Latest news with #TeamChuck
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Victor Wembanyama to miss rest of regular season with shoulder injury, Spurs say
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-2025 regular season due to a shoulder injury, the team announced Thursday. The All-Star center has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in the right shoulder, per the team. Wembanyama's condition, which refers to a blood clot in a vein located deep in the body, was discovered when he return to San Antonio after participating in the All-Star Game in San Francisco this past weekend. The French national played on Team Chuck, a team made up of the league's international stars. The team did not provide a specific timeline, saying only that he was "expected to miss" the rest of the regular season. Deep vein thrombosis typically occurs in the legs, but can affect other parts of the body. — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 20, 2025 Last weekend marked Wembanyama's first All-Star appearance since arriving in the league last season. The 21-year-old sensation had a dominant first season, picking up Rookie of the Year and leading the league in blocks. This season, Wembanyama had been averaging 24.3 points and 11 rebounds per game, while also contributing 3.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per game on the defensive end. The Spurs currently sit toward the bottom of the Western Conference with a 23-29 record. As of now, their playoff chances are slim — and even slimmer without Wembanyama on the court.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Curry, Tatum shine as 'Team Shaq' romps to All-Star win
Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum combined for 27 points as Shaquille O'Neal's "Team Shaq" cruised to victory in the new-look NBA All-Star game in San Francisco on Sunday. Curry, playing on his home court at Golden State's Chase Center, reeled off a string of trademark three-pointers to help his star-studded line-up coast to a 41-25 victory over Charles Barkley's "Team Chuck." Boston Celtics star Tatum finished with 15 points after delivering a dominant performance in a starting line-up that also included Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden. Team Shaq's preparations for the game had been dealt a blow shortly before tip-off when Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James withdrew from the line-up, citing a nagging foot and ankle injury. But even without the 40-year-old James, the veteran line-up was always in control against opponents spearheaded by Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell. Curry was named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game, the second time he has achieved the accolade after winning the honor in 2022. "It's a celebration of a lot of great things -- to be able to play with these guys for as long as we have," Curry said after being handed his MVP award. "It's our responsibility to come out and put on a show and I thank them for helping me do that," Curry added, gesturing to his teammates. The NBA opted to shake up the format for this year's All-Star game after mounting criticism of the annual mid-season celebration as being a meaningless exhibition game lacking in competitive edge. The old Eastern Conference v Western Conference format was scrapped in favor of a four-team mini-tournament, with each team managed by basketball greats O'Neal, Barkley, Kenny Smith and Candace Parker. Each game was played on a first-to-40 basis rather than in the conventional four-quarter format. But this year's new format failed to impress everyone. Curry's Golden State teammate Draymond Green -- working as a television analyst for the event -- lambasted the competition during Sunday's broadcast. "You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you're done. C'mon what are we doing? This is ridiculous," Green said. "This sucks. It ain't basketball." However, Milwaukee star Lillard voiced approval for the format after helping O'Neal's team complete victory in Sunday's final. "I think they were just looking for a more competitive game and trying to find ways to create that," Lillard said. "I thought tonight was a little bit more competitive than it had been the last few years. I think that was the number one thing -- provide a bit of entertainment and a little bit more competitiveness on the floor and it felt like we did that tonight." rcw/jgc
Japan Times
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Team Shaq claims victory in NBA's new All-Star Game format
San Francisco – Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum combined for 27 points as Shaquille O'Neal's "Team Shaq" cruised to victory in the new-look NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday. Curry, playing on his home court at the Golden State Warriors' Chase Center, reeled off a string of trademark three-pointers to help his star-studded lineup coast to a 41-25 victory over Charles Barkley's "Team Chuck." Boston Celtics star Tatum finished with 15 points after delivering a dominant performance in a starting lineup that also included Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and James Harden.
