The NBA is always looking for ways to attract more viewers to NBA All-Star Weekend. That includes bringing celebrities and influencers into the mix, just like they did with popular YouTuber Mr. Beast, who hosted a lengthy on-court shooting contest in between the series of All-Star games.

Moments after Team Chuck beat Team Smith in the first game of the four-team All-Star Game tournament, Mr. Beast came out with one lucky fan and Damian Lillard to host the “Mr. Beast Challenge,” a $100,000 challenge for the fan to make a three-point shot from the logo before Lillard made three shots from the same spot.

At first, Lillard and the fan took turns attempting the shot. But as they quite clearly approached their designated time limit, Mr. Beast had both Lillard and the fan shoot simultaneously to finish before they needed to move on to the second All-Star Game matchup of the night.

Ultimately, the ending did bring some dramatics, as the fan was able to make his lone logo three-point shot as the buzzer sounded to win himself $100,000.

FAN HITS SHOT TO WIN $100K 🚨

He conquered the #NBAAllStar Mr. Beast Challenge with Damian Lillard 💵 pic.twitter.com/uABvHh1Esk

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025

All in all, the challenge took just over six minutes, including the lengthy fan celebration. This doesn’t even account for the clean-up time required on the court afterward, as several props were brought onto the court for the challenge.

While the event was something the fan will never forget, many viewers watching at home seemingly wish they could forget it. That went double for the sports media, who largely labeled it as filler that took away from a night meant to highlight the best NBA players in the world facing off against one another.

“Who is all this weird NBA All-Star Game stuff FOR???” wrote Chris Vannini of The Athletic.

Who is all this weird NBA All-Star Game stuff FOR???

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 17, 2025

“Watching a weird Mr. Beast interlude during the middle of an inane break in the ‘All-Star Game’ makes me understand how the parents felt when Elvis debuted. I know this is what the kids like, but it’s personally offensive to me,” wrote David Ubben of The Athletic.

Watching a weird Mr. Beast interlude during the middle of an inane break in the “All-Star Game” makes me understand how the parents felt when Elvis debuted.

I know this is what the kids like, but it’s personally offensive to me.

— David Ubben (@davidubben) February 17, 2025

“Mr. Beast and Kevin Hart are Adam Silver’s save the All-Star Avengers,” wrote Josh Eberley of Hoop Magazine.

Mr. Beast and Kevin Hart are Adam Silver’s save the All-Star Avengers… pic.twitter.com/wEg2ldVeYj

— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025

“David Stern rolling over in his grave watching this Mr Beast segment,” wrote Jorge Alonso of Brobible.

David Stern rolling over in his grave watching this Mr Beast segment

— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) February 17, 2025

“The NBA has Kevin Hart making jokes IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME. And next … MR BEAST with a way-too-long and awkward shooting challenge! The league is TELLING us all this is not a cool event. So yes, the players are too cool for THIS,” added The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

It’s because the NBA has Kevin Hart making jokes IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAME.

And next … MR BEAST with a way-too-long and awkward shooting challenge!

The league is TELLING us all this is not a cool event. So yes, the players are too cool for THIS. https://t.co/t4725yV8Cw

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 17, 2025

Given the decline in viewership of the NBA All-Star Game over the past five years, it makes sense why the league would want to bring in someone like Mr. Beast, who is incredibly popular with younger people (though he’s not without baggage).

While this moment may help bring in younger basketball fans, it may also further alienate the older generation of NBA fans who have quickly grown tired of the gimmicks around All-Star Weekend.