2025 NBA All-Star Weekend; A New Tournament Format Takes Center Stage in San Francisco

2025-03-02

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend kicked off in San Francisco with a packed schedule of events, culminating in a new tournament-style All-Star Game on Sunday. The festivities began on Friday with the Rising Stars Challenge, where top rookies and second-year players competed in a mini-tournament. Mac McClung stole the spotlight on Saturday by winning the Slam Dunk Contest for the third consecutive year, solidifying his place in All-Star history.

The main event on Sunday featured a revamped format for the All-Star Game. The 24 All-Stars were divided into four teams: Chuck’s Global Stars, Kenny’s Young Stars, Shaq’s OGs, and Candace’s Rising Stars. The teams competed in a single-elimination tournament, with each game played to 40 points. The championship-winning team earned $125,000 per player, while the runners-up received $50,000, and semifinalists took home $25,000.

Key matchups included Kenny’s Young Stars, featuring Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson, facing off against Chuck’s Global Stars, led by Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. Shaq’s OGs, with Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (who missed the game due to injury), battled Candace’s Rising Stars, headlined by Spurs rookie Stephon Castle. The winners advanced to the championship game, where the first team to reach 40 points claimed the title.

The weekend also included other events, such as the G League Up Next Game and the National Basketball Retired Players Association awards ceremony. Fans could catch the action on TNT, truTV, and NBA TV, with live streaming options available. The tournament format and high-stakes prize money added a competitive edge to the annual showcase of the NBA’s brightest stars.