In an NBA All-Star tournament that was met with pushback for its format and its coverage, Team Shaq prevailed on Sunday when the basketball was said and done.
In the four-team mini-tournament, Team Shaq’s squad of All-Star veterans defeated Team Candace’s roster of non All-Stars in the semifinal round. It then rolled past Team Chuck’s squad of international All-Stars via a 41-25 victory in the final to secure the title of 2025 All-Star champions.
Each player on Team Shaq secured a $125,000 prize for the victory. Team Chuck’s runners-up earned $50,000, while the semifinal losers secured $25,000 each just for making it to Sunday.
After facing a challenge from Team Candace’s Rising Stars team in the semifinals, Team Shaq started the final on fire with an 11-0 lead, sparked by eight early points from Jayson Tatum. Team Chuck never challenged as Team Shaq cruised to the 16-point victory.
Tatum led the way with 15 points, including the game-winning dunk in the first-to-40 format. Warriors star Stephen Curry added 12 points in front of the crowd in San Francisco.
Curry was named All-Star MVP for his effort in his home arena. He shot 4-of-8 from 3-point distance for his 12 points in the final while adding four rebounds, two assists and one steal. In Team Shaq’s semifinal win, Curry tallied eight points, six assists, one rebound and one steal.
The All-Star MVP is the second for Curry, who also won the award in 2022.
In between and sometimes during the games, the broadcast featured commentary and banter from comedian Kevin Hart that distracted from the basketball and was met with vocal criticism on social media.
The championship game was interrupted for a lengthy tribute to the TNT broadcast team by Hart in the network’s final year covering All-Star weekend. The tournament format itself, meanwhile, was the subject of harsh criticism on the TNT broadcast from Draymond Green.
Playing without an injured LeBron James, Team Shaq averted disaster in the second semifinal of the day.
Led by nine points from Damian Lillard, Team Shaq scored a 42-35 win over Team Candace’s roster of Rising Stars, who earned their way to the All-Star showdown via Friday’s challenge.
In the first-to-40 format, Team Candace kept pace with Team Shaq for much of the contest at 28-28. But Team Shaq pulled away with a 14-7 run to secure the win and avoid losing to a team of non-All-Stars. Team Shaq missed a bunch of shots down the stretch as it repeatedly tried to end the game on a 3-pointer while sitting on 37 points.
Officials then ignored an obvious foul on Kevin Durant as Team Shaq sat on 39 points in an apparent effort to avoid having the game end on the free-throw line.
The refs might have missed one here. pic.twitter.com/8KDX4LP9KY
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 17, 2025
Lillard eventually put the game to bed with a deep 3.
DAME TIME FROM DEEP FOR THE WIN 🚨
The Oakland native puts on the finishing touches…
Shaq’s OGs will face Chuck’s Global Stars in the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fvhN5rpcgc
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Behind an outburst from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some actual All-Star Game defense from Victor Wembanyama, Charles Barkley’s team of international stars struck first Sunday night.
Team Chuck cruised to a 42-31 win over Team Kenny in the first semifinal, which featured a lineup of young stars headlined by Jalen Brunson and Evan Mobley. Anthony Edwards was a DNP with a lingering groin injury.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 12 points, including the game-winning bucket. Gilgeous-Alexander beat Jaren Jackson Jr. off the dribble and put Team Chuck over 40 points with a two-handed dunk.
SGA WINS IT FOR CHUCK’S GLOBAL STARS 🚨
Scoring the final 5 PTS…
They’ll advance to the #NBAAllStar Championship on TNT! pic.twitter.com/BAHSxAQejt
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander’s easy path to the bucket with the game on the line won’t assuage critics tired of the lack of defense in the All-Star Game. But Wembanyama at least made an effort in his All-Star game debut.
He finished with six points, four rebounds, one steal and this block of Cade Cunningham in a winning effort for Team Chuck.
WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAM
HE ISN’T MESSING AROUND pic.twitter.com/XQdAYxloSG
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025
Similar to the Rising Stars challenge, the NBA All-Stars competed in a three-game tournament. The All-Stars were split into three teams — through an All-Star Draft conducted by TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith. The first two matchups were Team Shaq vs. Team Candace Parker, and Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny.
The All-Star teams were comprised of the East and West starters (voted by fans, players and media members) and reserves (voted by coaches). Trae Young and Kyrie Irving were named as injury replacements for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis, respectively.
Here’s a breakdown of the rosters (listed in order of how each team was drafted).
Shaq’s OGs
LeBron James, Lakers*
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Anthony Davis, Mavericks*
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
Kevin Durant, Suns
Damian Lillard, Bucks
James Harden, Clippers
Jaylen Brown, Celtics
Kyrie Irving, Mavericks
Kenny’s Young Stars
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Jalen Brunson, Knicks
Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
Jalen Williams, Thunder
Darius Garland, Cavaliers
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
Cade Cunningham, Pistons
Tyler Herro, Heat
Chuck’s Global Stars
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks*
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Pascal Siakam, Pacers
Alperen Şengün, Rockets
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
Trae Young, Hawks
*injured
Team Candace
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Golden State Warriors
Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (added by Parker after Friday’s games)
Team Shaq defeated Team Chuck, 41-25, to win the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament.
Jayson Tatum got a dunk for the final bucket to mercifully put an end to a game that was disrupted by a lengthy ceremony for TNT.
