The NBA is ready to change the game once more with the 2025 All-Star Game, set to begin at 8 p.m. ET this Sunday at the Chase Center, San Francisco. This year, the league rolls out its first-ever tournament-style format featuring four teams. The traditional East versus West face-off is history this time around, ushering in what many hope will be heightened excitement and energy on the court.
This new tournament will see three All-Star teams—drafted by TNT's analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith—compete alongside the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge held the previous Friday night.
Unfortunately, this year's game will occur without one of its most storied participants, LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers star announced he would not play due to nagging ankle soreness, marking the end of his unprecedented streak of 20 consecutive All-Star appearances. "I was hoping it would be a lot different this morning, but it’s still not where I want it to be," James explained at the press conference, illustrating the disappointment for both fans and the league.
Despite James's absence, the star power remains strong. Notable names like Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, and the youngest star to watch—Victor Wembanyama—are set to take the court. The four teams competing include Team Shaq, Team Chuck, Team Kenny, and Team Candace, the last being made up of Rising Stars participants, including MVP Stephon Castle.
The format pits the teams against each other to be the first to reach or surpass 40 points to secure victory. The stakes are high as there's $1.8 million on the line, with players on the winning team netting $125,000 each, second-place players taking home $50,000, and those finishing third and fourth collecting $25,000 each.
Rosters for the All-Star Game were recently updated to reflect injury replacements. Trade and placement of players have shifted several dynamics. Kyrie Irving was tapped to replace Anthony Davis, who is out with his own injury. Team Shaq is made up of the following players: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks, replacing Anthony Davis), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), James Harden (Los Angeles Clippers), and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics).
Team Chuck features stars including Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks, replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks, injured), and others. Meanwhile, Team Kenny—the youngest squad—is composed of rising stars like Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), and more.
With all these changes, fans are eager to see whether the tournament format manages to cultivate competition and engagement, quelling any prior disappointments with exhibition games. During media availability earlier, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver voiced optimism over the format changes, emphasizing the importance of generating enthusiasm among players and viewers alike.
"This year's All-Star game is about more than just showcasing talent—it's about fostering competition and excitement for the fans and the players themselves, making it something they are genuinely excited to be part of," Silver highlighted during his press engagements.
The recent Rising Stars Challenge on Friday exemplified the potential of this new format, as young talents showcased their skills, reinforcing the excitement for this star-studded weekend.
Reviewing the new generation of players, like Castle and others who earned their strut during the Rising Stars event, it’s evident the NBA is positioning itself for future legacies. All fans can now anticipate three high-paced games with pre-determined rosters, where dynamics shift constantly based on player performance.
To catch all the action, tune to TNT for live coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The NBA All-Star Game promises to deliver new experiences for fans as the competition heats up, setting the precedent for future All-Star events.