2022 NBA All-Star Game

The 2022 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on February 20, 2022, during the National Basketball Association's 2021–22 season. It was the 71st edition of the NBA All-Star Game. The game was hosted by the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. This was the third time that the Cleveland area hosted the All-Star Game, the first being in 1981 at the Coliseum in nearby Richfield, Ohio, and most recently in 1997—three years after the Cavaliers moved back to downtown Cleveland to play in the newly built Gund Arena, which is now known as Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Coincidentally, on the occasion Cleveland hosted an All-Star Game, the NBA celebrated its 35th season (1981), 50th anniversary (1997), and 75th anniversary (2022).[1] The announcement of the site selection was made on November 1, 2018, at a press conference held by the Cleveland Cavaliers.[2]

2022 NBA All-Star Game
1234 Total
Team Durant 45494521 160
Team LeBron 47464525 163
DateFebruary 20, 2022
ArenaRocket Mortgage FieldHouse
CityCleveland
MVPStephen Curry (Team LeBron)
National anthemMacy Gray (American)
Ryland James (Canadian)
Halftime show75th Anniversary Team recognition
Earth, Wind, and Fire
NetworkTNT and TBS
AnnouncersKevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Dwyane Wade, and Allie LaForce (All-Star Game, TNT)
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Draymond Green (Inside the All-Star Game, TBS)
Brian Anderson, Reggie Miller, Dwyane Wade, Kenny Smith, and Stephanie Ready (All-Star Saturday Night)
Adam Lefkoe, Grant Hill, Brendan Haywood, and Chris Haynes (Rising Stars Tournament)
Team Durant jersey
Team colours
Team Durant
Team LeBron jersey
Team colours
Team LeBron
NBA All-Star Game
2021 2023 >

With teams captained by LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Team LeBron won the game 163–160. Team LeBron's Stephen Curry, who scored 50 points,[3] set the record for most three-pointers made in an All-Star quarter (6), half (8), and game (16),[4] and was also named the All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player.[5] This was Team LeBron's fifth consecutive All-Star win.[6][7]

All-Star Game

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Coaches

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Phoenix Suns' Monty Williams (left) and Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra (right) were selected as head coach for Team LeBron and Team Durant, respectively.

Monty Williams, coach of the Phoenix Suns, qualified as the head coach of Team LeBron on January 30.[8] Erik Spoelstra, coach of the Miami Heat, qualified as the head coach of Team Durant on February 6.[9]

Rosters

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As had been the case in previous years, the rosters for the All-Star Game were selected through a voting process. The fans could vote through the NBA website and the NBA App. The starters were chosen by the fans, media, and current NBA players. Fans made up 50% of the vote, and NBA players and media each comprised 25% of the vote. The two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest cumulative vote totals in each conferences were named the All-Star starters and two players in each conferences with the highest votes were named team captains.[10] NBA head coaches voted for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which could be players from their own team. Each coach selected two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, with each selected player ranked in order of preference within each category. If a multi-position player was to be selected, coaches were encouraged to vote for the player at the position that was "most advantageous for the All-Star team", regardless of where the player was listed on the All-Star ballot or the position he was listed in box scores.[11]

The All-Star Game starters were announced on January 27, 2022. Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls were named the backcourt starters in the East, earning their second and fifth all-star appearances, respectively. Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks were named the frontcourt starters in the East, earning their 12th and sixth all-star appearances, respectively. Joining in the East frontcourt was Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, his fifth selection.[12]

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors were named to the starting backcourt in the West, earning their first and eighth all-star appearances, respectively. In the frontcourt, Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers were named to their first and 18th all-star selections, respectively. Joining them was reigning MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, in his fourth all-star selection.[12] Wiggins was the third first-time All-Star to be voted a starter in his eighth season or later.[a] He also became the first No. 1 overall draft pick in the modern draft era (since 1966) to earn their first All-Star selection in their eighth season or later.[13]

The All-Star Game reserves were announced on February 3, 2022. The West reserves included Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, his third selection (and first as a non-replacement player); Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks, his third selection; Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz, his third selection; Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, his fourth selection; Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, his third selection; Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns, his 12th selection; and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, his third selection.[14]

The East reserves included Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, his sixth selection; Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his first selection; James Harden of the Philadelphia 76ers, his tenth selection; Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, his second selection; Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, his third selection; Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, his third selection; Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors, his first selection; and Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers, his first selection, as an injury replacement for James Harden.[14]

Notes

Italics indicates leading vote-getters per conference.

