Team Giannis defeats Team LeBron in NBA All-Star Game. Jayson Tatum sets scoring record in win.
SALT LAKE CITY — Team LeBron finally lost an NBA All-Star Game.
Since the NBA started using the top vote-getters from each conference to serve as captains and pick teams playground style in 2018, LeBron James’ teams won the first five games.
Team Giannis got the best of Team LeBron on Sunday, leaving Salt Lake City with a 184-175 victory.
Team Giannis is now 1-2 against Team LeBron. “I’m just happy that we were able to get a win, and I got one against LeBron,” Antetokounmpo said.
Using the target of 182 – because Team Giannis had a 158-141 lead after three quarters and the target score is “the leading team’s total score after the first three quarters plus 24 points,” according to the NBA – Portland’s Damian Lillard closed out the game with a 3-pointer.
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Who won the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award?
Tatum won the award, scoring an All-Star record 55 points, including 27 in the third quarter. Tatum was 22-for-31 from the field and 10-for-18 on 3-pointers. He also had 10 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal.
It was first time Tatum, a huge Kobe Bryant fan, won the award.
“It’s extremely special for me,” Tatum said. “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him. I remember telling myself that day that I’ve got to get one of those before I get done.
“To be able to wear my signature shoe and break the record and take home this award of somebody that I idolized, it’s a hell of a day.”
The Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award trophy is an homage to Bryant’s jersey numbers, MVPs, All-Star MVPs, championships and Finals MVPs.
Best highlights
James threw the ball off the glass with his left hand around Donovan Mitchell, caught the ball with his left hand and threw down a two-handed dunk early in the first quarter.
Three-point contest winner and long-range specialist Damian Lillard of Portland pulled up from halfcourt and … swish.
“It’s a lifetime of work,” Lillard said. “I’ve been shooting deep since I was a kid. Even before I was a great shooter I could shoot the ball far with my form.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a sprained right wrist in Thursday’s victory against Chicago. While he says he’s fine, he did not participate in the Skills Challenge on Saturday, and after starting the All-Star Game and dunking 15 seconds into the game, he immediately fouled Luka Doncic and exited the game with 11:40 left in the first quarter. He did not return.
Other notable NBA All-Star performances
Mitchell scored 40 points and had 10 assists, and Lillard had 26 points for Team Giannis. Boston’s Jaylen Brown led Team LeBron with 35 points and 14 rebounds, and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving each added 32 points. Irving also had 15 assists.