NBA All-Star Weekend Kicks Off with Record-Breaking Skills Competition

The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend commenced in spectacular fashion Friday night with a reimagined Skills Competition that showcased the league's most versatile talents in ways never seen before. Held at the newly renovated arena in Indianapolis, the event drew a sold-out crowd of 20,000 fans eager to witness basketball's elite display their complete skill sets.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić emerged victorious in the marquee Skills Challenge, navigating through an obstacle course that included three-point shooting, ball-handling through cones, and a new virtual reality component that tested players' spatial awareness. The 27-year-old Slovenian completed the course in 24.3 seconds, narrowly edging out Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum by just two-tenths of a second.

"This was unlike anything we've done before," Dončić said after his victory. "The VR element really threw me off at first, but once I got the hang of it, it became really fun. It's amazing how the league continues to innovate and push boundaries."

The evening also featured the debut of the Team Chemistry Challenge, where pairs of teammates competed in synchronized shooting drills. The Golden State Warriors duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson dominated this new event, connecting on 23 of 25 three-point attempts in perfect harmony. Their performance reminded fans why they're considered one of the greatest backcourts in NBA history.

Perhaps the most talked-about moment came during the Big Man Skills Challenge, where centers and power forwards competed in traditionally guard-oriented drills. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić wowed the crowd by successfully completing a behind-the-back dribbling sequence while maintaining perfect ball control, drawing comparisons to legendary point guards.

The 2026 All-Star Game is set for Sunday evening, with Team LeBron and Team Giannis expected to deliver another thrilling showcase. With both captains promising to play competitively while still entertaining the fans, this weekend continues to demonstrate why the NBA All-Star Weekend remains one of sports' premier entertainment events.