How to watch the NBA All-Star weekend for free—and without cable

By Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer
Chris MorrisFormer Contributing Writer

    Chris Morris is a former contributing writer at Fortune, covering everything from general business news to the video game and theme park industries.

    The NBA All-Star Weekend will undergo some changes this year.
    The NBA All-Star Weekend will undergo some changes this year.
    Justin Casterline/Getty Images

    The NBA All-Star weekend is going to look a fair bit different this year.

    Gone is the traditional All-Star game—in its place is a pickup-style tournament, with TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith serving as team captains. Three teams of 24 players have been drafted. A fourth team of first- and second-year players will be determined on Feb. 14, made up of the Rising Stars Challenge. WNBA alum and TNT analyst Candace Parker will oversee that squad.

    Not everyone is a fan, including Kevin Durant, who has bluntly said “I hate it.”

    The pick-up game is just part of what the league has in store. Here’s how best to catch it all.

    What is the schedule for this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend? And what channels are airing the games/events?

    The All-Star celebration will run over three days:

    Friday, Feb. 14

    All-Star celebrity game – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+

    Rising Stars competition – 9 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV, Max

    Saturday, Feb., 15

    NBA All-Star practice – 2 p.m. ET on NBA TV

    NBA HBCU Classic – 5 p.m. ET on NBA TV

    All-Star Saturday Night (includes Kia Skills Challenge, Starry 3-point Contest & AT&T Slam Dunk Contest) – 8 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV, Max

    Sunday, Feb. 16

    NBA Legends Brunch – 2 p.m. ET on NBA TV

    NBA All-Star Semifinal, Game 1 – 8:20 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV, Max

    NBA All-Star Semifinal, Game 2 – 9:10 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV, Max

    NBA All-Star Championship Game – 10 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV, Max

    Can I watch the NBA All-Star Weekend for free without cable?

    None of the activities will be aired over traditional broadcast television, so you’ll need to utilize a streaming service (and a free trial) to watch the events for free.

    Can I stream the NBA All-Star Weekend live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

    Yes, indeed!

    Max

    The one-time HBO Max doesn’t have a free trial, unfortunately. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month.

    Disney+

    Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).

    Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).

    Hulu with Live TV

    The free trial on this service lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.

    YouTubeTV

    After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.

    Sling TV

    Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.

    DirecTV Stream

    Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option. (The package that includes NFL Network will run you $99 per month.)

    Fubo TV

    This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose. Be warned, however that Fubo does not carry TNT.

    Who’s playing in the games at the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend?

    Three of the four teams have named their members so far:

    Team Chuck: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, and Trae Young (replacing an injured Giannis Antetokounmpo)

    Team Shaq: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden and Kyrie Irving (who replaces an injured Anthony Davis)

    Team Kenny: Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham and Tyler Herro

    The fourth team, Team Candace, will be picked Friday.

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