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[Saba Sports News] Several NBA All-Stars voiced the same frustration about the new format of Sunday night’s game.
Many players took issue with the frequent stoppages, which disrupted the flow of the event as the league tried to incorporate additional entertainment. The biggest complaint came from the championship game being paused for an extended tribute to TNT’s *Inside the NBA*, which left players sitting cold on the bench.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young didn’t hold back in questioning the NBA’s priorities.
“I feel like the fans want to see us playing more, rather than just some little shows in between breaks,” Young said postgame.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum agreed, adding that the mid-game stoppage made it difficult for players to stay engaged.
“I think the toughest part was stopping the game for the presentation while we were halfway through it. We were sitting down for 20 minutes, whatever it was,” Tatum said. “It was kinda tough to get back into the game after that.”
Fans shared similar frustrations, making the situation even worse. Beyond disrupting the rhythm, the lengthy pause raised concerns about potential injury risks and sent the message that the NBA didn’t trust the game itself to be entertaining enough.
Even commissioner Adam Silver has admitted that the All-Star Game is struggling to stay relevant. While the new format had potential, the execution left much to be desired. If changes aren’t made, the league may continue to lose interest in what was once a marquee event.