The 67th edition of the NBA All-Star Game tips off on Sunday at Staples Center at 5 p.m. PT. It’s the sixth time Los Angeles is hosting the exhibition game, and the first since 2011.
For the first time since its inception, the All-Star Game rosters were determined via draft, and not by the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference format.
Each player previously voted in by fans, media members and current NBA players was selected by team captains in Stephen Curry and LeBron James, who were the top-two vote-getters.
Team LeBron features a stacked roster that includes former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kyrie Irving. It’s the first time they’ll suit up for the same squad since Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics last summer.
Adding more intrigue to the contest is the pairing of former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who will share the floor for Team LeBron.
Since Durant departed for the Golden State Warriors in 2016, Westbrook hasn’t shied away from expressing his displeasure with Durant’s decision.
Team Stephen lacks the potential drama that Team LeBron presents, but the unit is still loaded with a plethora of top-tier talent. Curry teams up with two of his Warriors teammates in Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
Furthermore, Minnesota Timberwolves teammates Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Toronto Raptors teammates DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry are also paired up on Team Stephen.
Raptors head coach Dwane Casey will be at the helm for Team LeBron, while Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni holds the same responsibility for Team Stephen.
A quartet of All-Stars in DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Kevin Love and Kristaps Porzingis are not be able to participate in the contest due to injury. Replacing them in the game are Paul George, Andre Drummond, Goran Dragic and Kemba Walker.
While no members of the Los Angeles Lakers will be represented, it should still be an exciting, high-scoring, back-and-forth battle between both teams.
Team LeBron roster:
LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs)
Bradley Beal (Wizards)
DeMarcus Cousins (Pelicans)
Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
Goran Dragic (Heat)
Andre Drummond (Pistons)
Kevin Durant (Warriors)
Paul George (Thunder)
Kyrie Irving (Celtics)
LeBron James (Cavaliers)
Kevin Love (Cavaliers)
Victor Oladipo (Pacers)
Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks)
Kemba Walker (Hornets)
John Wall (Wizards)
Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Head coach: Dwane Casey (Raptors)
Team Stephen roster:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Jimmy Butler (Timberwolves)
Stephen Curry (Warriors)
DeMar DeRozan (Raptors)
Joel Embiid (76ers)
Draymond Green (Warriors)
James Harden (Rockets)
Al Horford (Celtics)
Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
Klay Thompson (Warriors)
Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves)
Head coach: Mike D’Antoni (Rockets)
All-Star Game details
5:00 P.M. PST, February 18, 2018
Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
TV: TNT
