The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will feature a brand-new, dynamic, and inspiring format. It will transform the event into a mini-tournament with four teams competing in three games. Unlike previous years, this format should give the whole event a competitive edge, moving away from being a cheap show for the fans.

We’ve heard ordinary fans complain about the All-Star event as a sluggish, media-hyped event that isn’t anything other than a mediocre show for the masses. This criticism reached someone from the NBA’s management, who decided to react and try to find a way to bring back the old glory of this magnificent event.

What’s different about the 2025 NBA All-Star format?  

This year’s All-Star Game will adopt a tournament format featuring four teams: Team Chuck, Team Shaq, Team Kenny, and Team Candace (Rising All-Stars’ winners)

The competition will kick off with two semifinal matchups, and the victorious teams will meet in the championship game. The highly anticipated main event will take place on Sunday, February 16, at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on TNT.  

Each semifinal will see two teams go head-to-head, racing to be the first to score 40 points. The winners of these matchups will advance to the final showdown, setting the stage for an exciting championship battle.  

This tournament-style event is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend:  

Who are the All-Star starters for the East and West?  

The All-Star teams consist of starters from the Eastern and Western Conferences, selected through votes from fans, players, and media, along with reserves chosen by NBA coaches.

There were two changes to the original list, as Trae Young and Kyrie Irving were named as replacements for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, respectively. Below is a breakdown of the rosters, listed in the order in which each team was drafted:  

Shaq’s OGs

  • – LeBron James (Lakers)  
  • – Stephen Curry (Warriors)  
  • – Anthony Davis (Mavericks)  
  • – Jayson Tatum (Celtics)  
  • – Kevin Durant (Suns)  
  • – Damian Lillard (Bucks)  
  • – James Harden (Clippers)  
  • – Jaylen Brown (Celtics)  
  • – Kyrie Irving (Mavericks)  

 

Kenny’s Young Stars  

  • – Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)  
  • – Jalen Brunson (Knicks)  
  • – Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies)  
  • – Jalen Williams (Thunder)  
  • – Darius Garland (Cavaliers)  
  • – Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)  
  • – Cade Cunningham (Pistons)  
  • – Tyler Herro (Heat)  

 

Chuck’s Global Stars

  • – Nikola Jokić (Nuggets)  
  • – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)  
  • – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)  
  • – Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)  
  • – Pascal Siakam (Pacers)  
  • – Alperen Şengün (Rockets)  
  • – Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)  
  • – Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers)  
  • – Trae Young (Hawks)  

 

The fourth team will be the winner of the Castrol Rising Stars matchup. This means there’s lot at stake for the youngsters who compete in this clash.

As you can see, this will be like a Final Four format, and that should appeal to the fans. The presence of one young team, the winner of the Rising Stars contest, should make the All-Star more competitive. The “kids” will for sure aim to win this one at all cost, and prove themselves to the world. On the other hand, the veterans and the stars won’t allow to lose and undermine their reputation, so we believe this is an excellent choice for the organizers to go down this path.

Rising Stars Format and Rosters

2025 Rising Stars Challenge schedule

First round

  • Game 1: Team C vs. Team T
  • Game 2: Team G League vs. Team M

Championship

  • Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2

Team T roster

Coach: Tim Hardaway Sr.

  • Anthony Black, Orlando Magic
  • Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic
  • Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
  • Zacharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
  • Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards
  • Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors

 

Team M roster

Coach: Mitch Richmond

  • Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
  • Julian Strawther, Denver Nuggets
  • Bub Carrington, Washington Wizards
  • Bilal Couibaly, Washington Wizards
  • Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans
  • Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
  • Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons

 

Team C roster

Coach: Chris Mullin

  • Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
  • Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns*
  • Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
  • Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
  • Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
  • Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
  • Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

 

Team G League roster

Coach: Jeremy Lin

  • JD Davidson, Maine Celtics
  • Mac McClung, Osceola Magic
  • Bryce McGowens, Rip City Remix
  • Leonard Miller, Iowa Wolves
  • Dink Pate, Mexico City Capitanes
  • Reed Sheppard, Rio Grande Valley Vipers
  • Pat Spencer, Santa Cruz Warriors

 

NBA All-Star 2025 Slam Dunk and 3-Point Contest

 

Slam Dunk roster:

  • Mac McClung – Orlando Magic, the two-time winner
  • Matas Buzelis – Chicago Bulls
  • Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs
  • Andre Jackson Jr. – Milwaukee Bucks

3-point contest roster:

  • Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks.
  • Tyler Herro, Miami Heat.
  • Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks.
  • Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors.
  • Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons.
  • Norman Powell, Los Angeles Clippers.
  • Cam Johnson, Brooklyn Nets.
  • Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavalier

As you can see, the three-point competition will be much more interesting and filled with superstars.

 

 

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