NBA All-Star Weekend 2025: A Spectacular Return to the Bay Area
The NBA’s most celebrated athletes and promising young stars are set to converge on the Bay Area for the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, a highly anticipated series of events that will showcase the best of the best in professional basketball. This year, the festivities bring a fresh twist to the traditional All-Star Game format, introducing a mini-tournament with four teams and three total games. Three of these teams will be composed of NBA All-Stars, while the fourth will be the winner of the Rising Stars event, adding an extra layer of excitement and competition. Among the marquee names attending are LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the highly acclaimed Victor Wembanyama. These players, along with many others, will undoubtedly bring their A-game to the weekend, thrilling fans with their exceptional skills and electrifying performances.
Friday, February 14: The Prelude to Glory
All-Star Weekend kicks off on Friday, February 14, with a series of engaging and preparatory events. The day begins with the Rising Stars Practice at 12:30 p.m. ET, providing a glimpse into the future of the NBA. Fans can tune in to NBA TV or Sling to catch the young talents in action. Later in the evening, the Hall of Fame News Conference at 6 p.m. ET will offer insights from basketball legends, while the All-Star Celebrity Game at 7 p.m. ET will feature a mix of sports personalities and popular entertainers, providing a fun and casual atmosphere that is not to be missed. The main event of the night, the Rising Stars game, starts at 9 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT and truTV, as well as available on Sling. This game, which pits the top rookies and sophomores from the NBA and G League against each other, is a perfect appetizer for the weekend’s main course and a great opportunity to see the next generation of stars in action.
Saturday, February 15: A Night of Skills and Shooting
On Saturday, February 15, the focus shifts to individual skills and shooting prowess. The All-Star Practice at 2 p.m. ET will allow fans to see the stars go through their paces, preparing for the big game. NBA TV and Sling will have the practice covered. The HBCU Classic at 5 p.m. ET is a special event that highlights the rich history and talent of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and it will be aired on NBA TV and Sling. The Commissioner Adam Silver News Conference at 7 p.m. ET will provide updates and insights into the league, and it will also be broadcast on NBA TV and Sling. The night’s main event, All-Star Saturday Night, starts at 8 p.m. ET and features the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest. Each contest is designed to showcase the unique talents of the league’s best players, and this year is no exception as some players aim for historic achievements.
The Slam Dunk Contest: A Leap into History
One of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the Slam Dunk Contest, where Mac McClung will lead a field of four talented participants. McClung, who has won the event in the past two years, is poised to make history by becoming the first player to achieve a three-peat. The only other player to win the contest three times is Nate Robinson, who accomplished this feat in 2006, 2009, and 2010. Joining McClung in the competition are Matas Buzelis of the Bulls, Stephon Castle of the Spurs, and Andre Jackson Jr. of the Bucks. The judges for this year’s contest include basketball icons Baron Davis, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, and Jason Richardson, ensuring a high standard of evaluation. The Slam Dunk Contest will be a thrilling spectacle, combining athleticism, creativity, and nostalgia.
The 3-Point Contest: Sharpening the Sharpshooters
The 3-Point Contest, another highlight of All-Star Saturday Night, will see eight players vie for the coveted title of the league’s best sharpshooter. Two-time defending champion Damian Lillard headlines the field, and he will look to join the elite company of Larry Bird and Craig Hodges, who are the only players to have won three consecutive 3-Point Contests. Other notable participants include Jalen Brunson of the Knicks, Cade Cunningham of the Pistons, Darius Garland of the Cavaliers, Tyler Herro of the Heat, Buddy Hield of the Warriors, Cam Johnson of the Nets, and Norman Powell of the Clippers. The contest is a test of precision and consistency, and with such a talented group, fans are in for a shooting extravaganza. The 3-Point Contest is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and truTV, with live streaming available on Sling.
The Skills Challenge: A Battle of All-Around Prowess
The Skills Challenge, part of All-Star Saturday Night, will feature four teams competing head-to-head in a series of events that test their all-around basketball skills. Each team consists of two players, and the challenges include dribbling, passing, and shooting. Team Cavs, featuring Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, Team Rooks with Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, Team Spurs with Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama, and Team Warriors, including Draymond Green and Moses Moody, will all be in the running. This event is not only a showcase of individual talent but also a team effort, making it a dynamic and exciting contest to watch. The Skills Challenge will be part of the evening’s lineup, starting at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and truTV, with live streaming on Sling.
Sunday, February 16: The Grand Finale
The weekend culminates on Sunday, February 16, with the main event, the NBA All-Star Game, airing at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and truTV, and available on Sling. The game will feature a new format, adding a mini-tournament with four teams, including the winner of the Rising Stars event. This innovative structure promises to keep the action intense and the competition thrilling throughout. Other events on Sunday include the Legends Brunch at 2 p.m. ET, which will be broadcast on NBA TV and Sling, and the G League Up Next Game at 3:30 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on Tubi. The Legends Brunch is a chance to celebrate the contributions of past NBA greats, while the G League Up Next Game highlights the development of future NBA talents. The All-Star Game, with its star-studded roster and new format, is the pinnacle of the weekend, offering fans a unique and unforgettable experience.
