2025 NBA All-Star Game: How the new format will work

Catch up quick: The new rendition is an attempt to make the game more competitive. Recent attempts to bring some level of seriousness to the marquee event have been unsuccessful — last year, a team scored more than 200 points for the first time.

• The East won 211-186, setting a new record for 3-pointers attempted (97) in the process.

How it works: This year's game features the 24 All-Stars split into three teams: Team Shaq, Team Chuck and Team Kenny.

• The winner of the Rising Stars game on Friday night will be the fourth team: Team Candace.
• There will be three total games, with the winner of the first two games meeting in the championship.
• The first team to reach 40 points in each game wins.

What we're watching: While it may sound gimmicky, the NBA has seen success in recent years implementing new formats into its season.

• The NBA Cup, which results in one team being crown in-season champions, has brought a refreshing level of excitement in its second year to the early part of the 82-game season.
• Meanwhile, the Play-In Tournament has raised the stakes for getting into the postseason, as only the top six teams in each conference are guaranteed a spot and seeds No. 7-10 have to play their way in.