Steph Curry was named the MVP on his home court after posting 8 points (2-of-8 from 3), 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in Game 1, and 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in Game 2.
The final of the NBA ASG tournament came back from commercial break and an insane gift ceremony occurred to honor the TNT crew of Ernie Johnson, Shaq, Chuck and Kenny.
I repeat: A live game — with Team Shaq leading Team Chuck, 11-3 — was stopped and billion of dollars worth of All-Stars sat around and got cold so they could watch the TNT studio show hosts get a bunch of gifts to honor their roles in the promotion of the game. Oh yeah, and Kevin Hart was once again the host of it.
Like most the evening, it went over like a lead zeppelin:
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We’re now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star “Game” EVER
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY
NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
If Steph and KD walked out during that 30 minute tv time out, I would not have blamed them https://t.co/eFDDv6DVpK
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
The amount of sitting Chuck’s team has had to do throughout the night is bonkers.
— Andy Bailey (@AndrewDBailey) February 17, 2025
It’s hilarious watching these players try and warm up every 35 minutes dude
You can tell they’re even bewildered by all this
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
It’s almost 11pm on a Sunday night.
What are you doing @NBA? https://t.co/GrCcfydXXQ
— Ed. (@DepressedDETN) February 17, 2025
STEPH RUNNING 3 OFF ONE LEG 😤😤
He opens the scoring in the #NBAAllStar Championship Game on TNT! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/fEMoVt3mOG
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Team Shaq’s OGs defeated Team Candace’s Rising Stars, 42-35, but it wasn’t easy.
Team Shaq had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but needing just three points with a 37-31 lead, the veterans opted to take a lot of 3s — and missed them.
Finally, Damian Lillard, who led his club with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from long distance, hit a 3 to give Team Shaq the victory and a ticket to face Team Chuck in the final.
For those into such things, Team Candace spent most of the day at BetMGM as a 7.5-point underdog, but went off as only a 6.5-point dog as the game tipped. Landing on seven had major ramifications, once again illustrating the importance of getting the best of the number.
Steph splashes for THREE 💦
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/enD01jFmkE
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025
The NBA making its All-Star game less and less about basketball while complaining about NBA players not taking it seriously is about all you need to know about the state of NBA discourse in 2025.
— Micah Adams (@MAdamsStatGuy) February 17, 2025
Oh God. Now it’s the comedy sketch again.
F me, man. This used to be one of the best weekends of the sporting calendar. I used to LOVE it. Invite my friends over. Watch the game again.
Blow this up. It’s over. Praying NBC fixes this next year.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 17, 2025
Can the sandman come out with the hook? This is cooked
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) February 17, 2025
Lebron knows this format sucks lol pic.twitter.com/1ObBtr3mc8
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 17, 2025
The new format is good. The first game was good. Don’t ever give Kevin Hart or Draymond a mic again.
— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) February 17, 2025
I get what Draymond is saying about the disservice guys like SGA and Wemby will see with this new format. He can say this format sucks but let’s not ignore how we got here, the guys just didn’t care. The games have been awful.
— Mo Dakhil (@MoDakhil_NBA) February 17, 2025
with all due respect they gotta cut Kevin Hart’s mic
— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 17, 2025
Been about 10 minutes of basketball and 50 minutes of not-basketball
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) February 17, 2025
Start the damn game! Doing too damn much. Jesus Christ
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 17, 2025
I swear I’m not trying to be cynical but everything outside of the actual games tonight — which have been great — has varied from terrifying to cringe.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
Why does it take 78 minutes for the next game to start?!
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) February 17, 2025
Worst All-Star “Game” EVER
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 17, 2025
Now they getting present with gifts. During the Allstar game. This couldn’t be on the post show? They aren’t going off air anyway bruh they just won’t have the all star game 😂
— Jay (@1jreezy) February 17, 2025
LMAOOOOO WHY DIDNT THEY DO THIS CEREMONY
NOT WHEN THE GAME WAS GOING ON
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) February 17, 2025
The extended breaks in these games are really tough. We’re now on to honoring the end of Inside the NBA on TNT when everyone knows its headed to ESPN next season.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 17, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards did not participate for Team Kenny in the opening game of All-Star Sunday’s new format due to a groin injury, he said afterwards.
There was no indication in the lead-up to the game that Edwards would not participate.
Edwards played his usual 36 points in a 15-point victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, compiling 23 points (5-of-18 shooting), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
Mr. Beast, the YouTube sensation, hosted a shooting contest between Damian Lillard and a fan for $100,000. The fan had to make one shot from the logo near halfcourt before Lillard made three. Lillard made two, but before he could sink his third the fan banked in the winning shot.
🚨🚨THIS FAN JUST WON $100,000🚨🚨
pic.twitter.com/Av7cxG1Sdu
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 17, 2025
The All-Star players, just as hyped as the fans, showered the fan with congratulations.
Team Chuck topped Team Kenny in Game 1, 41-32, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander icing the contest with a dunk.
SGA shot 5-of-5 for 12 points in a game in which Anthony Edwards curiously did not play for Team Kenny.
The TNT broadcast said The Athletic reported Edwards had groin soreness.
SGA ICES GAME 1 😤
Chuck’s Global Stars move on to the Final Rd of the #NBAAllStar Mini-Tournament ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YId5BJCAsE
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2025
The NBA and commissioner Adam Silver want the All-Star event to be taken more seriously, with players actually competing.
