2021 NBA All-Star Game - Team LeBron 170, Team Durant 150

The 70th NBA All-Star Game was played on March 7, 2021, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 170-150 in an event unlike any previous NBA All-Star Game. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the league condensed its traditional All-Star Weekend into a single day, held the game without general ticket sales and implemented extensive health and safety protocols.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo produced one of the most efficient performances in All-Star Game history. He scored 35 points while making all 16 of his field goal attempts, including three three-pointers, and won the Kobe Bryant NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. His 16-for-16 shooting established an All-Star record for most field goals made without a miss.

The game featured LeBron James and Kevin Durant as team captains. James, representing the Los Angeles Lakers, was the leading fan vote-getter and selected a roster that included Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard and Chris Paul. Durant, representing the Brooklyn Nets, selected a team featuring Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson and James Harden.

Durant was unable to participate because of a hamstring injury. His absence made him the first All-Star captain under the draft format to select a team without appearing in the game. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was promoted into the starting lineup, while Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis was named to the All-Star roster.

The pandemic also affected the rosters shortly before tipoff. Philadelphia 76ers teammates Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were ruled out because of COVID-19 contact tracing after exposure to a barber who tested positive. Embiid had been selected to Team Durant, while Simmons was a reserve for Team LeBron.

Team LeBron won the opening quarter 40-39 before delivering a dominant second-quarter performance. Curry, Lillard and Antetokounmpo led an extraordinary offensive stretch as Team LeBron outscored Team Durant 60-41, building a 100-80 halftime advantage.

The 60 points scored by Team LeBron in the second quarter established an NBA All-Star Game record for points in a single quarter at the time. Curry made eight three-pointers during the game, including several attempts from well beyond the arc. Lillard also made eight three-pointers and repeatedly demonstrated his exceptional long-distance shooting range.

Team LeBron continued its strong play in the third quarter, winning the period 46-45. Under the All-Star Game's special format, the first three quarters were treated as separate competitions for charity, while the fourth quarter used an untimed target score.

Team LeBron entered the final period ahead 146-125. The target score was established by adding 24 points to the leading team's total, creating a winning target of 170 in honor of Kobe Bryant's No. 24 jersey.

Team Durant scored 25 points in the untimed fourth quarter, while Team LeBron added the 24 points necessary to secure the victory. Lillard ended the game with a long-range three-pointer to reach the target score and complete the 170-150 win.

Antetokounmpo finished with 35 points, seven rebounds and three assists in only 19 minutes. His perfect shooting performance surpassed the previous All-Star record of eight field goals without a miss, established by Hal Greer in 1968.

Lillard scored 32 points and made eight three-pointers, while Curry added 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting, including eight three-pointers. Jaylen Brown contributed 22 points, and Paul George scored 17. Chris Paul directed the offense with a game-high 16 assists.

James played just 13 minutes and scored four points, his lowest scoring total in an NBA All-Star Game. With the Lakers focused on another championship run, James received limited playing time in the exhibition.

For Team Durant, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal led the team with 26 points and made six three-pointers. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving added 24 points and 12 assists, while teammate James Harden scored 21 points and made seven three-pointers.

Tatum contributed 21 points and seven assists, while Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell scored 15. Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine added 13 points in his first All-Star appearance, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson scored 10 in his All-Star debut.

The 2021 game also featured the first All-Star appearances of Julius Randle, Mike Conley, Jaylen Brown, LaVine and Williamson. Conley, a longtime Memphis Grizzlies standout then playing for the Utah Jazz, received his first selection after 14 NBA seasons.

The NBA held the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest before the game, with the Slam Dunk Contest taking place at halftime. Sabonis won the Skills Challenge, Curry won the Three-Point Contest, and Anfernee Simons won the Slam Dunk Contest.

With Team LeBron's victory, James improved to 4-0 as an All-Star captain since the introduction of the player-draft format in 2018. The game is remembered for Antetokounmpo's flawless shooting, the three-point displays by Curry and Lillard, and the extraordinary circumstances of an All-Star event held during a global pandemic.

