NBA All-Star Weekend Hits Chicago. Here’s What You Need to Know


The NBA’s All-Star Game is in Chicago for the first time since 1988, and the first time ever at the United Center.

Sunday’s game, the league’s 69th all-star matchup, will feature a face-off between a team led by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and a team captained by the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James.

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Team LeBron and Team Giannis will compete to donate a pool of $2 million between two local charities. James selected Chicago Scholars, which helps low-income students attend college; Antetokounmpo chose After School Matters, which provides opportunities and activities to kids during summer and after-school hours.

All-Star weekend events and games run Friday through Sunday at the United Center and Wintrust Arena, including a celebrity game and the NBA Rising Stars contest. Fans can find event schedules from the city and the NBA. Also running Friday to Sunday is the NBA Crossover pop-up at Navy Pier, featuring current and former players, musical acts and more.

The CTA says it will boost service on seven bus routes to the United Center and Navy Pier. Find all the details here. Drivers should also plan on heavier than usual traffic around the United Center, Wintrust Arena and Navy Pier and watch for temporary no parking zones, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Guests at events should also plan on security screenings, as well as bag restrictions at the United Center and Wintrust Arena.

The All-Star Game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. Sunday and will be broadcast on TNT.

Joining “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the events: Exavier Pope, Forbes contributor and treasurer of the National Association of Black Journalists.


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