ESPN.com · Feb 17, 2025
New NBA All-Star Game format draws mixed reviews from players
Copy Link
SAN FRANCISCO -- The new tournament format for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night drew mixed reviews, with several players taking issue with the breaks during and in between games.
The NBA eschewed the traditional East vs. West setup in favor of a four-team single-elimination tournament, with a target score of 40 points for each round. Three of the teams were drafted by TNT "Inside the NBA" analysts Charles Barkley (Chuck's Global Stars), Kenny Smith (Kenny's Young Stars) and Shaquille O'Neal (Shaq's OGs). The fourth team, named for Candace Parker (Candace's Rising Stars), was comprised of the winning squad from Friday night's Rising Stars event.