The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend was unlike anything fans had seen before. Instead of the usual East vs. West showdown, the league introduced a fresh and exciting mini-tournament featuring four teams:
- Shaq’s OGs (led by Shaquille O’Neal)
- Kenny’s Young Stars (led by Kenny Smith)
- Candace’s Rising Stars (led by Candace Parker)
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This format brought a much-needed boost to the All-Star Game, making it more competitive and fun to watch. And when the dust settled, Shaq’s OGs came out on top, defeating Chuck’s Global Stars 41-25 in the championship game.
A Fresh Start To All Stars
For years, fans and analysts criticized the All-Star Game for being more of a highlight reel than an actual competition. The NBA listened and decided to shake things up.
The new format had two semifinals and a championship game, with each match being played under the Elam Ending rules—where instead of a clock, teams had to reach a target score to win. This change made every possession count, keeping the intensity high from start to finish.
Who Played in the Tournament?
Each team had a unique roster:
- Shaq’s OGs: A squad full of legends and seasoned stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving (who replaced Anthony Davis due to injury).
- Chuck’s Global Stars: Representing the NBA’s international talent, this team featured Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young (filling in for Giannis Antetokounmpo).
- Kenny’s Young Stars: This squad was stacked with rising stars like Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, and Tyler Herro.
- Candace’s Rising Stars: This team was formed by the winners of the Rising Stars Challenge, featuring top rookies, sophomores, and G League standouts.
The Road to the Championship
The tournament started with two exciting semifinals:
🔥 Chuck’s Global Stars vs. Kenny’s Young Stars
Chuck’s team had too much experience and size for the Young Stars to handle. Jokić and Wembanyama dominated inside, and the Global Stars advanced to the final.
🔥 Shaq’s OGs vs. Candace’s Rising Stars
This one wasn’t close. The OGs played with chemistry and veteran smarts, easily handling the Rising Stars. LeBron, Curry, and Durant put on a show, leading their squad to the championship game.
The Final Battle: Shaq’s OGs vs. Chuck’s Global Stars
The highly anticipated final didn’t disappoint—at least for Shaq’s team. The OGs came out strong, showing their years of experience and elite shot-making.
🏀 Curry was electric from beyond the arc, hitting multiple deep threes that got the crowd on its feet.
🏀 LeBron played the role of floor general, racking up points and assists with ease.
🏀 Durant was unstoppable, knocking down mid-range jumpers like clockwork.
On the other side, the Global Stars had their moments. Jokić’s passing was on full display, and Wembanyama had some impressive blocks and dunks. But in the end, they couldn’t keep up with the star power of the OGs, who closed out the game 41-25 to take the first-ever All-Star mini-tournament championship.
Why This Format Worked
This new format was a breath of fresh air. Unlike past All-Star Games that felt like glorified pickup games, this tournament actually felt competitive. Players were locked in, the defense was better, and the Elam Ending kept every game exciting.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted that this format might be here to stay, and it’s easy to see why. It brought out the best in the league’s biggest stars while still delivering the flashy plays fans love.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 All-Star Weekend gave us something we haven’t seen in a while—an All-Star Game that actually mattered. Shaq’s OGs took home the title, but more importantly, this new format might just be the future of the event.
If this is what the NBA All-Star Game looks like moving forward, count us in. 🚀🏀
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