The NBA All-Star Weekend came to a close on Sunday as Team LeBron took on Team Durant. At halftime, the NBA honored the Top 75 players by giving each player individual introductions with Earth Wind and Fire performing “Shining Star.”
Three players made early news for the All-Star Game. Donovan Mitchell sat out with a non-COVID-19 related illness, and it was announced on TNT that Chris Paul suffered a thumb fracture which will keep him out for six to eight weeks just before the game. He checked in late in the first quarter.
Suns star Chris Paul has suffered a right thumb avulsion fracture and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2022
Kevin Durant was also unable to attend the All-Star festivities after his mother, Wanda Pratt announced that his grandmother passed away Sunday and left Cleveland to be with his family.
The grandmother of Kevin Durant passed away this morning, Wanda Durant announces. Kevin Durant – named one of the 75 greatest players ever – will no longer attend 75th Anniversary team ceremony tonight at NBA All-Star Game as the family mourns loss. 🙏🏽
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2022
The event was not just for entertainment but for a good cause. Team LeBron and Team Durant competed for $750,000 in donations for two organizations. Team LeBron played for the Kent State I Promise Scholars Program, and Team Durant played for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The competition was spread out over three quarters for $100,000 apiece.
Each organization started with a $150,000 contribution, with the winning team earning $150,000 for their respective organization.
First Quarter:
Defense was optional in the first quarter for the players, with the exception of Stephen Curry, who had the game’s only two blocked shots for an extended period. A point that Draymond Green trolled him for during the TNT broadcast.
“Why are you playing so much defense bro?”
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 21, 2022
This @StephenCurry30 and @Money23Green exchange 😭 pic.twitter.com/5V9Nz4TiLm
Otherwise, it was lighthearted, running up and down the floor with some high-flying dunks and long-distance shots. On a side note, Giannis Antetokounmpo finally missed a field goal attempt after hitting all 16 of his shots in last year’s event.
Throwback to last year’s Finals… Book and Giannis trading buckets at #NBAAllStar!
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022
TNT & TBS pic.twitter.com/6iEs9nuxD2
Another great moment was watching Trae Young and Curry match each other in three-point marksmanship. Knowing that these two will be compared to each other for the next several seasons, this moment sends a message that fans will be enjoying 30 footers for years to come.
In the end, despite Team LeBron running out to an early lead, Team Durant’s late first-quarter run was not enough to make up the deficit at the end.
Winner: Team LeBron wins the quarter 47-45. Kent State I Promise Scholars Program receives $100,000.
Second Quarter:
After showing his defensive prowess in the first quarter, Curry reminded NBA fans of his real forte, shooting the long ball. Chef Curry set the All-Star Game record by knocking down an absurd eight 3 point shots in the first half.
#NBAAllStar record for threes in a half.
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 21, 2022
There’s nobody quite like Stephen Curry ☔️ pic.twitter.com/dnKw86B04i
Before the Curry fireworks started, Cavs representatives Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland had some solid moments in the second quarter. Garland looked very comfortable on the floor and used this long-range bomb from the logo to spark a 10 point quarter.
Darius Garland from the logo to hype up the Cleveland crowd! 🎯#NBAAllStar on TNT & TBS pic.twitter.com/WgjqAk1P5M
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022
While Team LeBron had all of the flash, Team Durant had the substance with LaMelo Ball combining with Dejounte Murray making plays for his teammates like Rudy Gobert, Devin Booker, and others. They ran out to a lead and never were in any trouble of losing it.
Team Durant win 49-46. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank receives $100,000.
Third Quarter:
Surprisingly, Curry has been shooting 37.9 percent from deep this season, well short of his career 42.8 mark. Well, he found his stroke in this game. If anyone thought SC30 was hot in the second quarter, the greatest three-point shooter of all time was burning up in the third quarter.
The two-time MVP broke the record for most three-pointers in an All-Star game by this point held by Paul George in 2016, and it was the way he was doing it that set the building on fire.
Stephen Curry is heat checking like no one ever has in an #NBAAllStar Game.
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022
He’s got 13 threes.
Get to TNT & TBS now. pic.twitter.com/Fvj2Ep3fjB
Even though Curry was stealing all of the thunder in the third quarter, Team Durant pretty much held the lead the entire quarter. But Team Durant got cold at the end and allowed Team LeBron to pull to a tie at the end of the third quarter.
Even though the period ended in a tie, the third period belonged solely to Stephen Curry, who cemented his claim to MVP after pouring in 45 points on 15-21 shooting from behind the line. At this point, he was only seven points away from the all-time scoring record.
Drive. Give it up. Relocate. Get it back.
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022
Stephen Curry is playing his brand of basketball in the #NBAAllStar Game…
Oh, and he’s made 15 threes 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/FC6cQcdp0p
Team LeBron and Team Durant finish the quarter with a 45-45 tie. Now the score is 139-138 Team Durant.
Final Quarter:
In the final quarter, the target score to end the game was set at 163. The gas Curry was cooking with ran out, and he finished with 50 points. Like in previous years, the ball was given to Joel Embiid in the post to score. But Jarrett Allen, with the assistance of LeBron James and Antetokounmpo, slowed him up just enough.
In the end, it was the Captain’s choice on who would close the game out!
BRON. CALLED. GAME.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 21, 2022
Listen to the conclusion of the 2022 All-Star Game on NBA Radio.
🔊 https://t.co/AYipQpw9t4
pic.twitter.com/ivRfKU2iI3
Team LeBron defeats Team Durant 163-160. Kent State I Promise Scholars Program receives a donation of $150,000 for a total of $450,000. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank received a total donation of $300,000.
All-Star Game MVP: Stephen Curry with 50 points.