It’s NBA All-Star Weekend 2025, and it’s bigger and better than ever! The San Francisco Bay Area is hosting the event for the first time since 2000 from February 14 to 16. This year’s All-Star Game comes with a new format, new events, and some of basketball’s biggest names. Here’s everything you need to know about NBA All-Star 2025.
A New Format for the All-Star Game
The NBA is breaking from tradition this year with a mini-tournament format for the All-Star Game. Rather than the familiar East versus West showdown, the 24 All-Stars will be split into three teams representing the conference, led by the analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith from TNT. The event will also feature a fourth team, comprising winners of the Rising Stars Challenge. The teams are:
Shaq’s OGs: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving (in for the injured Anthony Davis).
Kenny’s Young Stars: Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson, Jr., Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Tyler Herro and Jalen Williams.
Chuck’s World Stars: Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young (in place of the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo).
There will be three games in the tournament, which will be played to a target score of 40 points. The winning team receives $125,000 per player; the other teams $50,000 or $25,000.
Rising Stars Challenge: A Step Into The Main Stage
On Friday, February 14, the weekend began with the Rising Stars Challenge. The event highlighted the N.B.A.’s best rookies, sophomores, and G League stars. Against Team C which was coached by none other than Warriors great Chris Mullin, Team C won the pogo tournament earning themselves the right to advance into the All-Star Game as the fourth team.
All-Star Saturday Night: Skills, 3s and Dunks
Saturday night was filled with action, including the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest. Oakland-native Damian Lillard went for his historic three-peat in the 3-Point Contest and Mac McClung aimed to successfully defend his Slam Dunk crown.
Celebrity Game / HBCU Classic
Other fan-favorite events of the weekend included the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA HBCU Classic. Stars from sports, music, and entertainment participated in the Celebrity Game on the Oakland Arena floor. Elsewhere, the HBCU Classic featured the skills of Morehouse College and Tuskegee University and demonstrated the N.B.A.’s commitment to historically Black colleges and universities.
The Bay Area Moves to Center Stage
San Francisco’s Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors play, is the primary site of the All-Star Game and other major events. The Warriors’ former home, Oakland Arena, is hosting the Celebrity Game and other events. This marks the first time the All-Star Weekend has returned to the Bay Area since 2000, and fans are excited to see the bay shine on the global stage.
A Star-Studded Lineup
The 2025 All-Star roster is loaded with talent. LeBron James earned his 21st selection to the All-Star Game to break his record. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and emerging young stars such as Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham are among the others. Wembanyama, who is 21 years old, is the youngest All-Star this year and a leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
Looking Ahead
The NBA All-Star Weekend isn’t only a basketball event — it’s a holiday for the game and the culture that it has spawned. The 2025 All-Star Weekend, with its new format, its fun events, and its star power, will be one for the ages. NBA fans can also watch from around the world on TNT, TruTV, and the NBA App.
As we wind down the weekend, one thing is certain, the NBA is here to stay, and for the foreseeable future, the All-Star Game is going to be must-tune-in TV for basketball fans across the board.
