1967 NBA ALL-STAR GAME
West 135 - East 120
Western All-Stars defeat Eastern All-Stars by 15 points
MVP: Rick Barry - San Francisco Warriors
Barry: 38 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
1967 NBA All-Star Game Summary
| Game | 17th NBA All-Star Game |
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| Date | Tuesday, January 10, 1967 |
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| Arena | Cow Palace |
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| Location | Daly City, California, in the San Francisco area |
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| Winning Team | Western All-Stars |
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| Final Score | West 135, East 120 |
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| Margin of Victory | 15 points |
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| Most Valuable Player | Rick Barry, San Francisco Warriors |
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| MVP Statistics | 38 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists |
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| East Head Coach | Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics |
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| West Head Coach | Fred Schaus, Los Angeles Lakers |
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| Referees | Willie Smith and Earl Strom |
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| Attendance | 13,972 |
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| Historical Notes | Rick Barry's only All-Star MVP; West ends a four-game losing streak; Jerry Sloan's All-Star debut |
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1967 NBA All-Star Game Recap
The 17th NBA All-Star Game was played on January 10, 1967, at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, just south of San Francisco. The Western All-Stars defeated the Eastern All-Stars 135-120, ending a four-game losing streak in the annual exhibition. The victory was powered by a spectacular performance from hometown star Rick Barry of the San Francisco Warriors, who scored 38 points and won the All-Star Most Valuable Player award.
Barry made 16 of his 27 field-goal attempts and six of eight free throws while collecting six rebounds and recording three assists. Playing in front of Warriors fans, the second-year forward delivered the highest-scoring performance of the game and helped the West establish control early.
Detroit Pistons forward Dave DeBusschere added 22 points on 11-of-17 shooting, while Los Angeles Lakers forward Elgin Baylor contributed 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. San Francisco center Nate Thurmond recorded 16 points and 18 rebounds in a game-high 42 minutes, and Lakers guard Jerry West finished with 16 points and six assists.
Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals led the Eastern All-Stars with 26 points and five assists. Philadelphia 76ers center Wilt Chamberlain produced 14 points, a game-high 22 rebounds and four assists. Hal Greer and Don Ohl each scored 17 points, while Chet Walker added 15.
The West led 39-33 after the opening quarter and extended its advantage to 77-67 at halftime. The East narrowed the deficit slightly in the third quarter, but the West finished strongly, outscoring the East 31-25 in the fourth to secure the 15-point victory.
The result was particularly significant because the Eastern roster included several of the league's biggest stars, including Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Robertson, John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas. Nevertheless, Barry's scoring and the West's balanced offense proved too much for the East.
1967 NBA All-Star Game Scoring by Quarter
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total |
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| West |
39 | 38 | 27 | 31 | 135 |
| East |
33 | 34 | 28 | 25 | 120 |
The West opened with 39 points in the first quarter and followed with 38 in the second, taking a 77-67 halftime lead. The Eastern All-Stars held a narrow 28-27 advantage in the third quarter, reducing the deficit to nine points.
Entering the fourth quarter, the West led 104-95. The Western team then outscored the East 31-25 to finish with a 135-120 victory.
The West made 58 of 116 field-goal attempts, shooting exactly 50 percent, compared with 45 of 96 for the East, or 46.9 percent. The Eastern team held a slight 58-56 rebounding advantage, but the West recorded 36 assists compared with 24 for the East.