But the four-man booth for Game 1 — Shaq, Candace Parker, Reggie Miller and Brian Anderson — was all about jokes and topics other than the game during the early going.
The broadcast also gave time during the game to Ernie Johnson and Kevin Hart, who were sitting with coaches Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. Hart screamed a lot about whatever as action on the court took place.
I have wondered for a very long time who the Kevin Hart fans are? Where they are? Why does Adam think he’s an ambassador lol. https://t.co/8GPCvBz5ku
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 17, 2025
When the broadcast went back to the actual broadcast booth, it was Anderson trying to give updates on the action, while his broadcast mates wanted to talk about anything except the action on the court.
The issue: If the action isn’t interesting enough for the folks calling the game, why should anyone else care?
Then after the first game, Draymond Green ripped the new format, trashing everything about it. The NBA continues to lead American sports in giving monster platforms to voices who continue to tear apart, ridicule and denigrate its game. Some would say that isn’t an optimal strategy when so much money and time are involved in “promoting” the game.
The NBA needs to take a hard look at this game presentation.
Led by Victor Wembanayama, the NBA’s young stars are injecting some energy into the All-Star Game for the first time in years. In a back-and-forth battle, Wembanyama has wreaked havoc on both ends, inspiring everyone to compete.
WEMBY’S FIRST #NBAAllStar POINTS 👽
Hops into the lane and stuffs it with the left!
Chuck’s Global Stars 14 PTS away from 40 on TNT 👀 pic.twitter.com/e998eS9CJU
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA NÃO QUER SABER DE RELAXAR NO ALL-STAR
JÁ TEM 2 TOCOS NO JOGO
pic.twitter.com/RG7bWFBAaQ
— Matchup Brasil 🇧🇷🏀 (@MatchupBR) February 17, 2025
The All-Stars are actually trying
Victor Wembanyama is here to play some All-Star game defense:
WEMBY BLOCKS CADE CUNNINGHAM
HE ISN’T MESSING AROUND pic.twitter.com/XQdAYxloSG
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 17, 2025
Tyler Herro and Karl-Anthony Towns trading ridiculous 3s:
HERRO DRAINS THE 3. 👀
KAT FOLLOWS UP FROM THE LOGO. 🎯
First to 40 advances… #NBAAllStar on TNT pic.twitter.com/9zy0xPdb07
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
In the first NBA All-Star tournament game, featuring Team Chuck vs. Team Kenny, it was Evan Mobley of Team Kenny who scored the first points of the new format.
In transition, the Cavs big man was on the receiving end of an alley-oop from Oklahoma City Thunder star Jalen Williams.
Mobley added another bucket as Team Chuck led 17-12 at the first timeout of the contest, which will be decided by the first to 40.
And we’re underway. There’s no game clock in these games. First team to 40 points in the semifinals wins.
Here are the rosters for the opening game:
Team Kenny
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
vs.
Team Chuck
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (replacing Giannis Antetokounmpo)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers
Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
All-Star intros full of pomp and circumstance are over. Team Kenny vs. Team Chuck is up next.
Introducing Chuck’s Global Stars!
🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/kc0nJ6QNDw
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Introducing Kenny’s Young Stars!
🌟 #NBAAllStar is LIVE on TNT pic.twitter.com/od0CL6nTbe
— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, speaking before the All-Star Game, pledged to participate in a 1-on-1 battle next season, if the NBA decides to add the event to its festivities.
“If I had the chance to play 1-on-1 with anybody, I would love to do it,” he said. “Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate. … If it’s a 1-on-1 competition, I would love to participate.”
He gives himself a pretty good shot, too.
“I think sometimes you forget, to be a good 1-on-1 player, you’ve got to be able to play both ways,” he said. “You’ve got to get a stop to get the ball. You don’t get a stop, you’re not getting the ball. It’s kind of hard, say, if Kyrie Irving is going against [Victor Wembanyama]. He’s got to get a stop. But it would be fun. It would be fun. I would love to participate if next year there’s a 1-on-1 tournament. I would love to participate.”
Is he sure?
“I can’t make no promises,” he said, “but if I’m healthy, I’d probably do it.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be sidelined for the All-Star Game on Sunday night, as he manages the ankle soreness that has plagued him for the past few seasons, ending his record-setting streak of 20 consecutive All-Star Game starts.
“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s just not where I wanted it to be,” said James. “With 30 games left and us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild West, I feel like it’s very important for me to take care of myself and understand what was coming on.
“It is maintenance, but at the same time I have to look out for myself when it comes to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”
James flew from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Sunday and will return later in the night.
“There will be no vacation for me,” he said. “I head back to L.A. tonight and back to the rehab tomorrow and getting ready for practice on Tuesday.”
His availability for Wednesday’s home game against the Charlotte Hornets is questionable.
More on James’ absence.
SAN FRANCISCO — NBA commissioner Adam Silver sees all and hears all: the praise of where his game is or, most importantly, the constant critique the NBA is subject to, almost on a daily basis.
The never-ending 3-point discussion, one that even he has chimed in on at times.
The money element, the financial decisions that have played a big part in trades involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns, and the standoff with Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
The officiating, the challenges with a million camera angles and a million more opinions on social media and in NBA locker rooms.
