The All-Star Game used to be the NBA’s ultimate showdown where the league’s top talent was on display. It was really like every basketball fan’s dream come true. But lately? It has felt more like a chill celebrity hangout, with very little hustle or intensity involved. Now, the league’s ready to mix things up!

The 2025 All-Star Game will feature a mini-tournament with four teams and three games. Each game will be a race to 40 points, and that’s sure to bring some extra energy. But the stars don’t seem too excited about it. Some outright even hate it. That’s right. Ja Morant seemed to be on the same page as Kevin Durant when he was asked about the new All-Star format.

Morant responded simply, “Same thing KD said.” Looks like the star point guard shares KD’s frustration with the changes. And what exactly did the ‘Slim Reaper’ say?

“Absolutely hate it. It’s terrible! … I think we just keep it traditional.“ Clearly, the man made it no secret that he wasn’t the biggest fan of the changes.

For many fans and players, the traditional East vs. West format was what made the All-Star Game special—a point KD also noted. It wasn’t just about showcasing individual talent, but about a clear rivalry—two teams representing the best of each conference, battling it out on the same stage.

Even Anthony Davis didn’t seem enthusiastic about it. He said, “I don’t really like it. … I think they can go back to East vs. West. But four teams and multiple games, I don’t think a lot of players are gonna like that, personally. But we’ll see.” It seems like Davis is not totally sold on it, but he’s open to seeing how things play out.

Damian Lillard, also wants the traditional All-Star game back. The defending three-point contest champion shared his thoughts on the new All-Star format, saying, “We’re going to have to see. I understand what’s being attempted. You want to create some type of competitiveness in that game on Sunday.”

But he clarified, saying, “I’m definitely more a fan of, like, the originality. I think being able to play on Sunday is a special thing. The top players get to do it. Not everybody has that experience.”

His hesitation is clear—he’s all for keeping things authentic and preserving the tradition of All-Star Sunday.

Who’s going to be picking the All-Stars? Which team will Anthony Davis play for?

The NBA All-Star Game is getting a major makeover for 2025. Instead of the usual East vs. West showdown, fans will watch a new mini-tournament featuring four teams: three made up of All-Stars and the winner of the Rising Stars challenge. The iconic TNT trio—Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith—will take on the role of “honorary general managers,” drafting their teams for the tournament.

This year’s format is a total shift. The ‘Rising Stars’ game will take place Friday night, showcasing first- and second-year players along with G League standouts. The All-Star Game will consist of two semifinals, with the winners facing off in a championship match. Each game will end when a team hits 40 points. This is a huge change from the traditional 48-minute game we’ve seen before, where fans voted for their favorite players to form teams.

The voting system remains the same, though, with fans, players, and media each having a say in who makes the roster. And there’s an exciting prize pool: $1.8 million, with the champs pocketing $125,000 per player.

Commissioner Adam Silver has faced criticism for the lack of competition in recent years and is determined to spice things up. He’s even talked to Stephen Curry to gather player input.

The 2025 All-Star Weekend in San Francisco could be a game-changer, but like Kevin Durant pointed out, “we’ll see how this one works.”