Jayson Tatum breaks all-star game scoring record
NBA Analytics NetworkAs a result of his right wrist sprain, Giannis Antetokounmpo was only available once for Te…
As a result of his right wrist sprain, Giannis Antetokounmpo was only available once for Team Giannis during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. Due to a right hand contusion, LeBron James played only half the game for Team LeBron to save his legs for the Lakers’ post-break run.
Because of their shared team status, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell were the real competitors in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.
While Mitchell, whom the Cavaliers took over from the Jazz in the off-season, scored 40 points, Tatum led Team Giannis to a 184–175 victory by scoring 27 of 55 points during the third quarter. In addition to his 22-for-31 shooting (10-for-18 of 3) and nine rebounds, he also had six assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis’ 52 points in 2017 became the record for most points scored in an All-Star Game, but Tatum surpassed that mark.
“I found out halfway through the fourth [about the record]’ Tatum said. “I think I had 49 and Dame [Lillard] was like, ‘Yo, the record is 52.’ He was like, ‘Go get it.’”
Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP trophy was presented post-game to Tatum, who grew up idolizing the Lakers legend and trained with him in the early years of his Celtics career.
“It’s very special to me,” Tatum said. “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him, and I remember telling myself I was going to get one someday.”
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
Mitchell won the other votes via a fan vote, while Tatum took home 11 of the 12 votes.
“At the end of the day it caught fire,” Mitchell said. “There was a moment when I said, ‘Hey, I need one assist,’ and that was when I gave the ball back to him and he ended up with a shot and made the ball. It’s all love. But in the end his We’re also competitors and we both wanted to get it, and he’s got it, and I’m extremely happy for him.
A one-on-one challenge from Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown capped off Tatum’s explosive third quarter. Tatum signaled to the crowd to make some noise as he dribbled down half court, looking for Brown as a matchup.
“I think it was fun,” Brown said. “Going up against my brother in Jayson and going back and forth, it was like no one was there at all. It was just me and him.”
Tatum explained: “That was like another day at the office for us. We’ve been on the same team for six years now and have played countless one-on-one games, scrimmages against each other. We have always brought out the best in each other.
Brown had said after the game that he would like to see a more competitive All-Star Game, but he certainly brought that sense of competition to that possession against his fellow Celtics star.
“So that was a normal day for us. Just a lot of people watching on one of the biggest stages,” Brown said.
Brown explained, “If you know Jayson, he goes for it. And that’s what he’s supposed to do.”
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
Tatum was Antetokounmpo’s №1 pick from the starting pool in the live draft. With a clear sense of motivation to play an important game, Antetokounmpo knew he had to choose Tatum.
“I had a short talk with him, I knew he would play hard and he would take it seriously,” said Antetokounmpo. “So it was a no-brainer.”
In his first game as All-Star captain, Antetokounmpo improved to 1–2 by scoring on the first possession and resting his sprained wrist. James scored a total of 13 points during the first half on 6-for-11 shooting with four assists in 14 minutes. In an attempt to block a pursuit, he injured a finger on his right hand, which was enough to end his night. As captain of the All-Star, James had never lost a game with his team and his record fell to 5–1.
NBA NEWS & ALL-STAR GAME: Jayson Tatum & Boston Celtics Updates
The Jordan Tatum 1, Tatum’s signature sneaker, was released on Sunday and this gave him extra motivation.
“I wanted to win MVP, I didn’t think I’d get to 55, but this is the icing on the cake,” said Tatum.
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