The NBA confirmed a number of alterations to the format of the game — one of which will honor Lakers legend Bryant, who, with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday.
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Each of the first three quarters will act as a minigame starting from 0-0, with the winner of each 12-minute period earning $100,000 for their designated community charity in Chicago, the site of the Feb. 16 All-Star Game.
At the end of the third quarter, the cumulative scores will be calculated and a “target score,” which will be 24 points greater than the leading team’s tally, will be set for the fourth and final period. This is a tribute to Bryant, who famously wore the No. 24 jersey for the Lakers, along with the No. 8, during his career.
The fourth quarter has no time limit and will only end when the “target score” is reached by either team. The team that reaches the score first will earn $200,000 for its charity.
“We spent a lot of time considering the right target number to use for the fourth quarter,” NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell said. “Through the events of this week, it became clear to us that the only appropriate number for this season’s All-Star Game is 24.”
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain this year’s All-Star teams.
