Last Updated on: 17th February 2025, 12:28 am
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend culminates tonight with a groundbreaking twist: a four-team tournament format designed to inject intensity, drama, and competitive fire into the league’s marquee exhibition event. Dubbed the “All-Star Championship,” this year’s game at San Francisco’s Chase Center (8 p.m. ET, TNT) replaces the traditional East vs. West showdown with a high-stakes bracket-style competition. With $1.8 million in prize money and bragging rights on the line, stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama will battle not just for highlights—but for legacy .
How to Watch the 2025 NBA All-Star Game
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
- Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- TV Channels: TNT, truTV
- Live Stream: Max, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream (free trial available).
Fans can also tune into pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET on TNT, featuring analysis from Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. The event will include performances by artists like Shaboozey and Noah Kahan, blending basketball with entertainment.
The New Format: Four Teams, Three Games, One Champion
In response to years of criticism over lackluster effort and defense, the NBA has overhauled the All-Star Game into a mini-tournament:
- Semifinal 1: Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck (8:20 p.m. ET)
- Semifinal 2: Team Shaq vs. Team Candace (9:10 p.m. ET)
- Championship: Winners face off (10 p.m. ET)
Each game is played to a target score of 40 points, with no game clock. The format eliminates the Elam Ending and emphasizes urgency, as teams must score quickly to advance.
Prize Pool Breakdown
- Champions: $125,000 per player
- Runners-up: $50,000 per player
- Semifinal losers: $25,000 per player.
Rosters: Legends, Rising Stars, and Global Phenoms
The 24 All-Stars were drafted into three teams by TNT’s Inside the NBA crew, while the fourth team—Team Candace—features the winners of Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge (coached by Candace Parker). Here’s a breakdown of the star-studded lineups:
Team Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal)
- LeBron James (Lakers) – 21st All-Star selection, extending his NBA record 1115.
- Stephen Curry (Warriors) – Playing in front of his home crowd at Chase Center.
- Kevin Durant (Suns), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Damian Lillard (Bucks)
- Injury Replacements: Kyrie Irving (Mavericks) steps in for Anthony Davis (groin strain) .
Team Chuck (Charles Barkley)
- Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) – Two-time MVP anchors a global roster.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) – The 21-year-old phenom averages 24.4 PPG and 3.9 blocks.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Trae Young (Hawks)*, Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
- *Young replaces injured Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) .
Team Kenny (Kenny Smith)
- Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) – +1200 MVP dark horse.
- Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Tyler Herro (Heat)
- Average Age: 24.8 – The youngest squad, built for speed and highlight-reel plays .
Team Candace (Candace Parker)
- Stephon Castle (Spurs) – Rising Stars MVP leads the underdogs.
- Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Keyonte George (Jazz), Amen Thompson (Rockets)
- A mix of NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts .
MVP Odds & Predictions
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the MVP race is wide open:
- Steph Curry (+500): Home-court advantage and unmatched shooting range.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+800): Averages 31.2 PPG, thrives in clutch moments.
- Victor Wembanyama (+800): Defensive dominance meets offensive flair.
- LeBron James (+850): The ultimate playmaker in his record 21st appearance.
- Anthony Edwards (+1200): High-flying athleticism could steal the show .
Expert Predictions
- Team Shaq is favored due to veteran savvy and Curry’s home crowd boost.
- Team Chuck’s size (Jokić, Wembanyama) poses a matchup nightmare.
- Team Kenny’s youth may falter under pressure, despite Edwards’ explosiveness .
The NBA’s experimentation aims to solve years of fan frustration. By shortening games (40-point target), introducing stakes ($1.8 million pool), and blending generations (veterans vs. Rising Stars), the league hopes to recapture the magic of competitive All-Star basketball. If successful, this format could become a staple—or inspire even bolder innovations.
Tonight’s All-Star Game isn’t just a showcase—it’s a litmus test for the NBA’s future. With a mix of GOATs, rising phenoms, and a tournament structure that rewards urgency, the Chase Center will host a spectacle unlike any other. Tune in to see if LeBron adds another chapter to his legend, if Wembanyama dominates like a veteran, or if Team Candace pulls off the ultimate Cinderella story.
