NBA All-Star Weekend 2015: When And Where To Watch On TV, Full Schedule Of Events And Preview

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena, Jan. 7, 2015. Reuters/Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA All-Star Game will come back to New York City this weekend for the first time since 1998 with a full schedule of events and appearances. The 2015 incarnation of pro basketball’s midseason showcase will take place at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center from Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 15, with all events airing on ESPN, TNT or NBA TV.

Festivities begin on Friday night at 7 p.m. EST with the annual Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, where actors, comedians and other notable personalities meet on the court for bragging rights. Comedian Kevin Hart, a three-time MVP in the event, will play in the game, as will actor Anthony Anderson, R&B legend Common, Little League baseball star Mo’ne Davis, former NBA All-Stars Allan Houston and Chris Mullin, and current WNBA players Skylar Diggins, Tina Charles and Shoni Schimmel, according to NBA.com. New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony and film director Spike Lee will coach one team, while ESPN radio hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic will coach the other.

Later that night, the NBA’s top rookie and second-year players will meet in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at 9 p.m. EST at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This year’s game features a new format, with the league’s top U.S.-born prospects challenging the top international prospects. Canadian-born Minnesota Timberwolves phenom Andrew Wiggins and Greek-born Milwaukee Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo will lead the World roster, while hometown favorite Brooklyn Nets forward Mason Plumlee and Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton lead the U.S. team.

All-Star Weekend continues bright and early Saturday morning, with the announcement of the NBA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2015 finalists at 10 a.m. EST, broadcast exclusively on NBA TV. But the real fun begins at 8:30 p.m. EST with State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Barclays Center. As always, the four-event slate will include the Degree Shooting Stars, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and the Sprite Slam Dunk contest.

The Three-Point Contest will feature one of the most talented lineups in its history. Sharpshooters include Golden State Warriors “Splash Brothers” Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Slam Dunk contest should also excite, with appearances from the freakishly athletic Antetokounmpo, Plumlee, the Timberwolves’ Zach LaVine and the Magic’s Victor Oladipo.

NBA All-Star Weekend 2015’s schedule concludes on Sunday. The NBA D-League All-Star Game kicks off the slate at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBA TV. Pregame festivities for the 64^th NBA All-Star Game begin at 6 p.m. EST with the Sprint Pregame Concert, but the game itself will begin at Madison Square Garden at 8:30 p.m. EST. Cavaliers star LeBron James will look to lead the Eastern Conference to a second consecutive victory over the Western Conference, led this year by top vote-getter Curry, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant and Houston Rockets star James Harden.

Want to keep track of what to watch at the 2015 NBA All-Star Game Weekend. A breakdown of each day’s major events can be found below.

Friday, Feb. 13

NBA All-Star 2015 Media Day, 12 p.m. EST, NBA TV
Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, 7 p.m. EST, ESPN
BBA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, 9 p.m. EST, TNT

Saturday, Feb. 14

NBA Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Finalists Announced, 10 a.m. EST, NBA TV
NBA Tip-Off pregame show, 8 p.m. EST, TNT
State Farm All-Star Saturday Night (Three-Point Contest, Dunk Contest, etc.), 8:30 p.m. EST, TNT

Sunday, Feb. 15