1965 NBA ALL-STAR GAME
East 124 - West 123
Eastern All-Stars defeat Western All-Stars by one point
MVP: Jerry Lucas - Cincinnati Royals
Lucas: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist
1965 NBA All-Star Game Summary
| Game | 15th NBA All-Star Game |
|---|
| Date | Wednesday, January 13, 1965 |
|---|
| Location | St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri |
|---|
| Winning Team | Eastern All-Stars |
|---|
| Final Score | East 124, West 123 |
|---|
| Margin of Victory | 1 point |
|---|
| Most Valuable Player | Jerry Lucas, Cincinnati Royals |
|---|
| MVP Statistics | 25 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist |
|---|
| East Head Coach | Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics |
|---|
| West Head Coach | Alex Hannum, San Francisco Warriors |
|---|
| Referees | Mendy Rudolph and Joe Gushue |
|---|
| Attendance | 16,713 |
|---|
| Historical Notes | One-point finish; West outscores East 32-17 in fourth quarter; Jerry Lucas wins his only All-Star MVP |
|---|
1965 NBA All-Star Game Recap
The fifteenth NBA All-Star Game took place on January 13, 1965, at St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. The Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 124-123 in one of the closest finishes in the event's early history. The East built a commanding lead through three quarters but nearly lost the game when the West mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback.
Cincinnati Royals forward Jerry Lucas earned Most Valuable Player honors after scoring 25 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and recording one assist in 35 minutes. Lucas made 12 of his 19 field-goal attempts and converted his only free throw. His efficient scoring helped the Eastern team establish the lead that ultimately proved decisive.
Lucas was joined by Cincinnati teammate Oscar Robertson, who led all players with 28 points and added eight assists. Robertson converted 12 of 13 free throws and played a game-high 40 minutes. Together, Lucas and Robertson combined for 53 of the East's 124 points.
Boston Celtics center Bill Russell added 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, while Philadelphia 76ers guard Hal Greer contributed 13 points. Cincinnati center Wayne Embry scored 11, giving the Royals three players in double figures.
For the West, Baltimore Bullets forward Gus Johnson matched Lucas with 25 points while adding eight rebounds. Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers and Wilt Chamberlain of the San Francisco Warriors each scored 20 points. Chamberlain also led all players with 16 rebounds, while Elgin Baylor added 18 points.
The East led 75-61 at halftime and extended its advantage to 107-91 after three quarters. The West then outscored the East 32-17 in the final period, cutting the deficit from 16 points to just one. The Eastern All-Stars nevertheless held on for the narrow victory.
1965 NBA All-Star Game Scoring by Quarter
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total |
|---|
| East |
36 | 39 | 32 |
17 | 124 |
| West |
27 | 34 | 30 |
32 | 123 |
The Eastern All-Stars opened the game with a 36-27 first-quarter advantage. Their offense remained productive in the second quarter, scoring 39 points to take a 75-61 lead into halftime.
The East added 32 points in the third quarter compared with 30 for the West, extending its advantage to 107-91 entering the final 12 minutes.
The Western All-Stars dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 32 points while holding the East to only 17. The comeback reduced a 16-point deficit to one point, but the West could not complete the rally.
The teams combined for 247 points. The East won despite being outrebounded 66-49, with the Western team collecting 17 more rebounds.
Eastern All-Stars Box Score - 124 Points
Head Coach: Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics
Most Valuable Player: Jerry Lucas, 25 points and 10 rebounds
Leading Scorer: Oscar Robertson, 28 points
Leading Rebounder: Bill Russell, 13 rebounds
Leading Assists: Oscar Robertson, 8 assists
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA |
FTM | FTA | REB | AST | PF | PTS |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals | 40 | 8 | 18 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 28 |
| Jerry Lucas (MVP) | Cincinnati Royals | 35 | 12 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 25 |
| Bill Russell | Boston Celtics | 33 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
| Sam Jones | Boston Celtics | 24 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Luke Jackson | Philadelphia 76ers | 15 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Willis Reed | New York Knicks | 25 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Hal Greer | Philadelphia 76ers | 21 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13 |
| Wayne Embry | Cincinnati Royals | 19 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 11 |
| Johnny Green | New York Knicks | 17 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 |
| Larry Costello | Philadelphia 76ers | 11 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| TOTALS |
240 | 49 | 109 | 26 | 37 | 49 | 22 | 36 | 124 |
Injury and Replacement: Tom Heinsohn of the Boston Celtics was selected for the Eastern All-Stars but could not participate because of injury. Johnny Green of the New York Knicks was named as his replacement.
