The NBA is strongly considering changing its 2025 All-Star Game to a tournament style format that would pit groups of All-Stars against one another, league sources confirmed to The Athletic on Friday.
The new concept would create three teams of eight All-Stars each, as well as a fourth team coming from the winner of the Rising Stars game. The teams would then face each other in a bracket competition.
Adam Silver told The Athletic earlier this month that the NBA was considering changing its All-Star Game format again and that he had talked to Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry about how to revitalize the event. Next year’s game will be held in San Francisco.
ESPN first reported details of the changes under consideration Friday.
“It’s a home game for him (Curry),” Silver said before the NBA Global Games series matchup between the Washington Wizards and Miami Heat in Mexico City. “I know he’s very prideful and wants to make sure that the players put their best foot forward, so we’re looking at other formats.
“I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game,” Silver continued. “We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”
The changes would be the league’s latest attempt to rejuvenate the All-Star Game, which has fallen flat over the last few seasons because of a lack of defense and intensity that has led to high scoring but lackluster games.
After a few years of exhibitions featuring teams, regardless of conference, selected by captains such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA reverted to a traditional East vs. West format in 2024. The change was supposed to bring renewed competitiveness but instead produced a 211-186 final that was bemoaned by many.
Over the last few months, league executives brainstormed new formats and consulted with the National Basketball Players Association on potential changes. Silver said he wanted to land on something that excites fans and, critically, also the players.
(Photo: Chuck Cook / USA Today)
