Update: Changes were made to the roster after press time and the NBA announced new players to replace the injured players for the All-star game. Stephen Curry (leg) and Kevin Durant (knee) are going to be replaced by the Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards. Both replacements are making their first All-star appearance. Furthermore, Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors will be replacing Zion Williamson (hamstring) in the big game.

The NBA has announced the player pool for the 2023 All-Star game, which will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah on Feb. 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST. All-Star weekend is an event for the fans with a Skills Challenge, Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest, Rising Stars Game and the All-Star Game, which features the league’s best talent competing against each other in a friendly match.

The team captains are Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, both with the ability to select players for their team. For the first time ever, the All-Star draft will occur directly before the match at 6:30 p.m. CST.  The coaches of the top-seeded NBA teams, the Boston Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla and Denver Nuggets’ Michael Malone, will serve as the coaches of the All-Star team.

The starters for the All-Star game include Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Donavan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA also announced the reserves on Feb. 2. Paul George will be making his eighth All-Star appearance, Damian Lillard his seventh, DeMar DeRozan and Joel Embiid their sixth, Domantas Sabonis his third and Ja Morant, Bam Adebayo, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Julius Randle their second appearances. The new faces making their debut All-Star appearances include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., Tyrese Haliburton and Lauri Markannen.

“It’s unfortunate that Anthony Davis, [Jimmy] Butler, Jalen Brunson, and [James] Harden didn’t make the cut, but I’m glad there will be more new players under the spotlight,” Senior and NBA superfan Drew Indestad said.

Basketball fans can expect an entertaining finish to All-Star weekend, with the league’s top talent putting on a competitive showcase February 19th.