NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron battles it out with Team Kevin Durant; Plus other All-Star weekend events

On Thursday night, the first half of the 2020/21 NBA season came to a close, meaning it’s time for the All-Star break and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s festivities have been condensed into a one-night event in Atlanta on Sunday.

The events to take place will include the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, and the NBA All-Star Game.

Also, for the big one during the NBA All-Star weekend, Kevin Durant who happens to be a 13-year NBA veteran, on Thursday, made one of the final debuts of his career as he squared off against the league’s best player, LeBron James, drafting an All-Star roster for the first time.

The two-time Finals MVP earned that honor as the Eastern Conference’s top vote-getter among fans for the 2021 All-Star Game while his opposing captain was a familiar face in more ways than one.

Although the Brooklyn Nets star captained and drafted one of the rosters, he will not be available to play in the All-Star Game due to a hamstring injury.

It’s also worth noting that the All-Star Game will once again use the Elam Ending, and will honor Kobe Bryant by using 24 in the calculation of the final target score.

Here is how the draft shook out:

Round 1: Starters

• Team LeBron: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Team Durant: Kyrie Irving
• Team LeBron: Stephen Curry
• Team Durant: Joel Embiid
• Team LeBron: Luka Doncic
• Team Durant: Kawhi Leonard
• Team LeBron: Nikola Jokic
• Team Durant: Bradley Beal
• Team Durant: Jayson Tatum

Round 2: Reserves

• Team Durant: James Harden
• Team LeBron: Damian Lillard
• Team Durant: Devin Booker
• Team LeBron: Ben Simmons
• Team Durant: Zion Williamson
• Team LeBron: Chris Paul
• Team Durant: Zach LaVine
• Team LeBron: Jaylen Brown
• Team Durant: Julius Randle
• Team LeBron: Paul George
• Team Durant: Nikola Vucevic
• Team LeBron: Domantas Sabonis
• Team Durant: Donovan Mitchell
• Team LeBron: Rudy Gobert

That left the two with the following completed rosters:

Team LeBron (Starters)

• LeBron James
• Luka Doncic
• Stephen Curry
• Giannis Antetokounmpo
• Nikola Jokic.

Reserves:

• Damian Lillard
• Ben Simmons
• Chris Paul
• Jaylen Brown
• Paul George
• Domantas Sabonis
• Rudy Gobert

Team Durant (Starters)

• Kyrie Irving
• Joel Embiid
• Kawhi Leonard
• Bradley Beal
• Jayson Tatum

Reserves:

• James Harden
• Devin Booker (To be replaced by Mike Conley)
• Zion Williamson
• Zach LaVine
• Julius Randle
• Nikola Vucevic
• Donovan Mitchell

Also, the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest will take place pre-game, while the Dunk Contest will be held at halftime of the actual game.

Ahead of Sunday night, here’s everything you need to know about the events and when they’ll start.

Skills Challenge
When: Sunday, March 7 | Prior to tip-off of 2021 All-Star Game
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Participants: Robert Covington (Trail Blazers), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Chris Paul (Suns), Julius Randle (Knicks), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers), Nikola Vucevic (Magic)

3-Point Contest
When: Sunday, March 7 | Prior to tip-off of 2021 All-Star Game, and after the Skills Challenge
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Participants: Mike Conley (Jazz), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Zach LaVine (Bulls), Donovan Mitchell (Jazz), Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

Dunk Contest
When: Sunday, March 7 | Halftime of 2021 All-Star Game
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Participants: Anfernee Simons (Trail Blazers), Cassius Stanley (Pacers), Obi Toppin (Knicks)

2021 NBA All-Star Game
When: Sunday, March 7
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Team LeBron vs Team Durant