Magic's return and the NBA All-Star Game's most memorable moments
Magic Johnson credits: NBA on NBC The 2024 NBA All-Star Game tips off in Indianapolis in just a few weeks, with starters being named tonight. Whoever makes it, they’ll have some big shoes to fill. The All-Star Game is full of some of the most iconic moments in NBA history. Here are some of the performances that make the weekend so special.
AD Sets the Record for Most Points in an All-Star Game
source: Getty Images Scoring hit a fever pitch in 2017 when the East and West combined for a ludicrous 374 points.
Anthony Davis led the West to a win with a then-record 52-point, 10-rebound performance, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing All-Star Game scoring record.
Russell Westbrook also quietly contributed a monster 41/5/7 off the bench to help the West secure the win.
Steph Curry Goes Unconscious From Deep, Hangs 50
source: Getty Images At some point, the greatest three-point shooter in NBA history had to flex those talents at an All-Star game.
In 2022, he did just that, becoming the second player to ever score 50 points in the All-Star Game off a ludicrous 16-for-27 from behind the arc.
Russ Takes His Reserve Nod Personally With a 41-point Performance
source: Getty Images Russell Westbrook’s first All-Star Game MVP came off the bench.
After being snubbed from the West’s starting roster, Westbrook took over the game with a 41-point, five-rebound, three-steal performance to lock up the first of his back-to-back MVPs.
Kobe Bryant Shows Out
source: Getty Images Fresh off his 2010 ring, Kobe Bryant did it all in the 2011 All-Star Game. Bryant did it all, leading the game with 37 points and 14 rebounds while also putting up three assists and three steals.
Jayson Tatum Sets All Kinds of Scoring Records
source: Getty Images Tatum’s 2023 All-Star performance rewrote the record books for All-Star Game scoring. Tatum’s 55 points set the new record for single-game scoring, while his 27 points set a new record for most points in a quarter and a half (38).
Wilt Chamberlain Sets a Scoring Record that Stands for Over 50 Years
source: Getty Images Until the game became a laid-back, no-defense outing of modern All-Star games, it used to be tough to put up points against the best talent in the league.
That’s why Wilt’s 42-point, 24-rebound performance is so impressive. No one touched the record until Anthony Davis in 2017 – only Michael Jordan could even break 40 in a game in 1988.
A.I. Takes Over to Clutch Out a Nailbiter
source: Getty Images The East was extremely undermanned against an all-time loaded West All-Star team headlined by Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Davin Robinson, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, and Shaquille O’Neal. That didn’t matter to Allen Iverson, though. Down 21 with nine minutes to play, Iverson took the game into his own hands and took over. He put up 15 of the East’s 25 points to pull off the 111-110 upset.
Magic Johnson Returns from HIV Diagnosis with MVP Performance
credits: NBA on NBC Following Magic’s shocking retirement before the 1991 season, fans voted Johnson into the 1992 All-Star Game. Johnson hadn’t played basketball in months, but he went on to win All-Star MVP with a game-high 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds. Players from both teams rushed to celebrate the moment with Johnson as he drained a last-second three-pointer to end the game.
Michael Jordan’s Best All-Star Game Might Be One of His Earliest
source: Getty Images Jordan appeared in 14 All-Star Games. There are many performances to choose from – the triple-double in ‘97, either of his ASG MVP performances in ‘96 and 98 – but his best performance may have been one of his first.
The 1988 outing by Jordan goes down as one of the best All-Star Game showings of all time.
Not only did Jordan put up 40 points on 17-for-23 shooting, he also added 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks in just 29 minutes.