It didn’t matter Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant weren’t there; the newer, younger faces of the NBA put on a show Sunday night unlike anything ever seen in the NBA All-Star Game.
LeBron James got the initial momentum started with an opening dunk and Kyrie Irving led the rest of the way for the East, earning MVP honors, with his 31 point, 14 assist performance. Although once down 18 points, the East roared back with the help of eight Carmelo Anthony three-pointers to break a three-game West win streak, 163-155.
Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin also put on a clinic for the West, nearly tying Michael Jordan for the second-most points ever scored in an All-Star Game — but that’s just the beginning. It was truly a star-studded, record-breaking night for the most entertaining basketball game of the year.
New records:
- The 318 points scored is the most in All-Star Game history. The previous record was 303 points in 1987.
- Points by a team (163). Previous was 155 in ’03.
- Total three-pointers made (30). Previous was 26.
- Total assists (88). Previous was 85 in ’84.
- Carmelo Anthony hit a record eight three-pointers.
- Blake Griffin set a new record for field goals made after going 19-for-23.
- Griffin and Durant both finished with 38 points, tying for third most all-time. Only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have scored more in an All-Star Game.
- Durant sunk six three-pointers, raising his career scoring average in the All-Star Game to a record 30.6 points.
- Violet Palmer became the first female to referee a major U.S. sports league’s All-Star Game.
Just want to see the best plays of the game? Here are the NBA’s Top 10 from Sunday night, starting with an absolute sick finger-role from Irving that even had Drake’s jaw dropping.
A few of the best snap-shots from the evening:
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him @Jhelmuth or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
AS Game Pictures
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AS Game Pictures #1
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Sean Combs, Pharrell Williams, Busta Rhymes , Nelly and Snoop Lion perform before the 2014 NBA All-Star game at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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AS Game Pictures #2
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: The Eastern Conference's Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates with the Kia NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy after the 2014 NBA All-Star game at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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AS Game Pictures #3
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: The Eastern Conference's LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat takes a shot as the Western Conference's Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends during 2014 NBA All-Star game at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gerald Herbert-Pool/Getty Images)
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AS Game Pictures #4
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: The Western Conference's Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks in the first half of the 2014 NBA All-Star game at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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AS Game Pictures #5
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: NBA Player LeBron James attends the 63rd NBA All-Star Game 2014 at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
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AS Game Pictures #6
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 16: The Western Conference's Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Eastern Conference during 2014 NBA All-Star game at the Smoothie King Center on February 16, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
