Basketball fans, get ready! Ernie Johnson has been with TNT for as long as the men’s professional basketball league has, but not anymore. This weekend, after the final NBA All-Star Game, TNT and Johnson are bidding adieu. It marks the official end of TNT’s partnership with the league after four decades and 20 All-Star Games aired.

Since TNT will no longer be broadcasting the NBA next year, Adam Silver has found other ways to keep fans engaged with the All-Star Game.

The league is set to host the 2026 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles, but this time, it’s quite different. Instead of the usual venues, the event will take place in the brand-new, state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood—the Los Angeles Clippers’ new home.

Why NBA All-Star 2026 could be a game-changer for the league?

Well, Intuit Dome isn’t just the NBA’s newest arena—it’s more than that. From cutting-edge basketball action to top-tier entertainment, this place is built to wow. Nestled in Inglewood, just five miles from LA’s international airport, the Clippers’ $2 billion masterpiece took 37 months to bring to life. And now it’s worth every second.

While the All-Star Game has a deep history in L.A., this will be the first time it takes place at the Clippers’ own arena.

For years, the Staples Center—now known as Crypto.com Arena—has been the go-to destination for major basketball events. But now, with the Clippers’ new home on the horizon, it’s set to become the most technologically advanced arena in the NBA, providing the perfect stage for a star-studded weekend.

It’s definitely an exciting development that promises to attract fans from all over. But here’s the thing: this upcoming NBA All-Star event won’t be just about the venue.

LA has a tradition of witnessing legendary moments

Los Angeles has seen its fair share of legendary All-Star moments that’ll make this one stand out too. From Kobe Bryant’s MVP performance to the iconic duo of Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James teaming up, LA has always been at the center of basketball history.

Let’s take it back to 1972 when it all started at the Forum in Inglewood. Hometown hero Jerry West had fans on the edge of their seats as he delivered a jaw-dropping finish. With the game tied, West sank a clutch 20-foot jump shot in the final seconds, securing the win for the Western Conference and earning him the All-Star Game MVP. That moment? A true All-Star classic.

Fast forward to 1983, and the Forum was home to yet another unforgettable moment. This time, it was legendary singer Marvin Gaye who raised the stakes. With a unique rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, accompanied only by a drum machine, he transformed the national anthem into something unforgettable—a memorable experience that still resonates today.

But if we’re talking about some of the most iconic All-Star performances, the 2011 All-Star game at Staples Center is hard to beat. Kobe Bryant, in peak form, dropped 37 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading the Western Conference to a 148-143 win over the East. It was his dynamic performance, complete with powerful dunks and clutch plays, that earned him the All-Star Game MVP.

So, what’s in store for 2026 if the All-Star game returns to LA? Well, we can expect something similar—a spectacle that will likely rival those that came before it. However, the 2025 All-Star game is still no less.

Despite the concern, the NBA All-Star accumulate eyeballs with a familiar voice for the last time.

For 40 years, Johnson has been the voice of the All-Star game, hosting every single one. But this NBA All-Star will mark his final time behind the mic. And true to tradition, Johnson closed the event with a heartfelt poetry reading.

“It’s TNT’s last All-Star Game, in what is our last season. We’ve relished every second with this league, and you’re the reason,” Johnson said, his voice filled with emotion. But, as always, he added his unique touch, thanking everyone involved and bidding farewell to the athletes he’s come to know so well.

“You the players, and you the fans, who watch us night to night….Don’t waste my time. Instead, consider gratitude. We’re thankful and we’re blessed. Our TNT production crew, our backbone, just the best,” he continued.

This All-Star game will indeed be the last one hosted by TNT, as NBC takes over for the 2025 season and beyond. This comes after NBC and Amazon secured a huge 11-year, $76 billion broadcasting rights deal that starts this fall, meaning the NBA will retake the rights to the All-Star Games starting in 2026.

While this spring’s NBA playoffs will be TNT’s final season with the league, Johnson is expected to remain on “Inside the NBA” for now. But, as Charles Barkley revealed last year, Johnson—who’s 68—is expected to retire soon, though no official decision has been made yet. Even so, Johnson’s impact on the All-Star Game will certainly be felt for years to come.

But let’s not forget, Ernie Johnson isn’t the only one working hard to make an impact. In recent years, the NBA has focused heavily on improving the quality of play during the All-Star event. In an attempt to step up the excitement, the league announced last December that the 2025 All-Star Game would feature a new format—a four-team tournament to be held at Chase Center in San Francisco.

That’s right, a four-team showdown, played all on the same day, with huge cash prizes for the winning team. This is the first time in NBA history that the All-Star Game won’t feature just two teams, but four. And if that isn’t enough, this year’s NBA All-Star Game comes with a prize pool totaling $1.8 million, with all 32 players getting a slice of the pie.

But here’s the big question: Is this new format enough to lure spectators and keep them excited?