^INJ1 Kevin Durant was unable to play due to a knee injury.[15]
^REP1 LaMelo Ball was selected as Kevin Durant's replacement.[15]
^INJ2 Draymond Green was unable to play due to a lower disc injury.[15]
^REP2 Dejounte Murray was selected as Draymond Green's replacement.[15]
^ST Jayson Tatum was selected to start in place of Durant.[15]
^INJ3 James Harden was unable to play due to a hamstring injury, but was present for the halftime ceremony.[16]
^REP3 Jarrett Allen was selected as James Harden's replacement.[16]

Draft

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The NBA-All Star draft took place on February 10, 2022. LeBron James and Kevin Durant were named captains for the second straight year, as they both received the most votes from the West and East, respectively.[12] The first eight players to be drafted were starters. The next 14 players, chosen by NBA head coaches (seven from each conference), were then drafted. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver selected replacements for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game, choosing a player from the same conference as the player who was being replaced. Silver's selection joined the team that drafted the replaced player. If a replaced player is a starter, the head coach of that team would choose a new starter from their cast of players. James picked Giannis Antetokounmpo with his first pick, and Durant picked Joel Embiid second. Team Durant was the home team due to the Eastern Conference having home team status for the game.[17]

2022 All-Star Draft
Pick Player Team
1 Giannis Antetokounmpo LeBron
2 Joel Embiid Durant
3 Stephen Curry LeBron
4 Ja Morant Durant
5 DeMar DeRozan LeBron
6 Jayson Tatum Durant
7 Nikola Jokić LeBron
8 Andrew Wiggins Durant
9 Trae Young Durant
10 Devin Booker Durant
11 Luka Dončić LeBron
12 Karl-Anthony Towns Durant
13 Darius Garland LeBron
14 Zach LaVine Durant
15 Chris Paul LeBron
16 Dejounte Murray Durant
17 Jimmy Butler LeBron
18 Khris Middleton Durant
19 Donovan Mitchell LeBron
20 LaMelo Ball Durant
21 Fred VanVleet LeBron
22 Rudy Gobert Durant
23 James Harden LeBron

Lineups

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Game

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Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during the game

The 2022 All-Star Game used the same format as the 2020 edition; the team that scores the most points during each of the first three 12-minute quarters received a cash prize, which was donated to a designated charity; the pot would roll over if the teams are tied. The fourth quarter was untimed under the rules of the Elam Ending, in which the first team to meet or exceed a "target score"—the score of the leading team in total scoring after three quarters plus 24—was declared the winner.[18]

After one quarter win each and a tie in the third quarter, LeBron James made a walk-off basket on a turnaround fadeaway jumper to win the game 163–160.[19] Team LeBron's Stephen Curry won the NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award after scoring 50 points, two shy of Anthony Davis's record and 48 of which were made from three-pointers, and setting three-pointers record.[20]

February 20, 2022
8:00 pm ET
Team Durant 160, Team LeBron 163
Scoring by quarter: 45–47, 49–46, 45–45, 21–25
Pts: Joel Embiid 36
Rebs: Joel Embiid 10
Asts: Trae Young 10
Pts: Stephen Curry 50
Rebs: Giannis Antetokounmpo 12
Asts: James, Jokić 8 each
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
Referees:
  • #5 Kane Fitzgerald
  • #60 James Williams
  • #45 Brian Forte

All-Star Weekend

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Celebrity Game

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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett playing in the celebrity game. The following year, he would buy a minority ownership stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers

The 2022 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.[21] The coaches for the 2022 game were NBA legends Bill Walton and Dominique Wilkins. Team Walton defeated Team Nique 65–51 and Alex Toussaint took home the MVP award with 18 points.[22]

February 18, 2022
7:00 pm ET
Team Walton 65, Team Nique 51

NBA HBCU Classic

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A neutral site Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) college basketball game between the Howard Bison and Morgan State Bears was held on February 19, 2022, at the Wolstein Center as the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic. The NBA and AT&T donated $100,000 to each team's athletic department, and the game was simulcasted by NBA TV, TNT and ESPN2.[23][24] Howard defeated Morgan State 68–66.[25]

Rising Stars Challenge

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^INJ1 Chris Duarte was unable to participate due to a toe injury.[27]
^REP1 Jonathan Kuminga was selected as Chris Duarte's replacement.[27]
^INJ2 Davion Mitchell was unable to participate due to a hand injury.[28]
^REP2 Bones Hyland was selected as Davion Mitchell's replacement.[28]

