The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend kicked off Friday in Cleveland, continued with the skill games on Saturday night, and concluded on Sunday with the annual All-Star Game.
Stephen Curry held a shooting clinic Sunday night, hitting 16 3-pointers and scoring 50 points, while LeBron James hit an absurd one-legged turnaround jumper to take the win for Team LeBron over Team Durant 163-160.
On a night when the NBA honored its 75 best players, two of them – Curry and James – put on a show worthy of the occasion.
Curry was eventually named All-Star Game MVP for the first time in his illustrious career.
James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets) captained the two teams in this year’s All-Star Game. Both players chose their respective teams, a format the league first instituted in 2018, and the draft was packed with memorable quotes and a quirky player roster.
Here’s the best of Cleveland:
MORE: Play ESPN’s All-Star Challenge
The Los Angeles Lakers may have to trade for LeBron James this summer. James has been clearly insulted twice by Lakers management in the past two weeks.
Since then, he’s been hammering the team with rounds of signature passive-aggressive maneuvers, both on social media and at press conferences.
Brian Windhorst: LeBron’s Messages for Lakers
Which stars shone the brightest in Cleveland in a game with 323 total points and 121 shots launched from outside the arc? We grade each entrant for Team LeBron and Team Durant.
Kevin Pelton: Figures for starters and reserves
After the trade deadline passed, James and Durant lined up their All-Star teams. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo took first overall for Team LeBron. Since James was given first pick, the final two starters, Trae Young and Andrew Wiggins, went to Team Durant.
The last remaining reserve, James Harden, went to Team LeBron after Durant chose to draft Rudy Gobert over his former teammate. The rosters for each team are listed below, in the order they were prepared.
TEAM DURANT
Coach: Erik Spoelstra and staff, Miami Heat
Appetizer
Joel EmbiidC, Philadelphia 76ers
Yes MorantG, Memphis Grizzlies
Jayson TatumBoston Celtics*
Trae YoungG, Atlanta Hawks
Andrew WigginsF, Golden State Warriors
* Tatum takes the place of Durant as the starter for the game
Reserves
Devin Boeker, Phoenix Suns
Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota Timberwolves
Zach LaVineChicago Bulls
Dejounte Murray*, San Antonio Spurs
Khris MiddletonMilwaukee Bucks
LaMelo Ball*, Charlotte Hornets
Rudy GobertUtah Jazz
*Commissioner Adam Silver named Ball and Murray as injury replacements for Durant and Draymond Green.
2:24
Check out some highlights from LaMelo Bell, Jarrett Allen, Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Brown, who weren’t selected for the All-Star Game.
TEAM LEBRON
Coach: Monty Williams and staff, Phoenix Suns
Appetizer
LeBron JamesC, Los Angeles Lakers
Giannis AntetokounmpoF, Milwaukee Bucks
Stephen CurryG, Golden State Warriors
DeMar DeRozanG, Chicago Bulls
Nikola JokiF, Denver Nuggets
Reserves
Luka DoncicDallas Mavericks
Darius GarlandCleveland Cavaliers
Chris PaulPhoenix Suns
Jimmy ButlerMiami Heat
Donovan MitchellUtah Jazz
Fred Van VleetToronto Raptors
James HardenPhiladelphia 76ers*
* Jarrett Allen of Cleveland Cavaliers will serve in place of the injured Harden.
2:19
Steph Curry goes for a whopping 16 3-pointers in his 50-point feat in a Team LeBron win.
After finishing second last season, Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks won the dunk contest, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns, became the first big man since 2012 to capture the 3-point contest crown . And in a revamped skill challenge, Team Cavs — Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley — gave the home fans a show.
Kevin Pelton: Judging every event on All-Star Saturday
When it comes to the title of the greatest player in All-Star Game history, it’s not always about scoring points. Or is it? Kevin Pelton looks at who has done that best in their career.
The Rising Stars Challenge became the last part of All-Star Weekend to undergo a format change, and it was a success. The event, featuring the best freshman and sophomore NBA players, adopted an all-new format this season. Instead of just one game involving those players, as in years past, there were four seven-man rosters coached by Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas, Rick Barry, James Worthy and Gary Payton. Three games were played — two matchups in the semi-finals to 50 and a championship game to 25, as a nod to the league celebrating its 75th anniversary this season.
Kevin Pelton: Grading Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Every Player in the Rising Stars
ROSTERS
The Rising Stars Challenge featured G League Ignite players for the first time in the annual showcase for tomorrow’s stars as part of All-Star Weekend.
Team Barry
Team Isia
Team Payton
Team worthy
One change that easily catches the eye of basketball fans and TV watchers is the ever-growing number of uniform combinations worn for the All-Star Game over the years. Check them out here.
1:40
Karl-Anthony Towns posts 29 points in the final round to win the Mountain Dew 3-Point Contest.
How do I watch?
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
NBA Rising Stars Challenge
NBA All Star Saturday Night
NBA All-Star G League Next Gem Game
NBA All Star Game
Before captains LeBron James and Kevin Durant chose their squads, several All-Stars were supported by social media campaigns to secure their spot on the roster (Phoenix Suns security guard Devin Booker received a loving endorsement from Kendall Jenner). These messages were aimed at fans, who accounted for 50% of the final All-Star vote that determined the starters. Check out some of the memorable efforts.
Which player with a historic season was rejected? Our NBA Insiders share the All-Star storylines and surprising picks.
0:38
Hometown hero LeBron James takes advantage of the fadeaway shot to win the 2022 All-Star Game for his team.
2022 All-Star News and Analysis
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