And he’s even contributed to it in ways, jokingly throwing gasoline onto the discourse by suggesting 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12 — a suggestion that earned a decent amount of criticism.
“I try to read it all, frankly, and we try to absorb it at the league office,” Silver said during his annual news conference at All-Star Weekend inside Chase Center. “I think the state of the game is excellent. I think it’s the media’s role, the fans’ role, it’s perfectly appropriate to be critical of the game, and I find it very helpful. I’m not one of those people who said I don’t read criticism.”
How Silver is trying to shape the league.
Nobody was beating Mac McClung in his three-peat bid.
The Magic G Leaguer was once again the runaway slam dunk contest winner for his third-straight title Saturday night in a performance for the ages. He started things with a dunk worthy of a closer and continued to wow with each successive dunk. Each of McClung’s dunks earned a perfect 50 score.
Catch up on all of NBA All-Star Saturday night.
Team Shaq ran away from opening tip
Stephen Curry wins MVP
Format, broadcast draw less-than-glowing reviews
Team Shaq avoids disaster in semis
Team Chuck strikes first
How the new All-Star format worked
The rosters
Team Shaq wins 1st NBA All-Star tournament; Steph Curry named “MVP”
Yes, there was a bizarre game stoppage to honor TNT
Steph gets the party started in the final
Team Shaq turns back Team Candace
The people are speaking about this All-Star Game
Anthony Edwards does not play in All-Star Game due to groin injury
Fan makes logo shot to win $100,000 at All-Star Game
Team Chuck moves on
Let’s see how the commentary plays out …
Victor Wembanyama is wreaking havoc, and the All-Stars are trying!
Trivia time: Evan Mobley scores 1st points in NBA’s new All-Star tournament format
Giannis Antetokounmpo pledges to participate in 1-on-1 battle in 2026
LeBron James’ record of 20 straight All-Star Game starts comes to an end
NBA commish Adam Silver talks state of the league
How did we get here on All-Star Weekend and what did we miss?
NBA All-Star Game highlights: Shaq’s OGs beat Chuck’s Global Stars withut LeBron
NBA All-Star Game weekend, with its revised format, is officially over.
Shaq’s OGs, a team composed of seasoned veterans, won the 2025 All-Star Game and Warriors guard Stephen Curry, playing in front of his hometown fans at the Chase Center, won the game’s Most Valuable Player award after he scored 12 points in the final, including nine of his team’s final 18.
The OGs toppled Chuck’s Global Stars, a team of mostly international superstars, 41-25.
The NBA launched a revised format designed to increase competitiveness; as opposed to a traditional East vs. West game, four teams — including one Rising Stars squad made up of rookies and sophomores — competed in a mini-tournament.
The game, however, was deprived of some star power, with icons like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis all sitting out with injuries.
James, who was slated to play in a record 21st All-Star Game, sat out with continued left ankle and foot soreness.
His record for consecutive starts ends at 20 as he will miss an All-Star Game for the first time when he has been chosen to play. He was not tapped in his rookie year.
“I hope to be available Wednesday,” James, 40, said during a news conference before Sunday’s game. The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Charlotte Hornets in a game rescheduled because of the California wildfires.
“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning but it’s not where I want it to be.”
James missed a game Feb. 8 against the Indiana Pacers with the same issue. He was slated to play for Shaq’s OGs, but since the announcement came so close to tipoff, James was not replaced.
Each player on the championship-winning team will receive $125,000, each player on the second-place team will receive $50,000 and each player on the third- and fourth-place teams will receive $25,000.
Read about all of Sunday night’s action from the NBA All-Star Game:
SAN FRANCISCO — The star of the host team who welcomed All-Star fans to the Bay Area for the weekend collected his second NBA All-Star MVP.
Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry earned Sunday’s Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP trophy with a 12-point, four-rebound performance in the championship game of the event featuring a new four-team mini-tournament.
Curry’s performance helped Shaq’s OGs defeat Chuck’s Global Stars, 41-25. In the three-game event, the first team to 40 points won each game.
Curry had eight points and six rebounds in the semifinal victory against Candace’s Rising Stars, giving him 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists in two games. He made four 3-pointers in the final game and two 3s in the semifinal.
Curry won the award in 2022 with 50 points, including 48 points on 16 made 3-pointers.
In the end, the slow start was too much to overcome.
Shaq’s OGs, a team of seasoned veterans, toppled Chuck’s Global Stars 41-25 in the NBA All-Star Game final after the Global Stars missed their first 10 shots of the game, falling in an early 10-point hole.
Stephen Curry, playing in front of his home crowd, scored nine of the OGs final 18 points to help his team pull away. He was named MVP. Curry scored 12 points on four-of-eight shooting — with all his attempts coming from beyond the arc — while Celtics forward Jayson Tatum led all players with 15 points.
Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama led the Global Stars, who shot just 35.5% from the floor, with 11 points.
There are slow starts and then there are slow starts.
In the NBA All-Star Game final, Shaq’s OGs, a team of seasoned veterans, scored the game’s first 11 points, as Chuck’s Global Stars started 0-for-10 from the field.
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum led the charge early, leading all players with 11 points scored on a dunk and three 3s.
The NBA then had an intermission to honor the TNT Inside the NBA crew.
Coming out of that break, Chuck’s Global Stars picked up the pace and went on a 7-3 run, though Shaq’s OGs have maintained a commanding lead, 33-19.
