NBA All-Star Weekend 2025: Winners and Losers from San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend returned to the Bay Area after 25 years, showcasing a mix of thrilling highlights and unfortunate lows. Conducted at the Chase Center, the event featured a new tournament format that ignited competitiveness among players but struggled with pacing and entertainment value.

The weekend kicked off with the Rising Stars Challenge, where the standout performance came from rookie Stephon Castle. He excelled in the competition, helping Team C clinch victory and earning the MVP award. Castle’s success continued into the All-Star Game, where he demonstrated potential as a future star for the San Antonio Spurs.

“The goal is not to chill, for sure,” said Victor Wembanyama during a press conference before the weekend. His words set the tone for a spirited performance, highlighted by several key defensive plays that raised excitement in the new mini-tournament format, where the first team to 40 points won.

One of the biggest stories was the performance of Mac McClung, who dazzled during the Slam Dunk Contest. McClung earned perfect scores on all four of his dunks, showcasing remarkable athleticism that left both fans and players impressed. His magical moments solidified his place among the greatest dunkers in NBA history.

Meanwhile, injuries overshadowed the weekend’s excitement. LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were notable absentees from the All-Star Game due to injuries, which disappointed fans and affected the game’s star power. “I think [LeBron James] could’ve helped somebody else out and said this earlier,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green about James’ late announcement.

The weekend’s entertainment value also faced scrutiny. Despite a new format intending to spark interest, the distribution of breaks and lengthy intermissions marred the viewing experience for fans and players alike. “It was kind of tough to get back into the game after that,” recalled Celtics forward Jayson Tatum after an extended intermission during the championship round.

A notable loser of the weekend was the NBA Skills Challenge, where Chris Paul and Wembanyama’s unconventional strategies led to their disqualification, drawing boos from the crowd. Commentator Kevin Harlan noted that the antics had “Chris Paul’s fingerprints all over it.”

Commentators and players alike emphasized the need for changes to improve the All-Star Game format. Many expressed a desire for more competitive and entertaining displays that reflect the league’s best talent, rather than exhibitions that lack intensity and flair.

Amidst the highs and lows, the presence of WNBA stars throughout the weekend served as a significant highlight. Prominent players like A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum showcased their talents and contributed to the growing visibility of the women’s game. “Now another part of me would love the guys to come out this summer to our All-Star weekend,” Wilson emphasized, promoting collaboration between leagues.

Overall, as the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend came to a close, it was clear that while steps were taken in the right direction, a reevaluation of event formats and engagement strategies is vital for the future success of the showcase.