Each season, an elite group of players in the NBA are recognized as All-Stars, and are invited to participate in the annual All-Star game. Despite concerns regarding COVID-19 rumored to put the event’s status in limbo, the NBA ultimately proceeded with the festivities. For the fourth consecutive season, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was made an All-Star captain, along with Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.
The starters for this year on Team LeBron were Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, and Kawhi Leonard with LeBron James as the captain. For Team Durant, it was Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, with Kevin Durant as the captain. Unfortunately neither Kevin Durant nor Joel Embiid were eligible for the game so they were replaced by Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson.
The game started off evenly, with Team LeBron finishing the first quarter with 40 points, and Team Durant with 39. However, by the second quarter, the floodgates opened for Team LeBron scoring 19 more points than Team Durant, to end off the 1st half with an overall score of 100 to 80.
Much of this success was thanks to star guard Stephen Curry, whose six three-pointers in the half tied him with Russell Westbrook and Kawhi Leonard for the most 3-point field goals made in a half in All-Star game history.
The third quarter was of no avail to Team Durant, as yet again Team LeBron outscored them 46-45. However, Team Durant guard Donovan Mitchell did manage to limit the score difference by a single point with a buzzer beating 3-point shot.
Entering the final quarter with a compiled score of 146-125, the 21-point deficit would be too much for Team Durant to overcome. Damian Lillard finished with the last 11 points for his team, as Team LeBron effortlessly reached their target score of 170 to win the game.
Team LeBron finished the game shooting an outstanding 63 percent from the field, including 51 percent from the three-point line. Despite Team Durant having more assists, steals, and fewer turnovers, Team LeBron’s 31 three-point shots made was the key difference between the two teams.
This year, with a team-high 35 points from reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Team LeBron was able to secure the victory over Team Durant, with a final score of 170-150. With his perfect 16-16, 100% shooting from the field, Giannis won the Kobe Bryant All-Star game MVP (Most Valuable Player).
Lillard and Curry both had fantastic games in the victory, scoring 32 and 28 respectively, with Lillard capitalizing with a game-winning 40-foot shot. Despite strong play from guards Bradley Beal (26 points), James Harden (21 points), and Kyrie Irving (24 points), Team Durant paled in comparison to Team LeBron’s star power with injuries to Durant and Embiid.
Article by Abdullah Radid of Walter Johnson High School
Photo Courtesy of Uni Watch