Last Sunday, the NBA’s 68th annual All-Star Game took place. The best 24 players in the world faced off in a 4-quarter game of all out fun. The teams were picked by 2 captains, Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The starters on Team LeBron included Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Team Giannis’ starters were Stephen Curry, Kemba Walker, Paul George and Joel Embiid. LeBron’s reserves were Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bradley Beal and Dwyane Wade. Giannis’ reserves included Khris Middleton, Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, D’Angelo Russell, Nikola Vucevic, Kyle Lowry and Dirk Nowitzki.

The first quarter was a highlight-reel. It started off with several dunks from Giannis Antetokounmpo. He received alley-oops from teammates including Stephen Curry and Paul George. The quarter ended with a pair of deep threes from future hall of famer Dirk Nowitzki. The quarter was a flashback from 2 years ago, when no defense was played. Team Giannis led at the end of the quarter 53-37. Giannis also led the box score with 16 points in total.

The second quarter began with a reverse 360 dunk from Paul George. A few possessions later, Stephen Curry threw a high bounce alley-oop to Giannis for the slam dunk. Stephen Curry then hit a 3-pointer from the logo with an assist from Kemba Walker. Klay Thompson then hit a 3-pointer on the fast-break. It was followed up with another 3-pointer from Damian Lillard. LeBron James then got an and-one, along with a powerful dunk. The first half ended with Team Giannis scoring 95 points and Team LeBron scoring 82.

“No, it [Stephen Curry’s bounce alley-oop] was the first time,” said Giannis after the game.

The second half started with an under the legs pass from Kyrie Irving to James Harden for the three-pointer. Then Dwayne Wade threw a lob off the glass to his former teammate LeBron James for the slam dunk. Steph Curry then hit a fast-break three-pointer making it his third of the game. Right after, Curry threw a lob from the logo to Giannis Antetokounmpo for the dunk. Damian Lillard then hit three deep threes to bring Team LeBron back into the game. Team LeBron ended up eventually taking the lead with a score of 132-131.

“It was our second group that came in, Dame [Damian Lillard], Klay [Thompson], Brad[ley] Beal, Lamarcus [Aldridge], Ben Simmons and KAT [Karl Anthony-Towns]. They came in and just changed the whole complexion of the game,” said Lebron about the 3rd quarter.

The fourth quarter started with an early triple from Blake Griffin. Then, Steph Curry hit an and-one three with the foul from Thompson. Kawhi Leonard then hit back to back threes to cut Team Giannis’ lead to 2. With 6 minutes remaining the score was 155-153 as Team LeBron led. Kyrie Irving then threw a perfect lob to LeBron James for the easy finish. As time slowly decreased Team LeBron led 171-160. It looked as if the game was over and it surely was, Team LeBron won 178-164. Team Lebron had a whopping 35 threes made, setting a new record.  

A great weekend was wrapped up with the announcement of Kevin Durant as MVP, he scored 31 points and had 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

“All these players are great, you know we mixing up the conferences and so many great players in the league. So to be out here amongst so much greatness, I appreciate it,” said Durant after the game.