The NBA's biggest stars are aligning this week in Houston for the league's annual showcase of skill, speed, and slam dunks at NBA All-Star Weekend from Feb. 15-17, with exclusive live coverage on TSN and TSN2.
Coverage from NBA All-Star Weekend begins Friday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on TSN with the NBA RISING STARS CHALLENGE, featuring the league's standout rookie and sophomore players – including second-year forward Tristan Thompson from Brampton, ON and rookie Andrew Nicholson from Mississauga, ON.
The action continues on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2 with NBA ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT, where Toronto Raptors rookie Terrence Ross will compete in the Slam Dunk competition.
Wrapping up the weekend is the highly-anticipated NBA ALL-STAR GAME at 7 p.m. ET on TSN, with leading vote-getter Kobe Bryant and last year's NBA MVP LeBron James headlining the star-studded game at Toyota Centre.
SPORTSCENTRE's Jermain Franklin is on site filing reports throughout NBA All-Star Weekend. He is joined in Houston by TSN's Cabral Richards, who takes fans behind the scenes at NBA All-Star Weekend with exclusive interviews, as well as video clips and photos posted to TSN Digital platforms, along with on Cabbie's official Twitter account, and TSN's official Instagram feed. TSN Digital will also have highlights and reports from the weekend events.
Live coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend is also available on TSN Mobile TV.
TSN and TSN2's NBA All-Star Weekend schedule is as follows:
Friday, Feb. 15
NBA RISING STARS CHALLENGE – 9 p.m. ET on TSN
For the second year in a row, the NBA RISING STARS CHALLENGE features two, 10-player teams of rookies and sophomores drafted by Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal, who are serving as opposing general managers for the event. Team Shaq includes Portland Trail Blazers rookie Damian Lillard, who was the first pick in the Rising Stars Challenge draft, reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Orlando Magic rookie forward Andrew Nicholson of Mississauga, ON. Team Chuck has 2012 NBA DRAFT first-overall pick Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Hornets, and Brampton, ON's Tristan Thompson of the Cleveland Cavaliers among the players on its roster.
Saturday, Feb. 16
NBA ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT – 8 p.m. ET on TSN2
This year's NBA ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT boasts a brand-new format, as the event now has the Eastern Conference going head-to-head with the Western Conference in tests of skill and showmanship – all to raise money for charities. As part of the new format, the points earned by each conference throughout the four All-Star Skills Competitions – Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk competition with Toronto Raptors rookie forward Terrence Ross – will determine the champion of the event. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade captains the Eastern Conference team, while L.A. Clippers guard Chris Paul helms the Western Conference squad.
Sunday, Feb. 17
NBA ALL-STAR GAME – 7 p.m. ET on TSN
The hardcourt is sizzling with some of the NBA's hottest players as the West looks to defend its title against the East in the NBA ALL-STAR GAME. Leading vote-getter Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers returns to the NBA ALL-STAR GAME for his record-breaking 15th consecutive appearance, and will start the game alongside teammate Dwight Howard, Oklahoma Thunder's Kevin Durant, and L.A. Clippers' teammates Blake Griffin and Chris Paul on the West Team. The team also has three Houston Rockets coming off the bench: James Harden, Jeremy Lin, and Omer Asik.
The East Team includes Miami Heat teammates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and Boston Celtics teammates Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, along with New York Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony, who currently leads the NBA in points.
TSN Radio
TSN Radio hits the hardcourt as TSN 1050 in Toronto, TSN 1290 in Winnipeg, and TSN 690 in Montreal, along with TEAM 1040 in Vancouver and TEAM 1200 in Ottawa, have coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston. In addition, TSN 1050 and TSN 690 have live coverage of the NBA ALL-STAR GAME on Sunday.
