SAN FRANCISCO — The results of the NBA’s revamped All-Star Game mini-tournament were mixed, showcasing a variety of player reactions and performances. Shaquille O’Neal’s team, known as Shaq’s OGs, emerged victorious in this four-team, three-game format where the objective was to reach 40 points first in each match. The tournament generated a mix of opinions among players, with some expressing enjoyment while others showed indifference. Overall, it maintained the highlight-reel flavor common in All-Star events but also had its moments of authentic competition.
“All-Star MVP Stephen Curry, representing the Golden State Warriors, reflected positively on the experience,” he shared. “I think it was a good step in the right direction to reinvigorate the game. We can experiment and make changes next year.” Curry emphasized that the evolution of basketball has changed how it is consumed, indicating that while the game won’t resemble its past iterations, it can still be enjoyable.
This new tournament format was introduced after years of urging players to take the All-Star Game more seriously, especially following last year’s wild 211-186 scoreline in Indianapolis, which prompted the NBA to re-evaluate the event. Statistics from previous years indicated a slight improvement in defensive play, with the latest All-Star Game seeing a field goal percentage drop to 50% from 56% in the previous year. Moreover, the current event had more blocked shots in its early minutes, hinting at a shift toward more competitive play.
Jalen Brunson from New York offered his thoughts after his team, Kenny’s Young Stars, exited in the semifinal. “I think it’s interesting. It’s different,” he commented, appreciating the shorter games and unique format. Brunson suggested the scoring target could be raised to 50 points for future events.
Conversely, the new format encountered skepticism at its inception. Critics raised concerns about featuring an eight-man lineup and including a team of Rising Stars—who weren’t fan or media selections—into the mix alongside the traditional 24 All-Stars. Jayson Tatum of Boston, who contributed 15 points to Shaq’s OGs win, questioned the inclusion of the Rising Stars. He acknowledged the prestige of being an All-Star, noting the determination some players exert to achieve that status.
The tournament was certainly a departure from tradition. Miami’s Tyler Herro, the latest 3-point contest champion, noted that he barely broke a sweat in his brief eight-minute performance.
Both LeBron James and Anthony Edwards were sidelined due to injuries, with James expressing curiosity about the new format. In contrast, Edwards admitted his preference was not to take the All-Star Game seriously, reserving his competitive spirit for regular-season games.
One standout was Victor Wembanyama from San Antonio, who made it clear he intended to play hard. His competitive nature was on display as he attempted to challenge Kyrie Irving on the court. Wembanyama remarked that the stakes felt elevated, surpassing his initial expectations of the tournament’s atmosphere.
Despite the excitement on the court, the event faced criticism from fans regarding a lengthy tribute to TNT airing during the championship match, which paused gameplay for 18 minutes while the OGs were ahead 11-1. The entire game featured just under 12 minutes of actual playing time, equivalent to one NBA quarter.
As the ratings for the event are anticipated in the coming days, they will provide insight into audience engagement and attitudes toward the new tournament format. Stephen Curry concluded his thoughts optimistically, stating, “I don’t know how it looked on TV, but I thought it was a step in the right direction.”
