The stars were in full force and shining brightly on Sunday night in Cleveland.
Steph Curry, the best shooter the game has ever played, made sure there was never any doubt with an NBA all-star game record of 16 three-pointers. On the other side of the field, MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid was sensational with 36 points and 10 rebounds.
But in the end it was the king who came home.
In the house he built, LeBron James turned around, stepping back 20-footer to give Team James a 163-160 victory over Team Durant in the 71st running NBA All-Star game.
Make no mistake, with the NBA’s best players gathered in one place, Utah great man Rudy Gobert made sure everyone knew he belonged.
Known for his dominant defensive play, the all-star game seriously lacks defense, so many have wondered how Gobert’s skills would translate. He put those arguments to rest with an impressive second quarter performance, knocking out two high-profile dunks that proved he is much more than the Defensive Player of the Year.
Unfortunately for Utah fans watching the game, they only got to see half of their team’s dynamic duo. While Gobert played well – and smiled at the same time – Donovan Mitchell missed the game. After recently missing practice, Mitchell was officially ruled out due to an upper respiratory illness (non-COVID related).
It is not known what Mitchell’s prognosis will be, but the Jazz will not return to court until Friday, when they receive Luka Doncic and Dallas. Tipoff is set for 7pm MST.
“It’s a great honor and a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in the All-Star Game tonight due to an upper respiratory illness (non-COVID related). The entire All-Star weekend is a celebration of the basketball community, the fans and the sport I I’m blessed to play. I’m focused on getting better and getting back on the pitch. Thanks for all the get well wishes. Can’t wait to see the game later today.”
With Mitchell out, Gobert made sure the fans got a good representation of Utah basketball. He checked in late in the first quarter of an hour and immediately made his presence felt, including an impressive 360 dunk that many didn’t know he could do. He finished the game with six points and six rebounds on shooting 3-for-3 in 13 minutes for Team Durant.
Not known for being played at an extremely high level, the all-star game’s fourth quarter did not disappoint. With the new format as it has been set up, it gives the players a goal to play every quarter and the last 12 minutes have proven that.
With Curry launching from three-pointers to break the all-star game record for most points in a game, Team LeBron got great contributing buckets late by Giannis Antetokounmpo and DeMar DeRozan to put them off one bucket of victory. But Embiid and Zach Lavine tried their best to make a game out of it, with Lavine’s five consecutive points equating to a “next basket win” format.
After leading Cleveland to a title in 2016, overcoming a 3-1 deficit, James gave the hometown stalwarts a deja vu. Guarded by Lavine, James calmly called for the ball and promptly hit a pre-match turnaround jumper, made even more impressive considering that Embiid came over to double it.
Curry led the way with 50 points, hitting 16-of-27 from outside the arc and adding five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Antetokounmpo finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while James added 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
For Team Durant, Trae Young finished with 13 points and 10 assists, Devin Booker added 20 points and four steals, and Lamelo Ball finished with 18 points, three rebounds and three assists.