The 2023 NBA All-Star weekend was filled with fun competition as select NBA players displayed their skills. In comparison to prior years, this All-Star weekend was not paid enough attention, but the results and recap clips have left people feeling that they missed out on some good basketball entertainment. 

Jordan Rising Stars Game: 

To start off the weekend was the Jordan Rising Stars Game on February 17th, 2023. This game is focused on displaying the premier young talent of the NBA. The rising stars game is played in a tournament fashion where 4 teams went against each other in order to get to game 3, the championship. These teams were led by former NBA legends and All-Stars: Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Deron Williams, and Jason Terry. In the semi-final games, the target score was 40. In the matchup between Team Pau and Team Deron, Team Pau emerged victorious, and between Team Joakim and Team Jason, Joakim’s team won. The final game only went up to 25 points. After a tough battle, Team Pau took the title as New Orleans Pelicans player Jose Alvarado scored the winning 3-pointer. Alvarado was named the Rising Stars tournament MVP. 

2023 Skills Challenge: 

The skills challenge of the All-Star weekend is always fun to watch, despite the missed shots or passes that occur throughout. The 2023 participants got viewers excited as no one could guess who would win. The participants included: Team Antetokounmpo (Alex & Thanasis Antetokounmpo + Jrue Holiday, who replaced Giannis), Team Jazz (Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton), and Team Rookies (Paolo Banchero, Jaden Ivey, and Jabari Smith Jr.). Team Jazz won this challenge with their high scores. 

Starry 3-Point Contest: 

Tyrese Haliburton, Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Kevin Huerter, Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, Julius Randle, and Jayson Tatum were the participants of the 2023 3-Point Contest. Prior to the actual event, viewers had a feeling that Indiana Pacers player Tyrese Haliburton would be the victor because of his outstanding 3-point performance during the season. That almost came true as Haliburton along with his teammate Buddy Hield and Portland Trail Blazers player Damian Lillard faced each other in the final round. Dame time!! Damian Lillard was the winner of this challenge as he scored 26 points. 

AT%T Slam Dunk: 

Like the other events on the Saturday of All-Star weekend, the Slam Dunk contest is always an entertaining one to watch. Not to mention, it is one of the most anticipated events every year. This year’s participants featured Kenyon Martin Jr, Mac McClung, Trey Murphy III, and Jericho Sims. Though everyone’s dunks were eye-opening, Mac McClung dominated the contest. He received a perfect score of 50 on all but one of his dunks. McClung is currently a G-league player, but his presence on the Philadelphia Sixers team in the coming weeks would not be surprising. 

All-Star Game: 

One word to describe this year’s All-Star Game is “different”; from the results to the drafting process, a different route was taken this year. This year’s teams were led by LeBron James from the Lakers and Giannis Antetekounmpo from the Bucks. Unlike prior years where team players were selected before the weekend, these players were actually drafted the rosters right before the game. The matchup was intense as teammates were split up and high-performance players were put together. LeBron did not play for the last two quarters of the game and Giannis did not play any due to injuries they had. Another difference referred to the results. This year, Team Giannis won over Team LeBron as they reached the target score of 182 first. Jason Taytum of the Boston Celtics was named the All-Star Game MVP as he recorded 55 points.