Who is playing in the NBA All-Star game and what are the teams?

Team LeBron will go up against Team Durant in a star-studded matchup on Sunday as the 2021 NBA All-Star Game kicks off at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Starting on the side of LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers are Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić, and Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokić.

On the bench for Team LeBron are Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, LA Clippers forward Paul George, Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis and Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert.

The injured Kevin Durant, who won't be able to play, picked Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving with the second overall choice in the All-Star draft. Starting with Mr Irving for Team Durant are 76ers centre Joel Embiid, LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

On the bench for Team Durant are Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, Orlando Magic centre Nikola Vučević and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis has been assigned to Team Durant but is also unable to play because of injury.

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The coach for Team LeBron will be Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers will lead Team Durant.

James and Durant picked their teams from a pool of players voted as starters and reserves in the two NBA conferences. The two captains picked their starters in the first round of the draft and the reserves in the second round. Their picks were not dependent upon a player's position of association with a certain conference.

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James got the first pick as he got the most votes by fans, with Durant making the first second-round pick.

The two teams will compete to win each quarter of the game for an organisation. Both Team LeBron's Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Team Durant's United Negro College Fund supply funds for scholarships to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A total of $1.75m will be distributed with both organisations initially getting $500,000 and with $150,000 being given to the leading team after the game's three first quarters. $300,000 will be contributed to the winner of the whole game, which will be the team that first reaches the final target score, according to the NBA.

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