Western All-Stars Box Score - 135 Points
Head Coach: Fred Schaus, Los Angeles Lakers
Most Valuable Player: Rick Barry, 38 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Leading Scorer: Rick Barry, 38 points
Leading Rebounder: Nate Thurmond, 18 rebounds
Leading Assists: Guy Rodgers, 8 assists
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA | FTM | FTA | REB | AST | PF | PTS |
| Rick Barry (MVP) | San Francisco Warriors | 34 | 16 | 27 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 38 |
| Elgin Baylor | Los Angeles Lakers | 20 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 20 |
| Nate Thurmond | San Francisco Warriors | 42 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
| Guy Rodgers | Chicago Bulls | 28 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Jerry West | Los Angeles Lakers | 30 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 16 |
| Darrall Imhoff | Los Angeles Lakers | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Jerry Sloan | Chicago Bulls | 22 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Dave DeBusschere | Detroit Pistons | 25 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 |
| Bill Bridges | St. Louis Hawks | 17 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Lenny Wilkens | St. Louis Hawks | 16 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| TOTALS | 240 | 58 | 116 | 19 | 26 | 56 | 36 | 24 | 135 |
Eastern All-Stars Box Score - 120 Points
Head Coach: Red Auerbach, Boston Celtics
Leading Scorer: Oscar Robertson, 26 points
Leading Rebounder: Wilt Chamberlain, 22 rebounds
Leading Assists: Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell, 5 each
| Player | Team | MIN | FGM | FGA | FTM | FTA | REB | AST | PF | PTS |
| Bailey Howell | Boston Celtics | 14 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Willis Reed | New York Knicks | 17 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | Philadelphia 76ers | 39 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 14 |
| Oscar Robertson | Cincinnati Royals | 34 | 9 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 26 |
| Hal Greer | Philadelphia 76ers | 31 | 5 | 16 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 17 |
| John Havlicek | Boston Celtics | 17 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| Don Ohl | Baltimore Bullets | 22 | 5 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| Bill Russell | Boston Celtics | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Chet Walker | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
| Jerry Lucas | Cincinnati Royals | 22 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| TOTALS | 240 | 45 | 96 | 30 | 37 | 58 | 24 | 22 | 120 |
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 have a three-point line in 1967. Steals and blocked shots were not yet recorded as official individual statistics.
Rick Barry Wins the 1967 NBA All-Star MVP Award
Rick Barry's performance at the 1967 NBA All-Star Game was one of the finest individual scoring displays in the event's early history. Playing in front of a home crowd at the Cow Palace, the San Francisco Warriors forward scored 38 points on 16-of-27 shooting and added six rebounds and three assists.
Barry was in only his second NBA season, but he had already developed into one of the league's most dangerous offensive players. His scoring ability, quick release and versatility allowed him to create shots from different areas of the floor.
His 38 points helped the Western All-Stars end a four-game losing streak and defeat an Eastern roster featuring Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson and several other future Hall of Famers.
The award was the only NBA All-Star MVP honor of Barry's career. He went on to lead the league in scoring during the 1966-67 season, averaging 35.6 points per game, and helped the Warriors reach the NBA Finals.
Barry later played in the American Basketball Association before returning to the NBA. In 1975, he led the Golden State Warriors to the NBA championship and earned NBA Finals MVP honors, further establishing his place among basketball's all-time great scorers.
The Western All-Stars End a Four-Game Losing Streak
The Western All-Stars entered the 1967 game having lost four consecutive All-Star contests, dating back to the East's victory in 1963. The streak included a one-point loss in 1965 and a 43-point defeat in 1966.
The West reversed that trend immediately in 1967, scoring 39 points in the opening quarter and building a 10-point halftime advantage. Rick Barry supplied the offensive firepower, while Dave DeBusschere, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Nate Thurmond provided additional scoring and rebounding.
Although the East narrowed the deficit in the third quarter, the Western team remained in control and won 135-120. The West's 58 field goals and 36 assists reflected an efficient and balanced offensive performance.
The victory was especially satisfying for the Warriors' representatives because the game was played in their home arena. Barry scored 38 points, Thurmond added 16 points and 18 rebounds, and the Western team celebrated a convincing victory in front of the local fans.
Nate Thurmond's 42 Minutes and 18 Rebounds
San Francisco Warriors center Nate Thurmond played a game-high 42 minutes in the 1967 NBA All-Star Game, an unusually heavy workload for an exhibition contest. He finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds, leading the Western team on the boards.
