Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum stole the show at the revamped NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday, as they powered Shaquille O’Neal’s “Team Shaq” to a dominant 41-25 win over Charles Barkley’s “Team Chuck.” The victory, which marked the end of a competitive and entertaining new format, saw Curry earn his second All-Star Game MVP award after an exceptional performance.
Playing at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center, Curry dazzled the crowd with his signature three-pointers, contributing significantly to the victory. He finished with a stellar 12 points, showcasing his ability to elevate his game on his home court. Tatum, who started alongside Curry, finished with 15 points, delivering a strong performance in a lineup that also featured NBA stars like Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and James Harden.
The game’s new structure, designed to boost competition, replaced the traditional Eastern vs. Western Conference format with a four-team mini-tournament. Each team, led by NBA legends such as O’Neal, Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Candace Parker, competed in a first-to-40 points format rather than the conventional four-quarter setup. Despite initial excitement, the shift failed to resonate universally.
Prior to the game, Team Shaq’s preparation was disrupted when Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James withdrew from the lineup due to a foot and ankle injury. However, even without the 40-year-old veteran, Team Shaq remained dominant throughout the game, easily overpowering Team Chuck, which boasted star players like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Donovan Mitchell.
Curry, named MVP of the All-Star Game for the second time after winning in 2022, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to play with such talented teammates. “It’s a celebration of a lot of great things – to be able to play with these guys for as long as we have,” Curry said. “It’s our responsibility to come out and put on a show and I thank them for helping me do that.”
The game’s new format, while still entertaining, had mixed reactions. Draymond Green, Curry’s Golden State teammate and television analyst for the event, criticized the shortened, first-to-40 approach. “You work all year to be an All-Star and you get to play up to 40 and then you’re done. C’mon what are we doing? This is ridiculous,” Green said.
Despite some criticism, Lillard, who played a crucial role in Team Shaq’s win, felt the format was a step forward. “I think they were just looking for a more competitive game,” Lillard explained. “It felt like we did that tonight.”
As the NBA All-Star Game continues to evolve, the debate over its structure remains a topic for discussion, but Sunday’s game was certainly one for the highlight reels.
