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If you’re Googling “how to watch the [NBA](https://heavy.com/sports/nba/) All-Star Game” today, here’s the key update up front: this isn’t the usual 8 p.m. ET All-Star window. The NBA All-Star Game starts at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
That earlier start time is exactly why the query is popping right now, and why fans who tune in “like normal” can miss a big chunk of the action.
What time is the NBA All-Star Game today? (Every U.S. time zone)
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Tip time is **5:00 p.m. ET**, which converts to:
* **Eastern:** 5:00 p.m.
* **Central:** 4:00 p.m.
* **Mountain:** 3:00 p.m.
* **Pacific:** 2:00 p.m.
* **Alaska:** 1:00 p.m.
* **Hawaii:** 12:00 p.m.
**Quick tip:** If you’re hosting, tell people the _local_ time (Pacific fans especially) because “All-Star Game at 5” means totally different things depending on where you live.
What channel is the NBA All-Star Game on?
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* **TV:** **NBC**
* **Streaming:** **Peacock** (live)
If you’re used to finding All-Star coverage on a different network, don’t waste time channel-flipping, go straight to NBC or open Peacock and search “NBA All-Star.”
Full NBA All-Star Game TV schedule today (Eastern time)
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This year’s All-Star “game” is more like a mini-tournament, so the broadcast is broken into multiple segments. Here’s the schedule in ET:
* **5:00 p.m. ET:** _World vs. Stars_
* **5:55 p.m. ET:** _Game 1 Winner vs. Stripes_
* **6:25 p.m. ET:** _Game 1 Loser vs. Stripes_
* **7:10 p.m. ET:** _NBA All-Star Championship (top two teams)_
Everything airs on NBC/Peacock.
Most useful thing to know: Even if you miss the very first tip, you haven’t “missed the game.” The format creates multiple start points, but you _will_ miss one of the matchups if you’re late.
How to live stream (and the easiest way to watch without cable)
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If you don’t have traditional TV, here are the cleanest options:
1. **Peacock (best “one-click” option).**
Open Peacock close to tip and go to the live sports tile.
2. **Antenna for NBC (often free).**
In many cities, an HD antenna can pick up your local NBC station over the air—great backup if your Wi-Fi is spotty.
3. **Live TV streaming services that carry NBC.**
Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV-style streaming packages often include NBC (availability depends on your market). If you’re choosing between options _today_, prioritize the one that confirms local NBC access in your ZIP code.
New rules and format, explained in plain English
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Instead of East vs. West, three teams play a round-robin-style tournament with four total games, and each game is one 12-minute quarter.
How it works:
* Each team plays two games.
* The **top two teams** advance to the **championship**.
* If teams tie in the standings, point differential can matter, so you may see teams push late even in an exhibition setting.
### Overtime rule (important if you’re watching casually)
If a game is tied after 12 minutes, it goes to overtime played to a target score of 5 points, no clock. First team to reach the target wins.
Fast FAQ people are searching right now
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**Why is the start time so early?**
Because NBC’s schedule is stacked today, and the All-Star Game has been moved up from the traditional late prime-time slot.
**How long will it run?**
Plan for a multi-hour window since it’s a tournament broadcast with multiple short games (not one standard 48-minute contest).
**What’s the safest “don’t-miss-tip” move?**
Turn on NBC/Peacock 10-15 minutes early so you’re not scrambling at 4:59 p.m. ET.
More Heavy on NBA
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