Western All-Stars Box Score - 123 Points
Head Coach: Alex Hannum, San Francisco Warriors
Leading Scorer: Gus Johnson, 25 points
Leading Rebounder: Wilt Chamberlain, 16 rebounds
Leading Assists: Jerry West, 6 assists
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA |
FTM | FTA | REB | AST | PF | PTS |
| Jerry West | Los Angeles Lakers | 40 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 20 |
| Bob Pettit | St. Louis Hawks | 34 | 5 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 13 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | San Francisco Warriors | 31 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 8 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 20 |
| Elgin Baylor | Los Angeles Lakers | 27 | 5 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 18 |
| Lenny Wilkens | St. Louis Hawks | 20 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Gus Johnson | Baltimore Bullets | 25 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 25 |
| Terry Dischinger | Detroit Pistons | 24 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Walt Bellamy | Baltimore Bullets | 17 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| Don Ohl | Baltimore Bullets | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Nate Thurmond | San Francisco Warriors | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| TOTALS |
240 | 42 | 93 | 39 | 52 | 66 | 15 | 28 | 123 |
Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes; FGM = Field Goals Made; FGA = Field Goals Attempted; FTM = Free Throws Made; FTA = Free Throws Attempted; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; PF = Personal Fouls; PTS = Points.
The NBA did not use a three-point line in 1965. Steals and blocked shots were not yet officially recorded as individual statistics.
Jerry Lucas Wins the 1965 NBA All-Star MVP Award
Jerry Lucas was one of the NBA's most productive young forwards when he arrived in St. Louis for the 1965 All-Star Game. In only his second professional season, the Cincinnati Royals star had already established himself as an exceptional rebounder and an efficient offensive player.
Lucas delivered a performance that demonstrated both qualities. He scored 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting, collected 10 rebounds and played 35 minutes. His 63.2 percent field-goal shooting was particularly valuable in a contest decided by a single point.
Although teammate Oscar Robertson led the East with 28 points, Lucas received the MVP award for his contribution to the victory. His performance helped the Eastern All-Stars build a 16-point lead through three quarters.
Lucas had been the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1963-64 and would go on to become one of the finest rebounders of his era. His career later included an NBA championship with the New York Knicks in 1973 and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The 1965 All-Star MVP award was the only one of Lucas's career and remains one of the defining individual honors of his time with the Cincinnati Royals.
The West's Remarkable Fourth-Quarter Comeback
For much of the 1965 NBA All-Star Game, the Eastern team appeared headed toward a comfortable victory. The East scored 36 points in the first quarter and 39 in the second, taking a 75-61 halftime lead.
The Eastern advantage increased to 107-91 after three quarters. With a 16-point lead and only 12 minutes remaining, the East was in control of the contest.
The fourth quarter, however, produced a dramatic reversal. The Western All-Stars tightened their defense and outscored the East 32-17, nearly erasing the entire deficit.
The East's 17 fourth-quarter points were its lowest scoring output of the game by a substantial margin. The Western comeback transformed what had been a relatively one-sided contest into a one-point finish.
Ultimately, the Eastern All-Stars survived 124-123. The narrow victory made the 1965 game one of the most memorable close contests of the NBA All-Star Game's first 15 years.
Oscar Robertson Leads All Players with 28 Points
Oscar Robertson continued his remarkable run of All-Star performances by leading all scorers with 28 points in 1965. The Cincinnati Royals guard also recorded six rebounds and eight assists while playing 40 minutes.
Robertson made eight of 18 field-goal attempts and converted 12 of 13 free throws. His accuracy at the foul line proved particularly important in a game the East won by only one point.
Robertson had won the 1964 NBA All-Star MVP award with 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. He had also been named MVP in 1961, making him a two-time winner entering the 1965 contest.
With Jerry Lucas scoring 25 points and Wayne Embry adding 11, the Cincinnati Royals accounted for 64 of the Eastern team's 124 points. The trio provided more than half of the East's total offense.
