The NBA All-Star game is happening tonight, whether we like it or not. Things have already been rocked a bit with news breaking Sunday afternoon that Philadelphia 76er stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons would be forced to miss the game because of health and safety protocols. It seems their personal barber tested positive for COVID and now the players are being help out as part of contact tracing efforts. The players will not be replaced and Zion Williamson is reportedly entering the starting lineup in place of Embiid.
Coverage of All-Star day begins with pregame festivities on TNT at 5 p.m. with the Skills Challenge 3-Point Shootout at 6:30 p.m., and the All-Star game at 8 p.m. The Slam Dunk Contest will be held at halftime of the game.
All-Star Game Participants
Team LeBron
Starters: LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic. Reserves: Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons (OUT).
Team Durant
Starters: Kawhi Leonard, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal. Reserves: James Harden, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley and Joel Embiid (OUT).
The Elam Ending
The game will feature an untimed fourth quarter with each team vying to reach a target score. That target will be the leading team’s score after the third quarter plus 24 points.
Skills Challenge Participants
Chris Paul, Luka Doncic, Julius Randle, Robert Covington, Domantas Sabonis, Nikola Vucevic
3-Point Contest Participants
Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley
Slam Dunk Contest Participants
Anfernee Simons, Cassius Stanley, Obi Toppin
Are any Detroit Pistons participating?
Nope.