The NBA is set to revolutionize its annual All-Star Game with a groundbreaking new tournament format that promises to elevate the competition and captivate fans worldwide. Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Tuesday that the league has finalized plans for a four-team, three-game, single-elimination tournament to be held in San Francisco on February 16, 2025.
A Bold New Era for the NBA All-Star Game
The revamped All-Star tournament will feature three teams of eight All-Stars each, with the fourth team being the winner of the Rising Stars challenge for first- and second-year players. The tournament games will be played to a target score of 40 points, ensuring fast-paced, high-stakes action from start to finish.
According to sources close to the league, Commissioner Silver has long sought to inject more competitiveness into the All-Star event. Last season’s game in Indianapolis saw teams combine for a record-breaking 397 points, with the final score of 211-186 highlighting the need for change.
“Obviously, with the elephant in the room being us competing, them trying to shake things up is expected and makes sense,” said Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a likely three-time All-Star selection this season. “At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to whether the players want to go at it, and I would love to see that. Love to be a part of that for sure, and hopefully it happens.“
The Evolution of the All-Star Format
The NBA has experimented with various All-Star Game formats in recent years, moving away from the traditional East vs. West matchup. From 2018 to 2023, team captains drafted their squads from a pool of All-Stars, with LeBron James serving as a captain in all six instances. The league also introduced target scores and untimed fourth quarters to add excitement and ensure the game ended on a made basket.
Despite these changes, last year’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis reverted to the East vs. West format and saw scoring records shattered. Players showcased their skills with audacious shots and plays, such as Luka Doncic attempting a 70-foot jumper and Damian Lillard draining a 44-foot game-winner.
“I think something could be done about it. I’m not sure what, but I think there’s a way to make it a more competitive game.”
– Damian Lillard after his MVP-winning performance in last year’s All-Star Game
The Road to the All-Star Tournament
All-Star voting will begin on Thursday, with fans able to cast daily ballots for their favorite players through January 20. The fan vote will account for 50% of the selection process, with a media panel and current players each contributing 25% to determine the 10 All-Star starters.
NBA head coaches will select the 14 reserve players, but the traditional designations of starters and reserves will hold little meaning in the new tournament format. With 15 players starting across the three All-Star teams and only nine coming off the bench, the tournament promises to showcase the league’s elite talent in a fresh and exciting way.
Drafting the All-Star Teams
TNT analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith will draft the three All-Star teams from the 24-player pool on February 6. The teams will bear the names of their respective captains: Team Shaq, Team Charles, and Team Kenny. The Rising Stars winner, dubbed Team Candace in honor of Candace Parker, will complete the tournament field.
Coaching the All-Star Tournament
The coaching staffs from the teams with the best records in the Eastern and Western Conferences will lead the All-Star tournament. However, the Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves coaching staffs are ineligible this year, as they coached in last year’s All-Star Game. The East and West head coaches will each guide a team in the tournament, while their assistant coaches will serve as head coaches for the remaining two All-Star squads.
A $1.8 Million Prize Pool
To further incentivize competition, the NBA has established a $1.8 million prize pool for the All-Star tournament. Each player on the winning team will receive $125,000, while the runner-up team members will earn $50,000 each. Players on the teams eliminated in the semifinals will each take home $25,000.
As the NBA prepares to unveil its boldest All-Star format yet, fans and players alike are buzzing with anticipation. With the world’s best basketball talent converging on San Francisco for a single night of high-stakes tournament action, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game promises to be an unforgettable spectacle that will redefine the midseason classic for years to come.