Reuters
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Jayson Tatum, Stephen Curry lead Team Shaq's All-Star clincher
February 17 - The critics regularly blasted the NBA All-Star Game as an event in which very little defense was being played. On Sunday night, Stephen Curry was named MVP for scoring 20 points -- over two games. The NBA's new format drew mixed reviews on a night in which Team Shaq prevailed as the winner of the three-game event in San Francisco. Curry was happy with the format after helping Team Shaq to a 41-25 victory over Team Chuck in the championship game. "I had a lot of fun," Curry said. "The intensity was definitely different than last year, a step in the right direction. It's something new, everybody is still trying to figure it out. ... "There are ways to tinker with the product, but I think this was a step in the right direction." Draymond Green, Curry's Golden State Warriors teammate, didn't play in the All-Star Game but is very much against the format. He didn't like that there was a team of non-All Stars playing among the four squads, and he pointed out that nobody can make a run at single-game scoring records in such a format. "You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 (points) and then you're done,'" Green said on TNT, the network televising (and promoting) the contest. "This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who just took this game really seriously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously." Asked to rate it on a scale, Green said, "Ten being the best? A zero. It sucks. Awful." Jayson Tatum scored 15 points and Curry added 12 on four 3-pointers in Team Shaq's easy 16-point victory in the title game. Tatum made 6 of 7 shots from the floor and converted the decisive dunk to end the game for Team Shaq, coached by former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. Curry was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time in his career. He also won in 2022, when he scored 50 points and set an All-Star Game record with 16 3-pointers in Cleveland. Team Shaq's LeBron James (ankle) sat out Sunday night's festivities. Wembanyama scored 11 points to pace Team Chuck, which was coached by former NBA star Charles Barkley. Team Shaq was seven points away from the target score of 40 when Curry hit two treys to pull it within one. Tatum soon threw down his dunk to end the first All-Star Game played under this format. Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, a native of Oakland, was also on the winning side. He felt like this year's event was an improvement over recent years' All-Star Games. "I think they're just looking for a more competitive game and trying to find ways to create that and I thought tonight was a little bit more competitive than they have been the last few years," Lillard said. "That's the No. 1 thing, just to provide the entertainment and that competitiveness on the floor, and I thought it was a little bit more of that tonight." Team Shaq shot 57.1 percent from the field, including a 9-of-17 mark from 3-point range. Team Chuck shot 35.5 percent overall and was a lowly 2 of 16 from behind the arc. Team Shaq scored the first 11 points of the game. Curry hit a game-opening 3-pointer, and Tatum followed with the next eight points on a dunk and two treys. Team Chuck finally got on the board when Gilgeous-Alexander split two free throws. After missing its first 10 field-goal attempts, Team Chuck ended its drought on a layup by Karl-Anthony Towns. Wembanyama followed with a 3-pointer to pull Team Chuck within 11-6. Team Chuck was down 12 before creeping within 23-15 on consecutive dunks by Towns and Wembanyama. But Curry let it fly from the midcourt line and swished a shot to push Team Shaq's lead to 11 and provide one of the biggest highlights of the night. The contest was the second of the night for both teams under the new format. Team Shaq qualified for the title match with a 42-35 win over Team Candace, coached by former women's star Candace Parker. Team Candace was made up of first and second-year NBA players who played their way into the bracket through Friday's Rising Stars competition. Team Chuck reached the final with a 41-32 victory over Team Kenny, coached by former NBA player Kenny Smith.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBA All-Star Game: Team Shaq cruises to victory as new tournament format comes under fire
In an All-Star tournament that was met with pushback for its format and its coverage, Team Shaq prevailed on Sunday when the basketball was all said and done. In the three-team mini-tournament, Team Shaq's squad of All-Star veterans defeated Team Candace's roster of non All-Stars in the semifinal round. It then rolled past Team Chuck's squad of international All-Stars via a 41-25 victory in the final to secure the title of 2025 All-Star champions. Each player on Team Shaq secured a $125,000 prize for the victory. Team Chuck's runners-up earned $50,000, while the semifinal losers secured $25,000 each just for making it to Sunday. After facing a challenge from Team Candace's Rising Stars team in the semifinals, Team Shaq started the final on fire with an 11-0 lead, sparked by eight early points from Jayson Tatum. Team Chuck never challenged as Team Shaq cruised to a 41-25 win. Tatum led the way with 15 points, including the game-winning bucket. Warriors star Stephen Curry added 12 points in front of a San Francisco crowd. In between and sometimes