Tag: All-Star Weekend

PHOTOS: Nicki Minaj at NBA games through the years

Nicki Minaj, known for her bold fashion and chart-topping hits, has made her mark on the NBA scene over the years. The rapper has been spotted courtside at various games, including the 2015 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, where she performed alongside Ariana Grande, and the All-Star Game in 2012. Her energetic performances and larger-than-life personality have made her a fan favorite among players and fans alike.

Check out some of her pictures through the years down below.

LeBron James tabs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as potential new face of NBA

LeBron James tabs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as potential new face of NBA.

As LeBron James played his record-breaking 20th All-Star Game, many started to ponder the question of who could be the next face of the league after the 39-year-old retires.

When asked who he looked forward to spending time with during the All-Star weekend, James listed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as one of his answers.

“I would say Shai, Ant-Man. I feel like those are two of the guys that can continue the torch after I’m done, after Steph, KD — the guys that have been setting the standard for so many years,” James said. “Ant-Man has the charisma. I love Shai.”

This is a pretty strong endorsement for Gilgeous-Alexander, who was also tabbed as a potential next face of the league by Stephen Curry.

It’s easy to understand why James would also choose Gilgeous-Alexander as one of his candidates. He is an MVP candidate on the Thunder (37-17), a title contender whose entire starting lineup is 25 years or younger.

In 53 games, Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 31.1 points on 54.6% shooting, 6.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds. It’s an impressive jump from last season, where he broke out as one of the best players in the league and finished fifth in MVP voting.

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Tyrese Haliburton’s NBA All-Star Game outfit made fans think he looked like Cookie Monster

Tyrese Haliburton genuinely looked like he stole this look from Cookie Monster.

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton was one of the biggest stars of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in Indiana.

Haliburton, who impressed some folks with his performance in the 3-point contest and skills competition on Saturday night, has had a very memorable few days in Indianapolis.

When he arrived for the actual All-Star Game on Sunday, however, he made a bold fashion decision that caused some waves. (Note: This is not the first time that his outfits have made waves of late.)

RELATED: Tyrese Haliburton on entering All-Star Weekend in an Indy car, the 3-point contest and more

The 23-year-old shared a heartwarming moment with a fan when he arrived.

Haliburton was wearing a nice suit and tie but fans couldn’t ignore the blue fabric on his blazer and pants that resembled the “fur” associated with Cookie Monster from Sesame Street:

2024 G League Up Next Game: Keyontae Johnson’s squad loses in semifinals

2024 G League Up Next Game: Keyontae Johnson’s squad loses in semifinals.

INDIANAPOLIS — The G League held a Next Up Game four-team tournament during Sunday’s All-Star weekend festivities.

It was the same format as the Rising Stars, who had a target score of 30 points.

Oklahoma City Thunder two-way rookie Keyontae Johnson participated in the event for the Giraffe Stars. They lost their semifinal matchup against BallisLife, 32-25.

In eight minutes, Johnson had one block and shot 0-of-1 from the field. He joined Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the All-Star weekend.

The 23-year-old has spent most of the season with the G League’s OKC Blue, where he’s improved upon his game due to the extra game reps.

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Steph Curry defeats Sabrina Ionescu in historic 3-point competition at All-Star weekend

Steph Curry took home the victory in a historic 3-point competition against WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu.

Before making his 10th appearance in the NBA All-Star game, Steph Curry competed in the first-of-its-kind contest against WNBA star guard Sabrina Ionescu. The duo of sharpshooters squared off against each other in a special NBA vs. WNBA 3-point competition.

Shooting first, Ionescu started strongly, hitting her first seven shots. Putting immense pressure on Curry, Ionescu caught fire, scoring 26 points in her first round.

Despite Ionescu’s strong performance from beyond the arc, Curry went to work. After missing two of his first three shots, Curry found his rhythm, making nine of his next 10 from deep. On his final two racks, Curry only missed one shot to finish with a score of 29.

Via @NBA on X:

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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TNT somehow didn’t show the first Jaylen Brown dunk contest slam on TV and fans were shocked

This was an egregious mistake by the TNT crew.

The NBA was finally able to convince an All-Star player to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest and immediately made a massive mistake.

Jaylen Brown, an All-Star in the Eastern Conference for the Boston Celtics, had planned a cool tribute to two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Dominique Wilkins.

