Rising Stars Challenge: Tip-Off Time, Where to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers have two players that will participate in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge to kick off NBA All-Star Weekend. Where to watch:

NBA All-Star weekend is here, and some Philadelphia 76ers fans are incredibly bitter. Perhaps rightfully so, as their rookie center Joel Embiid was snubbed from the All-Star game with Paul Millsap taking his place. The reasoning for Embiid not getting a spot in the game is likely because he is a rookie, and also because he has been held out of a fair amount of his games due to injury reasons — both preventative and because of current injuries.

Embiid was invited to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, as well as the Skills Challenge, but due to a slightly torn meniscus, he will not participate in either. Embiid is still in New Orleans this weekend enjoying the festivities.

The Sixers still have some representation over the weekend, though, with two of their players being selected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge aside from Embiid. These players are Dario Saric and Jahlil Okafor.

More from The Sixer Sense

• 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
• 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
• 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
• Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
• Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell

Okafor nearly was traded earlier this week, but remains a member of the Sixers still.

The expectation is for both of them to play. Okafor will be on Team USA, and Saric will be on Team World. In previous years, the USA team has seemed to stack up better, but Team World looks really solid this season. This is the third consecutive season that the NBA is doing this game with a domestic and international approach.

Dario Saric could be a huge part of Team World’s success on Friday night.

No matter the outcome, Sixers fans should want to tune in and show support for their young guys. Although it definitely stinks that the Sixers don’t have a player in the actual All-Star game, their heavy all-around participation in the weekend shows that in a few years, there’s a good chance the Sixers will have multiple players in the big game.

Here’s all the info you need on the game if you’re watching at home, or looking to get to a sports bar on time:

• Tip-off time: Friday, February 17th, 9pm
• Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
• TV information: TNT

The Sixers will return to practice on Wednesday of next week, so aside from re-runs of some of the best games in the first leg of the season, this may be your only chance to get your Sixers fix for quite some time.

Next: Can Joel Embiid Actually Win ROY?

The game looks to be a good one, and hopefully The Homie Dario can show out for the world to see, as he is increidbly underappreacited.