How to watch the 2021 NBA All-Star Game

The 2021 NBA All-Star Game is tonight and we can already confidently say that it will be unlike any All-Star event we’ve seen before.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA decided to hold all of its main All-Star events — the dunk contest, the 3-point contest, the Skills Challenge and, of course, the game — in one night. In a normal year, All-Star festivities start on Friday and end with the big game on Sunday.

All-Star Weekend also typically includes a celebrity All-Star game and a Rising Stars game, but not this year. Here’s when and where everything will happen this year:

3:30 p.m. PT: Skills Challenge and 3-point contest (TNT)

5 p.m. PT: The 2021 NBA All-Star Game (TNT)

Halftime: The Dunk Contest (TNT)

LeBron James had another successful All-Star draft earlier this week and was arguably the favorite going into tonight’s game, but things took a turn for the worst for both him and Kevin Durant earlier today.

Embiid was set to be the starting center for Team Durant and Simmons was expected to be a key reserve for Team LeBron. Zion Williamson will start in place of Embiid, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Here’s how both teams’ starting lineups will look tonight barring any other last-minute updates:

Team LeBron: Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic

Team Durant: Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson

Anthony Davis was set to make his eighth All-Star appearance, but he will be sidelined with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis. His replacement, Devin Booker, will also be inactive. Mike Conley will play in their place.

This year’s All-Star game might not feel the same due to the timing of it all and the injuries, but it should still be an entertaining one.

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