Kevin Durant challenges Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić

Durant calls out the Europeans

Kevin Durant had a grin when he saw the All-Star rosters and joked that he’s one of the veteran names alongside LeBron James, Stephen Curry (who won’t play) and Kawhi Leonard. But when the conversation turned to how seriously teams will compete under the new format, the 37-year-old didn’t hold back.

Durant singled out Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, questioning how hard they’ve tried in past All-Star events. “You look at Luka and Jokic now, but go back and watch what they do in the All-Star Game,” he said with a laugh. “They’re often just relaxing on the floor or taking half-court shots—so people wonder if the older guys will actually compete. I know how to read between the lines.”

New format, mixed expectations

The league revealed 25 players for the Los Angeles showcase after Giannis Antetokounmpo was ruled out with an injury. This year’s setup will be a round-robin style mini-tournament featuring two Team USA squads and one international team, a change the commissioner hopes will spark national pride and bring more intensity.

Durant kept things measured about whether the format will actually deliver. “They said last year it was the worst All-Star Game people had ever watched,” he noted. “We’ll see—maybe the format changes things, maybe it doesn’t.”

Young star Victor Wembanyama also weighed in, saying he never shows up to an event planning to mail it in. “If I’m there, I want to win,” he said, adding that he approaches competition the same way he would any serious matchup.

With the new structure and some veteran pride on the line, the All-Star weekend now has an extra storyline to watch: whether veterans and international stars alike will crank up the competitiveness or stick to the laid-back show that fans have grown used to.