NBA All-Star Game LIVE: Latest updates and play-by-play from Indianapolis | Marca

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Indianapolis is hosting the NBA All-Star Game. It has been an action-packed All-Star Weekend from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Sunday night is the capper — the 73rd All-Star Game itself, tipping off at 8:40 ET.

Many of the NBA‘s biggest names — including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and LeBron James — will take to the hardwood Sunday night for this annual exhibition. For the first time in seven years, the traditional conference-based format will be used, adding another layer of intrigue to this exciting contest.

The 73rd NBA All-Star Game: Latest updates and play-by-play from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana:

This year’s All-Star Game marks only the second time in NBA history that the festivities have taken place in the capital of Indiana — and the first time since Gainbridge Fieldhouse opened. The NBA last brought All-Star events to Indy in 1985, and they were held at the since-demolished Hoosier Dome.

All the experience is in the West

Five players on the Western Conference — coached by Minnesota‘s Chris Finch — have been selected to at least nine All-Star teams in their careers: James, Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, and Paul George. Sunday night will be James’ 20th All-Star Game appearance, an NBA record that makes him one of five athletes all-time to make at least 20 All-Star teams in the “Big Four” North American sports leagues. Jokic (sixth All-Star Game) will join James and Durant in the frontcourt, while Doncic (fifth selection) and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were voted in as backcourt starters.

Curry, Davis, George, and Devin Booker are among the top names available from a stacked bench, which also includes Finch‘s Timberwolves duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. George’s Los Angeles Clippers teammate Kawhi Leonard rounds out an imposing roster that features four former NBA MVP winners.

Four first-time All-Stars in the East

The Indiana Pacers faithful voted in their point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, as the Eastern Conference‘s starter. Haliburton, who leads the NBA in assists per game, will partner Three Point Contest champion Damian Lillard in the backcourt, while Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Bam Adebayo (replacing the injured Joel Embiid) will make up the bench for Milwaukee‘s Doc Rivers, who has taken the helm for this game.

The real intrigue is on Rivers‘ bench, where Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Scottie Barnes — in for the injured Julius Randle — will be All-Star Game debutants. Filling out the bench are Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and Jaylen Brown — the runner-up in Saturday night’s Slam Dunk Contest.