NBA announces 2021 All-Star Game, $2.5M donation to HBCUs
The 2021 All-Star Game will take place March 7 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the NBA announced Thursday.
For the first time in the annual exhibition's history, the game and all related events will be held on the same day. The Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest will take place prior to the All-Star Game's 8 p.m. ET tipoff, while the Slam Dunk contest is scheduled for halftime.
The league also announced in cooperation with the NBPA that the two parties have pledged more than $2.5 million in funds and resources to HBCUs.
The NBA and players' association have also vowed to use the All-Star Game as a vehicle to raise "awareness around equity and access to COVID-19 care, relief, and vaccines."
"NBA All-Star in Atlanta will continue our annual tradition of celebrating the game and the greatest players in the world before a global audience," commissioner Adam Silver said. "In addition to the festivities on the court, the All-Star Game will honor the vital role HBCUs play in our communities and focus attention and resources on COVID-19 relief, particularly for the most vulnerable."
This season's instalment will adhere to the same format as last year's All-Star Game in Chicago with the two teams competing to win each quarter before playing to a Final Target Score during the untimed final frame.
The teams will be selected by captains in an All-Star Draft where starters and reserves will be chosen regardless of conference. A fan vote will determine the captains, with the two top vote-getters from each conference appointed.
LeBron James (West) and Kevin Durant (East) currently lead the respective conferences. Vote totals and All-Star starters will be announced Thursday evening.
The NBA also announced that participants will seek private travel options for the trip to Atlanta, with a "mini-bubble" established for players and coaches amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced PCR testing will be available for all participants. There will be no fan activities during the All-Star festivities.