NBA All-Star Saturday 2026 Preview: Buckets, Bragging Rights, and Big-Time Hops
It’s that time again. The lights are bright, the rims are tight, and the stars are ready to let it fly. NBA All-Star Saturday is back - this time from the brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California - and it’s bringing a full slate of showmanship, sharpshooting, and skywalking.
From Damian Lillard’s surprise return to the 3-point contest, to the reimagined Shooting Stars Challenge, and a slam dunk contest that promises creativity over clout, the league’s midseason showcase is built for entertainment. Let’s break down what to expect from each event - and who might steal the spotlight.
🕔 When and Where to Watch
- Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, Calif.
- Time: 5 p.m.
ET, Saturday
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Calling the action will be Noah Eagle on play-by-play, with Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford providing color commentary. That’s a booth with serious basketball IQ - Miller, a five-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, and Crawford, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year who knows a thing or two about putting on a show.
🎯 3-Point Contest: Lillard Returns, Shooters Locked In
Start Time: 5 p.m. ET (earlier than usual due to Winter Olympics coverage)
Format Breakdown:
- Five racks, five balls each - four regulars (1 point), one money ball (2 points).
- One all-money-ball rack, placed anywhere along the arc.
- Two deep “From the Logo” shots, worth 3 points each.
- 70 seconds on the clock.
- Top three scorers advance to the final round.
Participants:
- Devin Booker (Suns)
- Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
- Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers)
- Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
- Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)
- Jamal Murray (Nuggets)
- **Bobby Portis Jr.
(Bucks)**
- Norman Powell (Heat)
All eyes will be on Damian Lillard, who’s making a surprise appearance despite being sidelined for the season with a torn Achilles. He’s won this event the last two years and clearly isn’t ready to give up his crown just yet. Even if he’s not suiting up in games, “Dame Time” is still very much a thing when it comes to long-range artillery.
Devin Booker is the only other former winner in the field, having taken home the trophy in 2018. But don’t sleep on the young guns. Donovan Mitchell leads the group in made threes per game (3.6), and Kon Knueppel is shooting a blistering 43.1% from deep - numbers that could translate well in a timed, high-volume format.
Tyrese Maxey and Jamal Murray bring speed and rhythm, while Bobby Portis Jr. and Norman Powell are the dark horses with something to prove.
Historical Context:
Larry Bird and Craig Hodges still hold the record with three wins apiece - both going back-to-back-to-back. Lillard could join that elite company with a third straight title.
🎯 Shooting Stars Challenge: A Throwback with a Twist
Start Time: Immediately following the 3-point contest
Format Breakdown:
- Four three-player teams.
- Each round: 70 seconds to make shots from various spots on the floor.
- Top two teams advance to the final.
Teams:
- Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
- Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Maggette
- Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.
- Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston
The Shooting Stars Challenge is making its return after more than a decade away, replacing the Skills Challenge this year. The format is familiar, but the rosters bring fresh energy - especially with the thematic team structures.
Team All-Star is the most straightforward - two rising stars and a retired All-Star in Rip Hamilton. Team Cameron is a nod to Duke University, while Team Harper is a full-on family affair with three generations of basketball DNA on display.
And Team Knicks? It’s a love letter to New York hoops, past and present, with Brunson and KAT representing the current squad and Allan Houston bringing the nostalgia.
The last time we saw this event was back in 2015, when Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins, and Swin Cash took the title. Now, the challenge is back - and the mix of current talent and old-school flair should make for some fun moments.
🔥 Slam Dunk Contest: Underdogs, Upside, and Unlimited Creativity
Start Time: Final event of the night
Format Breakdown:
- Two dunks per player in Round 1.
- Top two scorers advance to the final for two more dunks.
- Judged by a panel of four former champions + one fan-representative celebrity judge.
Judges:
- Dominique Wilkins (1985, 1990 champ)
- Brent Barry (1996)
- Dwight Howard (2008)
- Nate Robinson (2006, 2009, 2010)
- Celebrity judge: Druski, Lethal Shooter, or Tyler Toney (fan vote)
Participants:
- Carter Bryant (Spurs)
- Jaxson Hayes (Lakers)
- Keshad Johnson (Heat)
- Jase Richardson (Magic)
This year’s dunk contest isn’t loaded with household names, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it’s the lesser-known guys who bring the most creativity - and with Mac McClung sitting this one out after three straight wins, the door is wide open.
Carter Bryant, the 14th pick in last year’s draft, has been turning heads with his pregame warmup dunks. Now he gets a national stage.
Jase Richardson, son of two-time champ Jason Richardson, has dunking in his blood. Jaxson Hayes, the 7-footer from the Lakers, brings bounce and length, while Keshad Johnson is fresh off a G League recall and looking to make his mark.
The props? Still TBD, but history tells us to expect the unexpected.
Remember Nate Robinson’s “Kryptonite” dunk over Dwight Howard? Or the year a Kia Optima got jumped over?
This year may not have the same star wattage, but if the creativity is there, the contest can still deliver.
Fun Fact:
Nate Robinson and Mac McClung are tied with three dunk titles each - and with McClung opting out, his run ends (for now). That leaves the field wide open for a new name to enter the conversation.
Final Thoughts
NBA All-Star Saturday is all about celebrating the game’s flair, fun, and future. Whether it’s Lillard trying to three-peat from deep, the return of the Shooting Stars format with some nostalgic twists, or a dunk contest looking for its next breakout star, there’s something for every kind of fan.
So grab your snacks, fire up the group chat, and settle in. The stars are ready to shine - and if history’s any guide, All-Star Saturday won’t disappoint.