It was his first dunk of the night and one of the most anticipated moments of the evening at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Yet somehow, TNT’s TV broadcast missed Brown’s dunk as it happened because they were too focused on filming the LED court.

Basketball fans were shocked by the fact that the camera crew botched this one on the broadcast.

Here were some of the immediate reactions to the mistake:

Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski hits 3-pointer in Rising Stars game

The Warriors rookie buried a 3-pointer in his first appearance in the NBA’s Rising Stars challenge.

Before Steph Curry suits up against Sabrina Ionescu in the first NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge, Brandin Podziemski became the first member to represent the Golden State Warriors at All-Star weekend in Indiana.

The 19th pick in 2023 joined other rookies, sophomores and G League players for the Rising Stars tournament at NBA All-Star Friday night.

Podziemski started at point guard alongside 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama for Pau Gasol’s team of rookies. Although the rookies fell short against Detleff Schrempf’s team of G Leaguers, Podziemski recorded a pair of impressive moments.

Podzeimski knocked down a 3-pointer along with four assists in his debut in the Rising Star challenge. Podziemski connected with Wembanyama for a deep lob in the game.

Via @warriors on X:

Via @NBATV on X:

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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PHOTOS: Best images from 2024 Rising Stars challenge

2024 Rising Stars: Best photos that feature the three Thunder players.

INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Rose’s squad won the 2024 Rising Stars challenge tournament with a game-winning 3-pointer by Jalen Williams.

Rose’s squad advanced to the finals following a tight 40-35 win over Tamika Catchings’ team in the semifinals. Williams had two points, three assists and three rebounds. Holmgren had five points on 2-of-4 shooting, three rebounds and one assist.

Meanwhile, Pau Gasol’s squad suffered a 41-36 loss in the semifinals to Detlef Schrempf’s roster. Cason Wallace contributed with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting and one assist.

Rose came out victorious in the finals over Schrempf, 26-13. Williams had five points on 2-of-3 shooting, three assists and two rebounds. He shot 1-of-2 from 3. Holmgren had two points, two rebounds, one block and one steal.

Let’s look at some of the best photos that feature the three Oklahoma City Thunder players.

2024 NBA Rising Stars: Jabari Smith Jr. to represent Rockets at All-Star Weekend

Sophomore forward Jabari Smith Jr. will represent the Rockets in Friday’s Rising Stars challenge at the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend.

On Friday night, 28 players will compete in the NBA’s 2024 Panini Rising Stars challenge. The event takes place at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse as part of the league’s 2024 All-Star Weekend.

The annual showcase of young talent, featuring a mini-tournament with four teams and three games, airs live at 8 p.m. Central on TNT.

For the Houston Rockets, Jabari Smith Jr. is the lone representative. Fellow second-year forward Tari Eason likely would have joined Smith, but he’s been out due to a leg injury for more than a month and has missed more than half of Houston’s 2023-24 season to date.

Smith, 20, is averaging 13.2 points (45.9% FG, 35.9% on 3-pointers) and 8.4 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game this season. The 6-foot-11 forward was drafted third overall in 2022.

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Rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore have played increasingly well in recent weeks, but the Rising Stars vote took place at an earlier point in the season. Their recent improvements didn’t come in time to be sufficiently factored in by voters.

Here’s a look at the key details entering Friday night:

2024 Rising Stars: Rosters, broadcast info and how the 4-team tournament works

2024 Rising Stars: Rosters, broadcast info and how the 4-team tournament works.

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2024 Rising Stars challenge will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. CT in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on TNT.

The four-team single-elimination tournament features seven-player rosters. Twenty-one players are NBA rookies and second-year players while the remaining seven are G League players and two-way players.

The three NBA rosters were drafted by Paul Gasol, Jalen Rose and Tamika Catchings. The G League roster will be coached by Detlef Schrempf.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had three players represented for the event — the most for any team. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are on the same squad for Rose while Wallace is on Gasol’s squad.

The semifinals will be played to a target score of 40 points. The final will be played to a target score of 25 points. The semifinal matchups are Rose vs. Catchings and Gasol vs. Schrempf.

Injury replacements include Vince Williams Jr., who is taking Dyson Daniel’s spot; Jeremy Sochan, who is taking Shaedon Sharpe’s spot; and Emoni Bates, who is taking Ron Holland’s spot.

Let’s look at all 28 participants and who they’ll play for.