Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic Headline NBA’s Revamped All-Star Game

25 Jan 2025 ScoreWaves Staff view

Views: 137 read

1 Mins Read

With the latest iteration of the All-Star Weekend less than a month away, fans are buzzing with anticipation. Packed with can’t-miss events like the 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, and the Rising Stars Game, the NBA has gone all out to keep the excitement levels soaring. But the crown jewel of the weekend? A fresh, revamped version of the All-Star Game that promises to be the ultimate show-stopper.

The All-Star Game may have a fresh format, but the number of All-Stars remains at 24. With fan polls now closed, the Starter’s Pool for each conference has been announced. In the Western Conference, Nikola Jokic leads the way, earning the most fan votes as well as top marks from players and the media. Joining him are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Thunder, Stephen Curry from the Warriors, Kevin Durant from the Suns, and LeBron James from the Lakers, who will make his 21st All-Star appearance. For the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the pool. He’s joined by Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers, and the Knicks’ duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The NBA All-Star Game starters were determined through a voting process where fans held 50% of the vote, while current players and a media panel contributed 25% each. Now, with the starters already decided, fans will learn who’s joining them in the All-Star Game when the reserves are revealed by TNT on 30th January. Each conference will have seven reserves: two guards, three frontcourt players, and two wild-card spots for players at any position. These selections will be made by the NBA’s head coaches. Once the reserves are announced, the 24 All-Stars will be split evenly into three teams of eight players each, setting the stage for the next chapter in this exciting All-Star format.

New All-Star Game Format

For the first time ever, the NBA All-Star Game will take on a fresh twist with a mini-tournament format featuring four teams battling it out across three games. In the semifinals, two teams will clash in Game 1, while the other two face off in Game 2. The winners of these matchups will then meet in Game 3. The goal for each game? Be the first team to hit or surpass 40 points.

Each team will consist of eight players, and they’ll carry the names of TNT’s NBA analysts. The 24 All-Star selections will be split across three teams, with rosters drafted by TNT’s Inside the NBA crew. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith will serve as honorary general managers for their respective squads. The fourth team will come from the Castrol Rising Stars championship winners, with WNBA legend and TNT analyst Candace Parker stepping in as their honorary GM.

There’s plenty on the line, too. The four teams will be competing for a $1.8 million prize pool. Players on the championship-winning team will each take home $125,000, while those on the runner-up team will earn $50,000 each. Players on the third- and fourth-place teams won’t go home empty-handed either, pocketing $25,000 apiece.