Move: arrow keys or WASD. Action: SPACE (tap to pass or jump, hold and release to shoot). Pause: P or Esc.
Run the classic All-Star Saturday obstacle course: cones, chest pass, layup, defenders, bounce pass and the three. Free basketball skills game.
NBA Skills Challenge game: the All-Star obstacle course
All-Star Skills Challenge brings back the classic obstacle course from NBA All-Star Saturday. You control the player the whole way: weave through five cones, stop for a chest pass, finish at the far rim with a layup or a dunk, dribble back past three sliding defenders, hit a bounce pass on a moving target and then make the three to stop the clock. Race a CPU player in the next lane through an 8-player tournament, chase the ghost of your best run in Time Trial, or race a friend on one keyboard. It is free, needs no account and works on a computer, Chromebook, tablet or phone.
How to play
- Move: use the arrow keys or WASD. On a phone or tablet, use the joystick under the court.
- Cones: weave through all five cones. Each cone has an arrow painted on the floor: pass the cone on that side. The wrong side means a whistle and lost time.
- Chest pass: run into the CHEST circle and press Space (or tap GO) when the needle is in the green. You have three balls on the rack.
- Layup or dunk: run to the far basket and press Space inside the orange circle. Jump from the very center for a dunk. If you miss, chase the rebound and try again.
- Defenders: three pop-up defenders slide across your lane on the way back. Time your run so you do not bump into them.
- Bounce pass: the target ring slides along the sideline. Pass a little early so the ball and the ring meet.
- Three: stop on the 3PT spot, hold Space (or GO) and release when the bar is in the green. Keep shooting until one drops. The clock stops when you make it.
Modes, players and points
- Tournament: eight players, three rounds. Race a CPU player side by side in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final. The faster time moves on.
- Time Trial: run the course alone against a ghost of your best run, saved on your device.
- 2 Players: two people on one keyboard. Player 1 uses WASD and F, Player 2 uses the arrow keys and L.
- Players: pick from six players with different speed, handles, passing and shooting. Win a tournament to unlock Jet Jarvis, and finish a run under 15 seconds to unlock Ace Alvaro.
- Points: every clean cone, first-ball pass and three, perfect timing, dunk and defender you beat without a bump adds points, plus a time bonus for a fast run.
Leaderboards
Pick a short leaderboard name under Leaderboards and your best Tournament and Time Trial runs go on the board. The daily board starts again at midnight Eastern time, and the all-time board keeps your best run ever. Runs are ranked by points, and every row also shows the time. 2 player races do not post. Please do not use your real name.
Tips
- Use diagonal keys through the cones. Switch sides right after you pass each cone instead of running wide.
- Run straight into the middle of the orange layup circle and press as you reach the center. A dunk is worth more and never misses.
- On the bounce pass, watch the ring, not the ball. Press when the ring is still a little away from the white mark.
- A first-ball three is worth the most. Take a breath and release in the yellow part of the green band.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Skills Challenge game free?
Yes. It is free, with nothing to download and no account to make.
What was the NBA Skills Challenge?
It was an All-Star Saturday event that started in 2003. For most of its history players ran a timed obstacle course with dribbling, passing and shooting stations, and the fastest time won. The NBA later switched to a team format and replaced the event with Shooting Stars in 2026. This game recreates the classic course.
Does it work on a Chromebook?
Yes. It runs in any modern browser. Move with the arrow keys or WASD and use Space for every action.
Can two people play?
Yes. Choose 2 Players on a computer and race side by side on one keyboard.
Is there sound?
Yes. Press SND at the top right of the game to turn it on or off.