Team Giannis forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives during the first half of the NBA basketball All-Star game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Salt Lake City (AP News photo)

Jayson Tatum Leads Team Giannis To Victory

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the NBA All-Star Game took place after an amazing weekend of events. This was the 72nd year that this event has taken place, this year held in Salt Lake City. This game got underway after Mac McClung blew the crowd away on Saturday night winning the Dunk Contest with a run of spotless scores.

This year’s captains based on the number of votes were Giannis Antetokounmpo and the incomparable LeBron James. Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184-175.

The two captains for the first time ever, drafted their teams just ahead of the game. They first selected from the reserve pool and then chose from the players named All-Start starters.

Giannis Antetokounmpo took the stage with his very own playbook. The reserve players he chose were Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Shai Gilgeous- Alexander, DeMar Derozen, Pascal Siakam, Bam Adebayo and Domantas Sabonis. His starters were Jason Tatum, Ja Morant, Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markanen.

LeBron James chose Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Julius Randle, De’Aaron Fox and Jaren Jackson Jr., Tyrese Haliburton as his reserve players. His starters were Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Luca Doncic and Nikola Jokic.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters” was the charity chosen by Team LeBron and “Raise the Future” was Team Giannis’ choice.

The first quarter was as close as a game could be. Giannis Antetokounmpo hit the first basket of the game and seconds later “King James” tied up the game. The contest would pivot back and forth with neither team taking more than a three point lead. After the first 12 minutes the game was dead even 46-46 and the two teams would split the cash for the opening quarter. Each of their charities would receive $50,000.

At halftime Team Giannis led 99-92. They won the second quarter 53-46 and along with it the $100,000 going to “Raise the Future”.

The third quarter went to team Giannis 59-49 and they were on a roll leading 158-141. The target score was set in the fourth quarter at 182 with no commercials and no clock. Jayson Tatum tore through the second half of play with 55 points. Damian Lillard hit the winning three, the final 184-175 in favor of Team Giannis. They would earn $550,000 for “Raise the Future” and team LeBron would come away with $200,000 for “Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

The second half was played without their captains. James had sustained a hand issue while dunking in the first half and so the two captains watched from the bench. The MVP award went to Jason Tatum who broke the all-time scoring record. Tatum had a lot of help from Donovan Mitchell with 40 points. On team LeBron the high score was Jaylen Brown off the bench with 35 points. Kyrie Irving and Joel Embiid both came away with 32 points.

It was a great evening for all the fans in person and watching from their living rooms. The greatest names in the world of basketball put on an exciting show as we have seen year after year. It was a great night out for not only the fans but the players as well.

These players will now head back to continue the 2022- 23 season with games resuming this coming Thursday.