NBA All-Star history was made as the Eastern Conference overcame the Western Conference 211-186 in Sunday's annual showdown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Following a six-year spell without the East vs. West format - which had first ended in 2017 - the team led by Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers prevailed in the highest-scoring NBA All-Star Game of all time.
A staggering total of 397 points surpassed the former record of 374, which was set during the 2017 contest, while the Eastern Conference also achieved the highest-ever tally for one team in Indiana.
A multitude of other records were sent tumbling on Sunday, as the East record all-time highs of 97 attempted three-point field goals - succeeding with 42 of them - as well as posting an unrivalled 103 points in one half.
East guard Damian Lillard took home the All-Star Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize courtesy of racking up 39 points throughout the contest, including a game-high 11 three-pointers.
3-pointers from ALL over the court 🎯👌
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2024
The deepest shots from tonight's NBA All-Star Game: pic.twitter.com/8tg0ZgcnQN
"It's an honour. I've been here quite a few times, so to have this kind of accomplishment is special," Lillard said after collecting the Kobe Bryant MVP Trophy.
"I think 200 is a lot to be scored. It just shows that we didn't go out there and compete like I guess you would want us to or whoever would want us to. But I think that's just what it is. Guys are talented. Make a lot of shots. We hit a lot of 3s, and that was it."
Jaylen Brown also contributed 36 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the East, while Tyrese Haliburton hit double figures in the three-point category for a 32-point haul.
Meanwhile, LeBron James shook off an ankle injury to play in his 20th All-Star match, but the LA Lakers legend was restricted to just 14 minutes, during which he amassed eight points for the Western Conference, as well as failing to make any of his three three-point attempts.
Replacement Karl-Anthony Towns topped the individual points standings with a half-century, but the Minnesota Timberwolves center's efforts were in vain as the East clinched their first All-Star success since 2014.
Ben Knapton
