NBA All-Star weekend: ‘We had fun’ – Giannis and Lillard star as records tumble in East victory

The 73rd NBA All-Star Game enthralled and delighted in equal measure as the Eastern Conference claimed a pulsating 211-186 victory over the Western Conference in Indianapolis.

All-Star MVP Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks scored 39 points on a memorable night, which saw an incredible 397 points scored – surpassing the previous high of 374 set in 2017.

The Eastern team also scored 42 3-pointers to beat the 35 registered by Team LeBron in 2019, while the 193 points scored in the first half broke the previous record of 191 which was set in 2023.

If that was not enough, the East equalled a record for any half after scoring 104 points by the intermission.

Additionally, the East attempted 97 3-pointers, breaking the total of 90 set by Team LeBron in 2019, while 66 3s were converted between the two sides, with 168s attempted.

The latter two records also moved past the previous highs of 62 and 167, also set during the All-Star match five years ago.

Finally, there were 163 field goals and 289 attempted, with the 2017 and 2016 records of 162 and 286 respectively, both beaten.

Among the other stars on the night included Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, who added a further 32 points, while Tyrese Haliburton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum, claimed 36, 23 and 20 respectively.

“We had fun,” said East captain Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Meanwhile, the West were hardly slouches in their incredible contribution to this contest after Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota scored 50 points in a mere 28 minutes, while the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added another 31.

“The shot-making from the East was incredible,” said Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns.

“Hard to play defence when somebody’s shooting 30-, 40-footers over you.”

LeBron James was playing in his 20th All-Star Game to extend his current record, and added: “The good thing that came out of tonight is none of the players were injured,” James said. “Everybody came out unscathed.”

The next NBA All-Star Game is scheduled for February 16, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, and many will be hoping for a repeat of this year’s match.

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