NBA West All Star guard Devin Booker (1) representing the Phoenix Suns prepares to throw down against the NBA East All Stars at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis at the 2024 All Star Game on Feb 18, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
This weekend, the basketball world gathered in Indianapolis to enjoy the 73rd NBA All-Star game at the home of the Indiana Pacers the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This yearly event had even more to offer fans as we all witnessed the first-ever NBA vs WNBA 3-point challenge which featured Golden State Warrior’s Stephen Curry and the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu.
This was a landmark event that went miles for not only the young boys but the young girls watching. What a great moment for all of them driving home the fact that boys and girls can live out their dreams. Nothing is impossible.
Curry barely edged Ionescu in this wild event winning with a vintage performance. He caught fire just in the nick of time winning the challenge 29-26. Had Ionescu not slowed down at the end of her round it could have been an entirely different outcome.
This was a powerful and fun event that is sure to continue for years to come. State Farm made a donation for each shot drained to the NBA Foundation to support economic empowerment in the Black community. This was just one of the many highlights at this year’s All-Star event.
It was then on to the major event. This of course was a who’s-who from the 2024 rosters but we saw some superstars in the booth as well from Draymond Green to Candace Parker.
It was an incredible star-studded event from the players to the celebrities in attendance to the artists who performed the National Anthems of the United States and Canada. Baby Face delivered a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and Charlotte Cardin was flawless performing the Canadian national anthem.
All Star game recap: It was then on to the game as the greatest players in the NBA took the court; the West captained by 20-year all-star Los Angeles Laker LeBron James and the East’s Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo looking to push the East past the West in this game. This game was especially memorable for Indiana Pacer Tyrese Haliburton playing in his very first All-Star game.
The East took the opening quarter 53-47. Tyrese Haliburton had an impressive quarter being the only player on the floor shooting in double digits with 15 points. He was sure giving home town fans a real show.
The East continued to extend their lead in the second quarter. The West has won the last five of six but it was the East who won last year’s game 184-175 which was played in Salt Lake City. Prior to that game it has been all Lebron and team.
After leading by six points after the first 12 minutes of play, the East took a 104-89 lead into the locker room at the half. They had more than doubled their first quarter lead.
At halftime Damien Lillard had scored the high for both teams with 22 points. Haliburton finished the first half with 18. The West had some work to do in the second half and Curry who finished the first half with 12 points and Kevin Durant also with 12 points were just the ticket to push the West to a win.
One thing that was apparent was the fun that all of these guys were having. While they were competitive with the win and the MVP at stake they were having a great time putting on an amazing show for everyone present.
The first half were two quarters to remember with play that words cannot even begin to describe and it only got better with an amazing halftime show featuring the incomparable award-winning Jennifer Hudson. It was truly a performance not to be missed.
The third quarter saw the East start to pile on more points. After three quarters they were in the driver’s seat 160-136. It also became apparent that Damian Lillard had his focus on the MVP award with some brilliant play and 33 points to his credit through three.
He also had hit nine three’s. He sure seemed to be on a mission looking to add to his hardware after winning the 3-point contest. He was being challenged in the second half of play by Jaylen Brown also with 33 points.
The fourth quarter was a close one with one point separating the two teams. The East had built an almost unreachable lead. The final was 211-186 in favor of the East a record breaking score. To close out the evening the Kobe Bryant MVP award was presented and it went to the amazing Lillard. “It’s an honor playing against the games best,” he said beaming as he accepted the award.
Now it’s back to business for all of these guys as they settle back into the second half of the season leaving fans with memories to last a lifetime.
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