during the games, the broadcast featured commentary and banter from comedian Kevin Hart that distracted from the basketball and was met with vocal criticism on social media. The tournament format itself, meanwhile, was the subject of harsh criticism on the TNT broadcast from Draymond Green. Playing without an injured LeBron James, Team Shaq averted disaster in the second semifinal of Sunday's All-Star mini tournament. Led by nine points from Damian Lillard, Team Shaq scored a 42-35 win over Team Candace's roster of Rising Stars. In the first-to-40 format, Team Candace kept pace with Team Shaq for much of the game that was tied at 28-28. But Team Shaq pulled away with a 14-7 run to secure the win and avoid losing to a team of non-All-Stars. Team Shaq missed a bunch of shots down the stretch as they tried to end the game on a 3-pointer while sitting on 37 points. Officials then ignored an obvious foul of Kevin Durant as Team Shaq sat on 39 points in an apparent effort to avoid having the game end on the free-throw line. The refs might have missed one here. — TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 17, 2025 Damian Lillard eventually put the game to bed with a deep 3 to secure the win. DAME TIME FROM DEEP FOR THE WIN 🚨The Oakland native puts on the finishing OGs will face Chuck's Global Stars in the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! 🌟 — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Team Shaq advances to face Team Chuck in the final. Behind an outburst from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some actual All-Star Game defense from Victor Wembanyama, Charles Barkley's team of international stars struck first Sunday night. Team Chuck cruised to a 42-31 win over Team Kenny in the first semifinal, which featured a lineup of young stars headlined by Jalen Brunson and Evan Mobley. Anthony Edwards was a DNP with a lingering groin injury. Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 12 points, including the game-winning bucket. Gilgeous-Alexander beat Jaren Jackson Jr. off the dribble and put Team Chuck over 40 points with a two-handed dunk. The first team to 40 points in the semifinal round wins. SGA WINS IT FOR CHUCK'S GLOBAL STARS 🚨Scoring the final 5 advance to the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Gilgeous-Alexander's easy path to the bucket with the game on the line won't assuage critics tired of the lack of defense in the All-Star game. But Victor Wembanyama at least made an effort in his first All-Star game debut. He finished with six points, four rebounds, one steal and this block of Cade Cunningham in the winning effort for Team Chuck. WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND — WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025 Similar to the Rising Stars challenge, the NBA All-Stars will competed in a three-game tournament. The All-Stars were split into three teams — through an All-Star Draft conducted by TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. The first two matchups were Team Shaq vs. Team Candace Parker, and Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny. Parker's team qualified Friday as the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge when it was coached by Chris Mullin, and it features Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht, Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey and others. For each game in Sunday's tournament, the winner will be the first team to reach or surpass 40 points. As for prize money, each player on the championship-winning team will receive $125,000; each player on the second-place team will receive $50,000; and each player on the third- and fourth-place teams will receive $25,000. The All-Star teams are comprised of the East and West starters (voted by fans, players and media members) and reserves (voted by coaches). Trae Young and Kyrie Irving were named as injury replacements for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, respectively. Here's a breakdown of the rosters (listed in order of how each team was drafted). Shaq's OGs LeBron James, Lakers* Stephen Curry, Warriors Anthony Davis, Mavericks* Jayson Tatum, Celtics Kevin Durant, Suns Damian Lillard, Bucks James Harden, Clippers Jaylen Brown, Celtics Kyrie Irving, Mavericks Kenny's Young Stars Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves Jalen Brunson, Knicks Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies Jalen Williams, Thunder Darius Garland, Cavaliers Evan Mobley, Cavaliers Cade Cunningham, Pistons Tyler Herro, Heat Chuck's Global Stars Nikola Jokić, Nuggets Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks* Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Victor Wembanyama, Spurs Pascal Siakam, Pacers Alperen Şengün, Rockets Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers Trae Young, Hawks*injured Team Candace Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies Keyonte George, Utah Jazz Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (added by Parker after Friday's games) Team Shaq defeated Team Chuck, 41-25, to win the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament. The final of the NBA ASG tournament came back from commercial break and an insane gift ceremony occurred to honor the TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny. I repeat: A live game — with Team Shaq leading Team Chuck, 11-3 — was stopped and billion of dollars worth of All-Stars sat around and got cold so they could watch the TNT studio show hosts get a bunch of gifts to honor their roles in the promotion of the game. Oh yeah, and Kevin Hart was once again the host of it. Like most the evening, it went over like a lead zeppelin: The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season. — Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025 Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER — Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025 LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 If Steph and KD walked out during that 30 minute tv time out, I would not have blamed them — Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025 The amount of sitting Chuck's team has had to do throughout the night is bonkers. — Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 17, 2025 It's hilarious watching these players try and warm up every 35 minutes dude You can tell they're even bewildered by all this — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 It's almost 11pm on a Sunday night. What are you doing @NBA? — Ed. (@DepressedDETN) February 17, 2025 STEPH RUNNING 3 OFF ONE LEG 😤😤He opens the scoring in the #NBAAllStar Championship Game on TNT! 🌟 — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Team Shaq's OGs defeated Team Candace's Rising Stars, 42-35, but it wasn't easy. Team Shaq had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but needing just three points with a 37-31 lead, the veterans opted to take a lot of 3s — and missed them. Finally, Damian Lillard, who led his club with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long distance, hit a 3 to give Team Shaq the victory and a ticket to face Team Chuck in the final. For those into such things, Team Candace spent most of the day at BetMGM as a 7.5-point underdog, but went off as only a 6.5-point dog as the game tipped. Landing on seven had major ramifications, once again illustrating the importance of getting the best of the number. Steph splashes for THREE 💦(via @NBA) — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025 The NBA making its All-Star game less and less about basketball while complaining about NBA players not taking it seriously is about all you need to know about the state of NBA discourse in 2025. — Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) February 17, 2025 Oh God. Now it's the comedy sketch again. F me, man. This used to be one of the best weekends of the sporting calendar. I used to LOVE it. Invite my friends over. Watch the game again. Blow this up. It's over. Praying NBC fixes this next year. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2025 Can the sandman come out with the hook? This is cooked — Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) February 17, 2025 Lebron knows this format sucks lol — Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 17, 2025 The new format is good. The first game was good. Don't ever give Kevin Hart or Draymond a mic again. — Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 17, 2025 I get what Draymond is saying about the disservice guys like SGA and Wemby will see with this new format. He can say this format sucks but let's not ignore how we got here, the guys just didn't care. The games have been awful. — Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 17, 2025 with all due respect they gotta cut Kevin Hart's mic — Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 17, 2025 Been about 10 minutes of basketball and 50 minutes of not-basketball — Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 17, 2025 Start the damn game! Doing too damn much. Jesus Christ — Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 17, 2025 I swear I'm not trying to be cynical but everything outside of the actual games tonight — which have been great — has varied from terrifying to cringe. — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 Why does it take 78 minutes for the next game to start?! — James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 17, 2025 Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER — Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025 Now they getting present with gifts. During the Allstar game. This couldn't be on the post show? They aren't going off air anyway bruh they just won't have the all star game 😂 — Jay (@1jreezy) February 17, 2025 LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season. — Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025 Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not participate for Team Kenny in the opening game of All-Star Sunday's new format due to a groin injury, he said afterwards. There was no indication in the lead-up to the game that Edwards would not participate. Edwards played his usual 36 points in a 15-point victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, compiling 23 points (5-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation, hosted a shooting contest between Damian Lillard and a fan for $100,000. The fan had to make one shot from the logo near halfcourt before Lillard made three. Lillard made two, but before he could sink his third the fan banked in the winning shot. 