As a result of his sprained right wrist, Giannis Antetokounmpo was only available for one play on Team Giannis during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Due to a right hand contusion, LeBron James played only one half of the game for Team LeBron in order to save his legs for the Lakers’ post-break run.
Due to their shared team status, Jayson Tatum of Boston and Donovan Mitchell of Cleveland were the real competitors in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.
While Mitchell, who the Cavaliers acquired from the Jazz in the offseason, scored 40 points, Tatum led Team Giannis to a 184-175 victory by scoring 27 of 55 points during the third quarter. In addition to his 22-for-31 shooting (10-for-18 from 3) and nine rebounds, he also had six assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis’ 52 points in 2017 became the record for the most points scored in an All-Star Game, but Tatum surpassed that mark.
“I found out midway through the fourth [about the record],” Tatum said. “I think I had like 49 and Dame [Lillard] was like, ‘Yo, the record’s 52.’ He was like, ‘Go get it.'”
Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP trophy was awarded to Tatum after the game, who grew up idolizing the Lakers legend and trained with him in the early years of his Celtics career.
“It’s extremely special to me,” Tatum said. “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him, and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
Mitchell won the other vote through a fan vote, while Tatum took home 11 of the 12 votes.
“At the end of the day, he caught fire,” Mitchell said. “There was a point and time where I said, ‘Hey, I need one assist,’ and that’s when I handed the ball back to him and he ended up shooting, making it. It’s all love. But at the end of the day, we’re competitors too and wanted to both go get it, and he got it, and I’m happy as hell for him.”
A one-on-one challenge from Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown capped off Tatum’s explosive third quarter. Tatum motioned for the crowd to make some noise as he dribbled across half-court, seeking out Brown as a matchup.
“I think it was fun,” Brown said. “Going against my brother in Jayson and going back and forth, it was like nobody was in there at all. It was just me and him.”
Tatum explained: “That was like another day at the office for us. Being on the same team for six years now, we’ve played countless number of one-on-one games, scrimmages against each other. We’ve always kind of brought the best out of each other.
Brown had mentioned after the game that he’d like to see a more competitive All-Star Game, but he certainly brought that sense of competition during that possession against his fellow Celtics star.
“So, that was a normal day for us. Just a myriad of people watching on one of the biggest stages,” Brown said.
Brown explained: “If you know Jayson, he’s going for it. And that’s what he’s supposed to do.”
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
Tatum was Antetokounmpo’s No. 1 pick from the starters pool in the live draft. With a clear sense of motivation to have a big game, Antetokounmpo knew he had to select Tatum.
“I had a little conversation with him, I knew he was going to play hard and he was going to take it serious,” Antetokounmpo said. “So, it was a no-brainer.”
In his first game as an All-Star captain, Antetokounmpo improved to 1-2 by scoring on the first possession and resting his sprained wrist. A total of 13 points were scored by James during the first half on 6-for-11 shooting with four assists in 14 minutes. In an attempt to block a chasedown, he injured a finger on his right hand, which was enough to end his night. As All-Star captain, James had never lost a game with his team, and his record fell to 5-1.
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
The Jordan Tatum 1, Tatum’s signature sneaker, was released on Sunday, and this gave him extra motivation.
“I wanted to win MVP, I didn’t think I’d get 55, but this is icing on the cake,” Tatum said.
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