All-Star Saturday Lights Up Intuit Dome: Dunk Contest, 3-Point Showdown and Rising Stars Highlights
All-Star Saturday returns to Los Angeles tonight, beginning at 5 p. m. ET at the Intuit Dome and promising a full evening of specialty competitions ahead of Sunday’s landmark All-Star Game. The night’s slate includes the 3-Point Contest, the Shooting Stars team challenge and the Slam Dunk finale, with fresh faces in the dunk lineup and a competitive Rising Stars showcase already delivering moments to remember.
Schedule and scene-setting for a packed Saturday
The action starts promptly at 5 p. m. ET. Earlier in the day, media activities and a commissioner’s news conference set the stage for weekend storylines at 2 p. m. ET and 4 p. m. ET, respectively. The All-Star Weekend build culminates Sunday with the 75th All-Star Game tipping off at 5 p. m. ET in a new U. S. vs. World format that will reshape the traditional showcase.
Saturday’s arena atmosphere is expected to be electric: shooting specialists will chase long-range glory in the 3-Point Contest, while teammates and relations in the Shooting Stars challenge will battle for coordinated precision. The night wraps with the Slam Dunk final—always a ratings and highlight centerpiece—featuring four high-flying competitors aiming to etch a moment into dunking lore.
New blood in the Slam Dunk final, reverence for the past
The Slam Dunk competition this year leans on a mix of reverence and reinvention. Four first-time contestants arrive with fresh creativity and the chance to become the contest’s newest champion. The event’s history—moments like the free-throw line leap and signature celebrations—still informs tonight’s attempts, and several entrants have openly drawn inspiration from the iconic dunks that defined earlier decades.
One competitor carries an added narrative: the son of a former dunk titan, he grew up watching his father’s All-Star performances and now seeks to forge his own legacy. Expect judges and fans alike to weigh technical difficulty, theatricality and originality as they decide between athletic feats and homage-heavy attempts.
Rising Stars, celebrity showcase and major storyline updates
Friday’s Rising Stars challenge already delivered a headline: Edgecombe earned MVP honors after an event that featured two winners and a takeover sequence, helping Team Vince claim the title. That youthful energy has carried into Saturday, where players hungry for All-Star cred will try to translate momentum into spotlight moments.
The Celebrity Game also served up memorable moments, with notable performances from actors and former pros alike that entertained a packed house. Those light-hearted matchups are part of what makes All-Star Weekend distinct—an intermingling of competition, culture and entertainment that keeps the event lively from tip to final buzzer.
Beyond the competitions, the weekend has a major personnel update that reframes the season’s storyline: 12-time All-Star Chris Paul announced his retirement after 21 seasons. Paul’s decision closes a storied career that included top-tier playmaking and defensive accolades, and his absence will be felt across the league both on and off the court.
As All-Star Saturday unfolds at the Intuit Dome, fans should expect a blend of crafted spectacle and genuine competition: precision shooting, theatrical dunk presentations and the kind of moments that fuel highlight reels for years. With the All-Star Game’s new format arriving Sunday at 5 p. m. ET, tonight’s winners will bring momentum into what promises to be a distinctive celebration of the game.
