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The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will tip off at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City this evening — and if Saturday night was any indication of what Sunday might hold, basketball fans can expect thrills beyond their wildest imaginations.
Team Jazz held things down for the home city, hoisting the trophies after winning the Skills Challenge, while Damian Lillard showed it was his time in the 3-Point Contest. But Mac McClung might have been the man of the night. The recently-signed Sixer stole the show with a slew of never-before-seen jams to make off with the Dunk Contest title.
Now, it’s on to the All-Star Game.
Here are the top moment’s from All-Star Weekend’s crown jewel:
Giannis scores first, then departs
Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure to get into the action right away, dunking the ball on the game’s opening possession. He committed an intentional foul right after to leave the game due to his wrist injury.
The Joker finds the King
Nikola Jokić found LeBron James cutting to the rim, dishing him an alley-oop early.
LeBron to himself!
James tossed an alley-oop to himself off the backboard before throwing down a thunderous slam.
Ja jammin’
Ja Morant showed his dunking ability on the fast break, showing what he could do if he ever entered the Slam Dunk Contest.
Back-to-back glass
James and Jayson Tatum traded self-alley-oops in the first quarter to get some early MVP buzz going around themselves.
Dame from deep!
Damian Lillard checked into the game and immediately drained a deep 3-pointer.
Luka levitates!
Luka Dončić got up for the dunk while mic’d up!
The draft
Moments before the game begins, the league held its All-Star Draft, in which captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo picked their respective teams. Both players picked from the reserve pool first before moving to the starter pool.
The reserve pool included Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Damian Lillard, Jaren Jackson Jr., Domantas Sabonis, Paul George, Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Julius Randle, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
The starter pool was made up of Ja Morant, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Lauri Markkanen, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum.
TEAM LeBRON
Pick 2: Anthony Edwards
Pick 4: Jaylen Brown
Pick 6: Paul George
Pick 8: Tyrese Haliburton
Pick 10: Julius Randle
Pick 12: De’Aaron Fox
Pick 14: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Pick 15: Joel Embiid (starter)
Pick 17: Kyrie Irving (starter)
Pick 19: Luka Dončić (starter)
Pick 21: Nikola Jokić (starter)
TEAM GIANNIS
Pick 1: Damian Lillard
Pick 3: Jrue Holiday
Pick 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Pick 7: DeMar Derozan
Pick 9: Pascal Siakam
Pick 11: Bam Adebayo
Pick 13: Domantas Sabonis
Pick 16: Jayson Tatum (starter)
Pick 18: Ja Morant (starter)
Pick 20: Donovan Mitchell (starter)
Pick 22: Lauri Markkanen (starter)
Stay tuned for more updates!
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