NBA All-Star Game format, explained: What to know about the 2021 rules for Team LeBron vs. Team Durant

The rule changes the NBA instituted for the 2020 All-Star Game helped bring a level of intensity fans hadn’t seen in some time and provided an exciting end to the show. So it’s no surprise that the league is keeping this format in place for another year.

But when Team LeBron and Team Durant meet for the 2021 All-Star Game on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, TNT), it won’t just be about entertainment. The competition will also support those in need.

How will the All-Star Game take place? And which organizations will benefit? Here’s a breakdown of the 2021 format so you can avoid confusion while streaming live.

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NBA All-Star Game Format, Explained

What are the rules of the All-Star Game 2021?

Team LeBron and Team Durant will face off to win each of the first three quarters of the game. These quarters will be the standard 12 minutes but will start with a score of 0-0. At the start of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a final target score will be established based on the leading team’s aggregate score over the first three quarters. This target score will be the total score of the leading team plus 24 points.

The NBA decided to incorporate 24 points into the target score to honor Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. The 18-time All-Star took No. 24 in the 2006-07 season to 2015- 16.

Once the target score is finalized, Team LeBron and Team Durant will play the untimed fourth quarter, and the first team to reach the target score will win the game.

How does the NBA All-Star format work?

If the three-quarter aggregate score is 100-95 in favor of Team LeBron, the target score would be 124. Team LeBron would only need to score 24 points to win, while Team Durant would have need to score 29 points. The results for the previous three quarters are simply based on the individual scores for those quarters.

Why is it important to win every quarter?

The winner of each of the first three terms will receive $150,000 (a total of $450,000) for an organization that provides scholarships to students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The overall winning team will win $300,000.

Team LeBron will play for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Team Durant will play for the United Negro College Fund. Each organization will receive an initial contribution of $500,000 and a total of $1.75 million will be split between the two.

The NBA announced it will provide more than $3 million to support HBCUs and communities of color impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of this year’s festivities.

“More people will be aware that our students may not be able to complete their studies, largely because of finances. Our community is the most affected,” said Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund (via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard). “HBCU students, 75% of them are low income, which means they and their families are most at risk for COVID, but they are also most at risk for white supremacy and anti-racism. black.

“Let me say that I hear the critics [for playing the All-Star Game amid the pandemic], but it’s a game with a purpose. And the goal is to help black students stay persistent to finish. I think it’s worth it.

OK, and the ties?

If the first or second quarter ends in a tie, the money from that quarter will roll over to the next quarter. If the third quarter ends in a tie, the money will be added to the total for the winner of the match.

2021 NBA All-Star Lineups

Team LeBron

*All-Star Starters

Durant Team

*All-Star Starters
**Tatum raised to starter with Durant out (hamstring injury)
*** Conley named replacement with Booker out (knee injury)

Complete order of the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft