NBA All-Star Weekend 2025: A Star-Studded Affair in San Francisco
As the dust settles from a whirlwind trade deadline, the NBA community is buzzing with excitement for the upcoming All-Star Weekend. This year, the festivities are set to take place in the vibrant city of San Francisco, with Golden State Warriors’ own Stephen Curry playing the role of host. Curry, who has been busy building chemistry with his new teammate Jimmy Butler, will now shift his focus to the All-Star events. He will be joining forces with Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant on Team Shaq. This dynamic trio previously dazzled on the Olympic stage, leading Team USA to a gold medal victory over Team France in August.
However, the international stars are not to be underestimated. Victor Wembanyama, who is eager for a rematch, will lead Team Chuck alongside MVP front-runners Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wembanyama will also showcase his skills on Saturday night, teaming up with his San Antonio Spurs teammate and 12-time All-Star Chris Paul in the skills challenge. The weekend promises thrilling competitions, including Damian Lillard’s attempt to secure his third consecutive 3-point contest win and Mac McClung’s quest for a third dunk contest crown.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the star-studded events, along with expert predictions on who will emerge victorious.
Expert picks were voted on by a panel of NBA insiders including Chris Herring, Marc Spears, Michael C. Wright, Ramona Shelburne, Kevin Pelton, Dave McMenamin, Baxter Holmes, Ohm Youngmisuk, Tim MacMahon, Jeremy Woo, and Bobby Marks.
Edey, Castle, Knecht! The Rising Stars are Here to Play
Friday, 9 p.m. ET (TNT)
This year’s Rising Stars have an extra incentive to perform. With the new All-Star Weekend format, the best of the four rising stars teams will earn a spot in Sunday’s four-team tournament alongside this year’s All-Stars. The Golden State Warriors’ Hall of Fame trio Run TMC will reunite in the Bay, with Team T being coached by Tim Hardaway, Team M by Mitch Richmond, and Team C by Chris Mullin, while Jeremy Lin will coach Team G League.
The action kicks off at 9:15 p.m. ET with Team C vs. Team T and continues at 9:55 with Team G League vs. Team M. Which of these teams will earn a spot in Sunday’s tourney and give the All-Stars a run for their money?
Game 1: Team C vs. Team T
Game 2: Team G League vs. Team M
Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
The winner of Game 3 will play in the All-Star mini-tournament Sunday
This one is always tricky to peg on paper, but I’m personally excited to see the notoriously competitive twins Ausar Thompson and Amen Thompson reunite as teammates in this setting on Team M. Team T also looks strong, led by several quality sophomores such as Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski. While Team C isn’t as loaded on paper as the other two, it’s possible Zach Edey just takes over for the squad. And I’m curious to see Reed Sheppard, who has been waiting his turn for the Houston Rockets as an ostensible ringer for Team G League. — Jeremy Woo
Expert pick: Team M
Celebrity Takeover!
Friday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens returns to the game, but this time on the basketball court, and it won’t be surprising if the former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver shows out. Owens, 51, last appeared in the All-Star celebrity game in 2010 but is best known for his off-the-backboard alley-oop dunk in 2009 from a Harlem Globetrotter. This time he’ll be a few years older and going up against some young competition such as streamer Kai Cenat. Cenat advertised his appearance in 2024 with a mock basketball mixtape, but played sparingly in the actual game under coach Shannon Sharpe. This time around, coached by baseball legend Barry Bonds and rapper 2 Chainz, he’ll look to bounce back. However, in his way is comedian Druski, who has advertised his matchup against the internet star as “Kai vs. Druski”. It’s a one-on-one matchup worth watching. — Anthony Gharib
Tandem Team-Ups, High-Flying Dunks, and a Dame Three-Peat?
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
The night kicks off with the skills competition, which features some formidable duos. Draymond Green and Moses Moody will represent the home team in the competition. Like the Warriors, the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers will be represented by a veteran and newcomer in Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Victor Wembanyama makes his All-Star Weekend debut alongside one of the most skilled point guards of all time in Chris Paul. It’ll prove tough competition for Team Rooks, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr.
Oakland’s own Damian Lillard will compete in this year’s 3-point competition. A win would give Lillard a record-tying three straight wins in the event. And speaking of three-peats, two-time defending champ Mac McClung is looking for one of his own to close the night out.
Which dynamic duo will dominate the skills competition, and what do they bring to the table together?
Team Cavs (Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley)
It’s fitting that Mitchell and Mobley are a tandem. New Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson altered the rotation from previous seasons to always pair Mobley with Mitchell, who had been attached to Jarrett Allen under previous coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The idea was to attempt to accelerate Mobley’s evolution. It has worked, which is why Mobley has proved enough this season to stick around for the Sunday showcase. — Tim MacMahon
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
