NBA All-Star Game doesn't solve league's in-season exhibition problems, it just creates more

The NHL scrapped its traditional All-Star Game for the 4 Nations Face Off, which took place over nine days from Feb. 12-20, and was well received by players and fans alike. It was a ratings success, with 9.3 million viewers tuning into the championship game between the USA and Canada. By comparison, the 2024 NHL All-Star Game drew an audience of 1.4 million.

In February 2025, the NBA failed to generate excitement with an unappealing four-team tournament replacing the traditional All-Star Game. Viewership declined 13 percent from the 2024 event, a laughable 211-186 East win.

We're skeptical that players are that much more inspired to play a Sunday matinee just because of the USA-World format. With the game airing on NBC during the 2026 Winter Olympics, next year's ASG will be played during the day as a lead-in to primetime Olympics coverage.

In this era of championship parity, where more teams are legitimate title contenders, players are wisely prioritizing their health for meaningful games over an exhibition afterthought. Why risk an injury?

That will be true regardless of the NBA's attempt to manufacture All-Star Game drama.

And as devastating as a Team World potential starting five with guards Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama and center Nikola Jokic could be, the format would also come at the expense of deserving American-born players who make up most All-Star rosters.

This season, 20 of the NBA's 26 Eastern and Western Conference selections, including replacements Trae Young and Kyrie Irving, were Americans. 

The NBA has struggled to make its All-Star Game relevant in recent years, and the USA-International format is the latest attempt to revitalize a moribund event.

The league might find it can't save something already dead.