The NBA has once again switched the All-Star format in 2026, moving to USA vs. World with two USA teams. 

The new format was instituted to increase competitiveness, though it remains to be seen if that will be the case.

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is a seven-time All-Star and has been through the recent format changes from East vs. West to how the game is scored, players drafting their respective teams. 

Speaking to the media, Kawhi gave his thoughts on the new format. 

“With the teams split up you don’t really know who you’re playing with or what the score is… I rather it just be East and West and just go out there and compete and see what the outcome is. I don’t think a format can make you compete," he said. 

In 2018, the East vs. West format was dropped, and the leading vote getters would select their respective teams in a fantasy draft format. The change was made for some moments during the draft and allowed stars to mix with players they normally wouldn't play with. 

In 2020, scoring was changed to hit a target number as opposed to having a clock counting down to the end of the game, and the winning team would donate money to charity.

The change was made to ensure a game-winning shot and to hopefully increase competitiveness throughout. It worked for a couple of years, but by 2023, the competitiveness was gone. 

The format was changed again in 2025 with a mini-tournament featuring four teams playing a game to 40. 

That format lasted one year before the change in 2026, which saw two USA teams and one World team play in a round robin format. 

Fans have already been left confused about how the new format is going to play out, and players have been dismissive of the idea that competitiveness will actually increase. 

The hope is that country pride will lead to more players competing, similar to the Olympics or even the Four Nations format the NHL used last year.

The differences are that the Olympics are the Olympics and players are representing their actual country and competing for a gold medal, not representing an all-encompassing World or USA and competing for nothing.

 Four Nations worked for the NHL because players were representing their actual country, and it had been years since NHL players were allowed to compete in the Olympics, making Four Nations the first time since 2014 that players had the opportunity to compete in a best-on-best tournament. 

Fans will see if the new format works, or if more changes are coming next year as the NBA All-Star Game begins at 5 PM ET on NBC and Peacock.