NBA roundup: East roll to record-breaking win over West in All-Star Game

Damian Lillard, at the age of 33, contributed 39 points to the Eastern Conference's historic scoring spree in a dominant 211-186 victory over the Western Conference during the 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday.

Boston's Jaylen Brown contributed 36 points as a substitute, while Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton scored 32 points, helping the East surpass the previous All-Star Game record of 196 points set by the West in 2016.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who made two half-court shots, led the game with 11 three-pointers out of 23 attempts and finished with a total of 14-of-26 shots, earning him the Most Valuable Player award.

Lillard expressed his gratitude for the honor, stating, "It's a privilege. I've been here multiple times, so achieving this kind of accomplishment is truly special."

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the East captain and the 2021 All-Star Game MVP with 23 points, anticipated a remarkable performance from his Milwaukee Bucks teammate Lillard.

"I knew he was going to go for it," Antetokounmpo remarked. "When he gets that determined look in his eyes, you just have to pass him the ball and get out of his way."

The game showcased incredible slam dunks, impressive passes, and exceptional shotmaking from elite players worldwide, all in a relaxed atmosphere that delighted the sold-out crowd in Indianapolis.

Antetokounmpo expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Everyone played with intensity. We had a great time. The ball was moving well. We made a lot of three-pointers and scored a significant number of points. I'm thrilled."

Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves scored a game-high 50 points, with 31 of them coming in the fourth quarter, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder added 31 points for the West, despite their loss.

The combined total of 397 points surpassed the previous record by 23 points. The East shot 83 out of 146 (56.8%) from the field and made a record-breaking 42 three-pointers, surpassing the previous mark set by Team LeBron in 2019, in 97 attempts (43.3%).

Lillard's astonishing mid-court shot with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter propelled the East to a 160-136 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The East surged ahead with a 53-47 lead in the first quarter, with Haliburton contributing 15 points from five 3-pointers within a 92-second timeframe, giving the East a 20-14 advantage.

LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar with four NBA championships and four NBA Most Valuable Player awards, made his 20th All-Star appearance at the age of 39.

However, James was limited by a left ankle injury, scoring only eight points in 14 minutes and sitting out the second half.

Due to injuries, reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid of Philadelphia and New York's Julius Randle were unable to play for the East, and were substituted by Atlanta's Trae Young and Toronto's Scottie Barnes.