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- WHAT A WEEKEND IT’S BEEN FOR DAMIAN LILLARD
Just a day after securing his second consecutive victory in the Starry 3-Point Contest, breaking a 16-year record, Damian Lillard showed no signs of slowing down during Sunday’s All-Star Game.
Lillard’s eleventh and final three-pointer of the night was a pull-up shot from half court with only 22 seconds remaining, capping off his outstanding performance and marking the concluding points of a historic evening in Indianapolis.
In his inaugural All-Star start and representing the East for the first time, Lillard clinched his first All-Star Game MVP, adding the Kobe Bryant trophy to his 3-point contest trophy from the previous night. He’ll need some extra space in his luggage for all the hardware on his way back to Milwaukee.
Here are the stats: 39 points, 14-26 field goals, 11-23 from beyond the arc, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds in just 28 minutes of play.
Lillard expressed that winning both the 3-point contest and MVP was his objective for the weekend: “It was something that I set my mind on, and that’s what I intended to achieve this weekend, and I managed to do it.”
As customary, winners usually have post-game photoshoots with their trophies, but Lillard had a special photographer this time — his daughter.
While the crowd in Indianapolis may have been rooting for Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to win MVP, Lillard’s fellow All-Stars had nothing but admiration for his stellar performance.
Kevin Durant remarked, “Kawhi and I were amazed by his ability to shoot from the half-court line as if it were a free throw… the strength, power, and muscle memory.”
- HALIBURTON, BROWN, AND TOWNS SHINE BRIGHT
The Eastern Conference showcased a trio of players scoring over 30 points each, setting All-Star Game records with 211 points and 42 three-pointers, surpassing previous records of 196 points and 35 three-pointers.
Jaylen Brown, the AT&T Slam Dunk runner-up, scored 24 of his 36 points in the second half, including eight consecutive points in the final two minutes of the third quarter when the West narrowed the East’s lead from 25 points to 12.
Haliburton, the hometown hero, ignited early, sinking five three-pointers in the first quarter, eliciting roaring cheers from the crowd after each successful shot. He finished with 32 points, primarily from three-pointers, going 10-14 from beyond the arc and 1-1 from inside.
Reflecting on his performance post-game, Haliburton stated, “I don’t take this life for granted; it’s a dream come true for me.”
In the West, Karl-Anthony Towns dominated the scoring, dropping 50 points, including 31 in the fourth quarter — the highest single-quarter point total in All-Star history.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his consistent high-scoring performances, maintained his streak with 31 points on Sunday, closely aligning with his regular-season average of 31.1 points per game.
- TYRESE STAYS TRUE TO HIMSELF
As Tyrese Haliburton warmed up before his first All-Star start in his hometown, he engaged in a conversation with the Inside the NBA crew while wearing a microphone, leading to an interesting exchange with Shaquille O’Neal.
Shaq advised, “This is your city. Do not pass the ball. Take the game over. Make sure you go home with that MVP.” To which Tyrese responded, “Shaq, you know passing is what I do though, right?”
In the final 90 seconds of the fourth quarter, Haliburton showcased his skills with four consecutive possessions:
He hit a three-pointer to bring the East to 200 points (1:27 remaining) Another three-pointer, bringing his total to 30 points (1:14 left) A dunk, elevating his tally to 32 points and energizing the home crowd (1:01) Despite having the opportunity to surpass Lillard’s 33 points as the scoring leader of the winning team, Haliburton opted to pass to Lillard, who drained a three-pointer, finishing with 36 points. Lillard then concluded the game with a half-court shot on the East’s final possession.
Haliburton expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Good weekend overall, had a lot of fun, represented the city, so it’s a win for us. Let’s get ready for the second half of the season.”
Additional Fun Moments From Sunday:
LeBron James jokingly reminisced about playing alongside legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, and Dr. J during his first All-Star Game back in 2005. Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic engaged in a playful passing sequence, exchanging the ball three times before Jokic assisted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a layup. First-time All-Stars showcased their talents, combining for 44 points, 24 rebounds, and 16 assists in 71 minutes of play. Scottie Barnes led the group with 16 points, followed by Brunson (12), Maxey (10), and Banchero (6). The All-Star Game featured playful moments such as Trae Young dribbling between Kevin Durant’s legs for a finish and Bam Adebayo executing a self-inbounds pass by bouncing the ball off Jokic’s back.
4. SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE 73RD ALL-STAR GAME
