Sunday, February 18, 2024

J-Speaks: The 73rd NBA All-Star Game Preview

 

Tonight at 8 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN on both TNT and TBS, the National Basketball Association (NBA) will close out its unofficial midseason celebration weekend with its annual unofficial midseason classic with the 73rd Annual NBA All-Star Game. It will feature 24 of the top players on the planet selected by the fans, players, and coaches. The game will feature two of the game’s current icons, with one of them making NBA All-Star Game history. It will also feature a four first time All-Stars, all from the Eastern Conference and several returning that are the game’s present and future as the unofficial midseason classic returns to the traditional Eastern Conference versus Western Conference matchup.

Eastern Conference All-Stars

East Starters

Starting for the Eastern Conference will be Giannis Antetokounmpo (30.8 ppg-3rd NBA, 11.2 rpg-6th NBA, 6.4 apg, 61.6 FG%-9th NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks (35-21 Record-No. 3 East).

This is his eighth All-Star selection in his 11th NBA season, where he has registered 31 30-plus point games, including six 40-plus point games. The man nicknamed “The Greek Freak,” also has accumulated 43 double-doubles, including a career-high and single-game Bucks record of 64 points with 14 rebounds and four steals on 20/28 from the floor and 24/32 at the free throw line in the Bucks 140-126 victory Dec. 13, 2023 versus Indiana Pacers.

The other starting forward is Jayson Tatum (27.1 ppg-9th NBA, 8.6 rpg, 4.8 apg-career-high, 47.5 FG%-career-high, 36.3 3-Pt.%) of the Boston Celtics (43-12 Record-Leads East).

Earning his fifth consecutive All-Star selection in his seventh NBA season, has registered 20 games of 30-plus points, including three 40-plus point performances.

“You never want to take it for granted right,” Tatum said to TNT’s Allie LaForce before the Celtics’ 143-110 victory back on Jan. 27 when he learned of his fifth All-Star selection.

“There’s 450 guys in the league and for the fans to, you know, consistently vote me, you know it’s truly an honor and something I don’t take for granted, right?”

“I grew up  wanting to be at All-Star Weekend every year. And to live out that dream in real time is pretty cool. So, I’m very grateful and thankful for that and excited.”

Anchoring the backcourt for the East starters is unofficial host of All-Star weekend representing the Pacers (31-25 Record-No. 6 East) is Tyese Haliburton (21.8 ppg, 11.7 apg-Leads NBA, 49.2 FG%, 40 3-Pt.%). 

This will be his second straight All-Star selection, that he earned behind career-highs in scoring and assists and three-point percentage. He already has 31 double-doubles, one shy of 32 he had all last season. Those 31 double-doubles includes his first career triple-double of 26 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds on 10/18 shooting, including 5/11 from three-point range in leading the Pacers to a 122-112 victory on Dec. 4, 2023 versus Celtics during the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament.

Haliburton’s second All-Star experience has been a memorable one so far as just 24 hours before during All-Star Saturday Night at the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts of Lucas Oil Stadium he and teammates Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner lead Team Pacers to a victory in the 2024 Kia Skills Challenge.

Joining Haliburton in the East’s starting backcourt is the Bucks Damian Lillard (24.6 ppg, 6.7 apg), who earned his eighth All-Star selection in his 12th NBA season, his first with the Bucks after playing his first 11 NBA seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

While his shooting splits have not been up to par (42.3 FG%, 34.1 3-Pt.%) like it was his first 11 NBA seasons in “Rip City,” he is averaging 20-plus points for the 11th straight season, including 24-plus points for the ninth consecutive season.

In his first season with the Bucks, Lillard has so far registered 14 30-plus point games, including two 40-plus point games and seven double-doubles.

Lillard, 32 two came up aces during All-Star Saturday night winning his second straight Starry Three-Point contest.

While he will be unavailable to play in the league’s unofficial midseason classic due to an injured knee that required a medical procedure, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers (32-22 Record-No. 5 East) earned his seventh consecutive All-Star selection in his 10th NBA season behind a career-high scoring average of 35.3 points, his third straight season averaging 30-plus points. He also averaged in his 34 games played so far in 2023-24 of 11.3 rebounds, a career-high 5.7 assists and 1.8 block shots on 53.3 percent from the floor, 36.6 percent from three-point range, and 88.3 percent at the foul line on a career-high 11.9 attempts.

From Nov. 17, 2023 to Jan. 25, 2024, Embiid scored 30-plus points in 22 consecutive games, the fifth longest such streak in NBA history and the longest streak in 76ers history.

During that streak, Embiid registered a career-high and single-game franchise record of 70 points with 18 boards and five assists on 24/41 from the floor and 21/23 at the charity stripe in the 76ers 133-123 victory Jan. 22, 2024 on NBATV.

East Reserves

Leading the East reserves is Tatum’s teammate from the Celtics Jaylen Brown (22.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 49.2 FG%), who is averaging 20-plus points and at least five boards for the fifth consecutive season in earning his third All-Star selection in his eighth season. He has registered 10 30-plus point games so far this season.

Most Points Through Age 27 In Celtics History (*Hall Of Famer)
Paul Pierce*           12,086
Jayson Tatum        11,276
Antoine Walker     10,995
Jaylen Brown          9,527
Larry Bird*            9,022

Consecutive Seasons Averaging 20-Plus Points In Celtics History (*Hall Of Famer)
Larry Bird*        9   1979-88            Jayson Tatum     5  2019-Present
John Havlicek*  8   1966-74             Jaylen Brown     5  2019-Present
Paul Pierce*       7   2000-07             Kevin McHale*  5  1985-90

Brown like Haliburton, and Lillard also was part of the All-Star Saturday night festivities where he competed in the 2024 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, which Brown was defeated by repeat champion from the NBA G League’s Osceola Magic.

Brown though during the final round of the contest performed his first two dunks wearing the high school jersey of Terrance Clarke, the 19-year-old young man who passed away in a car crash three months before the 2021 NBA Draft. During that June’s draft, Clarke was drafted posthumously by the NBA in the First-Round.

Earning his fifth All-Star section in his seventh NBA season was Donovan Mitchell (28.4 ppg-5th NBA 6.3 apg, 5.4 rpg, 47.3 FG%, 36.1 3-Pt.%) of the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17 Record-No. 2 East).

The 27-year-old Mitchell is averaging career-highs in rebounding and assists, while registering a career-high six double-doubles and totaling 11 double-doubles in his first one-plus seasons in “The Land.” To put that into context, Mitchell only totaled seven double-doubles in his first five seasons with the Utah Jazz.

He has also totaled 19 games scoring 30-plus points, including five 40-plus point games.

Most 40-Plus Point Games In Cleveland Cavaliers History: Top Three
LeBron James        51 In 11 Seasons
Kyrie Irving           18 In 6 Seasons
Donovan Mitchell  11 In One-Plus Seasons

Joining the Celtics with two All-Star sections is the New York Knicks (33-22 Record-No. 4 East) with Jalen Brunson (27.6 ppg-7th NBA, 6.5 apg, 48.3 FG%, 41.1 3-Pt.%), who earned his first All-Star selection in his sixth NBA season and Julius Randle (24.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 5.0 apg, 47.2 FG%), who earned his third All-Star selection in his ninth NBA season.

Brunson, who signed with the Knicks last offseason has risen them to being a serious threat in the Eastern Conference behind career-highs in scoring and assists. He has totaled eight of his 21 career double-doubles in his first one-plus seasons with the Knicks.

The 27-year-old Brunson, who is the first Knicks guard to be named an All-Star since Allan Houston since 2001 has totaled so far this season 22 30-plus point games, five more than what he had all of last season of 17 30-plus point games, including five of his nine career 40-point games for Brunson have come this season.

One of Brunson’s five 40-plus point games came on the night he was selected as an All-Star reserve scoring 40 points on 15/30 from the field and 9/11 at the foul line in the Knicks 109-105 triumph Feb. 1, 2024 versus the Pacers.

During his postgame interview with Madison Square Garden Network’s Alan Hahn, Brunson heard MVP chants from Knicks nation in the arena that brought him to tears and said to Hahn, “That was fun. That was fun. I’ve got nothing to say. I’ve got nothing to say.”

Brunson said about that moment with Turner Sports Taylor Rooks, “I think everything kind of all hit at once.”

“There’s no sporting venue that has the same electricity. Whatever goes on in that building. It’s always iconic. So the fact that I get to call it my home, it’s an amazing feeling. You can’t really put it into words. When you’re there, you just look up and you’re like, ‘Wow. I’m in this place.’”

Highest Scoring Average For A Season In Knicks History
                                                         PPG
Bernard King        1984-85            32.9
Richie Guerin        1961-62            29.5
Carmelo Anthony 2012-13            28.7
Patrick Ewing       1989-90            28.6
Jalen Brunson       2023-24            27.6

Fewest Games To Reach 3,000 Career Points In Knicks History (*Hall Of Famer)
Bob McAdoo*       113 Games     Jalen Brunson  118 Games
Carmelo Anthony 118 Games     Bernard King* 126 Games

While the nation may be coming to know the greatness of Brunson, this is something that he was not shocked by, especially because he put in the work to get to this point helped by his father in former NBA player and now Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson.

Brunson in an interview with TNT’s Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal on Thursday night at the start of All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, IN said he found out earned his first All-Star selection as a reserve after he took the floor at Madison Square Garden and heard some fans yelling that he was named an All-Star and then Brunson’s dad came on the hardwood and looked at his kid nodding his head letting him know he made the East All-Star squad.

“I think he was excited,” Brunson said when O’Neal asked how excited he and his dad were about the Knicks lead guard being named a first-time All-Star. “He didn’t show me how excited he was. But I always hear the snippets from my mom when he goes back home with her. I just knew that deep down he was happy. But we had a game that day. So, we were locked in. But I knew he was happy.”

The one disappointing part for Brunson is he will take the hardwood on Sunday night without Randle, who will be on the shelf for his third All-Star selection (2021 2023, 2024), all as Knick because of a dislocated right shoulder sustained in the Knicks 125-109 victory Jan. 27, 2024 versus the Miami Heat.

Randle before his injury registered 10 30-plus point games and 18 double-doubles on the season. He is expected to return before the end of the regular season.

Representing the Heat (30-25 Record-No. 7 East) in the league’s unofficial midseason classic is Bam Adebayo (20.2 ppg 10.6 rpg-7th NBA, 51.0 FG%,  who earned his second straight All-Star selection and third overall in his seventh NBA season. He will replace Embiid in the starting lineup for the East.

Adebayo, 26 is averaging a career-high in rebounds per game, while averaging 20 points for the second straight season. He has registered 30 double-doubles on the season. It is the fourth time in the last five seasons he has totaled at least 30 double-doubles.

The Sixers will be represented on Sunday night by first-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey (25.7 ppg, 6.4 apg, 44.9 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%) in his fourth NBA season.

Alongside Embiid, Maxey’s emergence is a big reason why the Sixers have turned heads this season behind his 14 30-plus point games, that includes three of his four career 40-plus point games and both of his career 50-point games.

Maxey’s first 50-point performance in the Sixers’ 137-126 victory Nov. 12, 2023 versus the Pacers where he scored 50 on the nose with five assists and seven rebounds on 20/32 from the field, including 7/11 from three-point range.

His second came on the night he was named an All-Star with a career-high of 51 points on 17/27 from the floor, including 7/9 from three and 10/11 from the foul line in the Sixers 127-124 close win Feb. 1, 2024 versus the Utah Jazz on TNT.

The Orlando Magic (30-25 Record-No. 8 East) are in position for their first postseason appearance since 2020 thanks to first-time All-Star Paolo Banchero (23.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 46.2 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%).

