The 2025 NBA All-Star Game How Players Are Selected and What to Expect from the New Format
The NBA All-Star Game is one of the most exciting and eagerly awaited events of the basketball season, bringing together the league’s brightest stars for an unforgettable showdown. But how exactly are these stars chosen to represent their teams? Here’s a closer look at the selection process and the exciting new format for the 2025 game.
How Are NBA All-Star Starters Chosen?
The process to determine the NBA All-Star starters begins with fan voting, which holds the most weight in selecting the starting lineup.
Fans can cast their votes through the NBA App and NBA.com, choosing three frontcourt players and two guards from each conference. This voting period lasts for about a month, during which fans also have the opportunity to participate in “3-for-1 Days,” where each vote is tripled in value.
In addition to fan votes, current NBA players and a panel of media members each submit their own ballots. When the voting closes, the results are compiled with the following breakdown:
- Fans: 50% of the total vote
- Players: 25% of the vote
- Media: 25% of the vote
Players are then ranked by position in each group. The top two guards and three frontcourt players with the highest combined scores in each conference are named the starters. In the event of a tie, the fan vote is used as the tiebreaker.
How Are NBA All-Star Reserves Selected?
While fans have a major say in determining the starters, the 30 NBA head coaches select the All-Star reserves. Coaches vote for two guards, three frontcourt players, and two additional players (regardless of position) from their respective conferences. However, they are prohibited from voting for their own players.
If an injury prevents a selected player from participating, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appoints a replacement from the same conference.
What’s New for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game?
This year’s All-Star event will introduce an exciting new format. Instead of the traditional East vs. West matchup, the game will be played as a four-team mini-tournament. Here’s how it works:
- The 24 selected All-Stars will be split into three teams, which will be drafted by TNT analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith.
- A fourth team, composed of players from the NBA Rising Stars Game (featuring top first- and second-year players), will join the tournament.
- The four teams will compete for a prize pool of $1.8 million, with players on the winning team earning the largest share.
When and Where Is the 2025 NBA All-Star Game?
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, February 16, at Chase Center in San Francisco, with tip-off set for 8 p.m. ET. This year’s new format, combined with the best players in the league, promises to deliver an exciting and competitive event that basketball fans won’t want to miss.
With the stakes higher than ever and a fresh approach to the game, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle for basketball fans worldwide.
