NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has introduced that the 2026 NBA All-Star Sport will characteristic USA-born gamers competing in opposition to the World, in response to CBS Sports activities.
Following the lackluster response from gamers and followers to the event format in final yr’s All-Star Sport, Silver determined to lean into the league’s international id. This determination coincided with the 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6 to February 22 in Italy.
Showing on Breakfast Ball on Wednesday (June 4), Silver spoke about altering the format, though the main points of the sport are nonetheless being ironed out.
“The very day we’re on, the lead-in can be Winter Olympic occasions,” Silver mentioned.”After which, popping out of the All-Star Sport, which is able to now be within the afternoon as a substitute of the night, there can be extra Olympic occasions.”
“What higher time to characteristic some type of USA in opposition to the World? I am not precisely positive what the format can be but,” Silver continued. “I paid numerous consideration to what the NHL did, which was an enormous success.”
Whereas it stays to be seen how gamers will obtain the brand new format, the Milwaukee Bucks famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo is in favor of the change.
“I’d love that. Oh, I’d love that. I feel that may be probably the most attention-grabbing and most fun format. I’d love that. For positive, I would take delight in that. I all the time compete, however I feel that may give me a bit of bit extra further juice to compete, like having Shai, Jokic, Luka, Wemby, Cities, Sengun,” Antetokounmpo mentioned final yr throughout All-Star Weekend. “I do know these gamers — clearly I am lacking some guys that I can’t consider from the highest of my head, going in opposition to one of the best U.S. gamers. I feel it might be enjoyable. I feel that may be one of the best format.”
Additionally, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is on board for the change.
“I’d like to. My opinion is that it is extra purposeful,” Wembanyama mentioned. “There’s extra delight in it. Extra stakes.”