The NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 was a spectacular showcase of the league’s best talents and skills, as well as a celebration of the game’s history and culture. The event, which took place in Indianapolis from February 16 to 18, 2024, featured a variety of fan-favorite contests, performances, and social impact initiatives. Here are some of the highlights and takeaways from the NBA All-Star Weekend 2024.
East beats West in classic All-Star Game
The 73rd NBA All-Star Game was a thrilling contest between the East and the West, as the two teams battled for bragging rights and a $1 million donation to their chosen charities. The game, which returned to the traditional East-West format and scoring system, saw the East edge out the West 152-149, thanks to a clutch three-pointer by Jayson Tatum in the final seconds. Tatum, who scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, was named the All-Star Game MVP.
The game also featured some memorable moments, such as LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in All-Star history, Luka Doncic hitting a half-court buzzer-beater, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dunking over Joel Embiid. The game also honored the legacy of Kobe Bryant, who passed away in 2020, with a special tribute video and a 24-second moment of silence.
State Farm All-Star Saturday Night dazzles with skills, threes, and dunks
The State Farm All-Star Saturday Night was a showcase of the NBA’s most exciting skills, as the participants competed in three events: the Kia Skills Challenge, the Starry 3-Point Contest, and the AT&T Slam Dunk. The Kia Skills Challenge, which tests the players’ dribbling, passing, and shooting abilities, was won by Jalen Brunson of the Dallas Mavericks, who beat De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings in the final round. Brunson, who was a late replacement for the injured Trae Young, became the first Maverick to win the event.
The Starry 3-Point Contest, which features the NBA’s best shooters from behind the arc, was won by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, who beat Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves in a tiebreaker round. Lillard, who scored 28 points in the final round, became the first Blazer to win the event. The contest also featured a special challenge between Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty, who are both considered the best shooters in their respective leagues. Curry edged out Ionescu 25-24 in a one-minute shootout.
The AT&T Slam Dunk, which showcases the NBA’s most creative and athletic dunkers, was won by Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, who beat Mac McClung of the Los Angeles Lakers in the final round. Brown, who scored a perfect 50 on his final dunk, became the first Celtic to win the event since Dee Brown in 1991. Brown’s final dunk was a tribute to his former teammate and friend, Terrence Clarke, who died in a car accident in 2021. Brown wore Clarke’s jersey and dunked over a car with Clarke’s picture on it.
Panini Rising Stars and HBCU Classic highlight the future of basketball
The Panini Rising Stars and the HBCU Classic were two events that highlighted the future of basketball, as they featured some of the most promising young players from the NBA and the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The Panini Rising Stars, which pits the best rookies and sophomores from the USA and the World, was a high-scoring affair that saw the USA beat the World 165-157. The game, which was played in a tournament format, was won by the USA team led by Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who scored 40 points and was named the MVP. The game also featured some impressive performances by LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets, who had a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Jonathan Kuminga of the Houston Rockets, who had 36 points and 10 rebounds for the World team.
The HBCU Classic, which was a new addition to the All-Star Weekend, was a showcase of the best players from the HBCUs, as they competed in a double-header game. The first game saw Winston-Salem State defeat Virginia Union 82-76, behind 24 points and 12 rebounds by Robert Colon, who was named the MVP. The second game saw Howard edge out Morehouse 74-72, behind 21 points and 10 assists by Makur Maker, who was also named the MVP. The HBCU Classic was a way to honor and support the HBCUs, which have produced some of the NBA’s legends, such as Earl Monroe, Charles Oakley, and Ben Wallace.
NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 showcases social impact and entertainment
The NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 was not only about basketball, but also about social impact and entertainment. The NBA and the Indiana Pacers hosted more than 50 social impact events, such as refurbishing basketball courts, donating books and laptops, and hosting clinics and workshops for the local community. The NBA also partnered with Special Olympics of Indiana and Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis as the charity beneficiaries for the All-Star Game, donating $1 million to each organization.
The NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 also featured some amazing performances by some of the most talented artists in the music industry. Jennifer Hudson, who is an Oscar and Grammy winner, sang the national anthem before the All-Star Game, while Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, who is a 11-time Grammy winner and an Indiana native, performed during the halftime show. Other performers included John Legend, H.E.R., Common, and J. Cole, who entertained the fans throughout the weekend.
The NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 was a success, as it delivered on its promise of providing the best basketball, entertainment, and social impact for the fans and the community. The event also showcased the city of Indianapolis, which hosted its second All-Star Weekend, after the first one in 1985. The NBA All-Star Weekend 2024 was a celebration of the game, the players, and the fans, and a reminder of why the NBA is the most exciting and diverse league in the world.