SAN FRANCISCO ‒ Kevin Hart paid tribute to TNT’s “Inside the NBA” crew of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, who are broadcasting their final All-Star Weekend with TNT.
TNT is not part of the NBA’s new 11-year, $76 billion TV deal which begins next season with Disney (ABC/ESPN), NBC and Amazon showing NBA games.
The crew received “gone fishing” gifts, a nod to an “Inside the NBA” segment when a team is eliminated from the playoffs.
While TNT won’t have NBA games next season, TNT licensed the rights for “Inside the NBA” to Disney and the popular program will continue on ESPN and ABC. It will be produced by TNT staffers.
The NBA said a halftime of about 12 minutes will take place when the first team reaches 20 points in the final. Entertainment for fans and another warm-up for players will take place.
Score one for the critics.
Those bemoaning the inclusion of the Rising Stars in the revised format of the NBA All-Star Game will point to the way Shaq’s OGs, a team of seasoned NBA veterans, pulled away late to win the second game of the mini-tournament, 42-35.
The OGs closed on a 14-7 run to set up a showdown against Chuck’s Global Stars in the final of the NBA All-Star Game.
Frankly, it could’ve ended sooner, as the OGs had multiple chances to reach the target score of 40, though they settled for 3s and opted for flair. That allowed the Rising Stars to make a small push, though it would not be enough.
Shaq’s OGs scored 17 fastbreak points compared to eight from the Rising Stars, and Bucks guard Damian Lillard, who hit the game-clinching 3 pointer, finished with a game-high nine points.
Jaren Barajas, a fan, won $100,000 when he beat Bucks guard Damian Lillard in a 3-point shootoff, hosted by media personality Mr. Beast.
Lillard needed to hit three logo shots before Barajas hit one. Barajas nailed his shot at the buzzer – off the bank, no less – to take home the cash.
Perhaps there is something to be said about experience.
While Shaq’ OGs, a team comprised mostly of veterans, has several All-Star appearances to their names, the Rising Stars have hung around to make it a mostly competitive game, with Shaq’s OGs taking a 28-26 lead.
Lakers guard Dalton Knecht leads the Rising Stars with eight points on three-of-five shooting, while Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who is playing in front of his home crowd, leads the OGs with eight points, including a pair of deep 3s.
Although the Rising Stars have kept things competitive, there is a nonchalance and ease to the pace and play of the OGs.
The winner of this game will take on Chuck’s Global Stars in the All-Star Game final.
SAN FRANCISCO — Chuck’s Global Stars advanced to the final of Sunday’s All-Star Game with a 41-32 victory over Kenny’s Young Stars.
In a game where the winner was determined by the first to 40 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s dunk ended the game. Alexander had a game-high 12 points, and Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored six points for the Global Stars.
The Global Stars will play the winner of Shaq’s OGs vs. Candace’s Rising Stars in the final of the new All-Star format.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the leading candidate for the 2024-25 regular-season MVP award, also had two rebounds, one assist and one block.
There was a modicum of defense played – the Global Stars had three blocks and three steals.
Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Tyler Herro each scored six points for the Young Stars.
SAN FRANCISCO — Chuck’s Global Stars own a 17-12 lead against Kenny’s Young Stars in a game where the winner is determined by the first team to 40 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns has six points on two 3-pointers and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has four points for the Global Stars. Tyler Herro, who won the 3-point shooting contest, leads the Young Stars with six points on two 3s.
Candace Parker, the TNT analyst who is also the general manager of the Rising Stars team that won Friday’s mini-tournament, took a playful shot at Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, perhaps over Green’s criticism about the Rising Stars competing Sunday against NBA All-Stars.
During the TNT pregame show, a comment was made about Parker “coaching” the Rising Stars, which is not the case; Warriors icon Chris Mullin is serving as the honorary coach.
“There’s no way I could coach — ever — it would be like Draymond coaching,” Parker said.
“Wow,” Green responded. “I’ve already been offered the Golden State Warriors head coaching job, you think I’m going to suck?”
“I didn’t think you would suck, I just didn’t think you would enjoy it. You would not be able to coach — your patience, our patience …” Parker said before trailing off.
Green had criticized the NBA’s decision to include the Rising Stars as “absurd” earlier during the TNT pregame show.
“I had to work so hard to play on Sunday night of All-Star weekend, and because ratings are down because the game is bad, we’re bringing in Rising Stars? That’s not a fix,” Green said during the broadcast.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter and paramedic Dennis R. Rodriguez sang the national anthem before the NBA All-Star Game. He represents the first responders who worked tirelessly during the wildfires that rocked the area, destroying lives, homes and landmarks.
Rodriguez has been a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department since April 2015, according to the Sporting News.
NBA All-Star weekend welcomes a few events tipping off across networks that include ESPN and TNT, which you can stream on Sling.
SAN FRANCISCO — Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is not paying in the All-Star Game due to a strained left calf, joked that one of his kids hacked his phone and posted on social media that he had interest in participating in the 2026 slam dunk contest if Memphis’ Ja Morant did it, too.
“That was my kids tweeting. That wasn’t me,” Antetokounmpo said. “While I was sleeping, they woke up in the middle of the night, came next to the nightstand, took my phone out of my charger, went to their room, tweeted and I found out this morning.”
Dad jokes aside, Antetokounmpo said, “I think you get motivated seeing guys go out there to put on a show. You get motivated. If I’m healthy and things are going well for me next year, I will want to do it.”
