Trae Young Sounds Off on New NBA All-Star Format: ‘I Didn’t Like It at All’
The NBA All-Star Game debuted a new format last night, but not everyone was impressed. While the league hoped to inject fresh excitement, players and fans had mixed reactions. Many complained about excessive breaks disrupting the game’s rhythm, and some players struggled to stay warm on the bench.
One of the most vocal critics? Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young. After the game, he didn’t hold back:
“To be honest, I didn’t like it at all. I don’t like the breaks—the games are too short. I feel like they’re trying to stretch out TV time with all the stoppages, and as a player, that makes it tough. You’re trying to stay warm, and that’s not easy. We had a 7’5″ guy [Victor Wembanyama] coming off the bench for the first time in his life, sitting for 20 minutes—it’s not easy for him, and it was tough for me, too. I don’t really know how I feel about it.”
Despite his frustration with the format, Young still put on a show. In the opening matchup between Team Chuck and Team Kenny, he was a key playmaker, racking up a game-high five assists while also scoring four points. He even shared a highlight moment with Spurs sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The championship game wasn’t as competitive, but Young and Wembanyama linked up for another standout play. Ultimately, Team Shaq took home the win, defeating Team Chuck 41-25. Jayson Tatum and Steph Curry dominated, combining for 27 of Team Shaq’s points, while Wembanyama led Team Chuck with 11 points off the bench.
With the first trial run of this format in the books, the big question remains—will the NBA tweak things for next year? If Young’s reaction is any indication, changes might be on the horizon.
