2002 NBA ALL-STAR GAME - FINAL SCORE
WEST 135 - EAST 120
Kobe Bryant: 31 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant
2002 NBA All-Star Game Recap
The 51st NBA All-Star Game was played on February 10, 2002, at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 135-120 before an announced crowd of 19,581 spectators. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant earned his first NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award after scoring a game-high 31 points.
The game represented a homecoming for Bryant, who grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Lower Merion High School in nearby Ardmore. Despite his local connections, Bryant was repeatedly booed by portions of the crowd. Philadelphia basketball fans had watched Bryant and the Lakers defeat the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals, and the disappointment from that championship series remained fresh.
Bryant responded with one of the finest individual performances of the evening. In 30 minutes, he made 12 of 25 field goal attempts and converted all seven free throws. He also recorded five rebounds, five assists and one steal.
His 31 points made him the first player since Michael Jordan in 1993 to score at least 30 points in an NBA All-Star Game. The performance helped establish Bryant as one of the league's leading stars as the Lakers pursued their third consecutive NBA championship.
The Western Conference established control early, outscoring the East 32-24 in the first quarter. The West followed with a 40-point second quarter, taking a 72-55 lead into halftime.
Western Conference coach Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks had a deep roster featuring Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Gary Payton. The combination of interior scoring, rebounding and outside shooting helped the West maintain its advantage throughout the first three quarters.
By the end of the third quarter, the Western Conference led 100-77. Although the East outscored the West 43-35 in the final period, the deficit was too large to overcome.
Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton scored 18 points on seven-for-13 shooting. He made four of six three-point attempts, added six assists and recorded three steals.
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan contributed 14 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, including 11 defensive rebounds. Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett also scored 14 points and collected 12 rebounds, giving the West two players with double-doubles.
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki made his first NBA All-Star appearance, scoring 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds. His Dallas teammate Steve Nash also made his All-Star debut, contributing eight points and a game-high nine assists.
Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic scored 11 points, making three of five three-point attempts. Stojakovic also won the Three-Point Shootout during All-Star Weekend.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wally Szczerbiak scored 10 points in just 12 minutes, making four of six field goal attempts, including two three-pointers. Szczerbiak was making his only NBA All-Star appearance.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand contributed six points and 10 rebounds. Brand was selected as an injury replacement for Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, who was unable to participate.
Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis scored three points and handed out three assists in his first NBA All-Star Game. Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber added eight points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Eastern Conference was led by Orlando Magic forward Tracy McGrady, who scored 24 points on nine-for-15 shooting. McGrady also recorded four assists and three steals.
McGrady produced one of the game's most memorable highlights when he tossed the ball off the backboard to himself and finished with a spectacular dunk. The play became one of the defining moments of the 2002 All-Star Game.
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce made his first NBA All-Star appearance, scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Pierce made nine of 18 field goal attempts and added three assists.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ray Allen scored 15 points and recorded three steals. Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning contributed 13 points, three rebounds and two blocked shots, making six of seven field goal attempts.
Atlanta Hawks forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim made his only NBA All-Star appearance, scoring nine points on perfect four-for-four shooting. He also grabbed six rebounds.
Philadelphia 76ers center Dikembe Mutombo scored eight points and collected 10 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. Mutombo represented the host team alongside Allen Iverson.
Iverson, the reigning All-Star Game MVP, struggled offensively. He scored five points on two-for-nine shooting, adding four rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes.
Michael Jordan returned to the All-Star Game as a member of the Washington Wizards. Jordan scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and recorded three assists and two steals. The appearance marked his return to the NBA's midseason showcase after coming out of retirement in 2001.
Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker added eight points, while Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds in his first All-Star appearance.
New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd scored two points and handed out three assists. Charlotte Hornets guard Baron Davis also scored two points, adding five assists after being selected to replace injured Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter.
The West finished with 56 field goals on 120 attempts, shooting 46.7 percent. The East made 50 of 108 attempts for 46.3 percent. The Western Conference also held a 63-51 rebounding advantage and recorded 39 assists compared with 29 for the East.
Three-point shooting contributed significantly to the Western Conference victory. The West made 13 of 30 three-point attempts, while the East converted nine of 29.
The 2002 NBA All-Star Game was also notable for its presentation. It was the final All-Star Game before the league returned to using conference-specific All-Star uniforms in 2003. Players in the 2002 game wore the uniforms of their respective NBA teams.
All-Star Weekend included a Slam Dunk Contest victory by Golden State Warriors rookie Jason Richardson, who also earned Rookie Challenge MVP honors. Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic won the Three-Point Shootout.
For Bryant, the 2002 game was the beginning of a remarkable All-Star MVP legacy. He would later earn the award in 2007, share it with Shaquille O'Neal in 2009 and win again in 2011, finishing his career with four All-Star Game MVP awards.