Antetokounmpo was open to other All-Star format changes, too, such as a one-on-one event, international stars vs. U.S. stars and an All-Star Weekend in Europe.
“Anything that can make the weekend more exciting, more fun for the viewers, for the fans and for the players, I would love to participate,” he said.
He was super supportive of a world stars vs. U.S. stars game.
“That would be the most interesting and most exciting format. I would love that. I’d take pride in that,” he said. “I always compete, but I think that will give me a little bit more extra juice to compete, like having Shai, Jokic, Luka, Wemby, Towns, Sengun. I know those players. Obviously I’m missing some guys that I cannot think from the top of my head, going against the best U.S. players. I think it would be fun.”
SAN FRANCISCO — LeBron James was the last active NBA player to host “Saturday Night Live” – on Sept. 29, 2007.
As the long-running sketch comedy show celebrates its 50th anniversary Sunday, James reflected on his appearance.
“To be a part of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ legacy is a dream come true,” James said. “It’s been on, obviously, my entire life, and seeing so many great actors grace those skits every single Saturday and so many entertainers that come there and do their bits, as well, it was fun.
“It was super fun, and hopefully I get the opportunity to do it again. I would love to do it again. I was so young. You said 2006? 2007? I was 21, 22 maybe. It was super fun. … It was definitely a treat and something that I can always look back and say ‘I was on a show that Will Ferrell has been on and so many great guys.’ Bill Hader is a good friend of mine. It was pretty cool.”
James’ skit where he plays one-on-one against an overly cocky production assistant played by Jason Sudeikis made USA TODAY Sports’ list of favorite “SNL” sports sketches.
LeBron James will compete in his 21st NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. He made his first All-Star appearance in 2005 and has shared the court with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett, among others.
He played in 13 games as a representative for the Eastern Conference. He spent five seasons representing the West. He also spent two seasons as the team captain for Team LeBron James and earned victories over Team Stephen Curry in 2018 and 2019.
The All-Star Game changed to a draft format during those two years and was not specifically tied to the East vs. West team name moniker, according to information on StatMuse. ‒ James Williams
LeBron James is averaging 21.7 points (434 total), 5.7 rebounds (114 total) and 5.7 assists (113 total) through his first 20 All-Star Game appearances. James is the all-time leader in several All-Star Game statistical categories including minutes (536), field goals made (182), field goals attempted (355) and 3-pointers attempted (138), according to Fox Sports. James is currently third in assists with 113, behind Chris Paul (128) and Magic Johnson (127). James’ 114 rebounds is sixth all-time, behind Wilt Chamberlain (197), Bob Pettit (178), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (149), Bill Russell (139) and Tim Duncan (136). ‒ James Williams
The Dallas Mavericks have suspended an employee as assistant coach Darrell Armstrong was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Dallas Police Department said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that officers responded to a call about 3:45 a.m. on Saturday regarding a dispute. A preliminary investigation found Armstrong and the alleged victim were in an argument when he allegedly hit the victim with a gun and threatened to shoot her.
Armstrong was booked into jail before 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. His bond was set to $35,000, which he has since posted. Police said Armstrong and the alleged victim know each other.
The Mavericks said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that they are aware of an incident “involving a member of our staff,” but did not specify who it was. The team said it was gathering information regarding the incident and the staff member was suspended. Read full story here. ‒ Jordan Mendoza
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome. The 2027 NBA All-Star Game is headed to the desert in Phoenix at the Suns’ Footprint Center. The location of the 2028 NBA All-Star Game has not been announced yet.
In what is TNT’s last All-Star Weekend telecast for at least the next 11 seasons, longtime TNT sports host Ernie Johnson delivered a thoughtful and grateful message at the annual NBA Legends Brunch.
Johnson relied on one of his trademark rhyming poems to express himself.
In front of some of the greatest players to play in the NBA, including Oscar Robertson, Johnson said:
“Pointing fingers or placing blame, they have no place in this rhyme.
“Bitterness or ill-will, c’mon, don’t waste my time.
“Instead consider gratitude. We’re thankful, and we’re blessed.
“Our TNT production crew, our backbone, just the best.
“So for all my colleagues, every teammate in our ranks:
We offer you a simple yet sincere and heartfelt thanks.”
TNT is not part of the NBA’s new 11-year, $76 billion TV deal to televise and stream games starting in 2025-26. However, TNT’s popular and entertaining “Inside the NBA” featuring Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith has been licensed to Disney so that show will continue on ESPN and ABC.
SAN FRANCISCO — Mac McClung brought out the props for the slam dunk contest – a car, a ladder, a hoverboard.
And despite his limited NBA experience – the 6-2 high-flyer from the G League jumped, floated and wowed the crowd with his creativity for another All-Star slam dunk contest victory Saturday at Chase Center.
McClung is the first player to win the event three consecutive times and was asked if it would be fair to consider him the greatest dunker ever.
“That’s not for me to decide,” McClung said.
Miami’s Tyler Herro won his first 3-point contest and prevented Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard from winning the event for the third consecutive season.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley won the Skills Challenge and NBA commissioner Adam Silver explained why there was no rematch between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu.
SAN FRANCISCO – The idea of not working NBA All-Star Weekend didn’t register with TNT’s Kenny Smith until a friend asked him a question this week.
