The 2024 NBA All-Star Game was a historic night for Damian Lillard, who led the Eastern Conference to a 211-186 victory over the Western Conference in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Milwaukee Bucks star scored 39 points, including 11 3-pointers, and was named the MVP of the game, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to win a Saturday event and the All-Star MVP in the same weekend.
Lillard’s dominant performance
Lillard, who won the 3-point contest on Saturday, was unstoppable from beyond the arc, making shots from half-court and even from the logo. He scored 21 points in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for the East, who never trailed in the game. He also had seven assists and four rebounds, and made the final shot of the game, a half-court heave that sealed his MVP award.
Lillard became the first player in All-Star Game history to make 10 or more 3-pointers, breaking the previous record of eight held by Paul George and Stephen Curry. He also tied the record for most 3-pointers made in a quarter with six, matching Klay Thompson and Russell Westbrook.
Lillard said he was motivated to be aggressive and go after the MVP trophy, which was renamed after Kobe Bryant last year. He said he was honored to be mentioned in the same category as Jordan, who won the dunk contest and the All-Star MVP in 1988.
“Anytime you’re mentioned in the same category as Mike it’s an honour and it’s a major accomplishment even if it’s All-Star weekend,” Lillard said. “Because if it was that simple, more people would have done it since 1988. So I mean that’s a major accomplishment for me to be mentioned in the same conversation.”
Haliburton impresses in hometown
Another standout performer for the East was Tyrese Haliburton, who played in front of his hometown crowd at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers rookie had 32 points, 10 3-pointers, seven rebounds and six assists, and was a candidate for the MVP award until Lillard took over in the fourth quarter.
Haliburton, who was selected with the 12th pick in the 2023 draft, has been one of the most impressive rookies in the league, averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He said he was grateful for the opportunity to play in the All-Star Game and showcase his skills.
“It was a dream come true for me to be here, to play in front of my family and friends, and to represent the Pacers,” Haliburton said. “I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the moment, and I think I did that. I’m happy for Dame, he deserved the MVP, but I’m also proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished so far.”
Towns leads West with 50 points
The West had some bright spots as well, especially Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored a game-high 50 points for the losing side. The Minnesota Timberwolves center was unstoppable in the paint, making 21 of his 28 shots, and also added 14 rebounds and four assists.
Towns, who has been through a lot of personal and professional challenges in the past year, said he was happy to be back in the All-Star Game after missing the 2023 edition due to injury. He said he wanted to put on a show for the fans and honor his late mother, who passed away from COVID-19 last year.
“I just wanted to play hard and have fun, and I think I did that,” Towns said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to be here, to be healthy, and to be able to play the game I love. I know my mom is watching from above and I hope she’s proud of me.”
Record-breaking night for both teams
The 2024 NBA All-Star Game was a high-scoring affair, as both teams combined for 397 points, the most ever in the history of the event. The previous record was 374 points, set in 2017. The East also set a new record for most points scored by a team with 211, surpassing the 196 points by the West in 2016.
The game also featured a total of 62 3-pointers made, another All-Star record, breaking the previous mark of 55 set in 2019. The East made 35 of those 3-pointers, while the West made 27.
The game was played with the same format as last year, with each quarter being a mini-game for charity, and the final quarter being untimed with a target score of 24 points more than the leading team’s total after three quarters. The East won the first and third quarters, while the West won the second quarter. The East then reached the target score of 205 first in the final quarter, with Lillard’s half-court shot being the clincher.
The game raised $3 million for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the United Negro College Fund, with $1.75 million going to the East’s charities and $1.25 million going to the West’s charities.
