NBA formally announces plan for All-Star game events in Atlanta

Despite a handful of star players expressing concern about the idea, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association have finalized plans to host an All-Star game without any fans in Atlanta on March 7.

The NBA also will compress the All-Star Weekend events for logistical and safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. The league will host a skills competition and 3-point shootout beginning at 5:30 pm ET. The All-Star game will take place at 8 pm ET, and the slam dunk contest will happen at halftime. The NBA will host the game without fans and will not have any fan-related events before or after the game.

To create what it called a “mini bubble environment,” participants will have to use private transportation to and from Atlanta and stay in a designated hotel. Although participants can bring family members, they are all subject to the same health and safety protocols that entail daily COVID-19 testing, mask-wearing and social distancing rules. No one can leave the hotel except for the All-Star events.

Source: Read Full Article