NBA All-Star Game Returning To East Vs. West: 'Rivalry Is Back'

"This is a huge W. Rivalry is back!"

NBA fans on social media are excited to hear that the 2024 NBA All-Star Game will go back to an East vs. West format after switching things up the past few years.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Wednesday night what many fans are taking as good news for the league. After a few years of changing things up and trying new things during the annual All-Star Game, it's "back to basketball" and fans are ready!

"One very important announcement I did want to make today and it's fitting with the theme for this entire season and essentially it's back to basketball around the league, I think in terms of our player participation policy, making sure that, as our head of basketball operations Joe Dumars says that refocusing on the fact that we are an 82-game season with the expectation that our players, when healthy, will be on the floor," Silver said.

"We thought it was time, since we're coming back to such a traditional market, as Indianapolis is as Indiana in all means for basketball, that we're going to return to the classic format for our All-Star Game. So, this year we'll be featuring, as we had historically, it will be East vs. West with the return to the four quarters, same format that we're all used to for a basketball game."

Fans on the NBA All Star Instagram page were overall excited to hear that the old format will be returning for the 73rd All-Star Game that's set for February 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"This is a huge W ?Rivalry is back!" one fan wrote. Another added to that sentiment saying, "Competition is BACK!"

Official NBA Buzz also shared the news on their Instagram page and many basketball fans dropped into the comment to leave their thoughts on going back to the East vs. West format.

"Now let them play in their respective HOME vs. AWAY jerseys," one fan suggested. Another added, "Now we need that the winner gets home court advantage in the finals. Make them play!"

One fan said, "THIS IS MUCH BETTER," and another agreed saying, "W decision."

NBA Communications announced the changes to the format on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The announcement on X explains the specific changes to the game's format saying that the game will feature the return of the Eastern Conference versus the Western Conference with the traditional scoring system and four 12-minute quarters.

"While the NBA All-Star Game will no longer have an untimed fourth quarter or conclude when one team reaches or surpasses the Final Target Score, the teams will continue to compete to win each quarter for a charitable organization of their choosing," the announcement reads. "NBA All-Star Game team captains will still be named to lead their respective teams."

Team captains will be chosen based on who gets the most fan votes in his conference during All-Star Voting.

The 2024 NBA All-Star Game will air on TNT in the United States and will reach more than 200 countries and territories in more than 50 languages. This is the first time Indianapolis is hosting the All-Star Game since 1985.

"So glad the NBA listened and made swift change. Hopefully the less gimmicky format increases competitiveness," one fan commented.

"Good, the gimmick was cool for a few years and now it’s stale," another fan shared.