NEW YORK — The NBA has decided not to continue with the All-Star Game mini-tournament format that debuted last season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Thursday that the format, which featured a four-team tournament comprising 24 NBA All-Stars along with a team of rookies and sophomores who secured their spot by winning the Rising Stars event, failed to meet the league’s expectations. The All-Star matchups were designed to feature untimed games leading to a target score of 40 points. However, the league concluded that this experimental format “was a miss.”
Silver expressed dissatisfaction with the current All-Star format and acknowledged the need to create an All-Star experience fulfilling for both players and fans. With the All-Star Game moving to NBC next season as part of a new broadcast arrangement, Silver mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the network to explore new ideas. The goal is to infuse a sense of competition that has been lacking for several years.
“We’re revisiting the drawing board,” Silver stated, indicating a willingness to explore new approaches.
Opinions about last season’s All-Star format varied among players. Some appreciated the change, while others were indifferent. The format was implemented after the 2024 All-Star Game ended with an unprecedented score of 211-186, prompting the league to rethink how the game should be structured.
Stephen Curry, who was awarded the All-Star MVP, considered the new format a positive initial attempt at rejuvenating the game. Despite this, the event experienced a notably long pause during the championship game—almost 20 minutes—caused by a tribute to the final broadcast involving the TNT team.
“It was intended to honor,” Silver explained, “but the prolonged interruption was counterproductive.”
Considering next year’s All-Star Game coincides with the Milan-Cortina Olympics, a theme of U.S. vs. International players could be a potential direction, especially given past discussions within the league.
Scheduled to air on NBC, the All-Star Game will transition to a Sunday afternoon slot on February 15, 2026, from Inglewood, California, the new arena of the Los Angeles Clippers. This scheduling shift allows NBC to follow up the game with its Olympic coverage, seamlessly integrating major Olympic events broadcast live on NBC during the day along with continuous live streaming on Peacock.