The NBA's top players are in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend. But before 26 of the league's best take the court on Sunday, the celebrity game and Rising Stars Challenge took center stage Friday night. Here are the best sights and sounds from an exciting opening night of All-Star Weekend.
Rising Stars: Team USA gets revenge
Kyle Kuzma tallies a game-high 35 PTS and Trae Young puts up 25 PTS (6 3PM), 10 AST, 7 REB to lead USA Team over World Team, 161-144! #MTNDEWICERisingStars
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
Jayson Tatum: 30 PTS, 6 3PM
Donovan Mitchell: 20 PTS, 9 AST, 7 REB
De'Aaron Fox: 15 AST
Ben Simmons: 28 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB pic.twitter.com/sIJAebxREV
I can play in this game next year right? ⭐️🤣👀 #nbarisingstars pic.twitter.com/GCpnymgWzf
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) February 16, 2019
That was fun! 😄
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
The U.S. Team gets its revenge and takes down Team World! 🇺🇸#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/OOULWKQKoz
Luka was very excited to throw this one down 😂 pic.twitter.com/dAUpVfExTJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 16, 2019
Josh Okogie with a little finesse on the finish. 👀#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/st5O4EwyFA
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
Even John Collins' own teammates on the U.S. squad can't believe some of these dunks he's been throwing down ... 😲#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/H398vJKwnO
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
GET UP, @CallMe_NonStop! 😳🔨#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/UYX7WtN7LJ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
JOHN COLLINS... WITH AUTHORITY! 💥🌪️
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
Trae sets him up for the @ATLHawks connection.#MTNDEWICERisingStars on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/vFWWzd0dqy
Ben Simmons leads the World Team with 18 PTS in the first half! 💥#MTNDEWICERisingStars on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/2OTqMcrRjE
— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 16, 2019
OFF THE BACKBOARD! 😤 (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/yZBDSoClU5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2019
Coach K 😉#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/U9p0h7EJTF
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
OK, @MB3FIVE! 👀🔨#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/IXWRTeH5qU
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
"Let's see Luka do something ..."
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
Luka:#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/STJu57q5I7
Kuz (14 PTS) no-look for the Spida SLAM! 🕷️💪
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
USA Team: 24
World Team: 21#MTNDEWICERisingStars on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/Jxs2JmPDHC
All-Star celebrity game: Ray's still got game
Ray Allen's still got it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7lr2h7ocWE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2019
🏆 M V P @famouslos32 🏆
— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 16, 2019
Famous Los scores 22 PTS in the #RufflesCelebGame for Team Home, as they defeat Team Away, 82-80. pic.twitter.com/nf1XyHn4q0
2018 MVP 🔄 2019 MVP
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2019
.@QuavoStuntin gave @famouslos32 his MVP shirt after the game. pic.twitter.com/x2IoPkFJFw
Ray out here breaking ankles... taking it behind-the-back... pure LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/wz9iQmp4Dr
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 16, 2019
.@RealJayWilliams shows off his handle and a sweet finish at the #RufflesCelebGame! 👀
— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 16, 2019
Watch on @ESPN pic.twitter.com/mjJJio8Dej
H U N C H O D R I P 💧 pic.twitter.com/XaujqNwUrf
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2019
Waiting for that Woj bomb that Ray Allen has signed a 10 day with @MiamiHEAT #NBACelebrityGame
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) February 16, 2019
.@famouslos32 really stared down D-Wade after hitting a five-point play 👀 pic.twitter.com/Yi9rWxHOja
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2019
We see you @RealJayWilliams 👀 pic.twitter.com/JvapZ67xKA
— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2019
Ray Allen showing he still got that sweet stroke. He's definitely getting a call from the Lakers before this game is over 😂 #CelebrityGame
— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) February 16, 2019
He (still) Got Game! pic.twitter.com/7BWePcumXG
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 16, 2019
Our #RufflesCelebGame squads get introduced in Charlotte! #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/xQkpAKOTb7
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
The 2019 #NBAAllStar #RufflesCelebGame tips off at 7:00pm/et on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/xvZnhwm7eD
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2019
HUNCHO! @QuavoStuntin's custom shoe game = 💰 pic.twitter.com/ovPhcBucUJ
— ESPN (@espn) February 15, 2019
#RufflesCelebGame locker room shenanigans! #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/4EtU6dVCzG
— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 15, 2019
The Celebrity Game has had its share of amazing moments (and a lot of them involve @KevinHart4real) 😂 pic.twitter.com/l3MR1CM8FD
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 15, 2019