Date: March 7, 2021
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Arena: State Farm Arena
Attendance: No general-admission tickets sold because of COVID-19 restrictions
Final Score: Team LeBron 170, Team Durant 150
Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Team LeBron Captain: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Team Durant Captain: Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets (did not play)
Team LeBron Coach: Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz
Team Durant Coach: Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers
Leading Scorer: Giannis Antetokounmpo, 35 points
Team Durant Leading Scorer: Bradley Beal, 26 points
Leading Assists: Chris Paul, 16
Leading Fan Vote-Getter: LeBron James, 5,922,554 votes
Fourth-Quarter Target Score: 170
Officials: Courtney Kirkland, Tom Washington and Tony Brown

* The fourth quarter was untimed. Team LeBron led 146-125 after three quarters, setting a target score of 170. Damian Lillard made the game-winning three-pointer.

Captain: LeBron James | Head Coach: Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz

Captain: Kevin Durant (did not play) | Head Coach: Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers

Statistical abbreviations: MIN = Minutes; FG = Field Goals Made-Attempted; 3PT = Three-Pointers Made-Attempted; FT = Free Throws Made-Attempted; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; PTS = Points. Team rebound totals exclude additional team rebounds.

Kevin Durant - Injured Captain

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant served as captain of Team Durant but missed the game because of a hamstring injury. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum moved into the starting lineup, while Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis was selected as an injury replacement.

Anthony Davis - Injured

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis was selected for the All-Star Game but did not participate because of a calf injury.

Devin Booker - Injured

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker was named to the roster as an injury replacement but subsequently withdrew because of a knee injury. Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley replaced him.

Joel Embiid - COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was removed from the game shortly before tipoff because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Ben Simmons - COVID-19 Contact Tracing

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons was also ruled out shortly before the game because of COVID-19 contact tracing.

Mike Conley - First All-Star Game

Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley received his first All-Star selection in his 14th NBA season. Conley was the final injury replacement named to the 2021 roster.

Jaylen Brown - First All-Star Game

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown made his first All-Star appearance, scoring 22 points for Team LeBron.

Zach LaVine - First All-Star Game

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine made his first All-Star appearance, scoring 13 points for Team Durant.

Zion Williamson - First All-Star Game

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson made his first NBA All-Star appearance and scored 10 points for Team Durant.

Julius Randle - First All-Star Game

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle made his first All-Star appearance, scoring four points for Team Durant.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Shoots 16-for-16

Antetokounmpo made all 16 of his field goal attempts, setting an NBA All-Star Game record for the most field goals made without a miss.

Giannis Wins His First All-Star MVP

Antetokounmpo scored 35 points and won his first Kobe Bryant NBA All-Star Game MVP Award.

Team LeBron Scores 60 Points in the Second Quarter

Team LeBron scored 60 points in the second quarter, establishing a new All-Star Game single-quarter scoring record at the time.

Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard Make Eight Three-Pointers Each

Curry and Lillard each made eight three-pointers. Together, they scored 60 points and made 16 shots from beyond the arc.

Chris Paul Records 16 Assists

Paul led all players with 16 assists while contributing six points and eight rebounds.

Damian Lillard Hits the Game-Winning Shot

Lillard made a long-range three-pointer to give Team LeBron its 170th point and end the game under the target-score format.

LeBron James Improves to 4-0 as an All-Star Captain

Team LeBron won its fourth consecutive game under the captain-selected roster format introduced in 2018.

First NBA All-Star Game Held During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The 2021 game was held with strict health and safety restrictions and without general ticket sales. The NBA condensed the traditional All-Star Weekend events into one day.

Mike Conley Makes His First All-Star Appearance After 14 Seasons

Conley became an All-Star for the first time after spending much of his career as one of the NBA's most respected guards.

Who won the 2021 NBA All-Star Game?

Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 170-150.

Who was the 2021 NBA All-Star Game MVP?

Giannis Antetokounmpo won MVP honors after scoring 35 points on perfect 16-for-16 shooting.

Where was the 2021 NBA All-Star Game played?

The game was played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 7, 2021.

Why was the 2021 NBA All-Star Game unusual?

The NBA held the event during the COVID-19 pandemic, with no general ticket sales and all major All-Star events condensed into a single day.

Did Kevin Durant play in the 2021 All-Star Game?

No. Durant served as a team captain but missed the game because of a hamstring injury.

Who scored the most points?

Giannis Antetokounmpo led all players with 35 points.

Who scored the winning basket?

Damian Lillard made a long-range three-pointer to reach the target score of 170.

Who led the game in assists?

Chris Paul recorded 16 assists for Team LeBron.

Who coached the teams?

Quin Snyder coached Team LeBron, while Doc Rivers coached Team Durant.

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