NBA All-Star Game Ratings Soar Despite Widespread Criticism of Players’ Effort

This year’s midseason showcase in Indianapolis surprisingly attracted plenty of viewers.

Seemingly everyone in the NBA media, from Stephen A. Smith to JJ Redick had a critical take on Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game. It may come as a head-scratching surprise, then, that the game was considered a success based on viewership numbers. 

The NBA announced Tuesday that 11.6 million unique viewers tuned into Sunday night’s matchup at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Average viewership over the course of the game was 5.5 million. Both of those numbers were at least 14% higher than last year.

This year’s All-Star Game saw the East wallop the West in a 211—186 shootaround that none of the players on the court seemed to take seriously. 

11.6 million unique viewers watched the 2024 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday across TNT, TBS, truTV and B/R Sports on Max, up 20% vs. last year. The game averaged 5.5 million viewers, up 14% vs. last year. pic.twitter.com/AM6i5uq9aZ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 20, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James soaked in his record-setting 20th appearance, Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić live-tweeted a sassy response to a fan during the game, and All-Star MVP and Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard took (and made) multiple halfcourt shots.

The game’s overall lack of competition drew the ire of pundits and fans alike, raising questions as to whether the league plans to make any changes to the format next season.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith claimed the game should simply be eliminated in the future, but perhaps a less extreme solution exists that still will allow fans to watch the league’s most talented superstars put on a competitive and entertaining show.