Luka Doncic, and other NBA players on new teams we’re excited to see
These are the NBA players on new teams we’re most excited to see after the trade deadline.
The NBA is hoping a revamp to its All-Star game this year can breathe new life into this basketball-turned-cultural event that went stale in recent seasons.
There’s a new format to the actual All-Star Game being introduced in 2025, with each conference’s respective all-stars separated into three teams coached by TNT hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. Candace Parker, also of TNT, will coach a fourth “Rising Stars” team of the winning roster from Friday’s Rising Stars game featuring the top second-year players and rookies. Those four teams play one another in a mini-tournament featuring a championship game during Sunday’s All-Star festivities at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
But Saturday during the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend, which takes place in the Bay Area for the first time since 2000, remains mostly unchanged from its traditional lineup of late. There will be a skills competition ‒ this time with four teams of two NBA players ‒ followed by the 3-point contest and the slam dunk contest. Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, Donovan Mitchell, Draymond Green, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson are among the stars slated to appear on the court.
Here’s what you need to know to watch Saturday’s events, including what time the dunk contest and 3-point contest are scheduled to take place during NBA All-Star Saturday night:
NBA All-Star Saturday night is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, with an hour-long pregame show that follows a news conference for NBA commissioner Adam Silver beginning at 7 p.m.
The skills competition will be the first event contested, followed by the 3-point contest and the slam dunk contest. The broadcast window is scheduled to conclude at 10:30 p.m. ET, although the live nature of the event could extend that end time. You can also stream NBA All-Star Saturday night with Sling.
Watch NBA All-Star Saturday with Sling
Mac McClung, who’s currently on a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, is seeking to become the first player in the NBA history to win the slam dunk contest three years in a row. He’s one of four participants this season.
Damian Lillard is the defending champion in the eight-player field and could get a three-peat in the 3-point shooting contest after winning in back-to-back years.
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