Shaq’s OGs and Chuck’s Global Stars advance to the All-Star mini-tournament final after hard-fought semifinal victories.

Shaquille O’Neal’s OGs and Charles Barkley’s Global Stars are set to face off for the All-Star mini-tournament title, with both teams surviving competitive semifinals to make it to the final showdown.

The newly introduced mini-tournament format, featuring four teams and short, untimed games to 40 points, delivered an exciting mix of defense, creativity, and unexpected moments.

The OGs secured their place in the final after a hard-fought 42-35 win over Candace Parker’s Rising Stars, a team consisting of rising stars in their first and second seasons in the league.

The Rising Stars proved to be a tough challenge, with nine lead changes and five ties throughout the game. However, the OGs, with their wealth of All-Star experience, managed to hold their ground.

Damian Lillard’s timely 3-pointer sealed the victory after the Rising Stars made a valiant push to close the gap. Stephen Curry also contributed eight points to help the OGs advance.

On the other side, Chuck’s Global Stars powered through Kenny Smith’s Young Stars in the first semifinal, winning 41-32. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 12 points, including the decisive basket to clinch the victory.

The game was highlighted by solid performances from other stars like Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each added six points to the Global Stars’ tally.

Despite strong showings from Tyler Herro, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley, the Young Stars fell short, missing the presence of Anthony Edwards, who was ruled out due to a groin injury sustained during warmups.

The new format for this year’s All-Star festivities aimed to change the pace of the game, which in recent years had seen inflated scores and little defense.

With last year’s game in Indianapolis ending in a wild 211-186 result, the league decided to experiment with shorter, faster-paced games that would hopefully lead to more competitive play.

While the intensity wasn’t exactly playoff-like, the tournament still featured moments of strong defense, including three blocked shots within the first three minutes of action.

The first timeout of the night came after Karl-Anthony Towns, known for his offensive prowess, made an impressive 37-foot 3-pointer from center court, providing a taste of the entertaining and unconventional play expected in the new format.

LeBron James was notably absent for the OGs, as he was sidelined due to left foot and ankle discomfort. His absence left the OGs with only seven available players, but they still managed to get past the Rising Stars with solid contributions from their veterans.

Despite the absence of one of their key players, the OGs were able to rely on their wealth of All-Star appearances and experience.

The team, which boasts a combined total of 86 All-Star appearances and more than $2.7 billion in on-court earnings, used their battle-tested roster to survive the Rising Stars’ challenge.

The tournament format, featuring teams drafted by TNT analysts, showcased a mix of young and veteran talent.

Kenny Smith’s Young Stars, led by the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr., Franz Wagner, and De’Aaron Fox, were among the most exciting teams to watch, with their high-energy playstyle.

However, their playoff hopes were cut short by the dominance of the Global Stars, who benefited from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership and timely contributions from a well-rounded roster.

As the Global Stars and OGs prepare to meet in the final, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the All-Star mini-tournament.

With stars like Curry, Lillard, and Durant on the OGs, and Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, and Towns representing the Global Stars, the matchup promises to deliver high stakes and plenty of entertainment.

While the intensity may not be as high as a postseason matchup, the mini-tournament has provided a refreshing change of pace, giving fans a glimpse of the NBA’s future stars while also allowing the league’s established veterans to show they still have plenty left in the tank.

The excitement surrounding the mini-tournament has sparked widespread interest, with fans eagerly anticipating the final game. Will Shaq’s seasoned veterans take the title, or will Chuck’s young stars prove they’re ready to rise to the occasion?

The mini-tournament has showcased a new, fun format for All-Star weekend, and now all eyes are on the final showdown for the ultimate bragging rights.