Stephen Curry Teams Up with NBA for Bold Plans to Revitalize All-Star Weekend
The NBA plans a bold 2025 All-Star Game revamp with a four-team tournament, target scoring, and fresh competition to energize its midseason showcase in San Francisco.
DENVER — The NBA is gearing up to shake things up for the 2025 All-Star Game, introducing a new four-team tournament concept to bring fresh energy and competition to its midseason showcase.
Still under discussion, the plan would replace the traditional East vs. West format with a single-elimination event designed to resemble fast-paced pickup games.
How It Would Work
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The proposed format would include four teams: three NBA All-Stars and a fourth featuring players from the Rising Stars Challenge. Semifinal matchups would be played to a target score of 40 points, with the winners advancing to a championship game capped at 25 points. The games would unfold on All-Star Sunday, scrapping the typical 12-minute quarter format used for decades.
This shift comes after years of dwindling enthusiasm for the All-Star Game. Last season’s record-breaking score of 211-186 between the East and West highlighted a lack of defensive effort and competitive intensity.
Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged the issue, saying, “We’re looking at other formats,” Silver said. “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.”
Collaboration Drives Change
The tournament idea results from months of conversations between players, coaches, executives, and league officials. Discussions gained traction during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, and Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has played a crucial role in shaping the new approach.
Curry, whose Warriors will host the event at Chase Center in San Francisco, has been actively brainstorming ways to improve the All-Star Weekend. He previously participated in an NBA vs. WNBA 3-point contest alongside Sabrina Ionescu and could return for a revamped version of the event. Other names floated for the contest include Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Who’s Coaching?
Under the current proposal, coaching duties would likely go to staff from the NBA’s top teams at the season’s midpoint. If the standings hold, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson and Golden State’s Steve Kerr will lead the charge, with Boston’s Joe Mazzulla and Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault in the mix for secondary roles.
For the Rising Stars team, the coach advancing from Friday’s competition might retain their role through Sunday’s games, adding another strategic layer to the weekend.
High Stakes for Players
Prize money is also available as an incentive. Players on the winning team would earn $100,000 each, while those on losing teams would take home $25,000. The payouts and tournament format are designed to elevate the stakes and ensure the games feel more competitive.
A New Era for the All-Star Game?
The NBA’s efforts to revamp the All-Star Game reflect its commitment to making the event more exciting for fans and players. The league hopes to capture the fast-paced, high-energy feel of pickup basketball by introducing shorter games with clear goals and incorporating a tournament-style structure.
As plans continue to take shape, the 2025 All-Star Game in San Francisco could serve as a turning point, delivering a weekend that balances entertainment and competition in a way fans have been craving.
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