🚨🚨THIS FAN JUST WON $100,000🚨🚨 — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 17, 2025 The All-Star players, just as hyped as the fans, showered the fan with congratulations. Team Chuck topped Team Kenny in Game 1, 41-32, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander icing the contest with a dunk. SGA shot 5-of-5 for 12 points in a game in which Anthony Edwards curiously did not play for Team Kenny. The TNT broadcast said The Athletic reported Edwards had groin soreness. SGA ICES GAME 1 😤Chuck's Global Stars move on to the Final Rd of the #NBAAllStar Mini-Tournament ⭐️ — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025 The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver want the All-Star event to be taken more seriously, with players actually competing. But the four-man booth for Game 1 — Shaq, Candace Parker, Reggie Miller and Brian Anderson — was all about jokes and topics other than the game during the early going. The broadcast also gave time during the game to Ernie Johnson and Kevin Hart, who were sitting with coaches Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Hart screamed a lot about whatever as action on the court took place. I have wondered for a very long time who the Kevin Hart fans are? Where they are? Why does Adam think he's an ambassador lol. — Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025 When the broadcast went back to the actual broadcast booth, it was Anderson trying to give updates on the action, while his broadcast mates wanted to talk about anything except the action on the court. The issue: If the action isn't interesting enough for the folks calling the game, why should anyone else care? Then after the first game, Draymond Green ripped the new format, trashing everything about it. The NBA continues to lead American sports in giving monster platforms to voices who continue to tear apart, ridicule and denigrate its game. Some would say that isn't an optimal strategy when so much money and time are involved in "promoting" the game. The NBA needs to take a hard look at this game presentation. Led by Victor Wembanayama, the NBA's young stars are injecting some energy into the All-Star Game for the first time in years. In a back-and-forth battle, Wembanyama has wreaked havoc on both ends, inspiring everyone to compete. WEMBY'S FIRST #NBAAllStar POINTS 👽Hops into the lane and stuffs it with the left!Chuck's Global Stars 14 PTS away from 40 on TNT 👀 — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 VICTOR WEMBANYAMA NíO QUER SABER DE RELAXAR NO ALL-STARJÁ TEM 2 TOCOS NO JOGO — Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) February 17, 2025 The All-Stars are actually trying Victor Wembanyama is here to play some All-Star game defense: WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND — WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025 Tyler Herro and Karl-Anthony Towns trading ridiculous 3s: HERRO DRAINS THE 3. 👀KAT FOLLOWS UP FROM THE LOGO. 🎯First to 40 advances... #NBAAllStar on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 In the first NBA All-Star tournament game, featuring Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny, it was Evan Mobley of Team Kenny who scored the first points of the new format. In transition, the Cavs big man was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams. Mobley added another bucket as Team Chuck led 17-12 at the first timeout of the contest, which will be decided by the first to 40. And we're underway. There's no game clock in these games. First team to 40 points in the semifinals wins. Here are the rosters for the opening game: Team Kenny Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesJalen Brunson, New York KnicksJaren Jackson Jr., Memphis GrizzliesJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderDarius Garland, Cleveland CavaliersEvan Mobley, Cleveland CavaliersCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyler Herro, Miami Heat vs. Team Chuck Nikola Jokić, Denver NuggetsTrae Young, Atlanta Hawks (replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursPascal Siakam, Indiana PacersAlperen Şengün, Houston RocketsKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star intros full of pomp and circumstance are over. Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck is up next. Introducing Chuck's Global Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Introducing Kenny's Young Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, speaking before the All-Star Game, pledged to participate in a 1-on-1 battle next season, if the NBA decides to add the event to its festivities. "If I had the chance to play 1-on-1 with anybody, I would love to do it," he said. "Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate. ... If it's a 1-on-1 competition, I would love to participate." He gives himself a pretty good shot, too. "I think sometimes you forget, to be a good 1-on-1 player, you've got to be able to play both ways," he said. "You've got to get a stop to get the ball. You don't get a stop, you're not getting the ball. It's kind of hard, say, if Kyrie Irving is going against [Victor Wembanyama]. He's got to get a stop. But it would be fun. It would be fun. I would love to participate if next year there's a 1-on-1 tournament. I would love to participate." Is he sure? "I can't make no promises," he said, "but if I'm healthy, I'd probably do it. