NBA

2025 NBA All-Star Game Format: Bracket, Rosters & How It Works

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By
Vivek Jacob
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Vivek Jacob Sports Editor

Vivek Jacob is a freelance sports writer with over seven years experience. During this time, he has written for outlets including The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Sportsnet, CBC, and Complex. Primarily covering the NBA, Vivek also covers tennis, soccer, and cricket.

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Published12 Feb 2025

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LeBron James all star

There’s plenty of festivities to enjoy at NBA All-Star Weekend. But the showcase event, the All-Star Game, which has been trending downward, is trying to make a come back.

Necessity is the mother of invention and commissioner Adam Silver obviously felt a major change to the game’s format was needed to resuscitate its competitive atmosphere.

For decades, the All-Star Game was considered the main event. There are plenty of memorable moments, including Michael Jordan battling Kobe Bryant, the miraculous comeback by the East during the 2001 All-Star Game and Jordan’s final All-Star Game, which went to to double overtime, in 2003.

The 2020 All-Star Game was the last time the game was truly competitive and featured a very physical final few minutes. Kyle Lowry famously took three charges in the game, including one on former teammate Kawhi Leonard.

Last year’s game was frankly a farce and got called out from all angles for the appalling level of competition.

What does the league have in store for the 74th edition? Here’s what you need to know:

NBA All-Star Game Is Now A Tournament

That’s right, there will be more than one game played this year. Four teams will compete in what are effectively semifinal games before the two winners meet in the final.

There are three All-Star teams, with the fourth participant coming from whichever team wins the Rising Stars Challenge.

Every game will have a target score of 40 points. While there remains 24 All-Stars, there will now be eight on each of the three teams. There were 10 starters in years past, which now increases to 15.

What Are The Teams?

The teams were selected by Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.

Chuck’s Global Stars: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, Alperen Şengün, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns, Victor Wembanyama, Trae Young (Giannis Antetokounmpo has withdrawn due to injury)

Kenny’s Young Stars: Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Jaren Jackson Jr., Evan Mobley, Jalen Williams

Shaq’s OGs: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum (Anthony Davis has withdrawn due to injury)

James will be making a record-extending 21st All-Star appearance. Curry has been selected for an 11th time. He will take tremendous pride in representing the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Durant, who became the eighth player to break the 30,000-point barrier on Tuesday night, will be making his 15th All-Star appearance.

Kevin Hart Will Feature

Another unique twist is comedian and actor Kevin Hart will be the inaugural on-court emcee for the NBA All-Star Game.

The four-time NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP will provide commentary from the court as play unfolds.

Confused? Think of those AND1 streetball games that had emcees.

Will this be a genius, forward-thinking move catering to newer fans or just more lipstick on a pig?

Tune in Sunday night to find out.