NBA All-Star game format, explained: How the 2025 tournament works
The NBA blew up its All-Star Game format after some complaints about last year's score-a-palooza, so instead of two teams of the league's best, we have four squads in a tournament format.
So how's it all going to work? We've got you!
Two teams — Charles Barkley's Global Stars and Kenny Smith's Young Stars — will face off. Shaquille O'Neal's OGs will be playing Candace Parker's Rising Stars. The winners of those games will then face off in the finals.
Each game will be played to 40 points, with no clock (yup, the Elam Ending is back!). Winner takes home prize money — $125,000 apiece. That's all you need to know. It's fairly simple, but we'll see if fans like it more than previous formats.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
DENVER (AP) — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multihomer games. He checked one record off his list Sunday with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other. Advertisement Alonso's 23rd multihomer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry. 'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.' Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multihomer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games. 'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.' Advertisement Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances. He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta. 'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.' Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year. Advertisement 'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs Sunday. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage. 'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB: Michael Kelly, The Associated Press
Fox Sports
11 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
Associated Press DENVER (AP) — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multihomer games. He checked one record off his list Sunday with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other. Alonso's 23rd multihomer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry. 'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.' Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multihomer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games. 'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.' Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances. He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta. 'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.' Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year. 'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs Sunday. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage. 'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Alex Caruso said LeBron James and Rajon Rondo taught him how to see plays before they happen: "It's like chess… they're two moves ahead"
On his appearance on "The Old Man and The Three" podcast in 2021, Alex Caruso broke down the core of elite defense. According to him, the best defenders aren't simply reacting; they're predicting. AC explained how reading the game before it unfolds allows a player to be in the right spot without hesitation. He credited that insight to two of the sharpest minds he's shared the court with: LeBron James and Rajon Rondo. Caruso's chess lessons These days, Caruso is a key veteran for the Oklahoma City Thunder, helping guide one of the NBA's youngest teams to a historic regular season record. Advertisement However, his rise to this leadership began much more modestly when he entered the league as an undrafted two-way player with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although the Texas native was "already" 23 when he made his NBA debut in 2017, he was still finding his way at the highest level. For players in that situation, having experienced mentors is invaluable. Luckily, Caruso had not just one but two of the smartest minds in basketball to guide him: James and Rondo. Together, they won an NBA championship in the 2020 bubble. Along the way, Alex wasn't just watching their skills — he was studying their mental approach. James and Rondo didn't simply play; they controlled every moment on the court. Their talent to anticipate plays, guide teammates with clear communication, and stay mentally several steps ahead was like watching a masterful game of chess, the "Bald Mamba" said. Advertisement "They're just so smart, and seeing them operate for a couple of years, and seeing how they would communicate, think, point, and tell people where to go before stuff happened … it's like chess, right? They're two moves ahead," noted the 31-year-old. Related: Walt Frazier admits NBA players were afraid to lift weights back in the day: "Basketball players thought it would affect their shot" Caruso is always one step ahead on defense When raving about Bron and Rajon on the podcast, Alex mentioned that he's tried to pick up on how they read plays before they actually happen. It's safe to say the 6'5" shooting guard has done this with great success in the years that followed, as it's become a signature part of his high-IQ defensive game. Advertisement Caruso's growth as a top defender shows not just in his reputation as a 2023 All-Defensive First Team player but also in the stats. He ranks in the top 10 in deflections this season, clearly showing his ability to break up plays before they fully develop. "If you have to think about what's going on, you're going to be a half-second slow because you have to process it," he said, adding that even being just 0.7 seconds faster can make a real difference — whether it's moving the right way or turning to cover someone. "You gotta know what the other guys wanna do first of all," emphasized the former Chicago Bull. As AC explained, this anticipation also helps him spot opponents' fakes or predict where they might move on the court, sometimes even before they realize it themselves. Advertisement "It's a lot of like recognizing what's happening and what you think's gonna happen," he said. Naturally, shutting down opponents also depends on length, size and quick feet for lateral movement, as the "Bald Mamba" pointed out. But the mental side of it all is just as important, and he shows that better than most players in today's NBA. Related: "It's basically like college but no fun" — Alex Caruso on why there's no asterisk next to the Lakers' 2020 NBA Championship
