The NBA All-Star Weekend is on deck, and this year's game will take place in the shadow of the sport losing one of its most legendary stars, Kobe Bryant, at the age of 41 last month.
The NBA plans to honor Bryant with several rule changes for the game on Sunday, Feb. 16, as follows:
• The score will be reset to 0-0 after the first and second quarters.
• The winning team of the first, second and third quarter will receiver $100,000 each quarter to donate to a Chicago-based charity of the captain's choice.
• The total scores from each quarter will be combined at the start of the fourth quarter, returning to how it would be in a regular game.
• The fourth quarter will not be timed. The winner will be determined by reaching a target score of 24 points (Bryant's number) added to the total of whichever team has the lead through three quarters. For example, if Team LeBron leads 100-94 after three quarters, the first team to reach 124 points will be deemed the winner.
• The winning team will receive another $200,000 to donate to charity.
Bryant is expected to be honored in other ways during the weekend, too, although nothing else has been confirmed.
Here's the complete schedule of the 2020 All-Star Weekend:
Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Finalists
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. ET
TV Info: NBA TV
What to Know: Among the nominees for this year’s Pro Basketball Hall of Fame class includes Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh. Becky Hammon, Swin Cash and Tamika Catchings highlight the female nominees. Among those who have been on the ballot previously and hope to get in this year are Chris Webber, Mark Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Marcus Camby.
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Wintrust Arena
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN App
What to Know: The list of celebrities is still to be determined, but this year ESPN’s Michael Wilbon and Stephen A. Smith will go head-to-head as the coaches of the All-Star Celebrity Game. A full list of those competing in the game can be found here.
NBA Rising Stars Challenge
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 9 p.m. ET
Where: United Center
TV Info: TNT
Live Stream: TBD
What to Know: The participants in this year’s Rising Stars game are still to be determined. Since 2015, the Rising Stars game has taken on a USA vs. World format involving first- and second-year players.
Team USA Roster
• Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets
• Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls
• Devonte' Graham, Charlotte Hornets
• Tyler Herro, Miami Heat (injured, will not play)
• Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
• Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat
• Eric Paschall, Golden State Warriors
• Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers
• PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
World Roster
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans
• Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
• RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
• Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies
• Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards
• Svi Mykhailiuk, Detroit Pistons
• Josh Okogie, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Mortiz Wagner, Washington Wizards
NBA Skills Challenge
When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 p.m. ET
Where: United Center
TV Info: TNT
Participants:
• Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
• Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
• Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
• Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
• Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
• Pascal Siakim, Toronto Raptors
• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
3-Point Contest
When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 p.m. ET
Where: United Center
TV Info: TNT
Participants:
• Devonte' Graham, Charlotte Hornets
• Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
• Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat
• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
• Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
• David Bertans, Washington Wizards
• Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets
• Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The NBA 3-Point Contest has an added wrinkle this year. There will be two new spots equidistant between the traditional racks at the top of the the 3-point arc and the adjacent rack, and six feet behind the line with a special green ball in each rack worth three points.
Brooklyn's Joe Harris will attempt to defend his 2019 title, but will have some stiff competition as he is the only competitor who is not among the top 10 in three point field goals made. Trae Young and Damian Lillard are the big guns Harris will have to worry about, while Duncan Robinson actually has the best three-point percentage of the entire field, making him a bit of a sleeper.
Slam Dunk Contest
Where: United Center
TV Info: TNT
Participants:
• Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Lakers
• Derrick Jones, Miami Heat
• Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
• Pat Connaughton, Milwaukee Bucks
This year's dunk contest will feature former champion Dwight Howard and former runner-up Aaron Gordon, while first-timers Derrick Jones Jr. and Pat Connaughton also get their shot. Howard initially planned to involve Bryant in his dunk contest routine, so perhaps there could be a tribute to his former teammate in the works here. Of course, Howard last won the contest 11 years ago, and may not be able to turn back the clock against his younger foes.
Gordon will get another chance to take the dunk title after he was edged by Zach Lavine in 2016 in what was an epic showdown between the two stars. Jones and Connaughton will aim to play spoiler in Gordon's pursuit of the title.
NBA All-Star Game
When: Sunday, Feb. 16, 8:20 p.m. ET
Where: United Center
TV Info: TNT
Team Lebron
Starters: Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers; James Harden, Houston Rockets; Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers; Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks; LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Reserves: Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder; Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers; Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets; Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers; Damontas Sabonis, Indianapolis Pacers; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics; Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
Team Giannis
Starters: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers; Pascal Siakim, Toronto Raptors; Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics; Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Reserves: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat; Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans; Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz; Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat; Rudy Gobert; Utah Jazz; Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors; Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
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