Could the 2023 NBA All-Star Game be missing an MVP candidate when players take the floor on Sunday?
Ahead of the league’s annual event, 76ers center Joel Embiid revealed that he has been dealing with a foot injury for an extended stretch.
Embiid was elevated from an All-Star reserve to a starter after Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson were ruled out because of their own medical issues, but now it’s unclear if he will be available to play.
Here’s everything we know about Embiid’s status ahead of All-Star Weekend.
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Is Joel Embiid playing in 2023 All-Star Game?
After the Sixers’ 118-112 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday night, Embiid told reporters that he wasn’t sure whether he would be able to suit up for the All-Star Game, saying that he hasn’t been healthy “for the past three weeks or month.”
“I was just trying to get to the All-Star break without missing games and stuff,” Embiid said (via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps). “But I feel like I’ve reached the point where I need to follow the doctor’s advice. … Back then he said I should have been sitting for two weeks, so we’ll see how the next few days go, and go from there.”
Embiid has consistently been listed as questionable on Philadelphia’s official injury report with left foot soreness before being cleared to play.
That injury hasn’t slowed him down, though. He is averaging 33.1 points per game, the second-highest mark in the NBA behind only Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (33.3).
2023 NBA All-Star Game date, time, live streams
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 19
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 19. The game will be played at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Fans in the U.S. can watch all of this year’s All-Star events on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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NBA All-Star schedule 2023
NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off on Friday with the All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Stars Challenge. The skills competitions will be held on Saturday, and the All-Star Game will take place on Sunday.
Events are televised on ESPN, TNT and NBA TV, all of which are available without cable on Sling TV.
Friday, Feb. 17
| Event | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Stars practice | 2:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Hall of Fame news conference | 5:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Celebrity Game | 7 p.m. | ESPN |
| Rising Stars | 9 p.m. | TNT |
Saturday, Feb. 18
| Event | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star practice | 1 p.m. | NBA TV |
| HBCU Classic | 4 p.m. | NBA TV/TNT/ESPN2 |
| Adam Silver news conference | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| All-Star Saturday Night (Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest) | 8 p.m. | TNT |
Sunday, Feb. 19
| Event | Time (ET) | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| Legends Awards | 1 p.m. | NBA TV |
| G League Next Up Game | 3 p.m. | NBA TV |
| All-Star Draft | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| All-Star Game | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
2023 All-Stars: Updated list of starters, reserves
All-Star captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will draft their teams from the eligible pool of players (starters in first round, reserves in second round).
They are not required to draft based on conference affiliation or position.
Starting pool
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | Mavericks |
| Joel Embiid | 76ers |
| Kyrie Irving | Mavericks |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets |
| Lauri Markkanen | Jazz |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers |
| Ja Morant | Grizzlies |
| Jayson Tatum | Celtics |
Reserve pool
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | Heat |
| Jaylen Brown | Celtics |
| DeMar DeRozan | Bulls |
| Anthony Edwards* | Timberwolves |
| De’Aaron Fox* | Kings |
| Paul George | Clippers |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Thunder |
| Tyrese Haliburton | Pacers |
| Jrue Holiday | Bucks |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies |
| Damian Lillard | Trail Blazers |
| Julius Randle | Knicks |
| Domantas Sabonis | Kings |
| Pascal Siakam* | Raptors |
* Injury replacements for Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson