The NBA All-Star Game appears to be undergoing yet another format modification.
ESPN’s Shams Charania claimed Friday that the league is in “serious talks” about a new tournament-style structure for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game at the Warriors’ Chase Center in San Francisco, citing sources.
The reported concept would have four teams: three eight-player All-Star squads and the winner of the Rising Stars game, which is played on Friday of All-Star Weekend. All-Star Sunday night would have two preliminary games, with the victorious teams progressing to the final.
According to Charania, the league has gotten advice from numerous great players, including Warriors guard Steph Curry, as it seeks “a fresh and creative path forward” for the event.
“This quick-burst, four-team tourney among the game’s greatest players gained momentum among all parties, according to sources,” Charania told reporters.
Last season, the NBA reinstated the classic East against West structure, eliminating the televised draft in which team captains choose from the complete pool of All-Stars. The format adjustment, however, did not result in a significantly improved product, as the East trounced the West 211-186 in the highest-scoring All-Star Game in history.”I think there’s no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year’s All-Star Game,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans.”
In other All-Star Weekend news, Charania reports that Curry and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu are in “strong talks” about another shootout-style game. Last season, Curry defeated Ionescu in a nail-biting 3-point shootout.
According to Charania, this year’s gathering could involve more NBA and WNBA players than Curry and Ionescu, including Dallas Mavericks guard — and erstwhile Splash Brother — Klay Thompson and Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark.
All-Star Weekend is planned for February 14-16.
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