	98 (50+48)
F	Larry Nance Jr.	Cleveland Cavaliers	6–9	230	93 (44+49)	96 (46+50)
G	Dennis Smith Jr.	Dallas Mavericks	6–3	195	89 (39+50)	—
G	Victor Oladipo	Indiana Pacers	6–4	210	71 (31+40)	—
G	Aaron Gordon^INJ	Orlando Magic	6–9	220	—	—

^INJ Aaron Gordon was unable to participate due to a hip injury.^[33]
^REP Donovan Mitchell was named as Aaron Gordon's replacement.^[33]

References

1. "Kevin Hart, Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D. to headline 2018 NBA All-Star Game entertainment". NBA.com. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
2. "Los Angeles To Host NBA All-Star 2018". NBA. March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
3. "No more East vs. West as NBA revamps All-Star Game format". NBA.com. October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
4. "Report: All-Stars will get $100,000 each if their team wins 2018 NBA All-Star Game". yahoo.com. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
5. "Choosing sides: James, Curry draft rosters for Team LeBron vs. Team Stephen". NBA.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
6. "Houston Rockets' coach Mike D'Antoni to coach Team Stephen in All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
7. "Toronto Raptors' Dwane Casey to coach Team LeBron in All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
8. "NBA makes major changes to All-Star voting format". USA Today. December 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
9. Smith, Sekou. "LeBron James, Steph Curry named captains as All-Star starters are revealed". NBA.com. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
10. Smith, Sekou. "Warriors nab four spots, while Wizards, Raptors backcourts selected as All-Star reserves are revealed". NBA.com. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
11. "New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) out for season". NBA.com. January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
12. "Paul George to replace Demarcus Cousins on Team LeBron in 2018 NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
13. "Washington Wizards' John Wall to have left knee surgery". NBA.com. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
14. "Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond to replace Washington Wizards' John Wall in 2018 NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
15. "Kevin Love suffers broken left hand, reportedly could miss 6-8 weeks". NBA.com. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
16. "Heat's Goran Dragic selected as All-Star replacement". ESPN.com. February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
17. "New York Knicks' Kristaps Porzingis suffers torn ACL in left knee". NBA.com. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
18. "Hornets' Kemba Walker replaces Kristaps Porzingis on Team LeBron for All-Star 2018". NBA.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
19. "Russell Westbrook replaces DeMarcus Cousins as All-Star starter". NBA.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
20. Boren, Cindy (February 19, 2018). "Where does Fergie's national anthem rank? Right near the worst of the worst". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
21. Beacham, Creg (February 19, 2018). "Fergie's NBA All-Star Game national anthem confuses, amuses". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
22. Andrew, Joseph (February 18, 2018). "Draymond Green laughed at Fergie's bizarre anthem performance". USA Today. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
23. "Fergie's 'sexy' NBA All-Star anthem rendition leaves America chuckling". The Guardian. February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
24. McCarthy, Tyler (February 19, 2018). "Fergie admits national anthem performance was kind of a mess". Fox News. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
25. "NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2018 presented by Ruffles". National Basketball Association. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
26. "NBA 2018 All-Star Events Tickets". Los Angeles Lakers. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
27. "ESPN, NBA announce 2018 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented By Ruffles players and coaches". National Basketball Association. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
28. "Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons, Los Angeles Lakers' Lonzo Ball highlight 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars rosters". NBA.com. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
29. "Medical Update on Malcolm Brogdon". NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
30. "Prince Named To 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars". NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
31. "Ball Out Through All-Star Break". NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
32. "De'Aaron Fox to Participate in 2018 Rising Stars". NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
33. "Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell to replace Aaron Gordon in 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk". NBA.com. February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
34. "Andre Drummond will replace Kristaps Porzingis in Taco Bell Skills Challenge". NBA.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.

External links

• 2018 NBA All-Star Game at nba.com