Thurmond's rebounding was particularly important against an Eastern frontcourt featuring Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Willis Reed and Jerry Lucas. The East ultimately finished with a slight advantage in total rebounds, but Thurmond provided the West with a strong interior presence.
Thurmond was one of the NBA's premier defensive centers during the 1960s and 1970s. His combination of size, strength and mobility made him a formidable opponent for the league's most accomplished big men.
His 1967 performance complemented Barry's scoring and helped the Warriors' two All-Stars make a major contribution to the Western victory.
Wilt Chamberlain's 22-Rebound Performance
Wilt Chamberlain delivered an outstanding rebounding performance for the Eastern All-Stars, collecting a game-high 22 rebounds in 39 minutes. He also scored 14 points on six-of-seven field-goal shooting and recorded four assists.
Chamberlain's efficiency from the field was remarkable, but he attempted relatively few shots compared with several of his Eastern teammates. Oscar Robertson led the East with 26 points, while Hal Greer and Don Ohl each scored 17.
The 1966-67 season would become one of the most important of Chamberlain's career. Later that spring, he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA championship, ending the Boston Celtics' run of eight consecutive titles.
The 76ers finished the regular season with a 68-13 record and defeated the San Francisco Warriors in the NBA Finals. The championship series brought Chamberlain and Rick Barry together again, this time as opponents competing for the league title.
Dave DeBusschere Scores 22 Points for the West
Detroit Pistons forward Dave DeBusschere provided one of the game's most efficient scoring performances, finishing with 22 points on 11-of-17 field-goal shooting in 25 minutes.
DeBusschere also collected six rebounds and helped the Western team maintain its lead against a talented Eastern frontcourt. His scoring total was second only to Rick Barry among Western players.
Known for his defensive intensity and physical play, DeBusschere later became a key member of the New York Knicks championship teams in 1970 and 1973.
His 1967 All-Star performance demonstrated that he was capable of making a substantial offensive contribution in addition to his defensive responsibilities.
Jerry Sloan Makes His NBA All-Star Debut
Chicago Bulls guard Jerry Sloan made his first NBA All-Star appearance in 1967, contributing eight points, four rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes for the West.
Sloan was a member of the Bulls' inaugural 1966-67 roster, making his selection particularly notable during the franchise's first season. His defensive ability and competitive playing style quickly made him an important figure in Chicago basketball.
Sloan later became one of the NBA's most respected coaches, spending more than two decades leading the Utah Jazz. Under his leadership, the Jazz reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.
His appearance in the 1967 game provides an interesting connection between the early Chicago Bulls, the expansion era of the NBA and the later success of the Utah Jazz.
Guy Rodgers Represents the Expansion Chicago Bulls
Guy Rodgers represented the Chicago Bulls in the 1967 NBA All-Star Game after spending the previous eight seasons with the Philadelphia and San Francisco Warriors franchise.
Rodgers scored just one point, missing all four field-goal attempts, but he recorded eight assists and two rebounds in 28 minutes. His passing helped support the Western team's balanced offensive attack.
Rodgers had been one of the NBA's most accomplished playmakers throughout the 1960s. He was selected by Chicago in the 1966 expansion draft and played an important role during the Bulls' first season.
Along with Jerry Sloan, Rodgers gave the new Chicago franchise two representatives in the 1967 NBA All-Star Game.
Red Auerbach's Final All-Star Game as Coach
Red Auerbach was listed as head coach of the Eastern All-Stars for the 1967 game, following the Boston Celtics' appearance in the previous NBA Finals.
Auerbach had stepped away from his regular head-coaching position after leading Boston to the 1966 NBA championship, the franchise's eighth consecutive title. Bill Russell succeeded him as Celtics player-coach for the 1966-67 season.
The 1967 All-Star Game therefore represented a transition between two eras of Boston basketball. Auerbach remained a central figure in the Celtics organization, while Russell had begun his historic role as the NBA's first Black head coach.
The game is also remembered for Auerbach's ejection, an unusual event in All-Star history. His long association with the Eastern All-Stars reflected Boston's dominance of the NBA during the late 1950s and 1960s.
