Meghan Markle and Prince Harry captivated attention as they enjoyed courtside seats at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, an event that drew many of the league’s biggest names. The annual spectacle, celebrating its 75th iteration, took place in Los Angeles, showcasing a thrilling matchup among basketball’s elite.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex turned their outing into a date night, attending the game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, over the Valentine’s Day weekend. The couple appeared relaxed and affectionate, with Meghan, 44, comfortably linking her arm through Harry’s as they settled into their prime viewing spots near the court.
At one point, Meghan, who has established her own successful ventures, gently stroked Harry’s arm to catch his attention, encouraging him to smile for the NBA cameras capturing the lively atmosphere. Such candid moments added to the charm of the evening.
Sharing the spotlight with the former royals was Queen Latifah, seated alongside her partner, Eboni Nichols, adding to the star-studded nature of the event. The presence of these high-profile guests only heightened the buzz surrounding this celebrated basketball showcase.
The As Ever mogul was later spotted stroking Harry’s arm to attract his attention, directing him to smile for the NBA cameras.
The former royal couple were seated next to Queen Latifah, who was joined by her partner, Eboni Nichols.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stole the spotlight at the NBA All-Star game on Sunday
The Sussexes appeared to enjoy a courtside date night as they cozied up to one anoter
They were seated next to rapper and songwriter Queen Latifah on the front row
The rapper and songwriter, 55, chatted with Meghan, who was seated to her left, throughout the sporting spectacular.
Meghan appeared to be filming the on-court action on her iPhone as the likes of LeBron James and Luka Doncic sank buckets.
It is believed that Meghan will join her husband at the upcoming Invictus Games one-year countdown in Birmingham, UK, on July 10, ahead of next year’s event.
She has attended similar ceremonies in both Canada and Germany, and sources say she is keen to do the same in the UK, provided safety concerns are addressed.
However, it is said she will only set foot on British soil, if security arrangements are put in place for her and Prince Harry.
Talks over whether Harry and Meghan will receive British taxpayer-funded protection during the visit remain ongoing.
In December, Prince Harry was said to be thrilled the Home Office was reviewing his security provisions in the UK following a long-running legal battle.
Of Meghan’s potential British visit this summer, a source told The Sun: ‘Security is always going to be the deciding factor in this.’
The Duchess of Sussex appeared particularly engrossed in the action as she let out a cheer
Meghan tucked herself into her husband’s sided as they beamed for the NBA media
Queen Latifah and her partner, Eboni Nichols (second left), soaked up the action
The Invictus Games were founded by Harry to support wounded and injured service personnel and veterans.
And although official details of the Birmingham countdown celebrations have yet to be confirmed, ceremonial appearances involving the Sussexes are expected.
It would mark Meghan’s first trip back to Britain since September 2022, when she attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Meanwhile, the Sussexes were joined by a host of famous faces on celeb row, with Barack and Michelle Obama also making an appearance.
The former president delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the night when he calmly plucked a loose basketball out of mid-air as two of the world’s best players barreled toward him.
A fast-moving sequence sent the ball hurtling toward the sideline, where the Obamas sat just feet from the court.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker were sprinting in pursuit as the ball flew directly toward the former commander-in-chief.
Booker could be seen subtly steering his momentum and positioning himself between Jokic and the courtside seating area, ensuring the players didn’t collide with Obama as the play unraveled.
The 44-year-old appeared to be filming the likes of LeBron James on her iPhone
Barack Obama and his wife Michelle also enjoyed the All-Star Game from courtside seats
Obama smiles after catching a ball during play next to USA Stars guard Devin Booker
In a moment that unfolded in a split-second, Obama reached out and caught the basketball cleanly with both hands, his lightning-fast reflexes clearly on display.
He then casually returned the ball toward the court before shaking hands and standing up to hug Booker.
Renowned basketball fan Spike Lee also had the honor of a courtside seat for the game. The director, who is a fan of the New York Knicks, sported a bright orange beret and his signature sunglasses as he zoned in on the action.
Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, cutting a casual figure in a black turtleneck sweater and light blue jeans, was joined by Kelly Rowland.
The former member of Destiny’s Child had dressed to impress, looking chic in a chocolate-brown, leather suit and cream patterned court shoes.
Celebrity chef Guy Fieri was sandwiched between comedian Keegan-Michael Key and rapper 2 Chainz, while hitmaker Ludacris was spotted in the stands with his model wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue.
The latest iteration of the main event saw three teams – an all-international team, known as Team World, US Team ‘Stars,’ and US Team ‘Stripes’ – face off in three round-robin-style mini-games.
All three mini-games featured dramatic finishes and appeared to be played at a higher level of competitiveness than most All-Star Games in recent years, suggesting the league’s fourth All-Star format in four years might have finally cracked the code on the long-standing question of how to make this midseason showcase more entertaining.
Ludacris was among the famous faces that packed the stands inside the Intuit Dome
The hitmaker was joined by his model wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue (right)
Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo (second left) and Kelly Rowland (second right) cut stylish figures as they sat next to one another on the front row
2 Chainz (second left), Guy Fieri (second from right) and Keegan-Michael Key (far right) attended the All-Star Game
Kawhi Leonard hit a tie-breaking three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left to cap his 31-point barrage in 12 minutes, beating the World team 48-45 and sending his ‘Stripes’ team into the final against their fellow Americans on the ‘Stars’ at the NBA All-Star Game.
The seven-time All-Star went 11 of 13 and 6 of 7 from beyond the arc despite a reasonable defensive effort from the World team led by Victor Wembanyama, who scored 19 points before missing a tying 3-pointer attempt at the buzzer.
LeBron James put the Stripes ahead with 31 seconds left on a putback dunk, but Wembanyama hit two free throws to tie it before Leonard’s dagger.
The All-Star weekend stays out West in February 2027 when Phoenix hosts for the fourth time.
