Records were shattered at the All-Star Game as the East triumphed over the West with a remarkable score of 211-186.
In Indianapolis, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, the East team, led by Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as captain, proudly raises the trophy after their victorious 211-186 win over the West in the NBA All-Star basketball game (AP Photo/Darron Cummings).
The NBA's quest for heightened competition resulted in an unprecedented surge in points rather than the desired increase in competitiveness. Once again, the All-Star Game showcased an abundance of offensive prowess.
All-Star MVP Damian Lillard, representing the Milwaukee Bucks, delivered an outstanding performance with 39 points, propelling the Eastern Conference to a resounding 211-186 victory over the Western Conference on Sunday night. This achievement marked the highest point total in the game's 73-year history, surpassing the previous record of 196 points set by the West in 2016.
"We had fun," expressed East captain Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.
The game was a flurry of record-breaking moments: the combined total of 397 points shattered the previous record of 374 set in 2017. Additionally, the East's impressive 42 made 3-pointers surpassed the previous mark of 35 set by Team LeBron in 2019. The first-half spectacle saw the teams combining for 193 points, breaking the record for most points scored in any half, previously set last year at 191. Notably, the East tied the record for most points scored in any half with 104 by halftime.
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics showcased his prowess with 36 points, while Tyrese Haliburton represented the hometown Indiana Pacers admirably, finishing with 32 points for the East. Additionally, Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 23 points, and Jayson Tatum added 20 points to the East's formidable tally.
"It's special to achieve something like this," remarked Lillard on his MVP honor.
Amidst the spectacle, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves notably amassed 50 points for the West in just 28 minutes of play. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder also made a significant impact with 31 points for the West.
"The East's exceptional shot-making made it challenging to defend," commented West forward Kevin Durant. "It's tough when opponents are sinking shots from 30 or 40 feet over you."
Despite the West's impressive offensive output, totaling 186 points, which ranked as the fourth-highest score by any team in All-Star history, it was ultimately the most points ever scored by a losing team in an All-Star Game.
Additional records were set during the All-Star Game:
- The East attempted 97 3-pointers, surpassing the previous record of 90 by Team LeBron in 2019.
- Both teams combined for 66 made 3-pointers and 168 attempts, breaking the previous records of 62 makes and 167 attempts set in 2019.
- A total of 163 field goals were made out of 289 attempts, surpassing the previous records of 162 made in 2017 and 286 attempted in 2016.
Haliburton remarked on the relaxed intensity of the game, stating, "Obviously, it wasn’t high intensity, at all."
Lillard achieved historical feats by defending his 3-point shootout title on Saturday and clinching the All-Star MVP on Sunday. The only other player to accomplish this in a single weekend was Michael Jordan in 1988.
"Dame put on a show," Tatum commented. "And I was happy for him."
The game showcased spectacular moments, including Lillard's half-court swish and Towns' alley-oop to Curry. The East pursued records earnestly, with Brown and Haliburton securing milestones with their late-game shots.
Reflecting on the remarkable night, Lillard revealed the East's pursuit of records, saying, "Everybody was asking what the record was. We found out and went after it." Lillard capped off the game with a remarkable 44-foot shot, showcasing his shooting prowess from long range.
Defense was sporadic, with steals mainly resulting from errant passes. Despite the lack of defensive intensity, the game provided a showcase of shooting skills.
The game maintained an entertaining atmosphere, with memorable plays such as Mitchell's lengthy inbounds pass and Adebayo's creative inbound maneuver. Despite the relaxed vibe, the players managed to avoid injuries, as noted by LeBron James, who highlighted this as the main positive from the event.
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