NBA Tests U.S. vs. World Format At All-Star Game
League runs a three-team round-robin at the Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, pitting two U.S. squads against Team World in 12-minute games with NBC and Peacock coverage.
Overview
The NBA will stage a new three-team U.S. vs. Team World All-Star format at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Feb. 15, using 12-minute round-robin games that lead to a championship.
The format change aims to revive competitiveness and entertainment after criticism of recent All-Star Games and coincides with the NBA's return to NBC and expanded Peacock streaming coverage.
Several stars are listed as injured and will not play, including Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The event divides selected All-Stars into three teams—two U.S. squads and one Team World—with at least eight players per team, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić.
The showcase will air on NBC and stream on Peacock beginning at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Feb. 15, with four quick-fire games and a final championship to decide the winner.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the All-Star coverage as consumer-focused promotion of streaming access and spectacle, using upbeat descriptors ('glitzy', 'icon-packed', 'megastars'), prioritizing distributor details (Peacock first, Sky/Sportsnet placement) and product recommendations (ExpressVPN called 'current best VPN pick'). Editorial choices emphasize convenience and commerce over critical context or alternative critiques.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The game features a three-team round-robin tournament with USA Stars, USA Stripes (American players), and Team World (international players). They play four 12-minute games: USA Stars vs. Team World, winner vs. USA Stripes, loser vs. USA Stripes, then top two teams in championship. Ties use point differential.
It is held on February 15, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, starting at 5 p.m. ET, televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
Key players include LeBron James and Kevin Durant on USA teams, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, and Luka Dončić on Team World. Injured and not playing: Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Each game is 12 minutes long; no fouling out; one coach's challenge and two timeouts per team. In overtime (no clock), first to 5 points wins; one timeout; penalty on second foul.
Championship team players get $125,000 each from a $1.8 million prize pool; second place $50,000; third place $25,000.
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