NBA to move 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans

“New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at the NBA’s press conference announcing that the 2017 NBA All-Star game would be hosted by the city of New Orleans and the New Orleans Pelicans. Yes, the Crescent City will be hosting the NBA’s All-Star Weekend for the third time in less than a decade as the 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, February 19, at Smoothie King Center. New Orleans had been the presumptive favorite for hosting the ASG events ever since the NBA withdrew Charlotte as the host last month, following multiple warnings to the North Carolina legislature calling for law HB2 to be removed from the state’s books.

New Orleans, like you didn’t know, is the perfect city to host the All-Star Weekend on short notice as it offers ample hotels for out-of-town media, fans and celebs, a plethora of restaurants (might we suggest Felix’s?) for those guests and its charming and entertaining French Quarter.

NBA All-Star oncourt festivities tip off Friday, Feb. 17, with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, where the league’s top rookies and second-year players will compete in a U.S. versus World game format for the third consecutive year. On Saturday, Feb. 18, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night will feature current NBA players showcasing their unique abilities in exciting basketball competitions, including the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, where participants compete head-to-head in a series of passing, shooting and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest; and Verizon Slam Dunk. The weekend concludes on Sunday, Feb. 19, with the NBA All-Star Game.

See you down in the Big Easy, hoops fans!

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