Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James Headlines 2025 NBA All-Star Rosters: Full Breakdown of New Format and Key Highlights | NBA News
The NBA is shaking things up this year with a revamped All-Star Weekend format, ditching the traditional East vs. West format in favor of a more exciting, tournament-style competition. The league announced a star-studded draft on Friday, where NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith selected teams of All-Stars for the February 16th games in San Francisco. This year, the focus is on speed and scoring, with games playing to 40 points.
Here’s the table with the teams:
| Team Chuck | Team Kenny | Team Shaq |
|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic (DEN) | Jalen Brunson (NYK) | LeBron James (LAL) |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | Anthony Edwards (MIN) | Stephen Curry (GSW) |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | Darius Garland (CLE) | Kevin Durant (PHX) |
| Donovan Mitchell (CLE) | Cade Cunningham (DET) | James Harden (LAC) |
| Pascal Siakam (IND) | Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM) | Anthony Davis (DAL) |
| Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) | Tyler Herro (MIA) | Damian Lillard (MIL) |
| Victor Wembanyama (SAS) | Evan Mobley (CLE) | Jayson Tatum (BOS) |
| Alperen Sengun (HOU) | Jalen Williams (OKC) | Jaylen Brown (BOS) |
The NBA has announced new rules for the Rising Stars Game, scheduled for the Friday before the All-Star Game, where the fourth team will emerge from a competition between teams of top rookies, sophomores, and G-League players. Former Golden State Warriors stars Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, and Jeremy Lin have been selected to coach the Rising Stars teams. Current Warriors players Pat Spencer and Trayce Jackson-Davis will be among the participants in the competition. The winners of this tournament will advance to Sunday’s All-Star Game as the fourth team.
How will the NBA Rising Stars and All-Star 2025 Final Tournament Work?
The games will be quick. The first player to reach 40 points wins the game. The All-Star final, which also goes to 40 points, will pit the two semifinal winners against one another. The winner of the Rising Stars event, a four-team tournament featuring first- and second-year players scheduled for February 14th, will now earn a coveted spot on the All-Star roster. This winning team will be christened “Team Candace” in honor of the legendary Candace Parker.
Why the Sudden Change in the NBA All-Star 2025 Game Format?
The move comes after last year’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis saw a record-breaking 397 combined points scored, a spectacle that, while entertaining, raised concerns about the competitive balance of the exhibition. Teams attempted a staggering 289 shots, with a whopping 94% of those attempts coming from either inside the paint or beyond the 3-point line, highlighting a lack of defensive intensity. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been vocal about his desire to see a more competitive All-Star Game, and this format change is a direct response to those concerns.
Who are Going to be the Coaches of the NBA All-Star 2025 Tournament?
The All-Star coaching staff will feature Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder, reflecting the dominance of their respective conferences. Two assistants from each team will also lead the other All-Star squads.
What will be the Prize Money for the NBA All-Star 2025 Tournament?
The stakes have also been raised with a significant increase in prize money. The All-Star champion team will now receive $125,000 per player, while the runners-up will take home $50,000 each. Players on the teams eliminated in the semifinals will receive $25,000.
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This revamped format promises to inject a new level of excitement into the NBA All-Star Weekend, turning the exhibition into a true test of skill and a battle for bragging rights and significant financial rewards. What are you waiting for? Christmas? Stay tuned with Times of India to get the latest updates about the All-Star Game.