 
SemifinalsFinal
 
      
 
 
 
 
Team Isiah50
 
 
 
Team Worthy49
 
Team Isiah20
 
 
 
Team Barry25
 
Team Barry50
 
 
Team Payton48
 

Skills Challenge

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The Skills Challenge took place on February 19.[29] Team Rooks advanced to the finals after winning the third round and receiving 200 points in the round. Team Cavs defeated Team Rooks in the finals after Evan Mobley drilled a half-court shot.[30]

Team Rooks[31]
Pos. Player Team
F Scottie Barnes Toronto Raptors
G Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons
G Josh Giddey Oklahoma City Thunder
Team Cavs[31]
Pos. Player Team
C Jarrett Allen Cleveland Cavaliers
G Darius Garland Cleveland Cavaliers
C/F Evan Mobley Cleveland Cavaliers
Team Antetokounmpos[31]
Pos. Player Team
F Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks
F Alex Antetokounmpo Raptors 905
F Thanasis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks

Three-Point Contest

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Winner Karl-Anthony Towns during the three-point contest

The Three-Point Contest took place on February 19.[29] Towns won his first Three-Point Contest by defeating Trae Young and Luke Kennard. Towns set the record for most points in the final round with 29 surpassing Devin Booker who had 28 in 2018, becoming the first center to win the event and the first Timberwolves player since Kevin Love in 2012.[32]

Contestants[33]
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round
C/F Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves 6–11 248 22 29
G Trae Young Atlanta Hawks 6–1 164 22 26
G Luke Kennard Los Angeles Clippers 6–5 206 28 26
G Patty Mills Brooklyn Nets 6–0 180 21 DNQ
G CJ McCollum New Orleans Pelicans 6–5 190 19
G Desmond Bane Memphis Grizzlies 6–5 215 18
G Fred VanVleet Toronto Raptors 6–1 195 16
G Zach LaVine Chicago Bulls 6–5 200 14

Slam Dunk Contest

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Obi Toppin during the dunk contest

The Slam Dunk Contest took place on February 19.[29] Toppin won his first NBA Slam Dunk Contest by defeating Juan Toscano-Anderson in the finals.[34] The contest was heavily criticized by analysts, players, and fans,[35] with Dwyane Wade, who was calling the contest, describing it as "a solid six", which in the contest is the lowest score a dunk can receive.[36]

Contestants[37]
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round
F Obi Toppin New York Knicks 6–9 220 90 (44+46) 92 (45+47)
F Juan Toscano-Anderson Golden State Warriors 6–6 209 87 (44+43) 69 (39+30)
G Jalen Green Houston Rockets 6–4 186 83 (38+45) DNQ
G Cole Anthony Orlando Magic 6–3 185 70 (40+30)

Clorox Clutch Challenge

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Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies were the winners of the 2022 Clorox Clutch Challenge, an event for the 75th season at the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend.[38] The runner-up teams consisted of Chris Duarte and Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley and Josh Giddey, as well as G-League players Michael Foster Jr. and Fanbo Zeng.[39] Tyrese Maxey would end up replacing Duarte due to injury.

Broadcasting

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The game was televised nationally in the United States by TNT.[40] This is the first All-Star Game since 2000 (then aired on NBC) to not be called by Marv Albert, as he retired at the end of the 2020–21 NBA season. (Albert, however, did call the 2000 All-Star Weekend as the event was aired on TNT and not NBC.)[41] Sister network TBS carried an alternate feed, Inside the All-Star Game, which featured a conversational presentation of the game featuring the Inside the NBA panel of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith, with guests such as Draymond Green. Coaches, referees, and selected players also wore microphones.[42] It was also the only time Kevin Harlan called the All-Star Game, with Brian Anderson taking over starting 2023.[43]

In Canada, the game was televised nationally by Sportsnet.[44]

Notes

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  1. ^ The first two were Bob Boozer (eighth season, 1968) and Kyle Lowry (ninth, 2015)[13]

