February 26, 2025
Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend was a three-day spectacle, bringing together the league’s top talent, celebrities and passionate fans for an unforgettable celebration of basketball. Held from Feb. 14 – 16 in the San Francisco Bay Area, the event took over Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. It delivered thrilling competitions, including the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, the Starry 3-Point Contest and the much-anticipated All-Star Game. This 74th edition of the NBA’s marquee midseason event struck a perfect balance between tradition and innovation, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, where musicians, actors, athletes and social media influencers took center stage. Team Bonds, led by MLB legend Barry Bonds and rapper 2 Chainz, faced off against Team Rice, coached by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and viral sensation Khaby Lame. The game delivered plenty of entertainment, from comedian Kevin Hart’s surprisingly sharp playmaking to Grammy-winning artist J. Cole’s smooth jump shooting. In a contested matchup, Team Bonds came out with the victory, with actor and model Rome Flynn earning MVP honors for his all-around performance.
Following the celebrity showdown, the Rising Stars Challenge showcased the league’s most promising young talent in a fast-paced, tournament-style format. Four teams — Team T, Team C, Team G League and Team M — battled in target-score games. In the semifinals, Team C worked past Team T, 40-34, while Team G League edged out a nail-biting 40-39 victory over Team M. The championship matchup saw Team C dominate Team G League with a 25-14 win, fueled by an outstanding performance from San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who was named MVP.
Saturday’s festivities began with the NBA All-Star Practice, giving fans an exclusive look at their favorite stars in action. The relaxed practice session featured lighthearted drills, team bonding moments and behind-the-scenes interviews. Later in the day, the NBA HBCU Classic took center stage, spotlighting two historically Black colleges and universities in a competitive matchup. The game not only showcased rising talent, but also reinforced the NBA’s ongoing commitment to supporting HBCU athletics and education.
The evening’s main event, State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, brought the action to another level with three of the most highly anticipated skill-based competitions.
The Kia Skills Challenge featured four teams: Team Cavs (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley), Team Rooks (Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr), Team Spurs (Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama) and Team Warriors (Draymond Green, Moses Moody). After a difficult series of dribbling, passing and shooting challenges, Team Cavs emerged victorious, with Mitchell’s leadership and Mobley’s versatility stealing the show.
Next came the Starry 3-Point Contest, where eight elite sharpshooters — Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Darius Garland, Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Cade Cunningham, Cameron Johnson and Norman Powell — competed for the title of the NBA’s most precise marksman. In a thrilling finale, Tyler Herro beat Buddy Hield with a clutch shot on his last rack, while also preventing Damian Lillard from achieving a potential three-peat.
The night reached its climax with the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, where Mac McClung, Stephon Castle, Andre Jackson Jr. and Matas Buzelis put on an impressive display of athleticism. McClung stole the show once again, successfully defending his title. He threw down a series of never-before-seen acrobatic dunks that earned him perfect scores from every judge. His performance capped off an unforgettable Saturday night.
Sunday night introduced a brand-new format for the 74th NBA All-Star Game, altering the traditional matchup into a four-team mini-tournament. Each squad, composed of eight players, was drafted by honorary general managers. These managers and teams included Charles Barkley’s “Chuck’s Global Stars,” Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaq’s OGs,” Kenny Smith’s “Kenny’s Young Stars,” and Candace Parker’s “Candace’s Rising Stars.”
The tournament consisted of two semifinal games played to a target score of 40, followed by a championship game played to 50. In the first semifinal, Chuck’s Global Stars defeated Kenny’s Young Stars, 41-32, while Shaq’s OGs narrowly overcame Candace’s Rising Stars, 42-35. The final matchup saw Shaq’s OGs dominate, securing a 50-36 victory over Chuck’s Global Stars.
Playing in his home arena, Stephen Curry delivered a masterclass in shooting for Shaq’s OGs. Curry dazzled the crowd with his signature deep threes and effortless playmaking, and fans erupted when he sealed the championship with a spectacular half-court shot, solidifying his MVP honors and capping off a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend successfully combined elite competition with top-tier entertainment, giving fans a weekend that will be remembered for years to come. As the NBA continues to evolve, its annual midseason classic remains a thrilling celebration of the sport, uniting athletes and fans alike in a shared love for the game.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