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for the All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he manages the ankle soreness that has plagued him for the past few seasons, ending his record-setting streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game starts. "I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it's just not where I wanted it to be," said James. "With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it's very important for me to take care of myself and understand what was coming on. "It is maintenance, but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury I've been dealing with for years." James flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Sunday and will return later in the night. "There will be no vacation for me," he said. "I head back to L.A. tonight and back to the rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday." His availability for Wednesday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets is questionable. More on James' absence. SAN FRANCISCO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees all and hears all: the praise of where his game is or, most importantly, the constant critique the NBA is subject to, almost on a daily basis. The never-ending 3-point discussion, one that even he has chimed in on at times. The money element, the financial decisions that have played a big part in trades involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the standoff with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. The officiating, the challenges with a million camera angles and a million more opinions on social media and in NBA locker rooms. And he's even contributed to it in ways, jokingly throwing gasoline onto the discourse by suggesting 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 — a suggestion that earned a decent amount of criticism. 'I try to read it all, frankly, and we try to absorb it at the league office,' Silver said during his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend inside Chase Center. 'I think the state of the game is excellent. I think it's the media's role, the fans' role, it's perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game, and I find it very helpful. I'm not one of those people who said I don't read criticism.' How Silver is trying to shape the league. Nobody was beating Mac McClung in his three-peat bid. The Magic G Leaguer was once again the runaway slam dunk contest winner for his third-straight title Saturday night in a performance for the ages. He started things with a dunk worthy of a closer and continued to wow with each successive dunk. Each of McClung's dunks earned a perfect 50 score. Catch up on all of NBA All-Star Saturday night. Team Shaq defeated Team Chuck, 41-25, to win the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament. The final of the NBA ASG tournament came back from commercial break and an insane gift ceremony occurred to honor the TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny. I repeat: A live game — with Team Shaq leading Team Chuck, 11-3 — was stopped and billion of dollars worth of All-Stars sat around and got cold so they could watch the TNT studio show hosts get a bunch of gifts to honor their roles in the promotion of the game. Oh yeah, and Kevin Hart was once again the host of it. Like most the evening, it went over like a lead zeppelin: The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season. — Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025 Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER — Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025 LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 If Steph and KD walked out during that 30 minute tv time out, I would not have blamed them — Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025 The amount of sitting Chuck's team has had to do throughout the night is bonkers. — Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 17, 2025 It's hilarious watching these players try and warm up every 35 minutes dude You can tell they're even bewildered by all this — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 It's almost 11pm on a Sunday night. What are you doing @NBA? — Ed. (@DepressedDETN) February 17, 2025 STEPH RUNNING 3 OFF ONE LEG 😤😤He opens the scoring in the #NBAAllStar Championship Game on TNT! 🌟 — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Team Shaq's OGs defeated Team Candace's Rising Stars, 42-35, but it wasn't easy. Team Shaq had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but needing just three points with a 37-31 lead, the veterans opted to take a lot of 3s — and missed them. Finally, Damian Lillard, who led his club with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long distance, hit a 3 to give Team Shaq the victory and a ticket to face Team Chuck in the final. For those into such things, Team Candace spent most of the day at BetMGM as a 7.5-point underdog, but went off as only a 6.5-point dog as the game tipped. Landing on seven had major ramifications, once again illustrating the importance of getting the best of the number. Steph splashes for THREE 💦(via @NBA) — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025 The NBA making its All-Star game less and less about basketball while complaining about NBA players not taking it seriously is about all you need to know about the state of NBA discourse in 2025. — Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) February 17, 2025 Oh God. Now it's the comedy sketch again. F me, man. This used to be one of the best weekends of the sporting calendar. I used to LOVE it. Invite my friends over. Watch the game again. Blow this up. It's over. Praying NBC fixes this next year. — Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2025 Can the sandman come out with the hook? This is cooked — Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) February 17, 2025 Lebron knows this format sucks lol — Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 17, 2025 The new format is good. The first game was good. Don't ever give Kevin Hart or Draymond a mic again. — Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 17, 2025 I get what Draymond is saying about the disservice guys like SGA and Wemby will see with this new format. He can say this format sucks but let's not ignore how we got here, the guys just didn't care. The games have been awful. — Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 17, 2025 with all due respect they gotta cut Kevin Hart's mic — Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 17, 2025 Been about 10 minutes of basketball and 50 minutes of not-basketball — Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 17, 2025 Start the damn game! Doing too damn much. Jesus Christ — Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 17, 2025 I swear I'm not trying to be cynical but everything outside of the actual games tonight — which have been great — has varied from terrifying to cringe. — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 Why does it take 78 minutes for the next game to start?! — James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 17, 2025 Worst All-Star 'Game' EVER — Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025 Now they getting present with gifts. During the Allstar game. This couldn't be on the post show? They aren't going off air anyway bruh they just won't have the all star game 😂 — Jay (@1jreezy) February 17, 2025 LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON — Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025 The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We're now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season. — Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025 Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not participate for Team Kenny in the opening game of All-Star Sunday's new format due to a groin injury, he said afterwards. There was no indication in the lead-up to the game that Edwards would not participate. Edwards played his usual 36 points in a 15-point victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, compiling 23 points (5-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation, hosted a shooting contest between Damian Lillard and a fan for $100,000. The fan had to make one shot from the logo near halfcourt before Lillard made three. Lillard made two, but before he could sink his third the fan banked in the winning shot. 🚨🚨THIS FAN JUST WON $100,000🚨🚨 — Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 17, 2025 The All-Star players, just as hyped as the fans, showered the fan with congratulations. Team Chuck topped Team Kenny in Game 1, 41-32, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander icing the contest with a dunk. SGA shot 5-of-5 for 12 points in a game in which Anthony Edwards curiously did not play for Team Kenny. The TNT broadcast said The Athletic reported Edwards had groin soreness. SGA ICES GAME 1 😤Chuck's Global Stars move on to the Final Rd of the #NBAAllStar Mini-Tournament ⭐️ — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025 The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver want the All-Star event to be taken more seriously, with players actually competing. But the four-man booth for Game 1 — Shaq, Candace Parker, Reggie Miller and Brian Anderson — was all about jokes and topics other than the game during the early going. The broadcast also gave time during the game to Ernie Johnson and Kevin Hart, who were sitting with coaches Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Hart screamed a lot about whatever as action on the court took place. I have wondered for a very long time who the Kevin Hart fans are? Where they are? Why does Adam think he's an ambassador lol. — Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025 When the broadcast went back to the actual broadcast booth, it was Anderson trying to give updates on the action, while his broadcast mates wanted to talk about anything except the action on the court. The issue: If the action isn't interesting enough for the folks calling the game, why should anyone else care? Then after the first game, Draymond Green ripped the new format, trashing everything about it. The NBA continues to lead American sports in giving monster platforms to voices who continue to tear apart, ridicule and denigrate its game. Some would say that isn't an optimal strategy when so much money and time are involved in "promoting" the game. The NBA needs to take a hard look at this game presentation. Led by Victor Wembanayama, the NBA's young stars are injecting some energy into the All-Star Game for the first time in years. In a back-and-forth battle, Wembanyama has wreaked havoc on both ends, inspiring everyone to compete. WEMBY'S FIRST #NBAAllStar POINTS 👽Hops into the lane and stuffs it with the left!Chuck's Global Stars 14 PTS away from 40 on TNT 👀 — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 VICTOR WEMBANYAMA NíO QUER SABER DE RELAXAR NO ALL-STARJÁ TEM 2 TOCOS NO JOGO — Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) February 17, 2025 The All-Stars are actually trying Victor Wembanyama is here to play some All-Star game defense: WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAMHE ISN'T MESSING AROUND — WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025 Tyler Herro and Karl-Anthony Towns trading ridiculous 3s: HERRO DRAINS THE 3. 