“My friend asked, ‘Are you going to come to All-Star Weekend next year?’ Smith told USA TODAY Sports from the green room at Pier 48, down the street from Golden State’s Chase Center. He was preparing to appear with TNT’s popular “Inside the NBA” crew for a show before the Minnesota-Oklahoma City game.
“I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He says, ‘Well, NBC does it after this season.’ When my friend asked me that question, I had never thought about it.” Read the full story here.
Despite the NBA’s best efforts over the last decade to juice up its All-Star Game to a vague level of competitiveness and credibility, it’s hard to see the league’s newest gimmick generating significantly different results this weekend than the Elam Ending or having LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo drafting the teams.
If that’s the case, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will likely see it as a failure. He has made it clear he wants the All-Star Game to be something other than a glorified pickup run, and the league hopes that this year’s format — dividing players into four teams and having a first-to-40 tournament — will be more satisfying for fans in the arena and more attractive for those watching on television.
But the real problem with the All-Star Game is not something the NBA can fix with a new format, or even shoveling money into the bank accounts of the players.
The problem is us. Or, to be more precise, the way our collective consumption of the NBA has evolved. Read Dan Wolken’s column here.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver wants a more competitive All-Star Game. His broadcast partners domestically and globally want a more competitive game. Fans – and their seething, disgusted, and worse, apathetic emails dropped into my inbox – want the same. I, too, prefer a more competitive All-Star Game.
Yet, I am skeptical that there is a long-term solution to making it a better product for the league, its partners and fans. Read Jeff Zillgitt’s column here.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
2025 NBA All-Star Game highlights
All-Star Game MVP: Steph Curry wins in front of home crowd
All-Star Game final: Shaq’s OGs 41, Chuck’s Global Stars 25
Chuck’s Global Stars miss first 10 shots in All-Star final
Kevin Hart fetes ‘Inside the NBA’ crew during All-Star Game
NBA announces halftime format for All-Star Game final
All-Star Game 2 final: Shaq’s OGs 42, Rising Stars 35
Fan wins $100,000 in shootout with Damian Lillard
Shaq’s OGs 28, Rising Stars 26
All-Star Game 1 final: Chuck’s Global Stars 41, Kenny’s Young Stars 32
All-Star Game attracts celebrities, current and former players
Chuck’s Global Stars leading Kenny’s Young Stars
Draymond Green, Candace Parker trade barbs over Rising Stars in All-Star Game
LAFD member sings national anthem in tribute to L.A. area
How to watch the 2025 NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Game: How to stream basketball event
NBA All-Star rosters
Giannis jokes children tweeted at Ja Morant after dunk contest
LeBron James on ‘SNL’: ‘A dream come true’
LeBron James selected for record 21st All-Star Game
LeBron James’ All-Star Game stats and records
Mavericks’ assistant coach arrested
NBA All-Star 2026 location
TNT’s Ernie Johnson expresses gratitude
Mac McClung dunks over car; Tyler Herro wins 3-point shootout
What’s the future of ‘Inside the NBA’? Details still need to be worked out
Opinion: NBA’s winning social media strategy comes at expense of All-Star Game
Opinion: NBA All-Star Game on life support? Format change may save it
NBA All-Star Game live updates, highlights and more: Awkward new tournament format ends with Steph Curry’s team on top
NBA
LIVE
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SAN FRANCISCO – Player introductions still had too much pomp and circumstance, lasting more than 25 minutes. The greatest NBA All-Star ever pulled himself out about an hour before play began, leaving no time to replace him, and the evening program devoted more time to gimmicks than basketball.
Hiccups for the NBA’s first-ever All-Star tournament, held Sunday at Chase Center? Yes. But the players who did suit up gave more effort and paid more attention than in any All-Star basketball game in recent memory — which was always the main point of the new format.
In the first-ever NBA All-Star championship game, Shaquille O’Neal’s team of veteran All-Stars, nicknamed the OGs and led by Steph Curry, beat Charles Barkley’’s team of mostly international players, 41-25.
The NBA decided the best way to fix the All-Star Game is less basketball and more Kevin Hart.
What the National Basketball Association doesn’t understand about their fans is that they like watching basketball.
Per the Elias Sports Bureau, these are the players with 2 regular season MVPs, 2 All-Star MVPs and at least 1 Finals MVP:
Getty Images
Brian W: This has been the worst all star weekend. Way too many commercials and not enough basketball. This format is awful and I hope it is history after this year.
Bay V: The basketball isn’t the problem with the All Star weekend. It’s that there’s way too much padding between the basketball – too much non basketball content and I’m not even just talking about the ads.
Hussein M: Format was great if there wasn’t 25 minutes of basketball and two hours of commercials, Kevin Hart, Mr.Beast, and people talking non stop about back in the day stuff
Zach C: To be honest it feels disjointed right now with all the breaks between games and timeouts. And he has a point regarding chasing greatness with ASG records. But the game has to matter for chasing those records to mean something, and I’m still seeing weak effort even though the defense is better.
But yeah, people like Draymond, Chuck and Shaq complain about the game and then wonder the why the fans don’t like it either. Talk about friendly fire.
If you subscribe to The Athletic, you can join the conversation by responding to our poll and chiming in on our discussion page here!
GO FURTHER
Draymond Green says the NBA All-Star Game format stinks. Do you agree?
