What Is 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend took place from February 16–18 in Los Angeles, California, at Staples Center, featuring the Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Competitions, and the 67th NBA All-Star Game.

Key Facts

The 2018 NBA All-Star Game was held on February 18 at Staples Center in Los Angeles
Team LeBron defeated Team Stephen 148–145 in the first year of the new captain draft format
LeBron James and Stephen Curry served as team captains, selecting their rosters from a pool of All-Stars
The 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was won by Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz
The NBA Three-Point Contest was won by Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns

Overview

The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend marked a major shift in format and presentation, held from February 16 to 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Hosted by the Los Angeles Lakers, the event brought together the league’s top players, entertainers, and fans for a weekend of basketball showcases and community engagement.

This year was notable for introducing a new All-Star Game format, abandoning the traditional Eastern vs. Western Conference model. Instead, team captains LeBron James and Stephen Curry drafted their squads from a pool of All-Stars, adding a fresh competitive dynamic to the exhibition.

February 16–18, 2018 were the official dates of the All-Star Weekend, centered at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Team LeBron won the 2018 All-Star Game 148–145, with LeBron James scoring 29 points and earning Game MVP honors.
Team Stephen, captained by Stephen Curry, featured Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Anthony Davis among its starters.
The Rising Stars Challenge on February 16 featured a U.S. vs. World format and was won by Team USA 155–124.
LaMelo Ball made a brief appearance in promotional events, though not as a participant, drawing media attention due to his rising profile.

How It Works

The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend featured multiple events across three days, each with distinct formats and competitive structures designed to highlight individual skill and entertainment value.

Team Draft Format: The NBA introduced a new selection process where LeBron James and Stephen Curry served as captains, drafting players regardless of conference. This added a fantasy-style element to team composition.
All-Star Game Scoring: The game used a running clock and standard quarters, but final score was 148–145, with Team LeBron securing the win on a buzzer-beating three-point attempt.
Skills Challenge: The 2018 event featured a relay-style competition with dribbling, passing, and shooting drills; Buddy Hield of the Kings won by completing the course in 29.5 seconds.
Slam Dunk Contest:Donovan Mitchell won the contest with a perfect 50-point dunk in the final round, defeating contenders like Derrick Jones Jr.
Three-Point Contest:Devin Booker made 28 of 50 shots in the final round to defeat Kyrie Irving and win the title.
Rising Stars Challenge: First- and second-year players competed in a U.S. vs. World format, with Team USA led by Kyle Kuzma scoring 155 points to win.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend introduced structural changes compared to previous years, particularly in team selection and event formats.

Event	2018 Format	Prior Format	Change
All-Star Game	Team LeBron vs. Team Stephen (captain draft)	East vs. West Conference	New draft-style selection
Final Score	148–145	192–182 (2017)	Lower scoring, closer game
Slam Dunk Winner	Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)	Glenn Robinson III (Pacers)	First Jazz winner since 1997
3-Point Contest Winner	Devin Booker (Suns)	Eric Gordon (Rockets)	First Suns winner since 1993
Rising Stars Format	USA vs. World	Team Rookies vs. Team Sophomores	International emphasis

The shift to a USA vs. World format in the Rising Stars Challenge and the captain-based draft for the main game reflected the NBA’s push toward globalization and fan engagement. These changes made the weekend more inclusive and less tied to traditional conference alignments, emphasizing star power over regional divisions.

Why It Matters

The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend was a turning point in how the league approached its marquee midseason event, setting precedents for future formats and fan interaction.

The captain draft model increased fan interest by introducing team loyalty based on player relationships rather than conference affiliation.
Global representation was emphasized through the USA vs. World Rising Stars format, showcasing international talent like Luka Dončić.
Entertainment value rose with higher-profile dunk and three-point contests, drawing record social media engagement.
LeBron James’ MVP performance reinforced his status as a league leader, even in an exhibition setting.
The event generated an estimated $120 million in economic impact for Los Angeles, boosting tourism and local business.
It marked the first All-Star Game in Los Angeles since 2013, highlighting the city’s continued importance to the NBA brand.

By blending competition with entertainment and innovation, the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend redefined what a midseason showcase could be. It demonstrated the league’s adaptability and commitment to evolving with its global audience.