2002 NBA All-Star Game Information
Date: February 10, 2002
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Arena: First Union Center
Attendance: 19,581
Final Score: Western Conference 135, Eastern Conference 120
Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Western Conference Coach: Don Nelson, Dallas Mavericks
Eastern Conference Coach: Byron Scott, New Jersey Nets
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Derrick Stafford and Jess Kersey
Leading Scorer: Kobe Bryant, 31 points
Leading Rebounder: Tim Duncan, 14 rebounds
Leading Assists: Steve Nash, 9 assists
Slam Dunk Contest Winner: Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
Three-Point Shootout Winner: Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings
Rookie Challenge: Rookies 103, Sophomores 97
Rookie Challenge MVP: Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
2002 NBA All-Star Game Score by Quarter
| Conference |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Final |
| Western Conference |
32 | 40 | 28 | 35 | 135 |
| Eastern Conference |
24 | 31 | 22 | 43 | 120 |
Western Conference Box Score - 135 Points
Head Coach: Don Nelson, Dallas Mavericks
| Player | Team | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | PTS | OREB | REB | AST | TO | PF | STL | BLK |
| Starters |
| Kevin Garnett | Minnesota Timberwolves | 24 | 7-15 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Chris Webber | Sacramento Kings | 20 | 3-7 | 1-2 | 1-4 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tim Duncan | San Antonio Spurs | 29 | 7-11 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Steve Francis | Houston Rockets | 18 | 1-8 | 0-1 | 1-2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Kobe Bryant (MVP) | Los Angeles Lakers | 30 | 12-25 | 0-4 | 7-7 | 31 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Reserves |
| Gary Payton | Seattle SuperSonics | 22 | 7-13 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Peja Stojakovic | Sacramento Kings | 18 | 4-10 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steve Nash | Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 3-9 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | 24 | 5-11 | 1-4 | 1-1 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Elton Brand | Los Angeles Clippers | 19 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Wally Szczerbiak | Minnesota Timberwolves | 12 | 4-6 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Karl Malone | Utah Jazz | DNP - Injury |
| TEAM TOTALS | | 240 | 56-120 | 13-30 | 10-14 | 135 | 27 | 63 | 39 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 3 |
Eastern Conference Box Score - 120 Points
Head Coach: Byron Scott, New Jersey Nets
| Player | Team | MIN | FG | 3PT | FT | PTS | OREB | REB | AST | TO | PF | STL | BLK |
| Starters |
| Michael Jordan | Washington Wizards | 22 | 4-13 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Antoine Walker | Boston Celtics | 16 | 3-8 | 2-4 | 0-0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | Philadelphia 76ers | 21 | 3-5 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jason Kidd | New Jersey Nets | 18 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Allen Iverson | Philadelphia 76ers | 25 | 2-9 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reserves |
| Alonzo Mourning | Miami Heat | 16 | 6-7 | 0-0 | 1-1 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Ray Allen | Milwaukee Bucks | 25 | 6-17 | 3-10 | 0-0 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Shareef Abdur-Rahim | Atlanta Hawks | 21 | 4-4 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics | 23 | 9-18 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 19 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tracy McGrady | Orlando Magic | 23 | 9-15 | 2-4 | 4-4 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Jermaine O'Neal | Indiana Pacers | 17 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Baron Davis | Charlotte Hornets | 13 | 1-5 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vince Carter | Toronto Raptors | DNP - Injury |
| TEAM TOTALS | | 240 | 50-108 | 9-29 | 11-13 | 120 | 15 | 51 | 29 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 3 |
Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes; FG = Field Goals Made-Attempted; 3PT = Three-Point Field Goals Made-Attempted; FT = Free Throws Made-Attempted; PTS = Points; OREB = Offensive Rebounds; REB = Total Rebounds; AST = Assists; TO = Turnovers; PF = Personal Fouls; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocked Shots. DNP = Did Not Play.
2002 NBA All-Star Game Team Statistics
| Statistic | West | East |
|---|
| Final Score | 135 | 120 |
| Field Goals | 56-120 | 50-108 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 46.7% | 46.3% |
| Three-Point Field Goals | 13-30 | 9-29 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 43.3% | 31.0% |
| Free Throws | 10-14 | 11-13 |
| Free-Throw Percentage | 71.4% | 84.6% |
| Offensive Rebounds | 27 | 15 |
| Total Rebounds | 63 | 51 |
| Assists | 39 | 29 |
| Steals | 11 | 11 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 15 |
| Personal Fouls | 12 | 12 |
Injuries and All-Star Replacements
Three selected All-Stars were unable to participate in the 2002 game. Two replacement players were named.
| Conference | Unavailable Player | Replacement |
|---|
| East | Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors | Baron Davis, Charlotte Hornets |
| West | Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers | Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers |
| West | Karl Malone, Utah Jazz | No replacement named |
All three unavailable players retained their All-Star selections. Malone did not participate because of injury.