References

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  1. ^ Podolski, Mark (February 16, 2022). "Cleveland's NBA All-Star Game history: By the numbers". News-Herald. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "Cleveland to Host NBA All-Star 2022 and Commemorate League's 75th Anniversary". NBA.com. November 1, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  3. ^ Axelrod, Ben (February 20, 2022). "Stephen Curry sets NBA All-Star Game record for 3-pointers made". WKYC. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Stephen Curry puts on show, shatters records with All-Star 3-point barrage". NBA.com. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Dierberger, Tom (February 20, 2022). "Steph wins All-Star MVP with record-breaking 50-point night". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "NBA All-Star Game 2022: Score and highlights". Marca. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "Curry wins MVP with 16 threes in a 50-point all-star performance". France24. Agence France-Presse. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Suns' Monty Williams to coach Team LeBron in 2022 NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Miami's Erik Spoelstra to coach Team Durant in 2022 NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. February 6, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "2020 NBA All-Star voting first returns released". NBA.com. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  11. ^ Stein, Marc (January 18, 2013). "1. Reserve Judgment: Stein's All-Star Benches". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d e Mahoney, Brian (January 27, 2022). "2022 NBA All-Star Game starters announced". NBA.com. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Bontemps, Tim (January 28, 2022). "LeBron James, Kevin Durant named captains again for All-Star Game as starter pool announced". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d "2022 NBA All-Star reserves revealed!". NBA.com. February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c d e "LaMelo Ball, Dejounte Murray named as injury replacements for 2022 All-Star Game". NBA.com. February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen named as injury replacement for 2022 All-Star Game". NBA.com. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "Team LeBron vs. Team Durant: 2022 All-Star Draft rosters and results". NBA.com. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  18. ^ "2021 All-Star Game Format". NBA.com. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Vardon, Joe (February 21, 2022). "Stephen Curry drops 50, LeBron James hits game-winner to beat Team Durant in All-Star Game". The Athletic. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Martin, Colin (February 21, 2022). "Team LeBron beats Team Durant 163–160 in 2022 NBA All-Star Game". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  21. ^ "Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game". National Basketball Association. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  22. ^ McDaniel, Mike (February 18, 2022). "Famous Peloton Instructor Wins MVP of NBA All-Star Celebrity Game". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  23. ^ "TNT and ESPN2 to simulcast first-ever NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T". NBA.com. February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  24. ^ Golliver, Ben (October 21, 2021). "Howard and Morgan State will square off in inaugural HBCU Classic at NBA All-Star Weekend". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  25. ^ Arnold, Khari (February 19, 2022). "Howard rallies past Morgan St. to win inaugural NBA HBCU Classic". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  26. ^ a b c d "Clorox Rising Stars rosters set after 4-team draft". NBA.com. February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Jonathan Kuminga to replace Chris Duarte in 2022 Clorox Rising Stars". NBA.com. February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Denver's Hyland to replace Sacramento's Mitchell in 2022 Clorox Rising Stars". NBA.com. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  29. ^ a b c Maloney, Jack (February 19, 2022). "NBA Star Power Index: LeBron James still gives Lakers hope; James Harden, Joel Embiid begin free-throw parade". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  30. ^ "Mobley's hot hand spurs Team Cavs to Skills win". ESPN.com. February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  31. ^ a b c "Taco Bell Skills Challenge". NBA.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  32. ^ "Towns wins as biggest long shot in 3-point contest". ESPN.com. February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  33. ^ "MTN DEW 3-Point Contest". NBA.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Toppin wins dunk contest with one-handed slam". ESPN.com. February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "Stephen A hilariously rips 'awful' Slam Dunk Contest". NBC Sports. February 21, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  36. ^ Richardson, Shandel (February 20, 2022). "Dwyane Wade, Others Take Shot At Dunk Contest". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
  37. ^ "AT&T Slam Dunk". NBA.com. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  38. ^ "2022 Rising Stars Recap: Haliburton Wins Clutch Challenge". Indiana Pacers. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  39. ^ "The #CloroxClutch Challenge will take place between games 2 and 3 of #CloroxRisingStars on Friday, Feb. 18 on TNT". NBA.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  40. ^ "Cleveland selected to host NBA All-Star 2022". NBA.com. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  41. ^ Marchand, Andrew (February 2, 2022). "TNT going all-in with Charles Barkley at NBA All-Star Game". New York Post. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  42. ^ "Turner shuffles NBA All Star plans, will offer Inside The NBA alternate broadcast on TBS". Awful Announcing. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  43. ^ "Warner Bros. Discovery Sports to Showcase Expansive Multi-Platform Coverage of NBA All-Star 2023 from Salt Lake City" (Press release). Warner Bros. Discovery. February 14, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  44. ^ "Everything you need to know about Sunday's NBA All-Star Game on Sportsnet". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
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