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Damian Lillard converted two throws from the center line
Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters
More points were scored in the NBA All-Star Game than ever before. The basketball players from the Eastern Conference in Indianapolis clearly beat those from the Western Conference 211:186 (104:89). Team East became the first in the 73-year history of the NBA All-Star Game to surpass 200 points.
Damian Lillard from the Milwaukee Bucks was named the game's most valuable player and was the winning team's best scorer with 39 points. Lillard, who had already defended his three-point title at All-Star Weekend on Saturday, hit 11 three-pointers, including two almost from the halfway line.
"It's an honor," he said: "I've been here a few times, now receiving this award is something special." The most successful thrower was Karl-Anthony Towns (West) from the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had 50 points and three Assists scored.
Records fall in a game with poor defense
In his 21st season in the NBA, LeBron James appeared in the All-Star Game for the 20th time – an extended record. And there were other records: The total of 397 points clearly exceeded the high from 2017 (374), the East managed 42 three-point throws, seven more than Team LeBron in 2019.
193 points in the first half of the game also set a record for two quarters (previously 191 in 2023), 186 points like the West has never had a losing team. “We had fun,” said Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), who captained the East.
But the “best thing” about this memorable evening, emphasized superstar James, was “that no one was injured. Everyone made it through unscathed.” The 39-year-old scored eight points, four rebounds and three assists. Neither team invested much in defense, the game was dominated by threes and dunks.
The NBA All-Star Game was played in the classic format for the first time since 2017, in which the best players from each conference meet. The league continues on Friday night.
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