The 21-year-old reigning Kia Rookie of the Year, who is the Magic’s first All-Star selection since now Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic in 2021 has risen his numbers across the board and has improved his shooting stroke overall.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 out of Duke University has registered 37 20-plus point games after totaling 40 a season ago. That also includes nine of his 15 career 30-plus point games.

Banchero has also registered both of his career 40-plus point games, all be in defeat.

In the Magic’s 121-111 defeat Dec. 6, 2023 at the Cavaliers, Banchero scored a then career-high of 42 points on 16/26 from the field and 9/12 at the charity stripe.

Three days into this new year, Banchero set a new career-high of 43 points on 13/25 from the floor, including 6/9 on his triple tries and 11/14 at the foul line in the Magic’s 138-135 double-overtime setback Jan. 3, 2024 at the Sacramento Kings.

This game will also feature the Kia Rookie of the Year from two seasons back in Scottie Barnes (20.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.5 blks, 47.3 FG%, 35.3 3-Pt.%) of the Toronto Raptors (19-36 Record-No. 12 East).

The 22-year-old, No. 4 overall pick in June 2021 out of Florida State has registered career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, field goal, three-point percentage and made threes. He also has 21 double-doubles on the season and three of four career triple-doubles.

In terms of scoring, Barnes has registered 32 20-plus point games, including six of his eight career 30-plus point games.  

While the Atlanta Hawks (24-31 Record-No. 10 East) have had an underachieving season, they will be represented at the 2024 All-Star Game by their star floor general Trae Young (26.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg-2nd NBA, 37.1 3-Pt.%), the other injury replacement for the East All-Stars.

Young on the season is averaging 20 points and 10 assists for the second consecutive season, joining Haliburton as the only players to average 20 points and 10 assists on the season. 

Young has registered 35 double-doubles on the season, the fourth time in his six-year career he has registered at least 30 double-doubles.

Of those 35 double-doubles, Young has 29 games of at least 30 points and 10 assists and has 77 such games in his career.

Most Career Games Of 30-Plus Points And 10 Assists In NBA History: Top Six (*Hall Of Famer)
Oscar Robertson*         230      Russell Westbrook (LAC) 84
James Harden (LAC)   101      Trae Young (ATL)             77
LeBron James (LAL)     98       Nate Archibald*                76

Young also participated in All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2024 Kia Skills Challenge alongside Maxey, and Barnes.

Young also participated in the Starry Three-Point Contest making it to the final round.

Western Conference All-Stars

West Starters

On Sunday night, history will be made at the 73rd NBA All-Star Game when Los Angeles Lakers (30-26 Record-No. 9 West) superstar LeBron James (24.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 7.8 apg, 52.0 FG%, 38.5 3-Pt.%) will be playing in the unofficial midseason classic for the 20th straight season. James’ scoring average is the highest in NBA history by a player in their 21st NBA season.

The four-time NBA champion, four-time Kia MVP, and four-time Finals MVP will surpass Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections in NBA.

“The week is a lot. It’s a lot. It’s a lot, you know? But I’m definitely having a lot of fun with it. It’s 20 of them [All-Star appearances] for me. Just super honored to be here once again representing this league. Representing my family. That’s the most important thing for me. It never gets old. Never gets old.”

James, who has won All-Star Game MVP three-times (2006, 2008, and 2018) will be making his 20th straight start in the NBA All-Star Game, also an NBA record. He is the game’s all-time leader in points (426), minutes (521), and field goals made (172) and attempted (334).

The Most All-Star Game Appearances In NBA History (*Hall Of Famer)
LeBron James (LAL)       20     Tim Duncan*          15
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar*   19     Kevin Garnett*       15
Kobe Bryant*                   18      Shaquille O’Neal*  15   
Julius Erving*                  16

Most NBA All-Star        4:  Bob Pettit* and Kobe Bryant*  
Game MVPs                   3: Oscar Robertson, Shaquille O’Neal,* Michael Jordan,*
(*Hall Of Famer)               LeBron James (LAL)

“I can stay at three. If I get four, cool,” James said when Johnson asked if he is shooting to win the 2024 All-Star Game MVP. “But at the end of day, I’m in great company no matter where I’m at. So, it doesn’t even matter to me.”

