In an event featuring the NBA’s best young players and most exciting G League prospects, it was an undrafted player who stole the show.
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado earned the MVP trophy at the 2023 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night, hitting the game-winning shot for Team Pau in the final round against Team Joakim.
Alvarado predicted his clutch shot before the last possession, making a bet with All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was in attendance at Vivint Arena.
Jose Alvarado called his game-winner to Spida. That’s cold.#JordanRisingStars | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/OBsePuuZGS
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates from the 2023 Rising Stars Challenge on Friday. Checked out all of the action you may have missed right here.
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NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge: Live updates, scores, highlights
(All times Eastern)
Final: Team Pau 25, Team Joakim 20
10:50 p.m. — Jose Alvarado for the win… nothing but net. Team Pau takes down Team Joakim to capture the 2023 Rising Stars Challenge championship.
JOSE ALVARADO CALLED GAME ‼️
TEAM PAU WINS #JordanRisingStars pic.twitter.com/EqyNmSdlWT
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
10:45 p.m. — Is it too late to add Quentin Grimes to the 3-Point Contest list?
QUENTIN GRIMES TAKEOVER 🗣️
He has 12 PTS. The game is tied 16-16.#JordanRisingStars | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/AMqFc3uBYW
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
10:35 p.m. — Scottie Barnes shows off his massive 7-2 wingspan.
OKAY SCOTTIE 🔨
Team Pau leads 12-9 on TNT. First to 25 wins 👀#JordanRisingStars | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/404yyfL6q7
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
Game 2: Team Joakim 40, Team Jason 32
10:20 p.m. — Quentin Grimes closes out the second game with a pull-up jumper. Team Joakim will meet Team Pau in the final round.
GAME.
Quentin Grimes turns defense to offense to reach the target score and send Team Joakim to the #JordanRisingStars final! 🎯#NBAAllStar | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/5X2ROdOO6s
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
10:15 p.m. — Jeremy Sochan throws down a ferocious one-handed slam dunk.
OH MY JEREMY SOCHAN 🤯
GOODNESS.#JordanRisingStars | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/gkluB5Mq5b
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
10:05 p.m. — Josh Giddey drops a dime in the middle of his TNT interview.
A mic’d up Josh Giddey finds Evan Mobley for the dunk 🗣️
Team Joakim leads 28-20 on TNT.#JordanRisingStars | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Qau5bq2VYD
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
10 p.m. — A few All-Stars are enjoying some time off in Salt Lake City before Sunday’s main event.
A packed All-Star #NBACelebRow in the building for #JordanRisingStars tonight 👀#NBAAllStar | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/6ifRLFlzmw
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
Game 1: Team Pau 40, Team Deron 25
9:40 p.m. — Well, that was fast. Keegan Murray drills the 3-pointer from the wing, sending Team Pau to the next round.
Keegan Murray called game 🗣️
He splashes the 3 to reach the target score and send Team Pau to the #JordanRisingStars final!#NBAAllStar | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/5SJ0wiDM2Y
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
9:30 p.m. — Jose Alvarado is (unsurprisingly) playing with tremendous energy for Team Pau.
Jose Alvarado has 9 straight points for Team Pau 💪#JordanRisingStars | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/D5QM1EJIPj
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
9:20 p.m. — Trey Murphy III, you are cleared for takeoff.
TREY MURPHY III. #ATTSlamDunk PREVIEW. 😱#JordanRisingStars | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/eDQQGIfJFv
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023
9:10 p.m. — Team Pau will face Team Deron in the first game of the night, and Team Joakim will battle Team Jason. The winners of each game will advance to the final round.
NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge start time
- Date: Friday, Feb. 17
- Time: 9 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. PT
The Rising Stars Challenge will tip off around 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 17. The event will be held at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge rosters
Team Pau
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Paolo Banchero | Magic |
| Bennedict Mathurin | Pacers |
| Jaden Ivey | Pistons |
| Scottie Barnes | Raptors |
| Jose Alvarado | Pelicans |
| Keegan Murray | Kings |
| Andrew Nembhard | Pacers |
Team Deron
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Franz Wagner | Magic |
| Ayo Dosunmu* | Bulls |
| Alperen Sengun | Rockets |
| Trey Murphy III | Pelicans |
| AJ Griffin | Hawks |
| Bones Hyland | Clippers |
| Walker Kessler | Jazz |
* Injury replacement for Rockets guard Jalen Green
Team Joakim
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers |
| Josh Giddey | Thunder |
| Jalen Williams | Thunder |
| Jeremy Sochan | Spurs |
| Quentin Grimes | Knicks |
| Jabari Smith Jr. | Rockets |
| Tari Eason* | Rockets |
* Injury replacement for Pistons center Jalen Duren
Team Jason
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Sidy Cissoko | G League Ignite |
| Scoot Henderson | G League Ignite |
| Mojave King | G League Ignite |
| Kenneth Lofton Jr. | Memphis Hustle |
| Mac McClung | Delaware Blue Coats |
| Leonard Miller | G League Ignite |
| Scotty Pippen Jr. | South Bay Lakers |
NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge format
Here is the full breakdown of the three-game mini-tournament, per NBA.com:
All three games will be played to a Final Target Score, which means the game will end on a made basket or free throw rather than time expiring.
The two semifinal games — Game 1 and Game 2 — will be played to a Final Target Score of 40.
The final game, featuring the winners, will be played to a Final Target Score of 25 to determine the tournament champion.
- Game 1: Team A vs. Team B
- Game 2: Team C vs. Team D
- Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
2023 NBA All-Star schedule
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Friday, Feb. 17
- Celebrity Game (7 p.m. ET)
- Rising Stars Challenge (9 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Feb. 18
- HBCU Classic (4 p.m. ET)
- Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest (8 p.m. ET)
Sunday, Feb. 19
- 2023 NBA All-Star Game (8 p.m. ET)
