Unstoppable Scoring Headlines 2024 NBA All-Star Game

February 23, 2024

No offense to the defenders, but there weren’t a whole lot of stops to be found at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. I guess that’s what happens when you put the best scorers in the world together in one venue.

That arena was Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the NBA’s 73rd midseason showcase. After a handful of years experimenting with a schoolyard-like draft system, the contest returned to the classic duel of Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference.

The West came in as favorites, and it’s easy to see why. With Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić and Kevin Durant all on the same side, a victory seemed more than likely.

It was the East, however, who reigned supreme, using elite offense to outduel the top-class competition. Damian Lillard led his side in scoring with 39 points and added six assists to claim the game’s MVP award. Hometown hero Tyrese Haliburton also shined with 32 points, most of which came off his 10 long-range makes.

Other standout individual performances from the night came from Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaylen Brown. The Minnesota big man put up a game-high 50 points on 23 field-goal makes, and the Boston forward poured in 36 points off the bench.

The Eastern Conference didn’t just win, it made a little history as well. In the 211-186 victory, the group became the first in ASG history to clear the 200-point mark.

The high-powered match turned into an extended version of Saturday’s 3-Point Contest (which Lillard also won). The two sides combined for 67 3s on 168 attempts.

As you’d expect from the All-Star Game, highlights were easy to find. Lillard hit a shot from halfcourt, Trae Young split Durant’s legs with a self-assist and Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a reverse slam off an alley-oop dish.

Perhaps the real MVP of the showcase was the scoreboard operator, who never faltered despite the nonstop swishes. As for the lack of defense, we can chalk that up to simply better offense. “Hard to play defense when somebody’s shooting 30-, 40-footers over you,” said Durant.

If you want to grab a trading card that commemorates the 2024 All-Star Game, you can check Panini’s Instant webstore. And be sure to lock in for the home stretch of the 2023-24 regular season, which will serve as a must-watch prelude into a highly anticipated postseason.

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