The NBA is once again shaking things up for All-Star Weekend - and this year’s twist might be the boldest yet. When the festivities tip off in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers, fans won’t see the traditional East vs.
West or even the more recent team captain format. Instead, the 2026 All-Star Game will feature a three-team round-robin tournament - two U.S.-based squads and one international team, with a championship game to cap it all off.
It’s a fresh spin that continues the league’s push to globalize the game while keeping the All-Star experience dynamic and competitive. And yes, it’s as chaotic and fun as it sounds.
Towns Joins Team World in Roster Shuffle
One of the more intriguing wrinkles in the buildup to the weekend came with a roster adjustment that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to Team World. Originally selected to one of the U.S. squads, Towns was moved after Kawhi Leonard was added to the All-Star pool.
It’s an interesting fit for Towns, who, despite a statistical dip this season, remains a key contributor for a surging Knicks squad. This marks his sixth All-Star selection - a testament to his continued impact, even in a year where some of his numbers don’t jump off the page.
Towns is averaging 19.8 points per game, his lowest mark since his rookie year. His three-point shooting has also taken a step back, hitting just 35.9% from deep - again, his lowest since Year 1. But where he’s stayed consistent is on the boards, pulling down 11.8 rebounds a night and anchoring the interior for New York.
He might not be lighting up the scoreboard like in seasons past, but make no mistake: Towns is still a major piece of the Knicks' puzzle.
Knicks Riding a Hot Streak
Speaking of the Knicks - they’ve been rolling. Winners of six straight, New York has taken down the Nets, Sixers, Kings, Raptors, Blazers, and Lakers in convincing fashion. That stretch has them climbing the standings and gaining momentum at just the right time.
Next up: a Tuesday night matchup with the Washington Wizards, where they’ll look to keep the streak alive.
How the All-Star Format Works
As for the All-Star tournament itself, here’s the structure the NBA laid out:
- Game 1: Team A vs. Team B
- Game 2: Winner of Game 1 vs. Team C
- Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Team C
- Championship Game (Game 4): The two teams with the best records from the round-robin phase square off
If all three teams finish with a 1-1 record after the first three games, the tiebreaker will be point differential - meaning every possession could matter, even in what’s typically a laid-back exhibition environment.
It’s a format that rewards competitiveness and depth, and should give fans a little extra juice in a weekend known more for highlights than hard-nosed basketball.
Looking Ahead
The full All-Star rosters will be unveiled Tuesday night ahead of the Celtics-Mavericks primetime showdown, adding another layer of excitement to an already packed night of hoops. With the NBA continuing to experiment and evolve, this year’s All-Star Weekend is shaping up to be one of the most unique in recent memory.
And if the Knicks - and Towns - keep trending the way they are, don’t be surprised if that momentum carries right into All-Star Sunday.