The National Basketball League (LNB) and ticket holders blurted out relief as they listened to Prime Minister Jean Castex's announcements on Monday.
"We are obviously relieved by the holding of the All Star Game which will be sold out," LNB general manager Michel Mimran told AFP.
With the introduction from Monday only and for three weeks of reduced gauges of 2,000 people for indoor gatherings, the League all-star game has passed between the droplets of the Covid-19.
Or almost: the cases of coronavirus flooding the clubs in recent days (Nanterre, Metropolitans 92, Asvel) have radically changed the original selection.
Six infected players, including Villeurbanne point guard Chris Jones and Boulogne-Levallois leader's back Keith Hornsby, had to be replaced.
As well as the coach of the world selection TJ Parker, also tested positive.
Absences which are added to that of the great hope of French basketball player Victor Wembanyama, injured in the right shoulder, or the very skilful back of Limoges Nicolas Lang, hit in an ankle.
New selections for the game as well as the point guard, three-point shot and dunk contests were announced at the last minute by the LNB on Tuesday.
Among those absent from this American-style show is also the star of Monaco Mike James.
The leader from Portland who has played very little in the Elite - less than 60 minutes since the start of the season - has never been selected for this "ASG".
It must also be said that ASM faces simultaneously Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Euroleague on Wednesday.
On the other hand, the strongman of the start of the season of Asvel, Elie Okobo, whose presence was made uncertain by the meeting of C1 against Bayern the next day, confirmed to AFP his presence on the floors of Bercy.
For its return after a hiatus caused by the pandemic in 2020, the All Star Game will therefore exhibit the current second best scorer of the Euroleague in the splendor of the POPB furnished with refreshments.
A luxury since they will drop the curtain from Monday and for at least three weeks.