The stars of the National Basketball Association (NBA) displayed their world-class talent in the just concluded 2021 All-Star game in Atlanta, Georgia.
Team LeBron outclassed team Team Durant in impressive showcase of fire power, 170-150.
The first five for Team LeBron are James (LA Lakers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) and Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets).
In the other end, the starters for Team Durant (Brooklyn Nets) are Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Kyrie Irving (Nets) and Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards). Durant will skip the game due to an injury.
The reserves for Team LeBron are: Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers, Ben Simmons(76ers), Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Paul George (Clippers), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers) and Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) .
Coming off the bench for Team Durant are: James Harden (Nets), Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic), and the Jazz backcourt Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley.
Antetokounmpo led all scorers with a game-high 35 points to set the pace in Team LeBron’s conquest of Team Durant who got was piloted by Beal with 26 points.
Adjudged as this year’s all star game MVP is Antetokounmpo.
Before the All-Star Game started, two exciting side events also wowed the crowd and fans watching around the world.
In the Skills Challenge, star center Domantas Sabonis beat fellow all-star Nikola Vucevic in the finals. Other participants are Robert Covington (Portland Trail Blazers), Luka Doncic, Chris Paul and Julius Randle.
In the 3-Point Contest, two-time league MVP Stephen Curry hit the game-winning moneyball and survive Mike Conley of Utah Jazz in the finals, 28-27. The shootout was also participated by Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum.
During the half time, Anfernee Simons became the first-ever player from the Portland Trail Blazers to win the competition after besting fellow high-flyers Cassius Stanley (Pacers) and Obi Toppin (Knicks).
Simons impressed the judges with his 12-foot high dunk, 360 two-handed slam and his winning almost-kiss-on-the-rim jam.