2025 NBA All-Star weekend delivers memorable moments despite backlash to game format

Manuel Morfin Valencia
·Editor
·4 min read
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Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks and Shaq's OGs dunks the ball during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks and Shaq's OGs dunks the ball during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco delivered memorable moments despite player and fan criticism of the new game format.

Departing from the classic East vs. West matchup, the NBA All-Star game featured a mini-tournament comprising four teams, aiming to boost competition and excitement.

Shaq's OGs, led by Stephen Curry, emerged victorious with a 41-25 win over Chuck's Global Stars in the final.

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Curry, playing on his home court, secured his second All-Star MVP award, contributing 12 points and thrilling the audience with his signature long-range shots, including a remarkable half-court three-pointer. Teammates Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving added 15 and 7 points, respectively, while Victor Wembanyama led the opposition with 11 points.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Shaq's OGs poses with the MVP trophy during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Shaq's OGs poses with the MVP trophy during the 74th NBA All-Star Game. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Reactions to the NBA All-Star Game’s new mini-tournament format were mixed. Curry saw it as a “step in the right direction,” while Jalen Brunson found it “interesting” but suggested tweaks.

Victor Wembanyama embraced the competitiveness, while Anthony Edwards admitted he didn’t take the game seriously. The new format had moments of intensity, but players remained divided on its long-term viability.

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The Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green was perhaps the most vocal of the players who criticized the new format. He said the inclusion of the Rising Stars team in the main event undermines the honor of being an All-Star, as these young players haven't earned the distinction. When asked to rate the new format, he responded: "A zero. Sucks."

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Jaren Barajas shoots a half court shot during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Jaren Barajas shoots a half court shot during the 74th NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center on February 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

One of the most unexpected and talked-about moments of the weekend came when a fan, Jaren Barajas, defeated Damian Lillard in a special three-point shooting showdown.

During a break in the NBA All-Star Game, Lillard faced off against Barajas in a Mr. Beast Challenge for $100,000. Barajas needed to make one half-court shot before Lillard sank three. Despite Lillard hitting two of his first four attempts, Barajas banked in his shot just in time, securing the prize.

Mac McClung who had four perfect 50s on four attempts, wins the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night at Chase Center on 2025 NBA All-Star weekend in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mac McClung who had four perfect 50s on four attempts, wins the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night at Chase Center on 2025 NBA All-Star weekend in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Mac McClung made history by clinching his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest title. The 26-year-old dazzled judges and fans alike, achieving perfect scores in each round. His high-flying feats included leaping over a person and a car, and an extraordinary dunk over Evan Mobley, who stood elevated on a platform. Despite limited NBA playing time, McClung's aerial artistry has solidified his status among the elite dunkers in the sport's history.

A controversial moment arose during the Skills Challenge when Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul were disqualified for attempting to manipulate the competition by intentionally missing shots to expedite their time. This unsportsmanlike conduct led to audible disapproval from the audience and sparked extensive discussions online about the integrity of All-Star events.

Tyler Herro of the Miami Heat showcased his sharpshooting prowess by winning the three-point contest, edging out competitors Darius Garland and Buddy Hield in the final round. In the Skills Challenge, the Cleveland Cavaliers duo of Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell demonstrated superior versatility, navigating various passing and shooting obstacles to claim victory, after defeating hometown Golden State Warriors players Draymond Green and Moses Moody.

The weekend wasn't without its share of off-court drama and viral moments.

LiAngelo Ball, performing under his rap moniker "Gelo," delivered a live rendition of his single "Tweaker" during All-Star Saturday Night. Despite an elaborate production, the performance was met with widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning his musical talents. Nonetheless, a video of the segment posted to the NBA’s X garnered over 1.5 million views, highlighting the polarizing nature of the Ball family's ventures.

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