NBA All-Star Weekend Is Upon Us: Here’s What You Need To Know

CHARLOTTE, NC. — We’re already seeing the impacts of NBA All-Star weekend throughout Charlotte.  Roads around the Spectrum Center closed Thursday, with more transportation changes coming Friday.

150,000 people converging on the city, that means plenty of traffic.

277 is brutal on a normal day, now even busier. It’s going to be worse in Uptown. Roads closed around the Spectrum Center. They include parts of Caldwell, Brevard, East Trade Street and East Fifth Street.

Friday, stay away from  outbound Independence Boulevard starting early afternoon. The Celebrity All-Star Game is at Bojangles Coliseum. Entertainer JD Smoove is playing in that game.

“I will be dropping some points, I’m going for the MVP, let everybody out there know what we got,” says Smoove.

Crowds of people hustling to get their luggage at Charlotte- Douglas Airport, some of them, celebrities. WCCB’s Alexandra Elich saw singer Willow Smith, former professional basketball player and two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis and Houston Rockets player PJ Tucker.

“It’s cool, I’m from North Carolina to have it back in Charlotte is pretty cool,” says Tucker.

No e-scooters are allowed around the Spectrum Center.

Uber or Lyft have specific drop off spots around event locations: at Bojangles’ Coliseum the spot is at Paul Buck Blvd. At Spectrum Arena, pick up and drop off is at 3rd and 8th Ave.