NBA All-Star Game Returns to Classic East vs. West Format for 2024

NBA changes All-Star Game format following criticism over poor ratings and lack of competitive spirit in the 2023 event.

For the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, the format is returning to its traditional East vs. West structure after public criticism over the poor ratings and lack of competitiveness in the 2023 event.
The league has eliminated the player draft, meaning that team captains will no longer select teams for the All-Star Game; instead, the top vote-getters from each conference will serve as captains.
The game was previously played to a target score of 24 in the fourth quarter, with the game clock removed; this structure, known as the Elam Ending, will no longer be used.
Another significant change is the duration of the game, which will now be 48 minutes as it was in the traditional format, rather than adding 24 points to the leading team’s score after three quarters and playing the fourth quarter with just a shot clock.
Despite the shift to the old format, the All-Star selection process will remain unchanged with 12 players picked from each conference based on fan, media, player votes for the starters, and the reserves determined by a coaches’ vote.