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NBA All-Star 2024: Damian Lillard Lifts Kobe Bryant Honor in Blow-Out Win for Team Giannis

Published 02/18/2024, 10:59 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend is in the books. The star-studded weekend culminated with the thrilling 73rd NBA All-Star Game. With the event going back to the East vs. West format after 7 years, the Eastern All-Stars dominated the game and blew out the Western All-Stars 211-186. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. also became the first team in All-Star game history to cross the 200-point mark. They broke the previous highest score record of 196 set by Western All-Stars in 2016.

While every superstar had an impressive showing tonight, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard took home the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP trophy. He dominated the game and finished with 39 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds. Lillard showcased every move in his bag and even hit two insane half-court shots to bring the crowd to their feet. However, the Indiana crowd was not happy with Lillard getting the MVP nod and booed him as he lifted the trophy. Maybe, that was because of the budding rivalry between the Pacers and the Bucks and the fact that hometown boy Tyrese Haliburton was not named the MVP instead.

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Despite the boos from the crowd, Damian Lillard was honored to have won his first All-Star Game MVP trophy. “You wanna have this experience. You wanna be the All-Star Game MVP.” Lillard said in his acceptance speech. Lillard also revealed that the Eastern All-Stars were gunning for the highest scoring record once they crossed the 100-point mark. “Everybody was asking what the record was. We found out, and then we went after it.” Although tonight was Lillard’s 8th career All-Star Game appearance, it was his first time representing the Eastern Conference. Dame would be happy knowing he ended the night with an MVP-level performance and helped his team set a new scoring record.

Damian Lillard’s Incredible All-Star Weekend

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The 2024 All-Star Weekend proved incredible for Damian Lillard. Not only did he win the Kobe Bryant MVP trophy in the All-Star Game, but he also bagged his second straight 3-Point Contest trophy last night. Dame was on fire all weekend from the 3-point line. He scored 26 points in the final round of Saturday’s 3-Point Contest and won the event. Dame continued his incredible shooting tonight and shot 11 three-pointers during the All-Star Game.

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However, with the All-Star Weekend coming to a close, Lillard will need to refocus on the task at hand. The Bucks will be back in action on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves as the Regular Season restarts. Damian Lillard and Co. have been struggling since Doc Rivers became their head coach. The Bucks need to figure out how to get back to winning ways before they ruin their chances of winning another championship.

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Can Dame carry this streak back to Milwaukee? Will he and Giannis power the Bucks through to their 2nd championship in 5 years? Let us know your thoughts below.

Watch This Story: “We Were Not Thinking”: Pacers Justify Infuriating Giannis Antetokounmpo on Career Night With Bizarre Reason

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Written by:

Rohan Bhaunt

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Rohan Singh Bhaunt, an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, boasts a background as a divisional basketball player and an NBA enthusiast spanning over a decade. His extensive knowledge of the sport enables him to intricately explore its nuances, presenting a fresh outlook. Rohan's dive into the NBA newsdesk at ES commenced with witnessing LeBron James secure his inaugural championship in Miami.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe