Report: NBA discussing tournament format for 2025 All-Star Game
The NBA is in serious discussions regarding a new tournament-style format for the 2025 All-Star Game, featuring three All-Star teams and the winner of the Rising Stars game, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Each team would consist of eight players, and the four squads would compete in elimination-style matchups.
League officials reportedly met with the Competition Committee consisting of governors, team executives, players, coaches, and union personnel Friday to discuss the format. Earlier in November, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced his plan to bring competitiveness back to the All-Star Game.
"We're looking at other formats," Silver said at the time. "I think there's no doubt that the players were disappointed as well in last year's All-Star Game. We all want to do a better job providing competition and entertainment for our fans."
Last year's festivities took place in Indiana, with the East defeating the West 211-186. It stands as the highest-scoring All-Star Game in NBA history.
Additionally, the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty have reportedly been in contact about a rematch in the NBA vs. WNBA 3-point challenge after their showdown during All-Star weekend last year. That could involve bringing in partners for the event, including Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark.
Silver has made adjustments to the All-Star Game in the past. From 2020-23 the game was played to a target score instead of having a game clock, and the two highest vote-getters were named captains who then selected their rosters via a draft.
The 2025 All-Star Game is scheduled to take place at San Francisco's Chase Center, the home of the Warriors, on Feb. 16.