The NBA invites us to one of its biggest events of the season. The all-star game between Team LeBron and Team Giannis will take place on the night of this Sunday February 19 to Monday February 20. The All-Star Game 2023 can be found exclusively and live on beIN SPORTS!
After a few preliminaries this Saturday, including the Slam Dunk Contest, the famous All-Star Weekend dunk contest, it’s time to get down to business. The mythical All-Star Game will be making a comeback on beIN SPORTS! For this 2023 edition, opposing the team of record holder LeBron James to that of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA has chosen the Vivint Arena, in Salt Lake City (Utah).
A star game marked by the absence of captains?
At the time of this writing, the two captains are still uncertain for the match. LeBron James has had a foot injury for several days and only played half an hour again last Wednesday during the Lakers game against the New Orleans Pelicans. For his part, Giannis Antetokounmpo is hit in the wrist, suffering from a sprain after falling against the frame of the basket on an opposition, during the match of the Milwaukee Bucks against the Chicago Bulls last Thursday.
If no announcement has yet been made, concern looms as the two captains were not present this Saturday for the other All-Star Weekend events. The Greek Freak was thus unable to honor his presence at the NBA Skills Challenge, the course of tests in which he was to participate with his brothers. It may well be that he, and his opponent King James, have to give up their armband for the All-Star Game.
Another possible absence of size: that of Joel Embiid, who may not be present at the big meeting of the season. The Philadelphia 76ers center, selected as an Eastern Conference player, is suffering from foot pain and recently said ”to be out of shape”. Will he also be added to the sad list of major absentees for this 2023 edition of the star game? Remember that Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and Zion Williamson (New Orelans Pelicans) have already been announced packages. Faced with their injuries, the NBA called De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors) as reinforcements.
A new format for the 2023 edition of the All-Star Game
For the first time, the All-Star Draft, key moment when the two captains compose their teams, will take place just before the start of the match. As a reminder, a voting system had been put in place to choose the players. The two with the most votes (from the public, players and journalists) have been named captains – so this year it’s LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Those called the starters are the players who will start the game, except in case of injury of course. Here are the holders selected for this All-Star Game 2023:
Eastern Conference
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) – Captain
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)
- Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
Western Conference
- LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) – Capitaine
- Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)
- Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz)
- Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)
- De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
- Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
All that remains is to find out which players LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will choose in their respective teams. Be that as it may, and despite notable or even unforeseen absences, this All-Star Game 2023 still promises a great moment on the NBA courts.
You will have to stay up late to enjoy this exceptional evening: rJoin us on the night of this Sunday February 19 to Monday February 20, from 2 a.m., to follow the star game live and exclusively on beIN SPORTS.
Sources : NBA, beIN SPORTS, TrashTalk, CBS Sports, The Team