The defending champions Team LeBron emerged again on the top after a fiery clash with their counterpart, Team Giannis at the United Centre on Sunday after their close victory of 2 points against the latter.
The match came down to the wire as the two teams raced to the target of 157 points and concluded with Anthony Davis shooting the hoop and crowning the Team LeBron the victors of the All-Star bash.
Through the game, Giannis was seen leading 133-124, but their pursuit for the title of victors was foiled by the combined effort of James Harden, Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Victors of the All-Star game, Team LeBron claimed $400,000 for their charity for which they had been allocating funds, named Chicago Scholars, while Team Giannis will credit $100,000 for their nominated charity, After School Matters.
From Team LeBron, Kawhi Leonard bagged the title of ‘Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP’, for leading the team to victory with an astounding 30 points and seven rebounds, while James added a total of 23, six assists with five rebounds. Anthony Davis managed 20 points with nine rebounds, with Chris Paul managing a slight more with 23 points and Ben Simmons about 17.
“We wanted to get to 157 points before they did. They did a great job with the format this year, it had us come out playing hard in the fourth quarter capping for total [157] point score, and you know, that’s pretty much how we got to competing out there,” said Leonard.
“This means a lot to me. Words can’t even explain just making it be the first Kobe Bryant MVP trophy. I want to thank Kobe for everything he’s done for me, all the long talks and the workouts… This one is for him.”
Kawhi became the first player to win an All-Star MVP Award named for Kobe Bryant in the 69th All-Star playoff. The MVP award for the NBA All-Star game was renamed on Saturday to honour the basketball legend. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among the 9 who succumbed owing to a helicopter crash, on January 26. The All-Star weekend had commemorated the legend on various occasions throughout the entire weekend.
