FIRST NBA ALL-STAR GAME
East 111 - West 94
Eastern All-Stars defeat Western All-Stars
MVP: Ed Macauley, Boston Celtics
1951 NBA All-Star Game Summary
| Game | 1st NBA All-Star Game |
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| Date | Friday, March 2, 1951 |
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| Location | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Winning Team | Eastern All-Stars |
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| Final Score | East 111, West 94 |
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| Margin of Victory | 17 points |
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| Most Valuable Player | Ed Macauley, Boston Celtics |
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| East Head Coach | Joe Lapchick, New York Knicks |
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| West Head Coach | John Kundla, Minneapolis Lakers |
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| Referees | Pat Kennedy and Charley Eckman |
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| Attendance | 10,094 |
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The NBA's First All-Star Game
On March 2, 1951, professional basketball history was made when the National Basketball Association held its first All-Star Game at Boston Garden. The event brought together 20 of the league's leading players for an exhibition between the Eastern and Western Divisions.
The Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 111-94 in front of 10,094 spectators. Boston Celtics star Ed Macauley scored a game-high 20 points and was recognized as the first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
The game was an important milestone for a league still establishing itself as a major professional sports organization. The NBA had experienced significant changes following the merger of the Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League in 1949. By the 1950-51 season, the league had contracted from 17 teams to 11, and its future was not yet assured.
The All-Star Game provided an opportunity to showcase the NBA's greatest players in one arena. The event proved successful and helped establish a tradition that would become one of the league's most recognizable annual celebrations.
1951 All-Star Game Scoring by Quarter
| Team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Total |
| East |
31 |
22 |
30 |
28 |
111 |
| West |
22 |
20 |
22 |
30 |
94 |
The East took control immediately, outscoring the West 31-22 in the opening quarter. By halftime, the Eastern All-Stars held a 53-42 advantage.
The East extended its lead during the third quarter with a 30-22 scoring advantage, entering the final period ahead 83-64.
Although the West won the fourth quarter 30-28, the early deficit was too large to overcome. The East completed a 111-94 victory, establishing the first result in NBA All-Star Game history.
Eastern All-Stars Box Score - 111 Points
Head Coach: Joe Lapchick (New York Knicks)
Leading Scorer: Ed Macauley, 20 points
Leading Rebounder: Dolph Schayes, 14 rebounds
Leading Assists: Dick McGuire, 10 assists
| Player |
Team |
FGM |
FGA |
FTM |
FTA |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| Joe Fulks | Philadelphia Warriors | 6 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
| Dolph Schayes | Syracuse Nationals | 7 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 15 |
| Ed Macauley | Boston Celtics | 7 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 20 |
| Bob Cousy | Boston Celtics | 2 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Andy Phillip | Philadelphia Warriors | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Paul Arizin | Philadelphia Warriors | 7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 15 |
| Vince Boryla | New York Knicks | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| Harry Gallatin | New York Knicks | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Red Rocha | Baltimore Bullets | 2 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| Dick McGuire | New York Knicks | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 6 |
| TOTALS |
43 |
93 |
25 |
31 |
67 |
40 |
111 |
Western All-Stars Box Score - 94 Points
Head Coach: John Kundla (Minneapolis Lakers)
Leading Scorer: Alex Groza, 17 points
Leading Rebounder: Alex Groza, 13 rebounds
Leading Assists: Jim Pollard and Bob Davies, 5 assists each
| Player |
Team |
FGM |
FGA |
FTM |
FTA |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
| Alex Groza | Indianapolis Olympians | 8 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 17 |
| Jim Pollard | Minneapolis Lakers | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| George Mikan | Minneapolis Lakers | 4 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 12 |
| Bob Davies | Rochester Royals | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| Ralph Beard | Indianapolis Olympians | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Dike Eddleman | Tri-Cities Blackhawks | 2 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Vern Mikkelsen | Minneapolis Lakers | 4 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 11 |
| Larry Foust | Fort Wayne Pistons | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Frank Brian | Tri-Cities Blackhawks | 5 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 14 |
| Fred Schaus | Fort Wayne Pistons | 2 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| TOTALS |
35 |
107 |
24 |
33 |
60 |
27 |
94 |
Statistical abbreviations: FGM = Field Goals Made; FGA = Field Goals Attempted; FTM = Free Throws Made; FTA = Free Throws Attempted; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; PTS = Points. The NBA did not yet have a three-point line, and steals and blocked shots were not officially recorded.
How the First NBA All-Star Game Came Together
The creation of the NBA All-Star Game was an important step in promoting professional basketball. In the early 1950s, the NBA was still competing for national attention with college basketball, baseball and other established sports.
