Led by Lillard’s 39 factors, the Jap Convention shattered the document for many factors by a workforce in an All-Star Recreation.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard scored 39 factors and drained 11 3-pointers to steer the Jap Convention to a record-setting 211-186 win over the Western Convention within the NBA All-Star Recreation in Indianapolis.
Lillard, 33, was named NBA All-Star Recreation MVP, probably the most invaluable participant, for the primary time for his efficiency at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday evening.
The Jap Convention shattered the document for many factors by a workforce in an All-Star Recreation. The earlier mark was 196 factors, which late Los Angeles Lakers nice Kobe Bryant and the Western Convention notched in the course of the 2016 All-Star Recreation.
The Jap Convention WINS the 2024 #NBAAllStar Recreation!#KiaAllStarMVP Damian Lillard leads the best way with 39 factors and 11 THREES 🔥
Jaylen Brown: 36 PTS, 6 3PM, 8 REB
Tyrese Haliburton: 32 PTS, 10 3PM, 7 REB, 6 AST
Karl-Anthony Cities: 50 PTS, 4 3PM, 8 REB pic.twitter.com/Pv2l3jhw7N— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2024
“I simply know you’ve acquired to maintain capturing the ball and I feel in a sport like this, it’s going to be fairly unfastened and also you’re going to get your alternatives,” Lillard mentioned after the sport.
“I simply advised myself I’m going to be aggressive and I’m going to maintain firing. I noticed a pair go in and after that it was identical to I’m going after it.”
At occasions, it appeared he couldn’t miss and nothing was out of his capturing vary.
The eight-time All-Star’s first 3 got here from the NBA emblem. Within the third quarter, he hit a pull-up 3 from half-court earlier than capping the evening with a second half-court 3 late within the sport.
Lillard completed his first look with the East by going 14 of 26 from the sector and 11 of 23 on 3s for a workforce that broke the All-Star Recreation information for whole factors and 3s with 42.
The competition was dominated by three-pointers and dunks, as neither aspect devoted a lot power or consideration to defence.
The Jap Convention shot 56.8 p.c (83-for-146) from the sector and 43.3 p.c (42-for-97) from three-point vary. The Western Convention shot 55.9 p.c (80-for-143) total and 35.2 p.c (25-for-71) from past the arc.
Historical past-maker James hopeful of ending profession at Lakers
LeBron James made historical past by enjoying in his twentieth All-Star Recreation. The 39-year-old surpassed fellow Los Angeles Lakers nice Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who earned 19 choices.
The profession milestone didn’t equate to a memorable efficiency on the courtroom for James. He completed with eight factors on 4-for-10 capturing, and he missed all three of his 3-point makes an attempt.
Nevertheless, James mentioned he nonetheless needs to take part within the Paris Olympics this summer season and that he wish to see his enjoying days finish as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
James is 39, having performed extra minutes than anybody in NBA historical past. If he comes again for a twenty second season – as he intends to – he’ll tie Vince Carter for the NBA document in that division. He insists that he doesn’t understand how lengthy he needs to play, both.
“I advised myself earlier than the season, after I dedicated to being a part of the Olympic workforce, clearly it was all predicated on my well being,” James mentioned.
“Because it stands proper now, I’m wholesome sufficient to be on the workforce and carry out at a degree that I do know I can carry out at.”
The three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medallist mentioned he’s “dedicated to Group USA”.
He’s 132 factors away from reaching 40,000 for his regular-season profession, which implies he’s probably someplace about 5 video games from hitting that milestone.
“I’ve not mapped out what number of seasons I’ve left,” James mentioned. “I do know it’s not that many.”
James mentioned he’s “very glad” in Los Angeles.
“I’m a Laker and I’m glad and been very glad being a Laker the final six years and hopefully it stays that manner,” James mentioned. “However I don’t have the reply to how lengthy it’s or which uniform I’ll be in. Hopefully [it] is with the Lakers.”
“I am making an attempt to provide every thing I’ve to the sport till I’ve nothing left… it is simply concerning the pure pleasure of enjoying a sport that I like.”
– LBJ after his twentieth #NBAAllStar Recreation 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TDt3Yi0pJw
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2024
