Report: NBA having “serious talks” about reworking All-Star Game

Nov 15, 2024, 5:51 PM

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 18: A general view in the fourth quarter during the 2024 NBA All-S...

A general view in the fourth quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

Anyone who has seen the NBA All-Star game in recent history has witnessed a clear decline in competitiveness from both sides. In an attempt to combat that, they introduced an ELAM ending (target score determined at the start of the fourth quarter) in 2020, which produced exciting results but quickly faded in the years following.

Now, it seems like they’re seriously considering making more changes, potentially as soon as 2025 in San Francisco.

According to ESPN‘s Sham Charania, “the NBA is in serious discussions on a new tournament-style format for the 2025 All-Star Game, consisting of three All-Star teams of eight players each and the winner of the Rising Stars game.”

“The four teams would face each other in matchups — for instance, Team 1 versus Team 3 and Team 2 versus Team 4 — and the winners move on to the final round of the tournament.”

Shams Charania, ESPN (Nov. 15th, 2024)

Reporting for NBA Countdown on the tournament-style 2025 All-Star Game – plus Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu working to add two friends to the NBA-WNBA 3-point challenge: pic.twitter.com/DjjpAb1GO2

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 16, 2024

Last year, the Sacramento Kings were not represented, but De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis made the team in the prior year. They now also have DeMar DeRozan on the roster, an eight-time NBA All-Star in his 14 seasons.

That leaves a few potential options for 2025, where the discussed changes could be implemented. For more details, check out Sharania’s article, which is linked above.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will begin the group play portion of the NBA Cup (In-Season Tournament) on Friday night at Golden 1 Center against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Kings will play four group play games before the tournament enters the knockout stage on December 10th.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. T-Wolves action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 7:00 PM PT from downtown Sacramento.