2002 NBA All-Star Weekend Results
| Event | Winner / Result | Team |
|---|
| All-Star Game | Western Conference 135, Eastern Conference 120 | Western Conference |
| All-Star Game MVP | Kobe Bryant | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Slam Dunk Contest | Jason Richardson | Golden State Warriors |
| Three-Point Shootout | Peja Stojakovic | Sacramento Kings |
| Rookie Challenge | Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 | Rookies |
| Rookie Challenge MVP | Jason Richardson | Golden State Warriors |
2002 NBA All-Star Game Historical Notes
Kobe Bryant Wins His First All-Star MVP
Bryant scored 31 points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded five assists. It was the first of four All-Star Game MVP awards he would earn during his career.
Kobe Bryant Returns to Philadelphia
Bryant grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Lower Merion High School. Despite his local ties, he received a hostile reception from fans still disappointed by the Lakers' victory over the 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.
The West Scores 72 First-Half Points
The Western Conference scored 32 points in the first quarter and 40 in the second, building a 72-55 halftime advantage. The West led 100-77 after three quarters.
Tracy McGrady's Self-Pass Dunk
McGrady threw the basketball off the backboard to himself and completed a memorable dunk. He finished with 24 points, four assists and three steals.
Michael Jordan Returns as a Washington Wizard
Jordan played in his first All-Star Game since returning from retirement. Representing the Washington Wizards, he scored eight points in 22 minutes.
Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash Make Their All-Star Debuts
Dallas Mavericks teammates Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash made their first NBA All-Star appearances. Nowitzki scored 12 points, while Nash contributed eight points and nine assists.
Tim Duncan Records a Double-Double
Duncan scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. He also blocked two shots in 29 minutes.
Kevin Garnett Grabs 12 Rebounds
Garnett scored 14 points and collected 12 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds.
Gary Payton Makes Four Three-Pointers
Payton scored 18 points and made four of six attempts from beyond the arc. He also recorded six assists and three steals.
Paul Pierce Makes His All-Star Debut
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in his first NBA All-Star Game.
Jermaine O'Neal Makes His All-Star Debut
Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal made his first All-Star appearance, contributing seven points and seven rebounds.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim Makes His Only All-Star Appearance
Atlanta Hawks forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored nine points without missing a field goal, finishing four-for-four from the floor.
Wally Szczerbiak Makes His Only All-Star Appearance
Szczerbiak scored 10 points in 12 minutes. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard-forward was appearing in his only NBA All-Star Game.
Elton Brand Replaces Shaquille O'Neal
With Shaquille O'Neal unable to participate, Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand was selected as his replacement. Brand finished with six points and 10 rebounds.
Karl Malone Does Not Play
Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone was selected to the Western Conference team but did not participate because of injury. No replacement was named.
Peja Stojakovic Wins the Three-Point Shootout
Stojakovic won the Three-Point Shootout and also scored 11 points in the All-Star Game, making three of five three-point attempts.
Jason Richardson Wins the Slam Dunk Contest
Golden State Warriors rookie Jason Richardson won the Slam Dunk Contest. He also earned Rookie Challenge MVP honors as the Rookies defeated the Sophomores 103-97.
Philadelphia Hosts the All-Star Game
Philadelphia hosted the NBA All-Star Game for the fourth time. The city had previously hosted the event in 1960, 1970 and 1976.
The Final All-Star Game Featuring Team Uniforms
The 2002 game was the final NBA All-Star Game in which players wore their regular team uniforms before the league returned to conference-specific uniforms in 2003.
2002 NBA All-Star Game FAQ
Who won the 2002 NBA All-Star Game?
The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 135-120 on February 10, 2002.
Who was the 2002 NBA All-Star Game MVP?
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers won MVP honors after scoring 31 points, grabbing five rebounds and recording five assists.
Where was the 2002 NBA All-Star Game played?
The game was played at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Who scored the most points?
Kobe Bryant led all players with 31 points. Tracy McGrady led the Eastern Conference with 24.
Who had the most rebounds?
Tim Duncan led all players with 14 rebounds. Kevin Garnett grabbed 12, and Elton Brand collected 10.
Who had the most assists?
Steve Nash led the game with nine assists. Gary Payton recorded six assists for the Western Conference.
Who coached the All-Star teams?
Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks coached the Western Conference. Byron Scott of the New Jersey Nets coached the Eastern Conference.
How many fans attended?
The announced attendance was 19,581.
Did Michael Jordan play?
Yes. Jordan represented the Washington Wizards and scored eight points in 22 minutes.
Did Karl Malone play?
No. Malone was selected to the Western Conference team but did not participate because of injury.
Who won the 2002 Slam Dunk Contest?
Jason Richardson of the Golden State Warriors won the contest.
Who won the 2002 Three-Point Shootout?
Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings won the competition.
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