NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Deems All-Star Mini-Tournament a “Miss”, Eyes International Format for 2026
On March 28, 2025, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver candidly described this year’s All-Star Game format—a four-team mini-tournament—as an improvement over the previous year but ultimately a failure. Speaking at a press conference focused on the NBA’s plans for a European league, Silver admitted the format, which included long broadcast breaks, fell short of delivering a compelling All-Star experience. He confirmed it would not return.
Looking ahead to the 2026 All-Star Game, set for February 15 in Los Angeles and hosted by the Clippers, Silver proposed an international-themed competition. Coinciding with the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics (February 6-22), the timing aligns well for a format inspired by the NHL’s successful Four Nations Face-Off, which replaced its All-Star event. Silver suggested a potential USA vs. World game or matchups featuring specific national teams, noting the NHL’s success with a similar concept.
However, concerns linger about the depth of an international roster. While stars like Nikola Jokić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama would headline, the lower end of a 12-man international team might lack the star power of a USA roster, potentially sidelining deserving American players. Despite this, Silver and the NBA, now partnered with NBC for the broadcast, prioritize player engagement and competitive intensity.
Players like Antetokounmpo and Wembanyama expressed enthusiasm for an international format, citing the added pride and stakes it would bring. The NBA aims to deliver a 2026 All-Star Game that fosters genuine competition, leaving the four-team experiment firmly in the past.
Potential Team USA Vs Team World Lineups
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