The Cow Palace and San Francisco Basketball History
The 1967 NBA All-Star Game was played at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. Although commonly described as a San Francisco venue, the arena is located just south of the San Francisco city limits.
The Cow Palace served as the home of the San Francisco Warriors during part of the franchise's early years in California. The Warriors had moved west from Philadelphia in 1962 and would eventually adopt the Golden State Warriors name in 1971.
The 1967 All-Star Game drew 13,972 spectators and featured two Warriors players, Rick Barry and Nate Thurmond, on the Western roster.
The game was particularly memorable for local fans because Barry won the MVP award after scoring 38 points, while Thurmond added 16 points and 18 rebounds.
The Warriors would return to the Cow Palace later in 1967 for NBA Finals games against the Philadelphia 76ers, creating another significant chapter in the arena's basketball history.
1967 NBA All-Star Game Statistical Leaders
| Category | Player / Team | Statistic |
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| Most Points | Rick Barry, West | 38 |
| Most Points, East | Oscar Robertson | 26 |
| Most Rebounds | Wilt Chamberlain, East | 22 |
| Most Rebounds, West | Nate Thurmond | 18 |
| Most Assists | Guy Rodgers, West | 8 |
| Most Assists, East | Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell | 5 each |
| Most Field Goals Made | Rick Barry, West | 16 |
| Most Free Throws Made | Oscar Robertson, East | 8 |
| Most Minutes Played | Nate Thurmond, West | 42 |
| Most Team Assists | Western All-Stars | 36 |
| Highest-Scoring Quarter | Western All-Stars | 39, first quarter |
| Combined Points | Both Teams | 255 |
| Winning Margin | Western All-Stars | 15 points |
| Attendance | Cow Palace | 13,972 |
Historical Significance of the 1967 NBA All-Star Game
The 1967 NBA All-Star Game remains an important event in the history of professional basketball because it combined a dominant individual scoring performance, a major Western Conference victory and several memorable career milestones.
Rick Barry won the only All-Star MVP award of his career after scoring 38 points in front of his home crowd. His performance helped the West end a four-game losing streak and defeat a heavily favored Eastern roster.
Nate Thurmond played 42 minutes and collected 18 rebounds, while Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 rebounds for the East. Dave DeBusschere added 22 points, and Oscar Robertson led the Eastern team with 26.
The game also featured the All-Star debut of Jerry Sloan, the presence of two players from the expansion Chicago Bulls and Red Auerbach's final All-Star coaching appearance.
Later that season, Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers would defeat Barry's San Francisco Warriors in the NBA Finals, adding another historical connection between the stars of the 1967 All-Star Game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1967 NBA All-Star Game?
The Western All-Stars defeated the Eastern All-Stars 135-120.
Who was the 1967 NBA All-Star Game MVP?
Rick Barry of the San Francisco Warriors won MVP honors after scoring 38 points, grabbing six rebounds and recording three assists.
When was the 1967 NBA All-Star Game played?
The game took place on January 10, 1967.
Where was the 1967 NBA All-Star Game held?
The game was played at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, near San Francisco.
How many points did Rick Barry score?
Barry scored 38 points on 16-of-27 field-goal shooting and six-of-eight free-throw shooting.
Who led the Eastern All-Stars in scoring?
Oscar Robertson led the East with 26 points.
Who collected the most rebounds?
Wilt Chamberlain led all players with 22 rebounds. Nate Thurmond led the West with 18.
Who had the most assists?
Guy Rodgers of the Chicago Bulls led all players with eight assists.
How many minutes did Nate Thurmond play?
Thurmond played 42 minutes, the most of any participant.
Did Jerry Sloan play in the 1967 NBA All-Star Game?
Yes. Sloan made his first All-Star appearance as a member of the expansion Chicago Bulls.
Who coached the teams?
Fred Schaus of the Los Angeles Lakers coached the West, while Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics was listed as the East's head coach.
How many fans attended?
The recorded attendance was 13,972.
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