The 2025 NBA All-Star Game, held on February 16 at San Francisco's Chase Center, introduced a groundbreaking format to rejuvenate the event and enhance competitiveness. Departing from the traditional East vs. West matchup, this year's All-Star Game featured a four-team, single-elimination tournament. Each game was untimed, with the first team to reach 40 points declared the winner. The tournament comprised two semifinal games, followed by a championship game to determine the ultimate victor.
The four teams were assembled through a unique selection process:
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Team Shaq: Drafted by NBA on TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal.
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Team Chuck: Drafted by fellow analyst Charles Barkley.
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Team Kenny: Drafted by analyst Kenny Smith.
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Team Candace: Comprising standout players from the Rising Stars Challenge, managed by Candace Parker, a WNBA legend and TNT analyst.
The rosters for each team were as follows:
Team Shaq:
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LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
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Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
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Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
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Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
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Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)
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De'Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings)
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Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
Team Chuck:
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Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
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Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
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Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)
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Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets)
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Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors)
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Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
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Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Team Kenny:
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Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
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Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
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Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
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Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
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James Harden (Philadelphia 76ers)
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Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks)
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Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks)
Team Candace:
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Bub Carrington (Washington Wizards)
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Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs)
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Tristan da Silva (Orlando Magic)
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Zach Edey (Memphis Grizzlies)
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Dalton Knecht (Los Angeles Lakers)
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Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers)
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Yves Missi (New Orleans Pelicans)
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Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks)
This innovative format aimed to infuse fresh excitement into the All-Star experience, offering fans a dynamic showcase of basketball talent and fostering a competitive environment among the league's elite players.
Many see it as Adam Silver's final attempt to rejuvenate the all-star weekend which has failed to impress for a number of years. If this new format isn't a success, Adam Silver's time as commissioner could come to an end soon.
