Key players will be out of the line-up for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA All-Star game tonight features two great teams formed by team captains LeBron James (17-time All-Star), and Kevin Durant (11-time All-Star) (who will be absent due to injury). This All-Star game features five first time All-Stars such as Zion Williamson, Zach Lavine, Julius Randle, Jaylen Brown, and Mike Conley.

Some stars are out of the game tonight due to injuries such as Durant, Anthony Davis, and Devin Booker. This allowed some of our first time All-Stars to have this deserving title such as Mike Conley.

The NBA decided that Team Captains were going to choose their players in a pick em up style format instead of going the traditional route with East vs West.James drafted a team full of star-studded talent, while team Durant filled his line-up with deserving All-Stars.

Team LeBron has three of the top five MVP candidates in his starting lineup including Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Nikola Jokic. Team Durant picked up leading MVP candidate Joel Embiid. However, Embiid will be out tonight due to health protocol alongside his teammate Ben Simmons (team LeBron).

Due to Covid-19, tonight may not be what fans are used to with a shortened All-Star weekend packed into one day. Sports fans should be ready to cheer these athletes on as they continue to preform during these unprecedented times.

Tonight, is set to be a great match-up filled with competitive spirit. The Skills challenge will kick things off at 5:30 PM, ET.