The NBA will reportedly change the 2025 All-Star Game format in an attempt to improve the overall game product, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The annual traditional game featuring the game’s biggest stars will reportedly have a pickup-style format where teams would compose of 8 players each. The new four-team format is expected to have two semifinal games in a race to 40 points while the final would require 25 points to win.

This format is similar to how the Rising Stars game has been played over the past few years. 

According to Charania, the first-of-its-kind event is expected to serve as a quick-burst competition that resembles pickup games where the winner moves to the championship round in single-elimination play.

The NBA All-Star game has lost its steam over the past few years due to the lack of competitiveness that the stars show on the court, leading to more points scored and just lackadaisical effort overall. The NBA, Adam Silver, and along with Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry hope this change can give the game a fresh start and an overall different feel. 

The NBA is planning to have 3 teams of 8 all-stars each with the 4th team being the champions of the Rising Stars games. 

The 2025 NBA All-Star Game is set to be at the Chase Center in San Francisco, home to the Golden State Warriors.

Another event being planned is a 3-point shootout featuring Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and WNBA’s New York Liberty champ Sabrina Ionescu compete against WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark and Klay Thompson in a three-point showdown.

Curry and Ionescu successfully pulled off their inaugural Steph vs Sabrina shootout last year and now the NBA is adding Clark and Thompson to the mix.

REPORT: A 2025 All-Star Weekend three-point shootout featuring Steph & Sabrina vs. Klay & Caitlin is being planned, per @ShamsCharania. 😲

Who you got winning this showdown? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/iJPhpE9IF4

— BasketballNews.com (@basketbllnews) November 22, 2024