👀KAT FOLLOWS UP FROM THE LOGO. 🎯First to 40 advances... #NBAAllStar on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 In the first NBA All-Star tournament game, featuring Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny, it was Evan Mobley of Team Kenny who scored the first points of the new format. In transition, the Cavs big man was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams. Mobley added another bucket as Team Chuck led 17-12 at the first timeout of the contest, which will be decided by the first to 40. And we're underway. There's no game clock in these games. First team to 40 points in the semifinals wins. Here are the rosters for the opening game: Team Kenny Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesJalen Brunson, New York KnicksJaren Jackson Jr., Memphis GrizzliesJalen Williams, Oklahoma City ThunderDarius Garland, Cleveland CavaliersEvan Mobley, Cleveland CavaliersCade Cunningham, Detroit PistonsTyler Herro, Miami Heat vs. Team Chuck Nikola Jokić, Denver NuggetsTrae Young, Atlanta Hawks (replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo)Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City ThunderVictor Wembanyama, San Antonio SpursPascal Siakam, Indiana PacersAlperen Şengün, Houston RocketsKarl-Anthony Towns, New York KnicksDonovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star intros full of pomp and circumstance are over. Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck is up next. Introducing Chuck's Global Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Introducing Kenny's Young Stars!🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025 Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, speaking before the All-Star Game, pledged to participate in a 1-on-1 battle next season, if the NBA decides to add the event to its festivities. "If I had the chance to play 1-on-1 with anybody, I would love to do it," he said. "Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate. ... If it's a 1-on-1 competition, I would love to participate." He gives himself a pretty good shot, too. "I think sometimes you forget, to be a good 1-on-1 player, you've got to be able to play both ways," he said. "You've got to get a stop to get the ball. You don't get a stop, you're not getting the ball. It's kind of hard, say, if Kyrie Irving is going against [Victor Wembanyama]. He's got to get a stop. But it would be fun. It would be fun. I would love to participate if next year there's a 1-on-1 tournament. I would love to participate." Is he sure? "I can't make no promises," he said, "but if I'm healthy, I'd probably do it. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for the All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he manages the ankle soreness that has plagued him for the past few seasons, ending his record-setting streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game starts. "I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it's just not where I wanted it to be," said James. "With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it's very important for me to take care of myself and understand what was coming on. "It is maintenance, but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury I've been dealing with for years." James flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Sunday and will return later in the night. "There will be no vacation for me," he said. "I head back to L.A. tonight and back to the rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday." His availability for Wednesday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets is questionable. More on James' absence. SAN FRANCISCO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees all and hears all: the praise of where his game is or, most importantly, the constant critique the NBA is subject to, almost on a daily basis. The never-ending 3-point discussion, one that even he has chimed in on at times. The money element, the financial decisions that have played a big part in trades involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the standoff with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. The officiating, the challenges with a million camera angles and a million more opinions on social media and in NBA locker rooms. And he's even contributed to it in ways, jokingly throwing gasoline onto the discourse by suggesting 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 — a suggestion that earned a decent amount of criticism. 'I try to read it all, frankly, and we try to absorb it at the league office,' Silver said during his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend inside Chase Center. 'I think the state of the game is excellent. I think it's the media's role, the fans' role, it's perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game, and I find it very helpful. I'm not one of those people who said I don't read criticism.' How Silver is trying to shape the league. Nobody was beating Mac McClung in his three-peat bid. The Magic G Leaguer was once again the runaway slam dunk contest winner for his third-straight title Saturday night in a performance for the ages. He started things with a dunk worthy of a closer and continued to wow with each successive dunk. Each of McClung's dunks earned a perfect 50 score. Catch up on all of NBA All-Star Saturday night.