Players NBA History With A Triple-Double In NBA All-Star Game (*Hall Of Famer)
Michael Jordan*            1998 14 Points, 11 Rebounds, 11 Assists
LeBron James (LAL)    2011 29 Points, 12 Rebounds, 10 Assists
Dwyane Wade*              2012 24 Points, 10 Rebounds, 10 Assists
Kevin Durant (PHX)     2017 21 Points, 10 Rebounds, 10 Assists

The other graybeard to start for the West is Kevin Durant (28.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.7 apg, 53.8 FG%, 44.3 3-Pt.%-8th NBA) of the Phoenix Suns (33-22 Record-No. 5 West), who earned his 14th All-Star selection in his 16th NBA season.

How special has Kevin Durant continued to be in season No. 16, he is shooting over 50 percent for the 11th consecutive season and is shooting over 40 percent from three-point range for the sixth straight season.

He too like James has All-Star Game MVP hardware on his mantle with two (2012 & 2019).

The West All-Stars starting backcourt consists of the present and future stars of “The Association.”

The first part of that starting duo is Luka Doncic (34.2 ppg-Leads NBA, 9.5 apg-3rd NBA, 8.8 rpg, 49.2 FG%, 37.5 3-Pt.%-career-high) of the Dallas Mavericks (32-23 Record-No. 7 West), who earned his fifth consecutive All-Star selection in his sixth NBA season by averaging over 30 points for the second straight season.

Doncic has registered 30 double-doubles on the season, including 10 triple-doubles, which is third in the NBA. He has totaled 35 30-plus point games on the season, including 10 40-plus point games, and two 50-plus point games.

Among those two 50-point games was a career-high and franchise-record of 73 points with 10 rebounds, and seven assists on 25/33 from the field, including 8/13 from three, and 15/16 at the foul line in the Mavericks 148-143 victory Jan. 26, 2024 at the Hawks on NBATV.

In speaking with the NBA on TNT crew of Johnson, Smith, Barkley, and O’Neal back on Jan. 25, 2024 at TNT studios in Atlanta, GA before his 73-point performance at the Hawks, he recalled back as a youngster in Slovenia he tried to stay up late to watch the All-Star Game. But his parents did allow it because he had to go to school early the next morning.

“I always wanted to be [in the] NBA. That’s all,” Doncic said to the NBA on TNT studio crew about what it means to him to be an All-Star again. “My first year [in NBA], I didn’t know what to expect. Where I’m going to be. But I was just happy to be here and to play basketball at the highest level.”

Joining Doncic in the starting backcourt will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.3 ppg-2nd NBA, 6.5 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.2 spg-Leads NBA 54.6 FG%) of the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-17 Record-No. 2 West), who earned his second consecutive All-Star selection in his sixth NBA season.

The 26-year-old lead guard for the Thunder has averaged 30-plus points for the second straight season and leads the NBA with 39 30-plus point games on the season, including five 30-plus point games.

Most Career 30-Plus Point Games            Kevin Durant                   246
In Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma             Russell Westbrook           189
City Thunder History                                 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 117

Manning the middle for the West starters is Nikola Jokic 26.1 ppg, 12.0 rpg-4th NBA, 8.9 apg-4th NBA, 57.7 FG%, 35.2 3-Pt.%) for the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets (36-19 Record-No. 4 West).

The two-time Kia MVP has been nothing short of magnificent in earning sixth consecutive All-Star selection in his ninth NBA season behind his fourth straight season and sixth in the last seven seasons averaging a double-double. Those four straight season averaging at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists on 52-plus percent shooting.

Jokic’s 44 doubles and 15 triple-doubles are second only to the 50 double-doubles and 18 triple-doubles by three-time All-Star big man of the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis.

