Entering the 2023 NBA All-Star game, LeBron James has captained his teams to five straight wins since the league introduced a new format with captains and drafts. But Jayson Tatum’s big scoring night saw that streak end on Sunday.
Tatum scored an All-Star record 55 points to lead his Team Giannis to a 184-175 win while receiving MVP honors in the process.
Speaking with the reporters after the game, Tatum was emotional about receiving the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP trophy, considering he grew up admiring the late Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar and has modeled his game after him.
“It’s extremely special to me,” Tatum told reporters. “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him, and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
The first quarter of the game saw both teams tied at 46-46, after which Team Giannis took command of the game. Team Lebron couldn’t stop Tatum while they were also scorched by Donovan Mitchell, who went on to finish the night with 40 points. However, it was reserve Damian Lillard who ended up scoring the winning shot under the Elam Ending rule just like he did two years ago.
It is important to note that the captains of both teams didn’t spend much time on the court. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is nursing a wrist injury, checked out after scoring on the first possession, while James played only one half.