All-Star Saturday Kicks Off at 5 ET: Dunk Showdowns, 3-Point Drama and Rising Stars Highlights
All-Star Saturday begins at 5 ET with a stacked tripleheader designed to deliver highlight-reel moments: the 3-Point Contest, Shooting Stars and the Slam Dunk contest. The night follows a full day of All-Star activities and sets the stage for Sunday’s revamped All-Star Game at 5 ET.
What to expect: high-flying dunks, deep shooting and team connections
The evening is built around three signature events that showcase different skill sets and storylines. The 3-Point Contest will put eight sharpshooters under the spotlight, where rhythm, range and a cool head determine the winner. The Shooting Stars competition tests chemistry—teams made up of current teammates, former classmates or family members take on a timed skills format that rewards quick decision-making and practiced connection.
The Slam Dunk contest remains the night’s most visceral attraction. This year’s field is composed entirely of first-time participants, so the event promises fresh creativity and the chance for a new name to be etched into dunking lore. One entrant carries the weight of family legacy, having grown up watching iconic dunks that helped define the event; that backstory could add extra drama if history meets innovation on the court.
Earlier in the weekend, the Rising Stars showcase produced standout moments and a compelling individual performance: Edgecombe earned MVP honors after helping his team to the title, delivering two winners and staging a late takeover that swung the result. The celebrity game also offered entertaining highlights, including a standout long-range make and several memorable matchups that blended entertainment with surprise-level competitiveness.
How to watch and what’s next
Broadcast coverage begins at 5 ET. Fans who prefer streaming can find the festivities on several services; sling tv is among the options that make the weekend accessible to cord-cutters. Earlier on Saturday, media day activities are scheduled for 2 ET and a commissioner’s news conference is set for 4 ET, each offering additional context ahead of the night’s competitions.
The weekend concludes with a retooled All-Star Game on Sunday at 5 ET. The new format divides the field into three teams—two U. S. squads and a World team—in a short-round, round-robin structure that aims to keep intensity high and outcomes unpredictable. Coaches for the three teams are drawn from the league’s sideline leaders, and rosters include a blend of perennial All-Stars and emerging talents.
Off-court, the weekend featured a major career development: a long-tenured veteran announced his retirement after 21 seasons, closing out a Hall of Fame-caliber career that included a dozen All-Star appearances and standout marks on all-time leaderboards for both assists and steals. That announcement added a bittersweet note to a weekend already heavy with celebration and spectacle.
All-Star Saturday has become a concentrated showcase of athleticism and personality, and this year’s lineup — from high-volume shooting displays to jaw-dropping aerial attempts — is positioned to keep that tradition alive. Whether you watch on a traditional feed or a streaming option like sling tv, the night promises moments that will be replayed for years to come.
