75th NBA All-Star Game tips at 5 ET with new U.S. vs. World format after Saturday fireworks
The 75th NBA All-Star Game arrives Sunday at 5: 00 p. m. ET at the Intuit Dome, debuting a U. S. vs. World structure that divides the 24 All-Stars into three teams. Saturday’s supporting events — highlighted by Dame Lillard’s record-tying third 3-Point Contest win and Keshad Johnson’s high-flying dunk performance — set a lively tone for what promises to be an All-Star showcase unlike any other.
What’s different: three teams, new playoff-style day
This year’s midseason classic abandons the traditional East vs. West model for a three-team setup: USA Stars, USA Stripes and Team World. The day will run as a short tournament of four 12-minute games. Each team plays at least two games in a round-robin slate; the two squads with the best records advance to a winner-take-all championship game. A tie for the second spot will be settled by point differential, keeping every minute and every basket meaningful.
USA Stars leans on youth and quickness, with seven players 25 or younger and veteran scoring punch from a 29-year-old anchor. Team World counterbalances with international size and versatility, spearheaded by two of the sport’s most unique big men. The Global Tip-Off matchup will showcase the contrast in styles — explosive guard play and athleticism versus length, spacing and post craft.
Saturday’s momentum: long-range fireworks and aerial theatrics
All-Star Saturday left few questions about who arrived ready to perform. A player who has skipped significant regular-season time nevertheless made history in the 3-Point Contest, claiming a third career title in the event and tying the all-time record. That victory underlined his reputation as one of the game’s preeminent shooters and injected extra intrigue into Sunday’s festivities.
Elsewhere, Keshad Johnson stole the show in the slam dunk competition, producing a string of electrifying attempts that earned top honors and energized fans. Team performances on Saturday hinted at team chemistry to watch for during Sunday’s games; one squad known for its resilience caught fire late in the evening, offering a reminder that All-Star exhibitions can still produce competitive sparks.
Key moments to follow tonight
Pre-game media duties include a 2: 30 p. m. ET press appearance from one of the event’s veteran faces, a 22-time All-Star who continues to loom large in All-Star weekend storylines. League leadership also held its customary press session during the weekend, setting context for the new format and the broader slate of events.
On the floor, expect quick possessions and star-driven sequences in the 12-minute mini-games; players are likely to mix highlight plays with stretches of complimentary lineup experimentation. Defensive effort and pace could decide who reaches the final, while individual showcases — from perimeter shooting to alley-oops — will remain central to the All-Star spectacle. And with the schedule shifted earlier to accommodate major international sports programming, the afternoon slot should draw eyes across the country.
Tonight’s event is built to celebrate the game’s current generation while acknowledging its global reach. With a record-tying shooting champion and a dunk contest winner carrying momentum in, the 75th All-Star Game could deliver a memorable finale to a weekend that has already produced plenty of headline moments.
