NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, held Feb. 14-16, featured a slew of firsts for the celebration. It also may be the last time for many others.
For the first time, the festivities featured more than just the traditional All-Star Game. The addition of the Rising Stars Challenge and a Young Stars vs. Global Stars game imbued fans with excitement.
The new format also allowed the winner of the Rising Stars game to advance and compete in the main All-Star Game, something never done before.
Stephon Castle said he is indifferent to the new format.
“I’m kind of 50/50 on it,” Castle said. “I liked the opportunity for us to be able to go out there and play the All-Stars, but I feel like the All-Stars earned to play each other on Sundays, too.”
The Young Stars vs. Global Stars game was highlight of the weekend. The Global Stars, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 12 points and Trae Young’s five assists, defeated the Young Stars 41-32.
Evan Mobley, Tyler Herro and Darius Garland shared the scoring load for the Young Stars with six points each. Jaren Jackson Jr. pulled down two rebounds and Jalen Brunson and Garland each had three assists.
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In the All-Star Game championship, Team OGs, featuring tenured players like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam and Jayson Tatum, faced off against the Global Stars, a unique unit showcasing international talent like Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The OGs ultimately emerged victorious with a decisive 41-25 win.
Curry, Durant and James, all over age 35, demonstrated that they still have plenty left in the tank. Their presence on the hardwood together sparked speculation that this could be one of their last All-Star appearances, adding a layer of nostalgia to the big weekend in The Bay.
Game 2 of the All-Star Semifinals saw the Rising Stars, a team of young NBA players like Castle and Dalton Knecht, take on the OGs.
Despite a valiant effort, the Rising Stars fell to the OGs 42-35. Knecht and Ryan Dunn led the young squad with 8 points each, while Amen Thompson served up four assists.
On the OG’s side, Damian Lillard led the scoring with nine points, Curry grabbed six rebounds and Durant contributed three assists and a few ferocious slams at the rim.
Curry was named All-Star Game MVP. The future hall of famer spoke about how he secured the award.
“It was one of those little flurries, just having fun,” Curry said. “The half-court shot, I was going to take one at some point. Jokic was picking me up at half court, which was hilarious.”
The Golden State point guard also said that the city did a great job hosting All-Star Weekend.
The All-Star Game may be the last time fans see the broadcast tandem of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Shaq.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more NBA news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
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