NBA All-Star Game Goes Global: What to Expect from the New USA vs. World Format
The NBA’s All-Star Game is getting another facelift - and this time, it’s going international.
On Sunday night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, the league is rolling out a fresh format: USA vs. World.
It’s a concept that’s been floated for years, and now it’s finally hitting the hardwood. The hope?
That national pride might spark a little more fire in what’s often been a low-effort exhibition.
Let’s break down what this new-look All-Star weekend has in store, who’s suiting up, and why this change might be exactly what the event needs.
How the New Format Works
This year’s All-Star showcase features 28 players - the original 25 All-Star selections plus three injury replacements - split into three teams:
- USA Stars
- USA Stripes
- World
Each team has at least eight players, and they’ll compete in a round-robin format. Every game will be 12 minutes long. After that, the top two teams will face off in a 12-minute All-Star Championship game to close out the night.
It’s short, fast-paced, and designed to keep the energy high - something the league has been chasing for years.
Who’s Playing? Let’s Talk Rosters
USA Stripes brings the star power. We’re talking LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, and De’Aaron Fox. Stephen Curry was also selected for this squad but won’t play due to injury.
This is a veteran-heavy group - a mix of proven playoff performers and household names. Brunson and Fox were added as injury replacements, but they’re more than capable of making an impact.
USA Stars, on the other hand, is the youth movement. Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Duren, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Johnson headline a roster full of rising talent. These are the guys who’ll be driving the league in the next five years - and Sunday is a chance for them to show they’re ready now.
Team World features some of the most dominant international players in the game: Karl-Anthony Towns, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun, Jamal Murray, Deni Avdija, and Norman Powell.
Unfortunately, the World squad took two big hits with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both ruled out due to injury. Sengun was named as a replacement and brings a unique skill set to the frontcourt.
Even without Giannis and Shai, this roster is loaded with size, skill, and international flair. Jokic and Doncic alone are enough to make any team dangerous - and with Wembanyama in the mix, the World squad has a serious frontcourt advantage.
Why the Format Changed - Again
Let’s be honest: the All-Star Game has struggled to find its identity in recent years.
It used to be East vs. West, but as defense and intensity dropped, so did fan interest.
Then came the captain’s draft format, with stars like LeBron, Durant, and Giannis picking their squads playground-style. That had its moments, but it didn’t solve the effort problem.
Last year, the NBA introduced a four-team tournament with a race-to-40 scoring format. It was a step in the right direction - the games were shorter, and the players seemed more engaged. But with some stars only playing eight minutes before elimination, it still felt like a work in progress.
This year’s USA vs. World concept takes inspiration from the Ryder Cup and the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, both of which have found success by tapping into national pride. The NBA is hoping that same dynamic can elevate the level of competition.
And if you ask the players, there’s already a little edge to this thing.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Kevin Durant said recently. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game.
Is that competition? So we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing, but we’re going to question the old heads and the Americans.”
Message received.
Knicks Representing on the Big Stage
Jalen Brunson continues to prove he belongs among the league’s elite. Sunday marks his third straight All-Star appearance and his second consecutive selection as a starter - a well-earned honor for a player averaging 27.0 points and 6.1 assists per game for a 35-20 Knicks squad that’s firmly in the playoff hunt.
He’ll be joined on the floor by Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s making his sixth All-Star appearance. Towns, despite being born and raised in New Jersey, suits up for the World team thanks to his Dominican Republic national team ties. He’s averaging 19.8 points and 11.9 rebounds this season.
Brunson and Towns will also team up with Knicks legend Allan Houston in Saturday night’s Shooting Stars Challenge, competing as Team Knicks in a fun mix of past and present.
What’s Happening on All-Star Saturday?
While Brunson and Towns will be busy, the rest of the Knicks are sitting this one out. But there’s still plenty to watch.
3-Point Contest:
- Damian Lillard (rehabbing from an Achilles tear but still participating)
- Tyrese Maxey
- Donovan Mitchell
- Devin Booker
- Jamal Murray
- Norman Powell
- Bobby Portis Jr.
- Kon Knueppel (rookie standout)
Slam Dunk Contest:
- Jaxson Hayes
- Carter Bryant
- Keshad Johnson
- Jase Richardson
Richardson, the rookie, carries a legacy with him - he’s the son of Jason Richardson, who won back-to-back dunk titles in 2002 and 2003. If he’s anything like his dad, we could be in for a show.
The Bottom Line
The NBA is betting that a USA vs. World format can bring some juice back to the All-Star Game. With national pride on the line, a condensed tournament-style setup, and some of the league’s brightest stars ready to go, there’s real potential for this to be more than just another flashy exhibition.
Now it’s up to the players to deliver.