Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry backed the new "Final Four" format introduced at the NBA All-Star event, stating that the change was necessary to bring fresh energy to the midseason showcase.

"We needed something different—new life, a renewed energy in the game, something unexpected (...). I think it was a good step in the right direction to revitalize it in some way. Now, we can keep tweaking it next year and see what improvements can be made," Curry said in a press conference after being named the event's MVP.

A New Format for a New Era

The Warriors superstar also noted that comparing this format to previous eras is not entirely fair. "The world has changed, the way people consume basketball is different. It won’t be like it was before, but it can still be entertaining for everyone. I had an amazing time, my team did too, and ultimately, that’s what matters," he added.

The Shaq’s OGs team, composed primarily of league veterans like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, won the 74th edition of the All-Star event, held at Chase Center in San Francisco. In the final, the Shaq’s OGs defeated the Chuck’s Global Stars 41-25, a team featuring the NBA’s top international stars, including Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs).

Curry Shines at Home

The MVP award went to Curry, who scored 12 points in the final and put on a show in his home arena, as the event took place at the Warriors’ Chase Center. With this recognition, the four-time league champion secured his second All-Star MVP title.

Alongside Curry, the Shaq’s OGs featured Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), Damian Lillard (Milwaukee Bucks), and James Harden (Los Angeles Clippers). The game’s biggest absence was LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), who was ruled out at the last minute due to physical discomfort.