The NBA is reportedly adopting a new style of All-Star Game with four teams competing in a pickup-style tournament meant to promote a more competitive environment among players.
Sources informed ESPN that this tournament will feature four total teams, including three teams of eight players created from the 24 All-Stars and the fourth team being the winner of the NBA Rising Stars Game.
These four teams will face off in the first round in a single-elimination matchup that will be played to 40 points, with the winners advancing to one final game to 25 points that will determine the winner.
The All-Star Game changes mimic the format of the 2024 NBA Rising Stars Challenge, in which three teams made up of sophomore and rookie players and one team of G-League players competed in a mini-tournament to determine the winner.
Officials from the NBA reportedly discussed the proposed changes last week with the league’s competition committee, which consists of “governors, team executives, players, coaches and union personnel,” per ESPN.
League officials have not disclosed many details about how the three teams will be separated, but the current expectation is that the 24 players will consist of 12 All-Stars from each conference.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the NBA has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of effort displayed by players during the yearly All-Star Game and has been searching for potential changes that could rejuvenate the event.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month that the league was “looking at other formats” that could help keep the players engaged and competitive.
“It wasn’t just the league. It was the players as well, the players association. I think we all did what we thought we could, thinking particularly in Indiana, sort of the heartland of basketball, we would see a more competitive game,” he said, according to NBA.com.
These concerns prompted Silver to seek out the help of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and other former All-Stars, with the sides searching for changes and formats that could promote a more meaningful game for those involved.
NBA players have likely become accustomed to consistent changes to the All-Star format over recent seasons, as the NBA moved away from the traditional “East vs. West” format in 2018 in favor of drafting with team captains.
The NBA utilized this format for six seasons between 2018 and 2023, with certain All-Star Games also featuring a “target score” for the teams to reach before being declared the winner.
Although these changes lasted for six seasons, the NBA transitioned back to the traditional format during the 2024 season and has continued searching for potential changes to make the game more competitive.
The NBA will now have just under three months to fully implement the new pickup-style format before All-Star Weekend begins on February 14 at the Warriors’ Chase Center.