The performances of Robertson, Lucas and Embry reflected the strength of the Royals during the mid-1960s, when Cincinnati regularly challenged the league's established powers.
Gus Johnson Leads the Western All-Stars
Baltimore Bullets forward Gus Johnson delivered one of the finest performances of the 1965 All-Star Game, scoring 25 points and collecting eight rebounds in 25 minutes.
Johnson made seven of 13 field-goal attempts and converted 11 of 13 free throws. His 25 points matched Jerry Lucas for the second-highest total in the contest, trailing only Oscar Robertson's 28.
Johnson was known for his strength, athleticism and powerful rebounding. His playing style made him one of the most exciting forwards of the 1960s and an important figure in Baltimore Bullets history.
The Western roster also included two of Johnson's Baltimore teammates, Walt Bellamy and Don Ohl. Bellamy contributed 12 points and five rebounds, while Ohl added two points.
The presence of three Baltimore Bullets players reflected the franchise's growing competitiveness during the 1964-65 season, when the team would advance to the Western Division Finals.
Wilt Chamberlain's Final All-Star Game with the Warriors
Wilt Chamberlain entered the 1965 NBA All-Star Game as a member of the San Francisco Warriors, the franchise he had represented since its relocation from Philadelphia in 1962.
Chamberlain scored 20 points, grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds and recorded one assist in 31 minutes. He made nine of 15 field-goal attempts, shooting 60 percent from the field.
The 1965 All-Star Game became particularly notable in Chamberlain's career because he was traded from the San Francisco Warriors to the Philadelphia 76ers later in the 1964-65 season.
The trade returned Chamberlain to Philadelphia, where he had begun his NBA career with the Warriors. It also moved him back into the Eastern Division, changing the alignment of future All-Star matchups involving Chamberlain and Boston Celtics center Bill Russell.
Chamberlain's 1965 performance was therefore his final NBA All-Star Game appearance as a member of the Warriors franchise. In the following season, he would represent the Philadelphia 76ers.
Bob Pettit's Final NBA All-Star Game
The 1965 NBA All-Star Game marked the final All-Star appearance of St. Louis Hawks legend Bob Pettit, one of the greatest forwards in the league's early history.
Playing in front of the hometown crowd at St. Louis Arena, Pettit scored 13 points and collected 12 rebounds in 34 minutes. He made five of 14 field-goal attempts and three of five free throws.
Pettit had been a dominant figure in NBA All-Star history since the mid-1950s. He won four All-Star MVP awards, in 1956, 1958, 1959 (shared with Elgin Baylor) and 1962.
He had also helped lead the St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games.
Pettit retired following the 1964-65 NBA season, ending an extraordinary career in which he earned two regular-season MVP awards and became the first player in NBA history to surpass 20,000 career points.
His final All-Star appearance was a fitting occasion, taking place in the city where he had spent most of his NBA career and where he had become one of the league's most beloved stars.
Willis Reed Makes His NBA All-Star Debut
New York Knicks rookie Willis Reed made his first NBA All-Star Game appearance in 1965. Reed scored seven points, collected five rebounds and recorded one assist in 25 minutes.
Reed had been selected by New York in the second round of the 1964 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as one of the league's promising young centers.
His physical playing style, rebounding and leadership would eventually make him the cornerstone of the Knicks teams that won NBA championships in 1970 and 1973.
Reed's first All-Star appearance was an early milestone in a Hall of Fame career that would include seven All-Star selections, a regular-season MVP award and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
Another young player, Philadelphia 76ers forward Luke Jackson, also participated in the game. Jackson contributed five points and one rebound in 15 minutes during his rookie season.
St. Louis Hosts Its Third NBA All-Star Game
The 1965 NBA All-Star Game was held at St. Louis Arena, home of the St. Louis Hawks. It was the third time the city hosted the NBA's annual midseason exhibition, following games in 1958 and 1962.
St. Louis had become one of the league's important basketball cities after the Hawks relocated from Milwaukee in 1955. The franchise enjoyed its greatest success in St. Louis, winning the 1958 NBA championship and making several appearances in the NBA Finals.
The 1965 All-Star Game attracted 16,713 spectators and featured Hawks stars Bob Pettit and Lenny Wilkens on the Western roster.