West Reserves

With good health and stellar production that has come to define his stellar career that has seen him become a two-time NBA champion, Kawhi Leonard (24.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.7 spg, 52.7 FG%, 45.3 3-Pt.%) has helped the Los Angeles Clippers (36-17 Record-No. 3 West) become a serious threat in the Western Conference and earned him his sixth All-Star selection in his 12th NBA season.

The man affectionately dubbed “The Klaw” playing in 48 out of the Clippers 53 games on the season has averaged 20-plus points and five-plus boards for the fifth straight season playing and sixth time in his last seven seasons played. His 52.7 percent from the field is as well as his 45.3 percent from three-point range are career-highs. The 45.3 percentage from three-point range is tied with his teammate Norman Powell for third in “The Association” so far this season.

Leonard on the season has totaled 13 30-plus point games on the season, including a season-high 41 points with five boards, and five assists on 14/23 from the field, including 6/8 on his threes and making all seven of his free throws in the Clippers 117-103 victory Dec. 8, 2023 at the Utah Jazz (26-30 Record-No. 11 West).

Joining Leonard at this season’s unofficial midseason classic is Paul George (22.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 spg, 45.8 FG%, 39.3 3-Pt.%), who earned his ninth All-Star selection in his 14th NBA season, playing in 50 out of the Clippers 53 games on the season.

George has registered eight 30-plus point games so far this season.

The other Laker playing in the 2024 All-Star Game will be Anthony Davis (24.9 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.5 bpg, 55.3 FG%), making his ninth appearance in his 12th NBA season, his first since 2021 thanks to averaging 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds and two-plus block shots for the eighth time in the last 11 seasons.

Davis like James has enjoyed good health this season and has resulted in his second straight season averaging 25-plus points and 12-plus rebounds and two-plus block shots for a second straight season on 55-plus percent shooting. After totaling 40 double-doubles on the season, Davis has totaled 42 double-doubles so far this season, his most since registering 50 double-doubles in his final season with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18.  

Davis has also 15 30-plus point games on the season.

“To have him on the floor every night. He shows every night why he’s the most defensive beast out on the court. He does everything for our team,” James said to Johnson, Smith, Barkley, and O’Neal during the TNT All-Star Pregame Show about Davis’ play this season. “And offensively, he’s [Davis] always stable for our us. He’s amazing and I’m happy to be a teammate of his.”

The Suns also has double representation at the 2024 NBA All-Star game with Devin Booker (27.5 ppg-8th NBA, 7.0 apg-10th NBA, 4.6 rpg, 50.0 FG%-career-high, 37.9 3-Pt.%), who earned his fourth All-Star selection in his ninth NBA season.

The longest tenured Sun has totaled 17 30-plus point games so far in 2023-24, including 50 games with 40-plus points and two games with 50-plus points. That includes a season-high 62 points on 22/37 shooting, including 6/12 from three-point range, and 12/13 from the charity stripe in the Suns 133-131 defeat Jan. 26, 2024 at the Pacers.

Booker has also registered 10 double-doubles, his most since registering 11 in 2019-20 and two shy of tying his career-best of 12 double-doubles the season before.

Having the best-record in the Western Conference for the first time at the All-Star break in their history, the Minnesota Timberwolves earned two invites to the NBA’s unofficial midseason classic of Anthony Edwards (26.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 47.1 FG%, 38.6 3-Pt.%-career-high) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 51.7 FG%, 43.7 3-Pt.%-career-high).

Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick in 2020 out of University of Georgia has risen his scoring in each of his first four NBA seasons and is on the verge of becoming the first player in Timberwolves history to average 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a single-season. He already has six double-doubles after totaling nine all of last season.

Edwards so far this season has registered 19 30-plus point games, including two 40-plus point games, with his most recent coming in the Timberwolves 121-109 victory Feb. 13, 2024 at the Portland Trail Blazers (15-39 Record-No. 14 West), where he totaled on 16/27 field goals, including 4/8 from three-point range.

