Adam Silver: 2025 NBA All-Star Format Was ‘A Miss,’ League Will ‘Go Back To The Drawing Board’

NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke bluntly on Thursday about the 2025 All-Star tournament format, which drew criticism from just about every corner of basketball media.

“It was a miss,” Silver said. “We’re not there in terms of creating an All-Star experience that we can be proud of and that our players can be proud of.”

The league deviated from its usual East vs. West format this year following a consistent decline in effort and a 2024 All-Star game that ended with a score of 211-186. Instead, it featured a four-team tournament, with the 24 All-Stars being divided into three teams, plus a fourth team of “Rising Stars.” The games were played to 40 points.

Silver said he felt the format was “a little better,” but acknowledged criticisms, including a nearly 20-minute break during the championship game meant to recognize the TNT broadcast team. “It was well-intentioned,” he said. “But I think the long stoppage in play in that final game didn’t work for anyone.”

Criticism of the NBA format was amplified as a result of the wild success of the NHL’s Four Nations Face Off, which pitted stars from the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland against each other. Silver alluded to similar nation-based suggestions for the NBA All-Star break, saying, “there are some different national teams that can compete.”

The 2026 Winter Olympics will also take place in February, and could serve as a lead-in to a lucrative All-Star game based on national squads. For now, with a complete retool on the board, the NBA will be looking to make its All-Star festivities a highlight – not an embarrassment.

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Article by Katherine Manz