What a finish! The 71st All-Star Game thrilled fans in Cleveland with a record-breaking show from Stephen Curry, an entertaining fourth quarter and ultimately LeBron James’ game-winner to 163-160 for Team LeBron. Curry wins the MVP trophy.
The Warriors star had a creamy day out of the threesome and set about breaking record after record. Curry sank 16 threes (in 27 attempts, a total of 17/30 FG), more than a player has ever scored from downtown in an All-Star Game. Only the point record (52, Anthony Davis) was denied to Curry, who ended the game with 50 points.
For this, Curry was deservedly awarded eleven out of twelve votes as MVP of the All-Star Games 2022, for the first time in his career. However, LeBron himself ensured the final point, who brought his team victory with a game winner in an extremely entertaining finish. The so-called Elam Ending with a target score in the final section paid off again.
For LeBron it was the last and most important of his 24 points (plus 8 assists), Giannis Antetokounmpo also made a strong game (30, 12 rebounds and 6 assists with 15/21 FG). On the other side, Team Durant Joel Embiid defended himself with 36 points, otherwise Devin Booker (20), LaMelo Ball (18) and Dejounte Murray (17) from the bench also impressed.
The format of the All-Star Games should now be known from previous years. Team LeBron and Team Durant dueled in the first three quarters in three mini-games in which they competed for $100,000 for charity. In the final section, the Target Score Ending was used, the scores from the first three rounds were added together and 24 points were added to the leader’s balance in honor of Kobe Bryant. Whoever reaches this target number first is the winner of the All-Star Games.
NBA All-Star Game: Dunk Show and Money for Charity
But before the spectacle on the court began, Dirk Nowitzki made a small guest appearance when he introduced Team Durant. Magic Johnson took over the idea from Team LeBron. The Warriors stars Draymond Green and Curry booed concerts from the fans, it was loudest for Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen at their home games – and for LeBron James, who recently did not rule out a return to the Cavs.
A few hours before the start of the game, Team LeBron had to cope with the absence of Donovan Mitchell due to illness, on the other hand KD was temporarily absent due to a death in the family. However, he would not have played anyway due to an injury. Ja Morant, Trae Young, Jayson Tatum, Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid were allowed to work for Team Durant right from the start.
Team LeBron started with Curry, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron, Giannis and Nikola Jokic. The Greek Freak started the event with a first dunk, Curry immediately followed up with a three. But Morant set the first highlight with one sprunggewaltigen Reverse-Alley-Oop. The two teams appeared to be trying to make up for the previous day’s disappointing dunk contest, although a few alley-oops lacked some fine-tuning. But Morant or Zach LaVine made sure of that with a 360 dunk.
Defense was completely nonexistent until 1:30 minutes before the end, the first quarter was balanced up to this point. With the first $100,000 at stake for charity, some “intense” defenses have now been made. Luka Doncic didn’t mind that much, his two threes in a row put Team LeBron on the road to victory (47:45) – and made a nice donation to the Kent State I Promise Scholars Program.
NBA: Curry is hot – LeBron with the game winner
In the second period, Ball and Murray bet with one more than nice showtime alley oop or Rudy Gobert with a 360 the first highlights. Team Durant built up a slight advantage thanks to the reserves before Curry caught fire with some threes from the parking lot. Morant countered with the next spectacular alley-oop, this time including a 360. After the return of the starters, Team LeBron kept it exciting, but the second section went to Team Durant with 49:46. That went to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank for $100,000.
After a long halftime show, in which the top 75 in NBA history were presented and honored in detail, it took a while for both teams to find their rhythm again. Team Durant did it a little quicker, but Curry was up after a one-legged threesome at the latest – his tenth of the night, All-Star Game record! – fully back.
The chef’s shoot was nothing short of ridiculous. The streak of five straight triples, one deeper than the other, only ended with a try from the halfway line. Still, Team Durant had an advantage in this round for a long time. Steals and dunks by Giannis put Team LeBron back in front, but ultimately the third quarter ended 45-45. Both teams shared the donation for their charity.
With an interim score of 139:138 for Team Durant, it went into the final section, the final target score was 163 points. But now Garland and LeBron were also infected by Steph’s hot hands. Defensively, both teams shifted up a gear, as evidenced by a block by Giannis against Bucks colleague Khris Middleton.
Giannis and LeBron then even cleared Embiid, who had resisted the curry spectacle for a long time. Clutch King DeRozan brought Team LeBron to within 2 points of the win with a fadeaway. But Zach LaVine shortened it again to 160:161 – the next basket could decide the game.
LeBron did not miss this opportunity in his old home country. He got the ball in the high post, started the long fadeaway… nothing but net! The king himself bagged the win with a gamwinner. This puts Team LeBron at a perfect 5-0 record in All-Star Games.
NBA All-Star Game 2022: The most important statistics
Team LeBron vs. Team Durant 163:160 (BOXSCORE)
- Curry already had a record at half-time and the next two were almost in his pocket. His 8 triples (out of 11 attempts) in one half of an All-Star game has never been seen before, the record for a game was 9 successful triples (Paul George 2016). Curry quickly broke that in the third quarter, as did the All-Star Games all-time three-pointer record previously held by James Harden (39). Curry now has 47 triples under his belt!
- The two teams only just missed another record. With a total of 187 points at half-time (94:93 for Team Durant), only two points were missing from the best value set in 2017.
- When looking at the starting five of the two teams, GM LeBron probably had to be attested the better job in the All-Star Draft before the game started. But when it comes to putting together the bank, KD deserves credit. Led by Booker (20), Murray (17), and LaMelo (18), Team Durant’s reservists had a significant advantage over Team LeBron (87-39) to give them the second quarter win.
- With his performance in the second quarter, LaMelo Ball officially became the fourth youngest All-Star in event history. At 20 years 182 days, he now ranks behind Magic Johnson (20 years 173 days), LeBron (20 years 52 days) and by far the youngest All-Star of all time Kobe Bryant (19 years 169 days).
NBA All-Star Game 2022: The voices of the game
Stephen Curry on…
… the award as MVP with the new Kobe Bryant trophy: “It’s very special. Being back in Ohio, playing alongside the best players in the league and then this trophy. It has a very special meaning in the memory of Kobe and Gigi and everyone we lost two years ago. I really appreciate that.”
… his triple explosion: “I’ve put a lot of work into my game and now I can have a little fun. When I got going, the game turned in the right direction.”
NBA All-Star Game – The star of the game: Stephen Curry
Was that still the All-Star Game or just a preview for NBA 2K23 with ultra-realistic graphics? With the Splash Brother, it was splashing as if he were in training against cardboard cutouts – although of course the defense in the All-Star Game was not necessarily more, at least in the first three quarters. Regardless, Curry’s threesome show was almost over the top.
NBA All-Star Game 2022: The action of the game
One of the 16 (!) Curry threes could be here, for example when he almost pulled the trigger from the halfway line, turned around immediately, which Wilson didn’t even look at and which, of course, ended up in the basket anyway. The dunk spectacle by Ja Morant should also be mentioned. This man needs to go to the dunk contest!
