Getty
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks and Kenny's Young Stars walks out during team introductions 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The NBA has decided to bring back a popular event for All-Star weekend that involves both current players and legends teaming up. Shooting Stars features three players shooting from all over the court and having to hit one shot from each spot faster than other teams. The event existed from 2004 to 2006 and felt like the perfect opening contest before the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest events.
All-Star Saturday will host the Shooting Stars return as NBC looks to freshen up the All-Star Weekend excitement. Each of the following teams will compete against each other in the shooting spectacle:
Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, Richard Hamilton
Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston
Team Cameron (Duke): Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Corey Maggette
Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., Ron Harper Sr.
All four teams will try to complete the obstacle course of shots from different spots in the fastest time. Previous events saw a half-court shot as the final most important shot, but the NBA has yet to confirm if any rule changes will come into the play. Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash won the final three years in a row before the NBA scrapped Shooting Stars.
All-Star Weekend Snubbing WNBA Stars
One noteworthy difference from previous Shooting Stars events is that no WNBA players will be included. The old format featured one active NBA player, one active WNBA player and one legend representing a city or state of the same area. This year’s event will see two active NBA players and no WNBA players.
The WNBA Players Association and the league itself are in a tense collective bargaining agreement. A business relationship between the NBA and WNBA likely caused the WNBA names to get snubbed from this event, despite many female players becoming bigger stars today.
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu helped one of the most popular All-Star Weekend success stories just two years ago in a three-point shootout against Stephen Curry. The WNBA inclusion or another WNBA vs NBA contest could hold appeal, but we’ll have to wait at least one more season before that is realistic again.
NBA Legends Help All-Star Weekend
The NBA has received criticism for not bringing this event back mostly due to fans enjoying seeing legendary players on the court. Past contests saw stars like Reggie Miller, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen taking a part just a few years after their retirement.
This year’s event will see Allan Houston, Corey Maggette, Ron Harper and Richard Hamilton representing the legends. Only two of the four are former All-Stars, but they all perfectly fit the team themes referenced by the NBA. If this is a success, bigger names could be involved next season.
NBC is hoping that fans will enjoy the changes and a general new presentation of All-Star Weekend on their network. Bad news of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Curry potentially sitting out the All-Star Game while injured may hurt the new format. Thankfully, All-Star Saturday is already looking like an improvement over the past few years.