The NBA wants more competition. Instead, it scored more points—more than ever before. The All-Star Game is once again all about offense and no defense.
The Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 211-186 on Sunday night, with the winner posting the highest score in the game’s 73-year history. The previous score was 196 for the West in 2016.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants more competition as the game’s television ratings have plummeted in recent years, and his displeasure subsequently became apparent. “For the Eastern Conference All-Stars, you score the most points,” Silver said. “Well…congratulations.”
It was a string of records: 397 total points, breaking the previous mark of 374 set in 2017, while the East made 42 3-pointers, surpassing Team LeBron’s previous record of 35 set in 2019. The two sides scored a total of 193 points. The first half broke last year’s record of 191 points, and the score at halftime tied the Eastern Conference record with 104 points.
All-Star MVP Damian Lillard scored 39 points for the Eastern Conference, Jaylen Brown scored 36 points and Tyrese Haliburton from his hometown Indiana Pacers scored 32 points.
Maybe no one noticed: Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 points for the Western Conference in just 28 minutes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points for the West.
Highlights come from all directions. Lillard got up from half court and scored in the third quarter. Late in the first half, Luka Doncic attempted a shot from about 70 feet; it hit near the top of the backboard. Towns even threw an alley-oop to Stephen Curry; the Warriors star was more of a shooter than a dunker, so he simply knocked the ball in.
Defense is optional and sometimes incidental.
Haliburton made five three-pointers in 1 minute and 32 seconds of the first quarter, helping the Eastern team lead 53-47 after the opening 12 minutes.
Silver and other league brass are seeking a more competitive All-Star Game after last season’s 184-175 loss was widely criticized for a lack of defense.
Anthony Davis, playing in his ninth All-Star Game, said his players’ lack of effort is understandable.
“Obviously the fans, the league and everyone wants to stay competitive, but as a player you also have to think about trying not to get hurt,” Davis said. “Obviously injuries are part of the game and no one wants to get hurt in the All-Star Game… All these guys here are very valuable to their teams. So there are some mixed emotions about it. You try to go out there To have some competition and not just be a highlight reel. But at the same time, you guys really want to see somebody go down and dunk, somebody to compete, but God forbid, something happens at the All-Star Game that could have been avoided ? “
The players’ lack of regard for the game was evident. Donovan Mitchell underhanded a 50-foot inbounds pass and Bam Adebayo fired it in behind Nikola Jokic The ball, and then dribbling down the court for a three-pointer, Devin Booker completed the pregame preparations with a hat on.
“I think the best [moment]we are talking about the Bulls and Pacers [entertainment team of] Dunk guy,” Davis said. “Trample beds? They’re very, very impressive.”
