NBA All-Star Game format, explained: What to know about 2025 rules, draft, rosters & more | Sporting News India

Posted by author February 15, 2025 NBA

Spread the love

The NBA All-Star Game is going to look much different in 2025.

After reverting to the traditional East vs. West format in 2024, the All-Star Game is switching to a mini-tournament comprised of four teams. The process of selecting 24 All-Stars remained the same, but three teams were selected by TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew. The NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge will determine the fourth team.

This year’s All-Star format is expected to bring a new level of competitiveness to the Sunday night showcase. The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know about the notable changes to this year’s All-Star Game format.

SN’s NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule

NBA All-Star Game format, explained

This year’s NBA All-Star Game features a four-team mini-tournament of three games.

The 24 NBA All-Stars (10 starters and 14 reserves) have been split into three teams of eight for the tournament. Teams were selected by TNT analysts Charles Barkley (Team Chuck), Shaquille O’Neal (Team Shaq), and Kenny Smith (Team Kenny).

The fourth team in the mini-tournament will be the winner of Friday night’s NBA Rising Stars Game played between the NBA’s best first- and second-year players and a team of NBA G League standouts.

The All-Star Game mini-tournament will feature two semifinals matchups and the championship. The untimed games will be played to 40 points, and the winner of each game is the first team to reach or surpass the 40-point mark.

NBA All-Star Game prize money

The four teams will compete for a prize pool of $1.8 million. The money breaks down as follows:

Champion: $125,000 per player
Second-place: $50,000 per player
Third- and fourth-place: $25,000 per player

Below are the three confirmed rosters for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. Starters and reserves were chosen as they were in past years, but the rosters were drafted by TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew. The full results from the 2025 NBA All-Star Game Draft can be found here.

The fourth team will be the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge and will be named Team Candace for its honorary GM, Candace Parker.

Players voted in as starters are listed in bold.

Team Shaq

Position	Player	Team
F	LeBron James	Lakers
G	Stephen Curry	Warriors
F	Anthony Davis*	Mavericks
F	Jayson Tatum	Celtics
F	Kevin Durant	Suns
G	Damian Lillard	Bucks
G	James Harden	Clippers
F	Jaylen Brown	Celtics
G	Kyrie Irving*	Mavericks

*Irving has been chosen as the injury replacement for Davis.

Team Chuck

Position	Player	Team
F	Nikola Jokic	Nuggets
F	Giannis Antetokounmpo*	Bucks
G	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Thunder
F	Victor Wembanyama	Spurs
F	Pascal Siakam	Pacers
F	Alperen Sengun	Rockets
F	Karl-Anthony Towns	Knicks
G	Donovan Mitchell	Cavaliers
G	Trae Young*	Hawks

*Young has been chosen as the injury replacement for Antetokounmpo.

Team Kenny

Position	Player	Team
G	Anthony Edwards	Timberwolves
G	Jalen Brunson	Knicks
F	Jaren Jackson Jr.	Grizzlies
F	Jalen Williams	Thunder
G	Darius Garland	Cavaliers
F	Evan Mobley	Cavaliers
G	Cade Cunningham	Pistons
G	Tyler Herro	Heat

Team Candace

This section will be updated following the Rising Stars Challenge. The winner of Friday’s four-team mini-tournament will advance to compete in the NBA All-Star Game.