Who won the MVP at 2023 NBA All-Star Game? All you need to know
The 2023 NBA All-Star Game was incredible. Team LeBron and Team Giannis put on a great show for the third time in five years, with Giannis Antetokounmpo's team winning the game.
LeBron James, who was honored at halftime of the game, lost his first All-Star Game as captain. This was not surprising considering Jayson Tatum had a record-breaking performance with 55 points, winning the MVP award.
This was his first NBA All-Star Game MVP award and his fourth All-Star Game appearance.
Jayson Tatum wins the 2023 NBA All-Star Game MVP award
The first half of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game was very exciting to watch. Despite some of the best basketball players in the league, such as Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, missing the game, other All-Stars put on a fantastic show.
Unfortunately, LeBron James had to sit out the second half of the game due to a hand injury. The LA Lakers forward, who was honored at halftime for his all-time scoring record, scored 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting before leaving the game.
During James' absence, Team Giannis took over the game, scoring 59 points in the third quarter and taking a big lead heading into the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum, who was Giannis Antetokounmpo's first pick in the draft, caught fire and won the MVP award.
You may be interested in reading: LeBron James' hand injury dampens his NBA All-Star Game night: How can it impact LA Lakers? Latest updates on 38-year-old veteran
The Boston Celtics forward was nearly unstoppable as he scored 55 points on 22-for-31 shooting. The 4-time All-Star also added 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block to his final stat line.
Tatum broke Anthony Davis' record for most points in the All-Star Game. Davis set the record at 2017 by scoring 52 points on 26-for-39 shooting.
The Celtics superstar also tied the record for the most 3-pointers scored in a quarter of an All-Star Game with seven. He was 10-for-18 from long range in the game, helping Team Giannis beat Team LeBron 184-175.
Other fantastic performances at the All-Star Game
In addition to the record-breaking performance by Jayson Tatum, several other players had fantastic games. In fact, there were four other players who scored 30 or more points in the game.
Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points on 15-for-25 shooting for Team Giannis and was a great sidekick for Tatum. Damian Lillard added 26 points off the bench, including a game-winning 3-pointer.
You may be interested in reading: Who was selected as No. 1 starter by LeBron James in the draft for 2023 NBA All-Star Game?
Kyrie Irving and Joel Embiid each scored 32 points for Team LeBron, with Jaylen Brown leading the team in scoring with 35 points. Brown finished the game with a double-double as he also grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.