With NBA All-Star Weekend just days away, the league’s annual showcase is set to take over Los Angeles with its usual mix of star power, spectacle, and a heavy dose of sponsorship signage. It’s a three-day celebration of basketball culture - part competition, part entertainment - and while the league’s biggest names will be front and center, there’s one team that won’t be getting as much of the spotlight as you might expect.
Despite holding the top spot in the NBA standings, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have a surprisingly light presence during the festivities. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell, both nursing abdominal strains, have been sidelined from All-Star activities.
That leaves rookie big man Chet Holmgren as the Thunder’s lone representative in the main events - and even then, he’s not suiting up for Sunday’s traditional East vs. West matchup.
Instead, Holmgren will take the floor in Saturday’s Shooting Stars competition and the revamped round-robin-style tournament that’s replaced the traditional All-Star Game format.
Holmgren’s inclusion is well-earned. He’s been a key piece in OKC’s rise this season, bringing a rare combination of rim protection, floor spacing, and poise well beyond his years. For Thunder fans, seeing him on the All-Star stage - even in a modified format - is a milestone moment in what’s shaping up to be a special season.
Joining Holmgren in L.A. is a new face to the Thunder, but one who’s already generating buzz. Jared McCain, acquired at the trade deadline in a low-risk, high-upside move from the Philadelphia 76ers, will be participating in Friday’s Celebrity 3-Point Contest at the NBA Crossover event. It’s not your typical All-Star event, but it’s become a fan favorite - and McCain, with his smooth shooting stroke and massive social media following, fits right in.
The rest of the field? It’s a mix of athletes, entertainers, and internet personalities: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, former NBA player and current analyst Richard Jefferson, BMX star Nigel Sylvester, comedian Druski, the ever-present Jake from State Farm, content creator PlaqueBoyMax, and basketball influencer Cam Wilder.
It’s a group built more for clicks than competition - but make no mistake, McCain walks in as the clear favorite. He’s the only active NBA player in the field, and his shooting ability gives him a serious edge.
The inclusion of influencers and celebrities in All-Star Weekend has become a staple for the NBA in recent years. It’s part of the league’s broader push to connect with younger fans and expand its cultural footprint beyond the hardwood. McCain, who’s cultivated a major following on platforms like TikTok, represents the intersection of basketball talent and digital-age stardom - a new kind of celebrity tailor-made for events like this.
And while the Celebrity 3-Point Contest might not carry the same weight as Saturday night’s marquee events, it’s part of a larger trend. The 3-Point Contest itself has steadily become the crown jewel of All-Star Weekend, often outshining the Dunk Contest and even the All-Star Game. Fans come for the fireworks, but they stay for the pure shooting displays - and with McCain stepping into the spotlight, there’s a good chance he’ll steal the show early.
So while the Thunder may not be flooding the All-Star stage with their full roster of rising stars, they’ll still have a presence - and with Holmgren and McCain both suiting up in different capacities, OKC’s youth movement will be on display for the entire basketball world to see.