Crowned without surprise MVP (best player) of the match, Tatum was the best scorer, with 55 points for the team of Giannis Antetokounmpo, beating in a very open meeting the previous record of Anthony Davis (52 pts, in 2017), as well as the record number of points in a quarter (27, in the third).

"It means a lot," Tatum said.

"We think of all the legends and great players who have practiced this sport."

"Records are made to be broken, so I'm going to keep it for as long as possible, but I'm sure someone will come in a few years to try and break it," he added.

Damian Lillard (26 pts), winner of the 3-point shooting contest the day before, also distinguished himself, scoring 8 shots behind the circle, including the victory basket, but also an impressive successful shot behind the center line.

Donovan Mitchell also scored 40 points for the Antetokounmpo team, which inflicted its first defeat on LeBron James' team in six appearances in this new All-Star format, introduced in 2018, where the captains select themselves. their players from the All-Star roster.

LeBron James, who broke the record 19 All-Star Game appearances and was honored at halftime for his recent NBA all-time scoring record, scored 13 points but didn't play only 14 minutes, after injuring his right hand while performing a dunk.

On his team, Jaylen Brown was the top scorer with 35 points.

Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving follow him with 32 points each.

Jayson Tatum (R) takes a shot against Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown (L) at the 2023 NBA All Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19, 2023 © Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY NORTH AMERICA/AFP IMAGES

Nikola Jokic, who became the first player to start the All-Star Game on his birthday, scored just 4 points.

"Even for 10 seconds"

The game offered some nice streaks, like when LeBron James threw the ball to the backboard to use the rebound and score a dunk.

To which Jayson Tatum immediately responded using the same technique.

Antetokounmpo scored the first basket of the match, then immediately left the floor, so as not to aggravate his injury to his right wrist, suffered on Thursday.

"I couldn't take part in the whole game but I wanted to go even for 10 seconds, sweat a bit in the shirt, because I want to be part of it," Antetokounmpo said.

A few minutes before kick-off, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo made their selections live, a first in the history of the competition.

James chose Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic as starters, and Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Tyrese Haliburton, Julius Randle, De'Aaron Fox and Jaren Jackson Jr as backup.

Antetokounmpo selected Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markkanen as starters, and Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, DeMar DeRozan, Pascal Siakam, Bam Adebayo and Domantas Sabonis as replacements.

© 2023 AFP