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The NBA has introduced a new format for the 2025 All-Star Game, which will take place on February 16 in San Francisco. The league aims to make the event more competitive by incorporating a mini-tournament structure with four teams competing in a three-game format.
Under the revamped format, the All-Star Game will feature two semifinals, each consisting of two teams. The winners of these semifinals will meet in the final. Each game will be played to 40 points, and the first team to reach that total will be declared the winner. The four teams will be made up of eight players each, with three teams consisting of the 24 NBA All-Stars, while the fourth team will consist of players from the championship game of the Rising Stars event.
Team Selection and Draft
The teams of NBA All-Stars will be split up via a draft conducted by honorary general managers Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal. This draft will take place on February 6 and will be broadcast on TNT. The Rising Stars team will be selected differently, consisting of the top players from the Rising Stars game.
Coaching Staffs and Structure
The coaches for each team in the All-Star Game will be selected from the coaching staffs with the best records in each conference through February 2. The head coach from the Eastern Conference will lead one All-Star team, while the head coach from the Western Conference will lead the other. One assistant coach from each team will also be involved, with one coaching an All-Star team and another assisting with the Rising Stars team.
Competitive Changes and Adjustments
The NBA has continuously made adjustments to its All-Star Game format in recent years, aiming to increase the competition level. While there have been mixed results, the league has remained determined to make the game more engaging for players and fans alike. Last season, the East set an All-Star Game record with 211 points, a performance that did not sit well with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. He had emphasized the need for a more competitive game during his press conference the day before the event.
NBA All-Star Game Prize Money
To further incentivize competition, the NBA has introduced prize money for the All-Star Game. Each player on the winning team will receive $125,000, while those on the second-place team will earn $50,000. Players on the third- and fourth-place teams will be awarded $25,000 each.
This new format reflects the NBA’s ongoing effort to enhance the All-Star Game experience and bring a higher level of intensity to the annual event.
