First introduced in 2003, the event will again kick off proceedings on Saturday night as the NBA’s annual extravaganza returns to Chicago, Illinois, for the first time since 1988.
Boston Celtics power forward Jayson Tatum will look to become the first player since Dwyane Wade in 2007 to win the event in back-to-back years.
Tatum is one of five All-Star selections in the eight-man field, along with Miami Heat power forward Bam Adebayo and his Toronto Raptors counterpart Pascal Siakam, Milwaukee Bucks small forward Khris Middleton and Indiana Pacers power forward Domantas Sabonis.
Brooklyn Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie and his Los Angeles Clippers counterpart Patrick Beverley complete the field along with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
A Chicago native, Beverley hopes to reclaim the title he won in 2015, while Gilgeous-Alexander replaced another of the Windy City’s favorite sons, Derrick Rose, who will miss the event because of injury.
Adebayo, Middleton, Sabonis, Siakam and Gilgeous-Alexander all make their Skills Challenge debut, while Saturday marks Beverley, Dinwiddie and Tatum’s second appearance in the event.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the first event of the All-Star Saturday night.
Skills Challenge contest date and time
The Skills Challenge gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15 and it’s the opening event of the All-Star Saturday night.
Like all other events on All-Star Weekend this year, it takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Skills Challenge coverage
The Skills Challenge will be broadcast live on TNT, with a live stream available via TNT’s digital platforms and online.
Who are the participants?
Bam Adebayo—Miami HeatPatrick Beverley—Los Angeles ClippersSpencer Dinwiddie—Brooklyn NetsShai Gilgeous-Alexander—Oklahoma City ThunderKhris Middleton—Milwaukee BucksDomantas Sabonis—Indiana PacersPascal Siakam—Toronto RaptorsJayson Tatum—Boston Celtics
How does the Skills Challenge work?
The Skills Challenge is an obstacle-course competition, which tests the players’ dribbling and passing abilities, as well as their agility and three-point shooting.
In the first round, the eight players are paired to take each other on in head-to-head competitions. Two players compete at the same on identical courses with the winners of each of the four heat moving onto the next round.
A further two head-to-head heats will determine the two finalists, with the fastest to complete the course named the winner of the event.
