“That was the worst basketball sport ever performed,” Group LeBron coach Michael Malone mentioned after the sport.

“I do not know if you happen to can repair it. Joel Embiid and Kyrie Irving, these guys have been competing. Joel was imploring guys to play more durable to attempt to get some defence in. Nobody obtained damage they usually placed on a present for the followers, however that may be a robust sport to sit down via, I am not going to lie.”

Malone definitely wasn’t alone in pondering that manner, as social media erupted over the snoozefest, with Australian basketball nice Andrew Bogut additionally chiming in.

The gamers themselves additionally took challenge, regardless of having the ability to make the sport extra aggressive for these watching. 

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who scored 35 factors for Group LeBron, was essentially the most essential, declaring that the All-Star sport was “not basketball”.

Brown and Tatum, Boston teammates, have been revelling in a back-and-forth duel throughout a stretch of the second half.

“It was a traditional day for us,” Tatum mentioned. “Simply tens of millions of individuals watching.”

Tatum had 27 factors within the third quarter, one other All-Star Recreation document for any interval. He was the primary decide by Antetokounmpo within the starters’ portion of the All-Star draft, and ultimately, that decide proved to be the correct one.

And the MVP award Tatum was given is known as for Kobe Bryant, certainly one of his heroes.

“It means the world,” Tatum mentioned. “You consider all of the legends and nice gamers which have performed this sport, and in all honesty, information are made to be damaged. I am going to maintain it for so long as I can, however I am sure somebody will come alongside in a pair years and attempt to break it.”

Tatum broke Anthony Davis’ All-Star document of 52 factors. He was 22 of 31 from the ground, plus had 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

It was James’ first loss in six instances as captain. Antetokounmpo improved to 1-2 in his All-Star captaincies, and have become the primary captain to hoist a brand new trophy introduced to the winners of the All-Star Recreation.

“Winner, winner, hen dinner,” Antetokounmpo mentioned.

Later, with a extra critical tone, Antetokounmpo mentioned he had a motive for selecting Tatum.

“I knew he would take it critical. It was a no brainer,” he mentioned.

Donovan Mitchell added 40 for Group Giannis, which obtained 26 factors from Damian Lillard — together with the game-winner to push his workforce previous the goal rating.

Lillard, the winner of the three-point contest on Sunday, made eight threes — together with a halfcourt pullup within the third quarter.

Profitable coach Joe Mazzulla of Group Giannis mentioned he had a quite simple technique.

“Keep out of the best way, take pleasure in it, have enjoyable, enable the fellows to only be themselves,” Mazzulla mentioned. “I believe it’s necessary, particularly on this league, that guys are simply in a position to be themselves.”

The league had a ceremony earlier than the second half to pay tribute to the three main scorers in NBA historical past: No.3 Karl Malone, No.2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James, now the sport’s profession chief after he handed Abdul-Jabbar earlier this month.

Malone and Abdul-Jabbar have been delivered to the stage, after which Dwyane Wade — James’ former teammate in Miami and now a part-owner of the Jazz — launched James to convey him onto the platform.

“We’ve all been witnesses,” Wade mentioned. “Irrespective of the problem, irrespective of the noise, he was relentless.”

With the quantity 38,388 displayed behind him, James then raised his hand to thank the followers for his or her ovation, hugged Abdul-Jabbar and Malone. He didn’t return to the sport, his evening ending with a proper hand contusion.

He completed with 13 factors, and mentioned a chasedown block within the first half led to him getting a finger caught within the rim.

“Precautionary causes,” James mentioned.

James performed a half. The sport’s different captain didn’t play a half-minute.

Antetokoumpo drafted his workforce earlier than the sport, went via warmups (resembling they have been) and began the sport as deliberate.

However his proper wrist was wrapped, and that was an ominous signal. The damage stored him out of Sunday’s abilities occasion, restricted him to twenty seconds on this one. He obtained an uncontested dunk to open the sport, then took a foul and headed to the bench.

“No matter I’ve, I’m going to present,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “That’s who I’m. That’s by no means going to vary.”

As in previous years, the groups performed for charity, with Group LeBron elevating cash for Large Brothers Large Sisters of Utah and Group Giannis for Elevate the Future, which connects youth ready in foster care with secure adults.

The groups have been tied at 46-46 within the first quarter, and Group Giannis took the second quarter 53-46. Group Giannis additionally gained the third quarter 59-49, and the cumulative rating to that time — 158-141, Group Giannis — meant 182 could be the rating to achieve within the untimed fourth quarter with a target-score ending.

Group Giannis gained $550,000 for its charity, and Group LeBron gained $200,000. And Tatum, simply as he vowed he would at his first All-Star Recreation in 2020 — when the award was named for Bryant — gained the trophy that he is wished for some time.

“Icing on the cake,” Tatum mentioned.

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The NBA’s prime 20 all-time main level scorers