NBA publicity director Haskell Cohen helped develop the idea of an All-Star Game modeled after Major League Baseball's midsummer exhibition. NBA President Maurice Podoloff and Boston Celtics owner Walter A. Brown were involved in the discussions, with Brown becoming one of the event's strongest supporters.
Brown offered Boston Garden as the host venue and was willing to assume the financial risk associated with staging the game. The event brought together players from franchises spread across the United States, including teams that would eventually relocate or disappear entirely.
The Western roster featured George Mikan, the dominant center of the Minneapolis Lakers, along with teammates Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen. Other Western representatives came from the Rochester Royals, Indianapolis Olympians, Tri-Cities Blackhawks and Fort Wayne Pistons.
The East featured Celtics stars Ed Macauley and Bob Cousy, Philadelphia Warriors standouts Joe Fulks and Paul Arizin, Syracuse Nationals forward Dolph Schayes and several members of the New York Knicks.
The inaugural game attracted 10,094 fans, providing evidence that professional basketball's stars could draw a substantial audience outside regular league competition. Its success established the foundation for the annual NBA All-Star Game.
Ed Macauley Becomes the First All-Star MVP
Ed Macauley was the standout performer in the first NBA All-Star Game. Playing in his home arena, the Boston Celtics center scored 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting and made six of seven free throws.
Macauley's performance was particularly important against a Western lineup featuring George Mikan, the NBA's dominant big man during the early 1950s. Mikan scored 12 points but made only four of his 17 field-goal attempts.
Macauley was supported by Joe Fulks, who scored 19 points, while Dolph Schayes and Paul Arizin each contributed 15. The East also received exceptional playmaking from Dick McGuire, who recorded 10 assists.
Although Macauley is recognized as the first All-Star Game MVP, the NBA formally established the annual MVP selection afterward and retroactively recognized his inaugural performance.
1951 NBA All-Star Game Facts and Records
| Category | Player / Team | Record or Achievement |
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| First All-Star Game | East vs. West | March 2, 1951 |
| First All-Star MVP | Ed Macauley | 20 points, 6 rebounds |
| First Winning Team | Eastern All-Stars | 111-94 |
| Most Points | Ed Macauley, East | 20 |
| Most Points, West | Alex Groza | 17 |
| Most Rebounds | Dolph Schayes, East | 14 |
| Most Assists | Dick McGuire, East | 10 |
| Most Field Goals Made | Alex Groza, West | 8 |
| Most Field Goal Attempts | George Mikan, West | 17 |
| Most Free Throws Made | Joe Fulks, East | 7 |
| Highest-Scoring Quarter | Eastern All-Stars | 31 points, first quarter |
| Combined Points | East and West | 205 |
| Winning Margin | Eastern All-Stars | 17 points |
| Attendance | Boston Garden | 10,094 |
Historical Franchise Names in the 1951 Game
The 1951 All-Star Game offers a fascinating look at the NBA's early geography. Several participating franchises played in cities that no longer have NBA teams, while others eventually relocated and adopted new identities.
The Minneapolis Lakers later moved to Los Angeles. The Rochester Royals eventually became the Sacramento Kings, while the Fort Wayne Pistons relocated to Detroit.
The Syracuse Nationals became the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Philadelphia Warriors eventually moved to San Francisco before adopting the Golden State name. The Tri-Cities Blackhawks later became the Atlanta Hawks after additional relocations.
Other participating teams, including the Indianapolis Olympians and the original Baltimore Bullets, eventually ceased operations.
Preserving these original franchise names is important because they reflect the league as it existed when the first All-Star Game was played.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the first NBA All-Star Game played?
The first NBA All-Star Game was played on March 2, 1951, at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Who won the 1951 NBA All-Star Game?
The Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 111-94.
Who was the first NBA All-Star Game MVP?
Ed Macauley of the Boston Celtics was recognized as the first All-Star Game MVP after scoring 20 points in the East's victory.
Who scored the most points in the 1951 All-Star Game?
Ed Macauley led all scorers with 20 points. Joe Fulks added 19 for the East, while Alex Groza led the West with 17.
Who coached the first NBA All-Star Game?
Joe Lapchick of the New York Knicks coached the Eastern All-Stars, while John Kundla of the Minneapolis Lakers coached the Western All-Stars.
How many people attended the first NBA All-Star Game?
The official attendance was 10,094 at Boston Garden.
Did George Mikan play in the first NBA All-Star Game?
Yes. George Mikan represented the Minneapolis Lakers on the Western All-Star team. He finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
How many players participated in the 1951 All-Star Game?
Twenty players appeared in the game, with ten representing the Eastern Division and ten representing the Western Division.
Related NBA All-Star History
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