San Francisco Warriors head coach Alex Hannum directed the West, while Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach led the East. Hannum had previously coached the Hawks to their 1958 championship.
The 1965 game would be the last NBA All-Star Game hosted in St. Louis before the Hawks relocated to Atlanta in 1968. It remains an important event in the history of professional basketball in the city.
1965 NBA All-Star Game Statistical Leaders
| Category | Player / Team | Statistic |
|---|
| Most Points | Oscar Robertson, East | 28 |
| Most Points, West | Gus Johnson | 25 |
| Most Rebounds | Wilt Chamberlain, West | 16 |
| Most Rebounds, East | Bill Russell | 13 |
| Most Assists | Oscar Robertson, East | 8 |
| Most Assists, West | Jerry West | 6 |
| Most Field Goals Made | Jerry Lucas, East | 12 |
| Most Free Throws Made | Oscar Robertson, East | 12 |
| Most Minutes Played | Oscar Robertson and Jerry West | 40 each |
| Most Team Rebounds | Western All-Stars | 66 |
| Highest-Scoring Quarter | Eastern All-Stars | 39, second quarter |
| Combined Points | Both Teams | 247 |
| Winning Margin | Eastern All-Stars | 1 point |
| Attendance | St. Louis Arena | 16,713 |
Historical Significance of the 1965 NBA All-Star Game
The 1965 NBA All-Star Game brought together several generations of basketball legends and produced one of the closest finishes in the event's early history.
Jerry Lucas earned his only All-Star MVP award with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Cincinnati Royals teammate Oscar Robertson led all scorers with 28 points and eight assists.
The Eastern team survived a remarkable Western comeback after entering the fourth quarter with a 16-point lead. The West outscored the East 32-17 in the final period but fell one point short.
The game also marked the final All-Star appearance of Bob Pettit, the first All-Star appearance of Willis Reed, and Wilt Chamberlain's last All-Star Game as a member of the San Francisco Warriors.
For St. Louis basketball fans, the event was especially meaningful because it brought the NBA's greatest stars to the home arena of the Hawks. It was the city's third and final NBA All-Star Game.
With its dramatic finish, outstanding individual performances and important career milestones, the 1965 NBA All-Star Game remains a memorable chapter in professional basketball history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1965 NBA All-Star Game?
The Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 124-123.
Who was the 1965 NBA All-Star Game MVP?
Jerry Lucas of the Cincinnati Royals won MVP honors with 25 points, 10 rebounds and one assist.
When was the 1965 NBA All-Star Game played?
The game was played on January 13, 1965.
Where was the 1965 NBA All-Star Game held?
The game took place at St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, Missouri.
Who scored the most points?
Oscar Robertson led all players with 28 points. Gus Johnson led the West with 25.
Who had the most rebounds?
Wilt Chamberlain led all players with 16 rebounds, while Bill Russell led the East with 13.
How large was the East's lead entering the fourth quarter?
The East led 107-91, a 16-point advantage, before the West outscored it 32-17 in the final period.
Was this Bob Pettit's final NBA All-Star Game?
Yes. Pettit made his final All-Star appearance in 1965 and retired after the season.
Was this Wilt Chamberlain's last All-Star Game with the Warriors?
Yes. Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers later in the 1964-65 season.
Who made his first NBA All-Star appearance?
Willis Reed of the New York Knicks made his All-Star debut.
Which player missed the game because of injury?
Tom Heinsohn of the Boston Celtics was unable to participate. Johnny Green of the New York Knicks replaced him.
Who coached the teams?
Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics coached the East, while Alex Hannum of the San Francisco Warriors coached the West.
How many fans attended?
The recorded attendance was 16,713.
Related NBA All-Star Games
Historical Sources
Submit a Record or Correction
NBAHoopsOnline is dedicated to preserving professional basketball history, including early NBA All-Star Games, original box scores, player statistics, historical franchise names and important moments from the league's past.
If you have additional information about the 1965 NBA All-Star Game, a historical photograph, a correction to the box score or another detail that should be included, we welcome your contribution. Please provide a reliable source whenever possible.
Send corrections and historical information to:
Rednecksbasketball@yahoo.com
Historical submissions and corrections are reviewed before being added to the NBAHoopsOnline archives.
