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SAN FRANCISCO — The player introductions during the NBA All-Star event tended to be overly elaborate, stretching beyond 25 minutes. Just an hour before the festivities kicked off, the league’s most legendary player opted out, leaving insufficient time for a replacement. Unfortunately, the evening’s programming seemed to prioritize entertainment gimmicks over showcasing the game itself.

Were there challenges at the inaugural NBA All-Star tournament held on Sunday at Chase Center? Certainly. However, the athletes who did participate displayed remarkable energy and focus, surpassing the typical effort seen in past All-Star games—a key objective of this new format.

In this groundbreaking NBA All-Star championship match, Shaquille O’Neal’s squad of seasoned players, known as the OGs and led by Stephen Curry, triumphed over Charles Barkley’s team of predominantly international players with a score of 41-25.

“I really feel like the All-Star game just needed a fresh look,” Curry remarked. “I think it worked out perfectly.”

Curry, who essentially served as the host for the All-Star weekend as the face of the Golden State Warriors, earned the tournament MVP accolade, scoring 12 points—all from three-point range—in the final match. The home crowd erupted in cheers as he received the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP trophy. Remarkably, he played both games without sitting out and accumulated a total of 20 points, including a half-court shot during the championship.

Jayson Tatum was the leading scorer for the OGs in the championship game, contributing 15 points. The OGs collectively earned $125,000 each for their victory, while Victor Wembanyama led Barkley’s Global Stars with 11 points in the title match, ensuring each player on his team walked away with $50,000 for reaching the finals.

“I don’t want to compare it to any other era because the world has changed,” Curry noted. “Life is different. The way people consume basketball is different. It’s not going to look like it used to. But it can still be enjoyable for everyone. I think this was — I had fun. Our team had fun. That’s what matters.”

This season, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver introduced a new tournament format featuring three teams of All-Stars, alongside the winner of the Rising Stars Challenge from Friday night, after last year’s game set a record for the most points scored and possibly the least defense played.

The All-Star teams were selected by TNT’s prominent analysts: O’Neal, Barkley, and Kenny Smith, whose team did not progress past the first round. Each of the three games played Sunday was capped at 40 points, and the traditional halftime concert featured rapper Too Short and R&B legends En Vogue.

During an extended intermission in the championship match, which lasted nearly 20 minutes with the OGs leading 11-0, comedian Kevin Hart, acting as the master of ceremonies, paid tribute to the cast of TNT’s Inside the NBA. This event marked the final All-Star event broadcasted on TNT as the show transitions to ESPN and ABC next season.

Utilizing the NBA’s standard 2- and 3-point scoring system without a game clock allowed TNT more airtime during the 3-hour broadcast. This extended timeframe, particularly during the tribute, left some players feeling the game lost its momentum after two relatively competitive initial matches. Prior to the break, teams were aggressive, attempting steals near midcourt and challenging shots across the court, even leading to no-calls for fouls—a rarity for an All-Star Game.

“The format was interesting,” Tatum expressed. “The only tough part was being interrupted mid-game for the presentation, which kept us on the sidelines for around 20 minutes. It was difficult to re-engage in the game afterward.”

“Breaks weren’t ideal,” added Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who shot impressively in two games for the Global Stars. “I would prefer playing uninterrupted. But overall, I had a blast. The competitive spirit was apparent, and that’s a step in the right direction.”

The OGs navigated the tournament without LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, who announced he wouldn’t be participating due to discomfort in his left foot and ankle. Having played and started 20 consecutive All-Star games, James’ record will likely remain unbroken for years.

“I was hoping for better progress this morning, but I’m still not where I want to be,” James stated. “With 30 games left, I’m focusing on making a strong playoff push, and I felt prioritizing my health was essential.”

James, who has started every All-Star game since 2005, aims to be ready for the Los Angeles Lakers’ upcoming game on Wednesday. Typically, a player’s withdrawal due to injury results in a replacement, but James’ late announcement made this impossible.

The Global Stars secured their spot in the championship by defeating Smith’s Young Stars 41-32 in the tournament’s inaugural game, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 12 points, including a decisive dunk. Wembanyama contributed six points off the bench, while Tyler Herro, the 3-point contest champion, along with the Cavaliers’ Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, each scored six for the Young Stars. Anthony Edwards missed out on the game due to groin soreness, as confirmed by a Minnesota Timberwolves representative.

“The games were a bit short,” shared Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson, who played for Smith and experienced a first-round exit. Brunson’s on-court time totaled 8 minutes. “I appreciate the format; it’s innovative and unique. Perhaps the scoring target could be raised to 50 points.”

The OGs avoided potential embarrassment, triumphing over the Rising Stars team of non-All-Stars with a score of 42-35 in game two. Damian Lillard scored nine points, clinching victory with a three-point shot after a sequence of questionable attempts from his teammates—Curry included—attempting to finish the game with a tricky shot. Hailing from nearby Oakland, California, Lillard signaled “Dame Time” after his game-winning shot.

With eight points each, Jaylen Brown and rookie Dalton Knecht from the Hornets stepped up for their respective teams, while Ryan Dunn from the Suns matched their scoring. “I have mixed feelings about the Rising Stars aspect,” reflected Tatum. “I’m thrilled for those players, but being named an All-Star and participating on Sunday night carries a unique significance. It’s a considerable achievement in the league.”

Before game two, Lillard found himself in an unusual situation when YouTube sensation MrBeast orchestrated a 3-point contest between Lillard and a randomly selected fan, Jaren Barajas. The fan needed to sink one shot from near midcourt before Lillard completed three. Lillard nailed two, and the fan’s final shot clinched the $100,000 reward, earning praise from Curry, Shaq, Smith, and an enthusiastic group of NBA mascots in attendance.

Lillard has added considerable earnings this season, securing a hefty bonus when his regular team, the Milwaukee Bucks, won the NBA Cup in December, awarding each player $514,971. Adding $640,000 in one season is an impressive feat.

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(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

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