NBA: All-Star Game Format Changed, Both Teams Needs To Reach Target Score

The fans’ voices have been heard as the NBA will be changing the All-Star Game in Chicago format in honor of Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant – but not exactly.

As posted by the NBA, the team that owns the higher score in each of the first three quarters will be awarded $100,000 and will be donated to the charity of their choosing, raising the amount to $300,000 of donations in total to be given.

In the case of a tie at the end of the first quarter, the $100,000 donation will be added to the charity that will be awarded in the second quarter, bringing it to a total of $200,000. If both teams end up tied in the third quarter, whoever wins the game in the fourth quarter will get an additional $100,000.

The first three quarters will be times for 12 minutes, but the time will be off when they reach the fourth quarter. The score of the team with the lead at the end of third-quarter needs to score 24 more points to win the game – making it the target score. If the score in the third quarter is 100-94, the target score for both teams will be 124 (score of the team with the lead, which is 100, plus the 24 points in honor of Kobe)

For the team who is trailing at the end of the third frame to win, they need to score 124 points first before the other team, making the game as a virtual race to 124 points – and whoever gets to 124 points first will be declared the winner.

The announcement, both on their website and on social media, left fans confused.

The annual event will be headlined by the game between East All-Stars, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Kemba Walker, and Trae Young, and West All-Stars headed by LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard.