NBA announces pickup-style tournament for 2025 All-Star Game

According to NBA insider Shams Charania on Thursday, the NBA is changing the format of the 2025 NBA All-Star game from a single two-team game to a pickup-style tournament with four teams. The All-Stars will be split into three teams of eight, with the fourth team being the winner of the Rising Stars game.

The teams will face each other in the semifinals game with a target score of 40, before the winners face off in the finals game with a target score of 25.

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The new format is meant to turn the All-Star Game into a fast-paced event that mimics a pickup basketball tournament.

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This is far from the first time the league has tweaked the event, switching to a draft style from 2018-2023 and playing with an “Elam Ending” from 2020-2023.

The event has been the subject of criticism in recent years due to it’s lack of competitiveness and overall boring nature. While the newest change to the format is no surprise, there’s no guarantee it will save a broken tradition.

James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker

About the Author Published Nov 21, 2024

JAMES PARKER

James Parker is a sports reporter and writer for Ball Exclusives. With a bachelor's degree earned at the age of 19, he’s spent years working as a sports journalist, including an award-winning stint at The Appalachian. He has never used AI for his work in any way, shape or form.