The 2024 edition of the NBA All-Star Game wasn’t exactly the most competitive affair. Commissioner Adam Silver sounded less than enthused when he took the mic after the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
The East demolished the West on Sunday in a 211-186 rout. The victors’ lead never dropped below double digits throughout the entire second half, which gave fans fewer reasons to keep watching.
Silver addressed the winners after the final buzzer sounded. The NBA executive didn’t exactly sound proud.
“To the Eastern Conference All-Stars: You scored the most points. Well. … Congratulations,” said Silver.
Amid dwindling NBA All-Star Game ratings in recent years, Silver on Saturday had promised a more competitive All-Star Game during his news conference. Instead, Sunday’s contest featured the largest margin of victory in an NBA All-Star Game since 2009.
Silver probably wasn’t pleased that there was hardly any defense played in the affair. The East ended up shattering the most points scored by one team in NBA All-Star history. The event's previous high of 196 was eclipsed by 15 points while the West’s total of 186 finished as the fourth-highest ever despite the team losing by 25.
Three different East players tallied at least 30 points. Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard came away with the game’s MVP award after scoring a team-high 39 points with 11 three-pointers.
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