NBA Plans to Host the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta in March

LeBron James during an NBA All-Star game in 2017
LeBron James during an NBA All-Star game. Photo by Stephen Lew/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

It appears that this year’s NBA All-Star festivities will go beyond virtual reality despite the coronavirus pandemic.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA and Players Association are closing in on an agreement that would see the 2021 All-Star Game taking place in Atlanta on March 7th. Besides the game between West and East All-Stars, the single-night event will also include skills competitions.

The overall plan for the All-Star game is already in place, but the NBA and players union are currently working out the finer details. This includes safety and health protocols, transportation, and other requirements.

Players that don’t get to be part of the All-Star festivities will be able to travel inside the United States during the break, but won’t be allowed to leave the country. They also need to re-join their teams at least two days before they are scheduled to resume the regular season.

The league and the union are optimistic about the event, although some of the top players in the league already expressed their displeasure with the news. This includes LA Lakers superstar LeBron James, who called the event “a slap in the face” in a chat with reporters on Thursday night.

“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year,” said James. “I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game.”

Ben loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is, in fact, the king.