Join the “No Dunks” podcast crew as they react live to the revamped 2025 NBA All-Star Game.
Steph Curry, fittingly, is your 2025 NBA All-Star Game MVP — though is it really an All-Star Game MVP when there are multiple short games interspersed with a bunch of commercials and weird tributes in the middle?
Steph Curry wins the Kobe Bryant Trophy as the 2025 #KiaAllStarMVP!
In front of the home fans in the Bay 🙌🏆 pic.twitter.com/bfa9ezFxtc
One of the biggest cheers of the night from the Chase Center crowd comes as Adam Silver announces Stephen Curry as the 2025 NBA All-Star MVP. He gets serenaded by “M-V-P” chants from his teammates and the crowd.
Curry had 12 points in 4-for-8 shooting across his two games. All of his attempts were 3-pointers. He also had 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Steph Curry is the 2025 All-Star Game MVP 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GmcABcuqKn
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
Draymond Green repeatedly sounded off on the new format during the broadcast, saying among other things that the Rising Stars team has no business playing on Sunday night of an All-Star weekend.
“It took all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done,” Green added. “This is so unfair to Victor Wembanyama, who just took this game really seriously, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just took this game really seriously.”
Barkley disagreed. “They messed the game up,” Barkley said of Green and other modern NBA stars, comparing them to kids who left a mess in their house by not taking the All-Star Game seriously enough in previous years. “That’s why we’re trying kamikaze stuff out here right now. His generation messed the game up.”
The whole point of the All-Star Game is to get fans to watch. What do you think of the format and Green’s assessment? Tell us in our poll and discussion page. We’ll share results once we have them.
GO FURTHER
Draymond Green says the NBA All-Star Game format stinks. Do you agree?
OGs wins 41-25 after Jayon Tatum dunks on a lob from James Harden. They led by as many as 18 points, the largest lead of the six games this weekend. Tatum led all scorers with 15 points on 6-of-7 field goals and 3-of-4 3s, along with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Global Stars missed 17 of 19 shots outside of the paint.
The entire arena waiting on a Steph Curry game-winner, only to have to wait because of … an eight-second violation? Pretty much sums up the night: All hurry-up-and-wait.
G3: Shaq’s OGs 41, Chuck’s Global Stars 25
Stephen Curry says “Night, night” in his home arena and probably just clinched an NBA All-Star MVP nod despite a spirited effort from Victor Wembanyama. After another electrifying deep three-pointer from Curry, James Harden lobs one to Jayson Tatum for the finisher.
JT DUNK FOR 15 WINS IT FOR SHAQ’S OGs 🚨
THE 2025 #NBAALLSTAR CHAMPS! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/5n08CiO1v9
Steph Curry just woke up this napping arena with a half court pullup 3.
Then Kyrie Irving just did a Benjamin Button self lob to himself.
The OG lead is 13, the largest in any game by any team this entire All-Star Weekend.
THE STEPH SHOW FROM HALFCOURT 😱😱
🌟 #NBAAllStar Championship LIVE on TNT 🌟 pic.twitter.com/rJNi4ndqt5
G3: Shaq’s OGs 28, Chuck’s Global Squad 17
Victor Wembanyama is single-handedly trying to will his team back into this one with some more stellar play on both ends of the court.
But it’s too little, too late as Stephen Curry continues to put on a show from long range.
This was like another halftime. Almost the same duration of time. I don’t blame LeBron for choosing not to suit up tonight.
That tribute would have been a cool way to end the night. Does anyone care about the game at this point?
You had to pay tribute to the TNT guys, since this was the network’s last All-Star broadcast. So I understand why we just had that tribute. Dressing Ernie, Kenny, Chuck and Shaq in “Gone Fishin'” gear was a nice touch, too.
But it’s not like those guys are leaving the NBA media space. Their show is getting licensed to ESPN. I don’t really understand the “farewell tour” tone of it all.
Kevin Hart & NBA All-Stars send the Inside Guys Fishing 🎣 pic.twitter.com/lSyAy6AGcG
Can you fix the All-Star Game if you stop it midway through for a long, kinda tedious break so everyone forgets about the All-Star Game? Funny thing is, I thought the new format was helping.
Kevin Hart leads a standing ovation to the “Inside The NBA” crew during the NBA All-Star Game’s last time being broadcast on TNT after a nice video montage.
Hart brings Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith to center court amid applause from both All-Stars and fans. The four are presented with jerseys signed by every All-Star as well as rings and “Gone Fishin'” props paid for by Hart himself. It’s a nice homage to one of the show’s most popular segments.
Johnson then honors the fans and players: “This is a get-to job, not a got-to job, and it’s been our pleasure every second. Thank you very much.”
Shaq chimes in: “Were you not entertained?”
Smith reminds the assembled All-Stars that they to are fans — and “Inside The NBA” will still exist (airing on ESPN after this year). Barkley also has some kind words for the All-Stars before Johnson pays tribute to the behind-the-scenes TNT crew.
Another look at the best of the Inside crew at #NBAAllStar 🙌 pic.twitter.com/GOSxGqPHwX
We are certainly filling this broadcast window this year. They followed the handoff to LA with what is essentially a retirement tour for the TNT crew, moderated by Kevin Hart.
Remember that for why games get shortened in 2030. They need the extra 30 minutes for broadcast shenanigans…
By the way, Shaq’s OGs are up 11-1 with a target score to 40.
