The NBA took a bold, yet innovative approach to the 2020 All-Star Game. Each quarter of the game, the score reset. Between Team Giannis and Team Lebron, the winner of each period won $100,000 donated to the charity of their choice.
In the fourth and final quarter, there was no clock as the teams played to a total instead of time. The leading group, after three quarters, added 24 points to their score total, and that was the goal to end the game.
At the end of the third quarter in 2020, Team Giannis led 133-124, making the game-winning total 157. The final period turned into a pick-up style battle. Both teams traded blows with Team Lebron rallying back to seal the 157-156 win on an Anthony Davis free throw.
The format provided a higher level of intensity to the exhibition game, especially in the fourth quarter, stamping the change successful.
Yet, there was still something missing from the new version of the NBA All-Star Game.
For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors did not have a member represented in the game. Both of Golden State’s perineal All-Stars, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have combined to miss almost the entire 2019-20 season due to injury. However, even injured, Curry finished in the top-10 of Western Conference guard voting.
Although Curry wasn’t available to play in the new construction, the six-time NBA All-Star weighed in on the matter with excitement. Ayesha Curry posted an Instagram story with her husband watching the All-Star Game.
Both members of the Curry family approved of the new format of the game.
Steph & Ayesha Curry approve of the new All-Star Game format.
via Ayesha’s IG pic.twitter.com/o2zqjWmNN5
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III) February 17, 2020
Curry is still recovering from his broken hand injury, but reports point towards a March return. If Curry can hit his return target, the Warriors will have around 20 games left this season with their two-time Most Valuable Player.
Once fully healthy next season, Curry will have the opportunity to participate in the new and entertaining All-Star Game setup.