In 2025, fans will be treated to a little something different at the NBA's All-Star Weekend. The league is using a tournament system in addition to having teams chosen through a draft, this time by media personalities and former NBA players Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley.
Yes, spectators will be able to watch three games rather than just one when the festivities begin on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
The competition will conclude an exciting weekend that includes the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, and the skills challenge on Saturday.
Here is all the information you require on the 2025 All-Star tournament's revised regulations, format, and schedule.
The NBA revealed its All-Star Weekend Rising Stars Challenge rosters that feature exceptional rookie and sophomore talent from the league. The 2020 Rising Stars Challenge will occur on February 14 as 28 promising young basketball players from the league participate in a short tournament. The successful team of the Rising Stars Challenge will play against the All-Stars during Sunday night's game.
Future NBA stars Amen Thompson (Rockets), Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks' 2024 first round selection) alongside Reed Sheppard (Rockets) will play in the upcoming game on February 14.
The event has lost star players since three injured players including Victor Wembanyama will not be participating together with Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson and Jared McCain who will not play due to injury.
Just like the previous season the event uses four teams with honorary drafting responsibilities assigned to coaches who have not been revealed yet. The seven G League players comprise the fourth team among four groups that also include NBA rookies and sophomores.
A mini-tournament with championship games as well as semifinals will continue after team drafting between the four competing groups. The semifinal matches will reach 40 points and the championship will stop at 25 points.
The winning selection from the Rising Stars Challenge becomes the fourth team to advance into the All-Star Game on Sunday night where they take on one of the All-Star squads.
