The NBA got a "record-setting scoring explosion in a forgettable blowout that unexpectedly ended with a wave of boos"Getty Images
The 2024 NBA All-Star Game was "a record-setting affair," as the Eastern Conference took down the Western Conference, 211-186, last night in Indianapolis and the East became the first team to ever reach the 200-point mark in the All-Star Game. It was also a return to the game's classic format, as the East faced the West and the Elam Ending was "scrapped in favor of a traditional 48-minute game." Neither change "did anything to affect the intensity of the game," as it was "once again a total shootout with basically no defense." Bucks G Damian Lillard was named the game's MVP with 39 points, edging out Celtics F Jaylen Brown (36 points) and Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton, who scored 32. Pacers fans in the building "had their star's back and showered Lillard with boos during the trophy ceremony." Once again, the game "was a dud, made notable only by how many points the two teams were able to rack up while not playing any defense." The "problem for the NBA is the players don't care to try any harder," and "until that changes, nothing else matters" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/18).
The 73rd All-Star Game "looked exactly like last year's lackluster performance" in Salt Lake City, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's annoyance at what took place was clearly on display. Silver said flatly after the game, "And to the Eastern Conference All-Stars, you scored the most points. Well ... congratulations." It was "a fitting end to an evening that did nothing to stop the discussions over what the future of the NBA's marquee midseason event should look like moving forward." Ultimately, the game "left things in the exact same place they were in a year ago" (ESPN.com, 2/18).
The NBA had hoped for a "more intense and competitive All-Star Game," but instead got a "record-setting scoring explosion in a forgettable blowout that unexpectedly ended with a wave of boos." The NBA spent months making a "concerted effort to put on a more compelling show after the 2023 All-Star Game in Salt Lake City was panned for its lack of intensity." The league even "trimmed down the pregame festivities by introducing the players on the court rather than on an elaborate stage and featured Jennifer Hudson in a simpler halftime act." But the "thoughtful structural changes didn’t produce a better balance between offense and defense" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/19).
More on the NBA All-Star Game:
- THE ATHLETIC: "High scoring NBA All-Star Game raises competitiveness concerns once again."
- ESPN.com: "NBA again left seeking solutions after uncompetitive All-Star Game."
- CBSSPORTS.com: "NBA's All-Star Game has become unwatchable, and it also might be unfixable."
- BOSTON GLOBE: "NBA commissioner Adam Silver wanted to restore luster to All-Star Game, but talk of that was just a long shot."
- L.A. TIMES: "Players know the NBA All-Star Game might be too broken to fix."
