As a result of the pandemic, the normal weekend long All-Star format was altered to fit into one night of NBA action yesterday, but what remained the same was a LeBron James victory.
Team LeBron took on Team Durant after the two captains drafted their teams earlier last week, LeBron’s side was ruthless throughout all four quarters and ended the game with a landslide 170-150 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo secured the MVP trophy as he made history by breaking the NBA All-Star game record for field goal percentage (shooting on at least 15 attempts).
The Greek international made 100% of his 16 field goals attempts, bettering the previous record of 82.6% held by Blake Griffin in 2014.
Giannis is the Kobe Bryant MVP of this All-Star Game. 🏆#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/F6b4LcN5iP
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) March 8, 2021
Team LeBron’s victory was also helped along by astonishing performances from Steph Curry and Damian Lillard.
Regarded by many fans as the best distance shooters in the league, they lived up to expectation in All-Star fashion
The pair set a trend in the game of shooting from way beyond the three-point line as they scored 8 three-pointers each and combined for a total 60 points between them.
As well as the incredible in-game display, Curry put on a show in the Mountain Dew Three-Point contest.
The first round of the competition saw him put up an event-record score of 31 points (maximum is 40) securing him a spot in the final.
The Golden State Warriors guard then went on to score 28 points in an intense final round, edging out Utah’s Mike Conley who managed 27 points.
Curry now joins hall of fame talent such as Larry Bird and Jeff Hornacek in becoming only the seventh player in history to win multiple Three-Point trophies.
STEPHEN CURRY IS A CHEAT CODE!!!!!!!!#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/LEzpbtwDsT
— NBA UK (@NBAUK) March 8, 2021
In the other competitions, Domantas Sabonis won the Taco Bell Skills Challenge after being runner up at last years event.
The AT&T Slam Dunk contest saw Anfernee Simons make history by becoming the first Portland Trail Blazer to win the competition.
As part of the NBA All-Star event, the NBA has used the opportunity to support Black Colleges, Universities and communities that have been impacted by COVID-19.
More than $3 million has been contributed to the HBCU community through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), UNCF (United Negro College Fund), National Association for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) and Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity.
Featured Image – Creative Commons