Nail-Biting Ending at the 2019 Special Olympics Unified NBA All-Star Game

Special Olympics basketball players huddle up during practice the day before the Unified basketball game during NBA All-Star weekend.

Four athletes get big event experience before the World Games.

This year’s annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified basketball game during NBA All-Star weekend was full of fun, talent and excitement. Special Olympics assembled 12 international players to gather in Charlotte, NC to represent their countries, cities and a global movement of inclusion. The players were broken up into two teams of five Special Olympics athletes, with intellectual disabilities. Each team was joined by four international sport celebrities without intellectual disabilities to create a “home” and an “away” team for the Unified basketball game.

The away team squeaked out a 1-point victory over the home team with a final score of 27-26. The away team was coached by Boston Celtics Kyrie Irving. of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Special Olympics Global Ambassador) of the NBA coached the home squad.

Take a look at this photo gallery to catch a glimpse of the action!

Andrew Smilley, Special Olympics Cayman Islands, and Marquise Ledbetter, Special Olympics North Carolina, USA, go for the ball at the same time. Andrew, an experienced World Games competitor in swimming, will travel to Abu Dhabi with his country’s basketball team for World Games this year. Marquise is an avid sports participant who, along with basketball, enjoys track and field, flag football, bocce, cycling and softball.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Ashely Aldrich running across the basketball court dribbling the ball.

Ashley Aldrich, Special Olympics Massachusetts, USA, strides the practice court. When she was 13 years old, she underwent spinal surgery for 11 hours but that hasn’t kept her from the games she loves. Kyrie Irving is her favorite NBA player.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Brendan Connolly preparing to shoot the ball.

Brendan Connolly, Special Olympics Ireland, practices good form. Brendan recently completed an internship at his local hospital which led to a full-time job. His favorite NBA player is Steph Curry.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Photo by Ben Solomon

Mikami Hayato, Special Olympics Japan, goes for a basket against his favorite NBA player Dikembe Mutombo, former professional American basketball player and Special Olympics Ambassador. Mikami’s works full time for e-book company operated by a major cell phone company. (photo credit: Ben Solomon)

Photo by Ben Solomon

Photo by Ben Solomon

Taj McWilliams tries to catch Didier Drogba (dribbling the ball) on the court.

Retired WNBA player Taj McWilliams tries to catch Didier Drogba, retired international football player from Ivory Coast and Special Olympics Ambassador.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Thierry Henry, former international football player from France, watches from the sidelines.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Horace Grant on the court speaking to someone outside of the shot. He's holding his glasses in his right hand and other players and spectators can be seen in the background.

Horace Grant, retired NBA player, is taking the game very seriously.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Kyle Emery, Special Olympics Colorado, USA poses with Ray Allen, NBA Hall of Famer, after the game. Kyle works with special needs students at a high school. He volunteers at special events and Steph Curry is his favorite NBA player.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Coach Kyrie Irving shares a laugh with WNBA player Ashley Battle.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Coaches Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard stand with players Leanne Woolfe, Special Olympics Great Britain and Mikami Hayato, Special Olympics Japan. Both Leanne and Mikami will travel with their national teams to the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Michael Wright, Special Olympics Ontario, watches with as much enthusiasm as he plays. other athletes and spectators can be seen in the background.

Michael Wright, Special Olympics Ontario, watches with as much enthusiasm as he plays. Michael will join the Canada team in Abu Dhabi at the World Games 2019. Michael works at Chuck E. Cheese and LeBron James is his favorite NBA player.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Micah Gumness, Special Olympics Wisconsin, USA waits on the court with teammates Leanne Woolfe and Dikembe Mutombo. In addition to helping his father coach basketball, Micah works at a paint and coating factory and volunteers for church events. His favorite NBA player is LeBron James.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Retired NBA player Muggsy Bogues watches the game, next to him are other athletes and spectators in the background.

Retired NBA player Muggsy Bogues enjoys the game even while watching. He is seated next to Kellie Hearne from Special Olympics North Carolina, USA.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper signs the jersey of Special Olympics Florida, USA athlete Janaiya Warren. a player is sitting on a chair in the background.

Five-time NBA champion Ron Harper signs the jersey of Special Olympics Florida, USA athlete Janaiya Warren. Janaiya started playing basketball at age 6 with her father as her coach. Her favorite NBA player is Steph Curry. (photo credit: Ben Solomon)

Photo by Ben Solomon

Photo by Ben Solomon

Sebastijan Abel, Special Olympics Germany, is focused on his next move. Sebastijan has been playing basketball for five years and is employed as a warehouse worker. His favorite NBA player is Dirk Nowitzki.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Athletes standing along a wall on the basketball court for a group photo.

Special Olympics athletes pose before the big game. This international group of athletes come from Canada, Cayman Islands, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan and USA.

Photo by Ben Solomon

Photo by Ben Solomon