Everything You Need To Know About The NBA All-Star Weekend 2025

February 14, 2025 , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hey, hoop fans! The NBA All-Star Weekend is here, and you know what that means—it’s time for All-Star Saturday Night, the most action-packed evening of the year. This is where the league’s most skilled, creative, and explosive players take center stage to show off their talents in three iconic events: the Skills Challenge, the Three-Point Contest, and the Slam Dunk Contest. 

We also have a new format for the games which is rather intriguing. Let’s break it all down and get hyped for what’s coming!

Trying A New Format 

For years, the NBA has been experimenting with ways to make the All-Star Game more exciting. The shift from the traditional East vs. West matchup to the team captain draft format in 2018 was a step in the right direction, but it didn’t fully solve the problem of dwindling competitiveness. Now, the league is taking things a step further with a revamped format for 2025.

Here’s how it breaks down:

1. In the first game, Kenny Smith’s “Young Stars” (featuring Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, and Tyler Herro) will face off against Charles Barkley’s “Global Stars” (led by Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Şengün, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young).

2. In the second game, Shaquille O’Neal’s “OGs” (a stacked squad including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving) will take on the winner of Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge, coached by Candace Parker.

3. The winners of these matchups will then face each other in a final game to determine the ultimate All-Star champion. And here’s the kicker: the winning team takes home $125,00 per player while the team that comes in second takes home $50,000 each. The third-place team also doesn't leave empty-handed and will be given $25,000 each.

The Dunk Contest

This is the event that defines All-Star Weekend for so many fans. It’s where players defy physics, push the boundaries of creativity, and leave us all wondering, “How did they even think of that?” 

The format is straightforward: players get multiple attempts to throw down their most jaw-dropping dunks, and a panel of judges scores them based on creativity, athleticism, and execution. But it’s not just about jumping high—it’s about the flair, the props, and the storytelling.

This year, the dunk contest is wide open. Will we see a high-flying rookie make their mark? Or will a seasoned dunker like Jaylen Brown (who’s rumored to be considering it) bring the house down? 

And let’s not forget the possibility of a surprise entrant—maybe someone like Ja Morant or Anthony Edwards, who’ve been teasing fans with their in-game dunks all season.

Three-Point Contest 

This event has become one of the most competitive and entertaining parts of All-Star Weekend, and for good reason. With the NBA’s emphasis on perimeter shooting, the level of talent in this contest is off the charts. 

The format is simple but thrilling: players have one minute to shoot five racks of balls, each worth different point values, with a special “money ball” rack and two deep “Starry Range” shots worth three points each. The pressure is on, and every second counts.

Last year, Damian Lillard put on a show, winning the contest in his home arena. This year, the field is stacked with sharpshooters like Steph Curry, Trae Young, Damien Lillard and Jaylen Brunson to name a few. 

Skills Challenge

This year, the format is as exciting as ever, with players navigating a course that includes dribbling through obstacles, threading needle-sharp passes, and sinking a three-pointer to seal the deal.

What makes this event so fun to watch is the unpredictability. You’ve got big men like Domantas Sabonis (who won it in 2021) going head-to-head with guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, proving that size doesn’t always matter. And let’s not forget the occasional team format, where duos or trios compete together, adding a layer of strategy and camaraderie to the mix.


The All-Star Weekend is more than just a series of events—it’s a celebration of everything that makes basketball great. It’s about skill, creativity, and the sheer joy of the game. 

The ball goes up at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet+

So, grab your friends, stock up on snacks, and get ready for non-stop, high-flying basketball action.


Image - Kyle Terada - Imagn

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