The NBA is heading to the Bay Area. Honestly, it feels like it’s been a long time coming for the Golden State Warriors to host this thing again, specifically at the shiny new Chase Center. If you’re trying to pin down the NBA All Star Game schedule, you’ve gotta realize it’s not just a Sunday night game. It’s a three-day circus of vertical leaps, missed defensive rotations, and celebrities sitting courtside wearing outfits that cost more than my car.
Everything kicks off on Friday, February 14, 2025. Yeah, Valentine's Day. So if you’re a hoop head, you might have some explaining to do to your partner.
The league hasn’t radically changed the flow of the weekend, but the vibes in San Francisco are going to be different. We’re looking at a tech-heavy, high-energy environment. Usually, the schedule follows a very specific rhythm that the league has perfected over the last decade to maximize TV ratings and social media clips.
Friday Night: The Warm-up Act
Friday is basically for the die-hards and the people who want to see the future of the league. You have the RISING STARS challenge. It’s usually a mini-tournament format now—four teams, a mix of rookies, sophomores, and G League Ignite players. The NBA ditched the old "Rookies vs. Sophomores" format because, frankly, it got boring. This new tournament style actually makes the guys play a little harder because there’s a bracket involved.
Before that, you’ve got the Celebrity Game. Look, I’ll be real: this is either peak entertainment or a total disaster depending on which "influencers" they invite. But seeing an NFL legend try to post up a Disney Channel star is objectively funny.
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Saturday Night: The Main Attraction (For Some)
For a lot of fans, Saturday is actually better than Sunday. This is the All Star Saturday Night. It’s the three-point contest, the skills challenge, and the dunk contest.
The three-point shootout has become the crown jewel because the league is so obsessed with the long ball now. Seeing guys like Steph Curry (who is basically the host this year) or Tyrese Haliburton get into a rhythm is hypnotic. Then there’s the Dunk Contest. We all know the Dunk Contest has its ups and downs. One year Mac McClung saves it, the next year everyone is complaining that it's "dead." But in San Francisco? Expect some high-flyers to try and reclaim the throne.
Breaking Down the 2025 NBA All Star Game Schedule
If you are planning your weekend, you need the hard timestamps. Most of these events start in the evening Eastern Time to accommodate the West Coast tip-off.
Friday, Feb 14
The Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game usually tips around 7:00 PM ET. Immediately following that, around 9:00 PM ET, the Panini Rising Stars begins.
Saturday, Feb 15
This is the big one for the casual fan. State Farm All-Star Saturday Night begins at 8:00 PM ET. It moves fast. Skills challenge first. Three-point contest second. Slam Dunk contest last. Don't blink during the three-point rounds; they go by in about 60 seconds per shooter.
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Sunday, Feb 16
The 74th NBA All-Star Game. 8:00 PM ET.
The Format Shift: Will We See the Elam Ending?
There’s been a lot of chatter about the game format. The NBA experimented with the Elam Ending—where you play to a "target score" instead of a clock in the fourth quarter—and it was a massive hit at first. It forced teams to actually play defense because you have to hit a specific number to win.
However, last year the league went back to the traditional East vs. West format. It was... okay. A bit high-scoring. Okay, it was very high-scoring. Like 200 points high-scoring. Adam Silver has been pretty vocal about wanting the game to be more competitive. Whether they stick to the 48-minute clock or go back to a target score for 2025 is the big question hanging over the NBA All Star Game schedule.
Where to Watch and How to Get There
If you aren’t one of the lucky few with tickets to the Chase Center, you’re watching on TNT or TBS. They’ve had the rights forever and their "Inside the NBA" crew—Shaq, Chuck, Kenny, and Ernie—is basically the best part of the whole weekend.
For those actually traveling to San Francisco, keep in mind that "All Star Weekend" happens all over the city. The NBA Crossover fan event is usually at a massive convention center (likely Moscone Center) and that runs Friday through Sunday. It’s where you can get the exclusive jerseys and see the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Why the 2025 Schedule Matters More Than Usual
This isn't just another stop on the tour. The Warriors' ownership group, led by Joe Lacob, is known for being "light years ahead." They want this to be the most tech-integrated All-Star weekend in history. We might see some weird AR stuff or crazy 5G broadcasts.
Also, the talent pool right now is insane. We’re in this weird transition period where LeBron James and Kevin Durant are still elite, but Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are taking over. The NBA All Star Game schedule is the only time you see that generational handoff happening in real-time on the same court.
Logistics You’ll Probably Forget
San Francisco in February isn't Miami. It’s going to be chilly and probably foggy. If you’re going to the events, don’t expect to just "park at the arena." Chase Center is in Mission Bay, and traffic is a nightmare on a normal Tuesday, let me tell you. Use the Muni. Use the light rail.
Also, tickets. If you're looking for the game itself, expect to pay four figures. Even the "nosebleeds" are pricey. But a pro tip? The Friday night practice and the Saturday morning media day are often way cheaper and you actually get to see the players' personalities. They’re relaxed. They’re joking around. It feels more "human" than the hyper-produced Sunday night broadcast.
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Common Misconceptions About All Star Weekend
People think the players hate being there. Honestly? Some do. They’d rather be in Cabo. But for the young guys making their first or second team, it’s a massive legacy builder. It affects their contracts. The "Supermax" eligibility often hinges on All-NBA or All-Star selections. So, while it looks like they aren't trying, there's a lot of behind-the-scenes business happening.
Another myth: The schedule is set in stone months in advance. Not really. The NBA often tweaks the start times by 15-30 minutes for TV windows right up until the week of the event.
What to Watch For Beyond the Game
Keep an eye on the "secondary" events. The HBCU Classic has become a staple of the Saturday afternoon schedule. It’s a great showcase for schools that don't always get the national spotlight. The NBA has done a solid job of making the weekend feel bigger than just the 12 best guys in each conference.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you want to stay on top of the NBA All Star Game schedule and actually enjoy the weekend without losing your mind, do these three things:
- Download the NBA Events App: This is the only way to track the literal dozens of appearances and pop-up shops happening in San Francisco. The schedule in the app is way more detailed than what you'll find on a generic sports site.
- Book Dining Now: If you are going to the Bay Area, understand that every decent restaurant within five miles of the Chase Center will be booked out by January. Don't be the person eating a lukewarm hot dog for $18 because you didn't plan ahead.
- Check the "All Star Weekend" Secondary Markets: Don't just look at Ticketmaster. Check the verified resale sites for the Saturday Night events. Sometimes prices dip right before the event starts as people realize they can't make it through the SF traffic.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game is going to be a massive cultural moment. With the league's current scoring explosion and the sheer amount of young talent, the San Francisco schedule is packed. Just make sure you know your time zones—West Coast starts mean late nights for the East Coast fans. It’s worth the caffeine, though. Catching a glimpse of the next era of basketball usually is.