NBA All Star Game Format, History, and the Final Target Score

The NBA All-Star Game is one of the most iconic events in all of sports. It’s unique from other all star games, like the NFL or WNBA’s, because it flips the regular format of an NBA game on its head. Not only that but the All-Star Game sees some of the NBA’s best players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, team up or face off in an exhibition matchup. With a new format and new stars, the 2022 NBA All-Star Game did not disappoint and neither will the 2023 All-Star Game. Here’s what you need to know about the new look All-Star Game.

How are the NBA All Star Game rosters decided?

The NBA players playing in the All-Star game are decided by a multitude of factors. Each conference is allotted two backcourt spots and three frontcourt spots for the starting lineups. These All-Star Starters are decided by a mix of 50% fan votes, and 50% media and coaches voting. The reserves are decided by coach voting. If an All-star team needs a replacement player, the coach of the respective all-star team will select that player.

What is the NBA All Star Draft?

Unlike other all-star games, the teams are not decided by conference. Instead, the top two fan vote getters in the West and East will be selected as team captains. Prior to 2018, the teams were split up between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. But in order to build excitement, a draft was announced with Team LeBron and Team Curry being the first player drafted teams. Both players took turns drafting members of the starting pool and reserve pool, which is the standard practice for ensuing drafts. Team LeBron has represented the West every year, with the East being repped by Team Giannis and Team Durant.

What are the NBA All-Star Weekend events?

The All-Star Weekend isn’t just limited to the main event, every night has huge events with many stars and players turning out. Friday night is the kickoff with the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, where stars like Quavo, Myles Garrett, and MGK turned out for the 2022 edition. That game is followed by the Rising Stars game with the best of the NBA’s young talent playing in a miniature All-Star Game.

That is followed by NBA All-Star Saturday, which features multiple events. The first is the Skills Challenge that tests All-Star participants in Passing, Free throws, and more. Next is the three point contest which pits the NBA’s best shooters in an accuracy battle. The finale is the Slam Dunk Contest, which grades some of the NBA’s best dunkers on creative dunks. Last year, Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks took home the title of the 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Champion. On Sunday, the All-Star Game takes place.

What is the format of the NBA All-Star Game?

The format of the NBA All-Star Game is much different from that of a regular NBA game. Each of the first three quarters start at 0-0. The winner of each quarter will win a contribution to a charity that they are representing. At the end of the third quarter, the total score will be tallied up and become the new score of the game. In the fourth quarter, the game clock is turned off and the team’s must reach a target score to win the game. The target score is the winning team’s score with 24 points added.

Why is the NBA All-Star Game target score 24 points?

The target score is 24 points in honor of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant sadly passed away ahead of the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago, where the target score was unveiled. So, in his honor, the score was made 24 points in reference to his jersey number. Bryant was also honored with the naming of the All Star Game MVP Award after him. Clippers F Kawhi Leonard was the first official winner of the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award.

Who won the 2022 NBA All-Star Game?

The 2022 NBA All-Star Game saw Team LeBron beat Team Durant 163-160 in a thriller. The game was held in Cleveland Ohio and consisted of the following rosters.

Team LeBron

​Starters​

• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

• DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls

• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

• Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets

​Reserves​

• Chris Paul,Phoenix Suns

• Fred VanVleet, Toronto Raptors

• Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks

• Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

• Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers

• Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

• Jarrett Allen, Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Durant

​Starters​

• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

• Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

• Andrew Wiggins, Golden State Warriors

• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

​Reserves​

• LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

• Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs

• Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls

• Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

• Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks

• Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

• Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stephen Curry was named MVP after scoring fifty of Team Lebron’s 163 points.

When is the 2023 NBA All Star Game?

The 2023 NBA All-Star Game will be held on February 19th, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It will be covered by TNT and TBS and voting will commence in November.