The 71 NBA All-Star Game took place February 20, 2022, hosting another night where the stars come out and show what they can do. Among the many players featured in the game, Joel Embiid, Steph Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo stole the show. Curry’s 50 points combined with Antetokounmpo’s 30 made up almost half of team LeBron’s points, topping team Durant. Kevin Durant himself, along with Draymond Green, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell, were unable to play in the game due to injury. 

This year’s All-Star game introduced some changes to the Skills Challenge and Rising Stars game, creating a larger emphasis on younger players in the league. The Skills Challenge consisted of a battle between three Cavaliers players, three rookies and three of the Antetokounmpo brothers. The Slam Dunk challenge also emphasized the youth of the league, featuring Cole Anthony of the Magic, Jalen Green of the Rockets, Obi Toppin of the Knicks and Juan Toscano-Anderson of the Warriors. The All-Star game has taken criticism in recent years due to the supposedly dwindling quality of the challenges and the NBA has been innovating its organization in an attempt to make the whole weekend more entertaining.