Before the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, All-Star Saturday will bring in three promising events that will gather past, present and future superstars in the NBA.
Start time and TV schedule
What: State Farm Three-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars Challenge, AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
When: 2 p.m. PT p.m. PT, Feb. 14
Where: Intuit Dome
Watch: NBC, Peacock
This year’s All-Star Saturday night festivities have the case to arguably be the most exciting part of the All-Star Weekend. Perhaps it’s the star-studded lineup for each category that makes these events worth the watch. The 3-point and Dunk Contest as well as the Shooting Stars Challenge will test each contestant’s skill, endurance and hang time.
To tip off an action-packed night, the 3-point contest — which has been the most entertaining event for All-Star Saturday night over the years — will be held first. There will be eight players competing in this one, five of which are All-Stars, who will also be suiting up for Sunday’s main event. These marksmen are Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis Jr., and Norman Powell. As it has been over time, the contestant who makes the most threes wins.
Then, there’s the Shooting Stars Challenge, which was brought back this year after an 11-year hiatus. Unlike how it was done from 2004 to 2015 though, this year’s tournament has a revamped format. Four teams consisting of two current NBA players and one retired NBA legend will rotate through designated shooting locations and the team that racks up the most points before time expires wins. The four teams are:
- Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
- Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Magette
- Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.,
- Team New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston
Last but not least is the Slam Dunk Contest, where Laker Jaxson Hayes will take part. As it has been over the years, the hope for this tournament is to outdo the previous ones, which honestly isn’t that difficult to achieve.
This year, though, the contest will no longer include Mac McClung, so there will be a new dunk champion crowned for the first time in three years. Along with Hayes, the participants are Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson. They will be judged by Dominique Wilkins, Dwight Howard, Nate Robinson and Brent Barry, who all have left their mark in the competition during their time in the league.
Speaking of leaving a mark, it’ll be interesting to see how this year’s All-Star Saturday night will be remembered. Will it stand out as the most entertaining one in years? Or be another version of what we’ve watched in the past?
Regardless, it’s still going to be worth tuning if only because we get it just once a year. Hopefully, it’s going to be an event that’s worth talking about.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.