The rule changes the NBA instituted for the 2020 All-Star Game helped bring a level of intensity that fans hadn't seen for quite some time and provided an exciting end to the exhibition. It's no surprise, then, that the league is keeping that format in place for another year.
But when Team LeBron and Team Durant meet for the 2022 All-Star Game on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, TNT), it won't just be about entertainment. The contest will also support those in need.
How will the All-Star Game play out? And which organizations will benefit from it? Here's a breakdown of the 2022 format so you can avoid any confusion during the live broadcast.
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NBA All-Star Game format, explained
What are the rules for the 2022 All-Star Game?
Team LeBron and Team Durant will compete to win each of the first three quarters of the game. Those quarters will be the standard 12 minutes but start with a 0-0 score. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a final target score will be set based on the leading team's cumulative score through the first three quarters. That target score will be the leading team's total score 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 wore the No. 24 from the 2006-07 season through 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 cumulative score through three quarters is 100-95 in favor of Team LeBron, the target score would be 124. Team LeBron would only need to score 24 points in order to win, while Team Durant would need to score 29 points. The results of the previous three quarters are simply based on the individual scores of those quarters.
Why is winning each quarter important?
A total of $750,000 will be awarded to two organizations. Team LeBron will be playing for the Kent State I Promise Scholars Program, and Team Durant will be playing for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
The Charity Beneficiaries for the 2022 #NBAAllStar Game! #TeamLeBron will play for Kent State (@KentState) I Promise Scholars Program (@LJFamFoundation) #TeamDurant will play for Greater Cleveland Food Bank (@CleFoodBank) pic.twitter.com/dYSBNunjLf
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) February 10, 2022
Each organization will start with a $150,000 contribution. The winning team of each of the first three quarters will receive $100,000 (a total of $300,000) for its organization. The overall winning team will earn $150,000.
OK, so what about ties?
If the first or second quarter ends in a tie, the money for that quarter will be rolled over to the next quarter. If the third quarter ends in a tie, then the money will be added to the total for the winner of the game.
NBA All-Star rosters 2022
Team LeBron
| Player | Team |
| LeBron James* | Lakers |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo* | Bucks |
| Stephen Curry* | Warriors |
| DeMar DeRozan* | Bulls |
| Nikola Jokic* | Nuggets |
| Jarrett Allen | Cavaliers |
| Jimmy Butler | Heat |
| Luka Doncic | Mavericks |
| Darius Garland | Cavaliers |
| James Harden** | 76ers |
| Donovan Mitchell | Jazz |
| Chris Paul | Suns |
| Fred VanVleet | Raptors |
* All-Star starters
** Will not play because of injury
Team Durant
| Player | Team |
| Kevin Durant** | Nets |
| Joel Embiid* | 76ers |
| Ja Morant* | Grizzlies |
| Jayson Tatum* | Celtics |
| Andrew Wiggins* | Warriors |
| Trae Young* | Hawks |
| LaMelo Ball | Hornets |
| Devin Booker | Suns |
| Rudy Gobert | Jazz |
| Draymond Green** | Warriors |
| Zach LaVine | Bulls |
| Khris Middleton | Bucks |
| Dejounte Murray | Spurs |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Timberwolves |
* All-Star starters
** Will not play because of injury
