The Elam Ending received widespread attention in 2020 when it was chosen as the format for the NBA All-Star Game.
[7] Starting with the 2020 tournament, a rule change was made in order to make a game-ending free throw slightly less likely.
According to TBT organizers, this eliminated an incentive for teams to foul in one specific situation—when the defense could reach the target score with a free throw or two-point basket while the offense needed a three-pointer.
During the 2020 tournament, Golden Eagles forward Jamil Wilson tied his record and ultimately broke it in 2021.
The target score was chosen to honor Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash a month earlier; he wore 24 during his last 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
[15] The NBA G League adopted the Elam Ending for its 2022–23 season under the name "Final Target Score".
[1] The World Basketball League (1988–1992) used a seven-point Elam period to decide games that were tied after four quarters of play.
Unrivaled uses an 11-point Elam period, which it calls "winning score", to replace the standard fourth quarter.