The NBA All-Star Game is set to undergo another major transformation, as the league announced a new three-team, mini-tournament format for this year’s event in San Francisco. Featuring the league’s top 24 players along with the team that wins the Rising Stars Challenge, this format marks the third significant change to the All-Star format since 2020.
The league’s goal? To make the event more competitive—or at the very least, more entertaining for fans watching at home.
“I think we’ve reached a point where the modern All-Star Game is as much about entertainment as it is about competition,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday during an interview with Atletico and other media outlets.
Reflecting on last year’s game in Indianapolis, which saw record-breaking scoring but little defensive effort, Silver acknowledged the need for change. “I was wrong about last year,” he admitted. “I thought, given Indiana’s reputation as the heartland of basketball and the presence of legends, the players would embrace a more traditional, competitive game. That didn’t happen.”
In response, the league collaborated with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and consulted directly with players to develop a format aimed at reinvigorating the All-Star experience.
A new competitive structure
The revamped All-Star Game will consist of three games: two semifinals and a championship round. In each game, the first team to score 40 points will win. A $1.8 million prize pool will be up for grabs, with members of the championship team earning $125,000 each.
The selection process for All-Stars remains unchanged. Twelve players from each conference will be named, with fans, media, and players voting for the five starters, while coaches select the seven reserves.
The twist comes in team selection. TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as honorary general managers, dividing the 24 All-Stars into three teams of eight during a televised draft on February 6. Meanwhile, Turner Sports analyst Candace Parker will act as the honorary general manager for the Rising Stars team, which will compete in the All-Star Weekend’s Friday event.
The All-Star tournament itself will take place on February 16 at San Francisco’s Chase Center. Coaching duties will be assigned to staff from the top-ranked teams in each conference as of February 2. The head coaches of the first-place teams will lead two of the All-Star squads, while assistants will coach the Rising Stars team and the remaining All-Star team.
Seeking to revive competitiveness
This move follows extensive discussions between the league and players about how to make the All-Star Game more compelling. Silver credited NBPA executive director Andre Iguodala for leading negotiations on behalf of the players. Notably, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was also involved in consultations, offering input on how to improve the format.
As Silver explained, the changes are an acknowledgment of how the league has evolved. “When I was a kid, seeing the All-Stars together was a rare opportunity. It was one of the few times fans could watch so many great players compete on the same court,” Silver said. “But it’s a different world now. Players are around each other all the time—during the summer, with national teams—it’s no longer the novelty it once was. This new format reflects that reality.”
The league has also worked with the NBPA to streamline pre-game activities, including player introductions and the national anthem, to allow a more traditional warm-up period for players.
Players’ perspectives
While the new format has sparked curiosity, its success ultimately depends on player engagement. Oklahoma City Thunder star and two-time All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the elephant in the room, saying, “The question is whether the players will buy into it. I enjoy being a part of it, and I hope the changes inspire more effort and competition.”
Fan voting for All-Stars begins December 19, while the rest of the weekend’s schedule remains largely unchanged. However, Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, a Bay Area native, are expected to team up again for a shooting contest during All-Star Saturday.
A cautious optimism
The All-Star Game has long been criticized for its lack of intensity, with last year’s record-breaking scoring highlighting the absence of defensive effort. For Silver and the league, the new format is an attempt to change that narrative.
“I’m optimistic this format will generate excitement,” Silver said. “It’s about finding ways to keep the event fresh and meaningful for players and fans alike.”
Whether the new structure succeeds in delivering a more competitive and engaging All-Star Game remains to be seen. But for now, the league is betting on innovation to rekindle the excitement of one of its marquee events.
