The coaches were the Celtics' Red Auerbach for the East and the Rochester Royals' Bobby Wanzer for the West, as both the Celtics and the Royals had led their respective divisions prior to the game. With the score 43–39 in favor of the West and with time running out in the first half, the East's Bill Sharman attempted to throw a long pass to Bob Cousy. Instead, the play resulted in him making a remarkable 70-foot (21m) shot to end the first half, narrowing the West's lead by just two. The East eventually came back and won the game 109–97. Bob Cousy was named the Most Valuable Player.
Aside from the game, the event was the first to feature a side event, particularly the inaugural NBA Old-Timers Game featuring retired players. After which, the game entered a hiatus until it was restored in 1964.[2]