SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The profitable whole final yr: 211 factors.
The profitable whole this yr: 41 factors.
An All-Star Recreation like none different — because it was three video games, not one — nonetheless had loads of flash and never a number of hearth. And in the long run, Boston’s Jayson Tatum had the dunk that determined a crown.
Shaq’s OGs received the primary All-Star mini-tournament in NBA historical past on Sunday evening, getting 15 factors from Tatum and 12 from Stephen Curry — three of them on a half-court shot, the kind of spotlight the All-Star Recreation is understood for — to beat Chuck’s International Stars 41-25 within the closing.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Dalton Knecht shoots through the NBA All-Star basketball recreation Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photograph/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Curry was the MVP on his dwelling ground at Chase Heart, the place he and the Golden State Warriors play. He mentioned the weekend was “a celebration of a lot of great things.”
“It’s obviously our responsibility to come out and put on a show,” Curry mentioned, flanked by his fellow OGs. “And I thank them for helping me do that.”
The title recreation was principally over early, and the halftime present — an 18-minute tribute to TNT — lasted longer than the sport did. The International Stars began the title recreation 0 for 10 from the sector, 0 for six from 3-point vary and fell into a fast 11-0 gap.
In an everyday NBA recreation, that is no huge deal. In a first-to-40 recreation in opposition to a number of the finest gamers on the planet, that is an issue.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama led the International Stars with 11 factors within the closing. He was visibly pissed off when Tatum scored the title-clinching basket.
Wembanyama got here into his All-Star debut saying he would play onerous, like an actual recreation. And he did.
“To me, that is the only way to play basketball,” Wembanyama mentioned.
It was the debut of the All-Star mini-tournament format: 4 groups, three video games, with solely 40 factors wanted to finish every contest.
The league opted for the untimed, brief video games with hopes that asking All-Stars to play fewer minutes would result in higher competitors. Final yr’s recreation in Indianapolis had a 211-186 closing rating, setting a slew of information however prompting the league to take motion after years of urging gamers to take the exhibition a bit extra critically.
And no, there wasn’t precisely a playoff-type depth. Or no less than, not a lot of it.
“I think they’re just looking for a more competitive game and trying to find ways to create that,” said Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard, who helped Shaq’s OGs to the title. “I thought tonight was a little bit more competitive than it had been in past years.”
There have been some less-than-serious efforts the likes of which have been seen in previous years — underhand lobs from half-court, for instance, and a complete lot of interjection from on-court emcee Kevin Hart — however there was no less than some protection performed. Phoenix’s Kevin Durant argued for a foul late in his crew’s first semifinal win, and possibly merited a name that may have despatched him to the road for what may have been a game-winning free throw.
The primary two-shot foul of the evening got here early within the title recreation. Denver’s Nikola Jokic of the International Stars missed each photographs.
“I just wanted tonight to be fun,” Curry mentioned. “I think it was fun.”
It was enjoyable for the winners, for sure: Dallas’ Kyrie Irving of the OGs carried the All-Star trophy into the International Stars’ locker room after the sport.
“Y’all good?” Irving playfully requested the runners-up. They booed him.
Damage report
The OGs have been with out LeBron James, who was dominated out earlier Sunday due to ongoing left foot and ankle discomfort. James was not changed on the roster, that means the OGs had seven gamers accessible.
Anthony Edwards didn’t play for Kenny’s Younger Stars due to a groin difficulty.
The title recreation
The three groups of 24 NBA All-Stars have been drafted by TNT analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. The fourth crew — Candace’s Rising Stars, which earned its means into the All-Star match by profitable the Rising Stars occasion Friday evening — was named for an additional TNT analyst, Candace Parker.
The OGs obtained into the ultimate with a win over Candace’s Rising Stars, whereas the International Stars beat Kenny’s Younger Stars within the first semifinal.
Semifinal 1: International Stars 41, Younger Stars 32
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma Metropolis scored 12 factors, together with the clinching basket, and Chuck’s International Stars superior to the title recreation by beating Kenny’s Younger Stars.
Wembanyama and New York’s Karl-Anthony Cities every had six factors for the International Stars. Cleveland teammates Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, together with Miami’s Tyler Herro, every had six factors for the Younger Stars. Edwards was a last-second scratch with a groin difficulty.
“My groin’s been messed up for a little minute,” mentioned Edwards, who had been listed as a starter for the primary semifinal. He added that with the brief warmup earlier than Recreation 1, he didn’t suppose there was time to check it out and see if he may go.
“You always want to play,” Edwards mentioned. “But when they put two minutes on the clock for warmup, I didn’t get no time to warm up my groin and it was all bad.”
Semifinal 2: Shaq’s OGs 42, Candace’s Rising Stars 35
Lillard scored 9 factors, together with the 3-pointer to push his crew previous the goal rating, and the OGs survived.
The Rising Stars — a crew of first- and second-year gamers — weren’t a straightforward out in opposition to a roster with a mixed 86 All-Star appearances and $2.7 billion in on-court earnings. There have been 9 lead modifications and 5 ties.
Curry scored eight factors for the OGs, whereas the Los Angeles Lakers’ Dalton Knecht and Phoenix’s Ryan Dunn every had eight for the Rising Stars.
Up subsequent
Subsequent season’s All-Star weekend — Feb. 13-15, 2026 — can be headquartered at Intuit Dome, the Los Angeles Clippers’ new dwelling in Inglewood, California.
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