2023 NBA All-Star Weekend’s most spectacular moments

The NBA All-Star Weekend did not disappoint! From the celebrity game, Rising Stars contest, skills competitions, and of course, the final All-Star Game, the weekend was a showcase of athletic abilities. Captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo drafted their players before the All-Star Game began and in the end, it was Team Giannis who came away with the victory, 184-175 over Team James.

Best moments from the NBA All-Star Weekend

Jayson Tatum breaks record with 55 points - named MVP

Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum put up 27 points just in the third quarter of the All-Star Game, gaining a total of 55 points by the end, shooting 22-for-31 from the field and 10-for-18 from three plus nine rebounds and six assists in Team Giannis’ victory. His 55 points set the record for most points in an All-Star Game, surpassing Anthony Davis’ previous record of 52 points in 2017.

Tatum was given the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award, earning 11 of the 12 votes (the other fan vote going to Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell).

Related: Explaining the NBA All-Star Game MVP voting system

Damian Lillard hits game-winning 3-pointer for Team Giannis

Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard had already won the three-point competition, so it’s only fitting that he’d score the game-winner - a side-step three-pointer to seal the victory for Team Giannis. Lillard and Team Giannis broke Team LeBron’s five-game winning streak.

Mac McClung dominates slam dunk competition

It’s no surprise if you haven’t heard McClung’s name much or at all before this weekend. He’s played mainly in the G League and went undrafted in 2021 after playing at Georgetown and Texas Tech. He has only ever scored three NBA baskets. He is now on the 76ers team but has yet to play a game for them. In the slam dunk competition though, McClung came away with nearly perfect scores in all rounds, sweeping the competition. Check out the skills:

Jose Alvarado calls game-winning shot in Rising Stars Game

The Pelicans’ guard Jose Alvarado made his presence known in the Rising Stars Game, not only making the game-winning three-pointer in the final, but calling it beforehand as well. Alvarado’s game-winner sealed the 25-20 victory for Team Pau over Team Joakim.

In the first game of the tournament, Alvarado scored 13 points to lead Team Pau to victory over Team Deron. In the final, he scored five points. Alvarado was the only undrafted player of the game and was named MVP of the event.

DK Metcalf can dunk

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf was already making waves with a viral video on Friday in which he leaps up to make a catch so high in the air, people weren’t sure the video was even real.

Then he showed his athletic abilities really are seemingly endless with his ridiculous dunks in the All-Star Celebrity Game. Metcalf finished the game with 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, winning MVP of the event.

Ja Morant shows off dunking skills of his own

Grizzlies star Ja Morant is already known as one of the best dunkers in the NBA. On Saturday, his double-pump reverse dunk further confirmed that reputation. Though he refuses to ever do the Slam Dunk contest, the demands for it will never end if he keeps showing off skills like these.

Utah Jazz trio got skills

Utah Jazz players Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton won the Kia Skills competition. Against Team Antetokounmpo and Team Rooks, Team Jazz trailed in the Relay Round, but won the Passing and Shooting Round to come away with 300 points.

LeBron James and Jayson Tatum trade self alley-oops

LeBron James, one of basketball’s greatest dunkers, sped down the court and threw down a ridiculous self alley-oop in the first quarter of the All-Star Game to get things going. Moments later, Jayson Tatum followed suit with a self alley-oop of his own.