Last Updated on:
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend culminates tonight with a groundbreaking twist: a four-team tournament format designed to inject intensity, drama, and competitive fire into the league’s marquee exhibition event. Dubbed the “All-Star Championship,” this year’s game at San Francisco’s Chase Center (8 p.m. ET, TNT) replaces the traditional East vs. West showdown with a high-stakes bracket-style competition. With $1.8 million in prize money and bragging rights on the line, stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Victor Wembanyama will battle not just for highlights—but for legacy .
Date: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV Channels: TNT, truTV
Live Stream: Max, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream (free trial available).
Fans can also tune into pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. ET on TNT, featuring analysis from Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith. The event will include performances by artists like Shaboozey and Noah Kahan, blending basketball with entertainment.
In response to years of criticism over lackluster effort and defense, the NBA has overhauled the All-Star Game into a mini-tournament:
Semifinal 1: Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck (8:20 p.m. ET)
Semifinal 2: Team Shaq vs. Team Candace (9:10 p.m. ET)
Championship: Winners face off (10 p.m. ET)
Each game is played to a target score of 40 points, with no game clock. The format eliminates the Elam Ending and emphasizes urgency, as teams must score quickly to advance.
Prize Pool Breakdown
Champions: $125,000 per player
Runners-up: $50,000 per player
Semifinal losers: $25,000 per player.
The 24 All-Stars were drafted into three teams by TNT’s Inside the NBA crew, while the fourth team—Team Candace—features the winners of Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge (coached by Candace Parker). Here’s a breakdown of the star-studded lineups:
LeBron James (Lakers) – 21st All-Star selection, extending his NBA record 1115.
Stephen Curry (Warriors) – Playing in front of his home crowd at Chase Center.
Kevin Durant (Suns), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Damian Lillard (Bucks)
Injury Replacements: Kyrie Irving (Mavericks) steps in for Anthony Davis (groin strain) .
Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) – Two-time MVP anchors a global roster.
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) – The 21-year-old phenom averages 24.4 PPG and 3.9 blocks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Trae Young (Hawks)*, Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks)
*Young replaces injured Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain) .
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) – +1200 MVP dark horse.
Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Tyler Herro (Heat)
Average Age: 24.8 – The youngest squad, built for speed and highlight-reel plays .
Stephon Castle (Spurs) – Rising Stars MVP leads the underdogs.
Zach Edey (Grizzlies), Keyonte George (Jazz), Amen Thompson (Rockets)
A mix of NBA rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts .
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the MVP race is wide open:
Steph Curry (+500): Home-court advantage and unmatched shooting range.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+800): Averages 31.2 PPG, thrives in clutch moments.
Victor Wembanyama (+800): Defensive dominance meets offensive flair.
LeBron James (+850): The ultimate playmaker in his record 21st appearance.
Anthony Edwards (+1200): High-flying athleticism could steal the show .
Expert Predictions
Team Shaq is favored due to veteran savvy and Curry’s home crowd boost.
Team Chuck’s size (Jokić, Wembanyama) poses a matchup nightmare.
Team Kenny’s youth may falter under pressure, despite Edwards’ explosiveness .