Towns, who earned his fourth All-Star selection in his ninth NBA season, his first since 2022 is averaging 20-plus points for the eighth consecutive season, shooting 50-plus percent from the field for the seventh time in the last nine seasons.

He has registered 20 double-doubles on the season, his most since totaling 40 in 2021-22. Towns has also totaled four 30-plus point games on the season, including a career-high and single-game franchise-record of 62 points on 21/35 from the floor, including 10/15 from three, and 10/14 at the foul line in the 128-125 loss Jan. 22, 2024 versus the Charlotte Hornets (13-41 Record-No. 13 East).   

Rounding out the West All-Star reserves in Stephen Curry (28.0 ppg-6th NBA, 5.0 apg, 46.2 FG%, 42.1 3-Pt.% of the Golden State Warriors (27-26 Record-No. 10 West), earning his 10th All-Selection in his 15th NBA season. 

“Ten is nice for sure,” Curry said to TNT’s Allie LaForce about earning his 10th All-Star selection during All-Star pregame warmups. “Then I look in my locker room, I’ve got KD [Kevin Durant] whose got 14 [All-Star selection] and I’ve got Bron [LeBron James] whose got 20. So, 10 is nice for sure. Nice kind of milestone. Hopefully there’s a lot more in the future. But 15 years in the league, it’s crazy how fast it’s gone by and how special that number is. I don’t know what the list of 10-plus is. But it's some names for sure.”  

Curry so far this season has registered 22 30-plus point games, including six 40-plus point games. He closed out the unofficial first half of this season with three 30-plus point games coming in the last four games. That stretch including registering seven-plus made triples in the last four games, the first to do it in NBA history.   

The NBA’s all-time leader in threes made in NBA history at 3,642 and counting made another All-Star memory where on All-Star Saturday Night, presented by State Farm he defeated (29-26) WNBA All-Star sharp-shooter of the New York Liberty Sabrina Ionescu, who at last summer’s WNBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, NV registered the highest score for any three-point professional contest with 37 points.

While Curry won the event and earned the championship belt as the three-point champion, the real winners were both player’s non-profit charities of Curry’s “Eat. Learn. Play,” and Ionescu’s “SI20 Foundation” earned $25,000 from the NBA and WNBA and by combining for 55 points in the competition triggered a $55,000 donation from State Farm to the NBA Foundation.  

“That was amazing,” Ionescu said of going up against Curry in this first of its kind event. “Come out here and put on a show. But understanding what this means and excited to change the narrative and be able to do it alongside the greatest to ever to do it.”

Curry echoed those same sentiments by saying after the victory first on the competition, “When I got to the top and I missed the two three-pointers, I knew I had to get hot.”

He then said about the meaning of the competition with Ionescu, “This couldn’t have gone any better in the sense of, you know, us two taking the chance in front of this stage. One round. With all the hype and to deliver like that. She [Ionescu] set the bar. It was unbelievable to watch. This might be something that, I don’t know if anybody can fill these shoe. But it might be something that we need to do more often.

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 1/25/2024 www.nba.com story “LeBron James Makes History With 20th All-Star Selection,” By Tim Reynolds of “The Associated Press;” 2/10/2024 1 a.m. ESPN’s “Sportscenter” from Los Angeles, CA With Linda Cohn and Stan Verrett; 2/15/2024 7 p.m. “TNT NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal; 2/17/2024 5:30 p.m. “All-Saturday Pregame,” TNT With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Allie LaForce; 2/17/2024 8 p.m. “NBA All-Star Saturday Night,” presented by State Farm” TNT With Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Allie LaForce; 2/18/2024 www.nba.com story “2024 AT&T Slam Dunk: Mac McClung Bests Jaylen Brown, Repeats As Champion,” By Shaun Powell; 1/25/2024 and 2/2/2024 7 p.m. “TNT NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 2/18/2024 6 p.m. “TNT NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Carmax With Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Allie LaForce, and Taylor Rooks; https://en.m.wikipedia.org; and  www.espn.com.  

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