NBA All-Star Game: Live updates, highlights, results; Team Chuck strikes first, Team Shaq averts disaster

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Team Shaq avoids disaster

Playing without an injured LeBron James, Team Shaq averted disaster in the second semifinal of Sunday’s All-Star mini tournament.

Led by nine points from Damian Lillard, Team Shaq scored a 42-35 win over Team Candace’s roster of Rising Stars.

In the first-to-40 format, Team Candace kept pace with Team Shaq for much of the game that was tied at 28-28. But Team Shaq pulled away with a 14-7 run to secure the win and avoid losing to a team of non-All-Stars. Team Shaq missed a bunch of shots down the stretch as they tried to end the game on a 3-pointer while sitting on 37 points.

Officials then ignored an obvious foul of Kevin Durant as Team Shaq sat on 39 points in an apparent effort to avoid having the game end on the free-throw line.

Damian Lillard eventually put the game to bed with a deep 3 to secure the win.

Team Shaq advances to face Team Chuck in the final.

Team Chuck strikes first

Behind an outburst from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and some actual All-Star Game defense from Victor Wembanyama, Charles Barkley’s team of international stars struck first Sunday night.

Team Chuck cruised to a 42-31 win over Team Kenny in the first semifinal, which featured a lineup of young stars headlined by Jalen Brunson and Evan Mobley. Anthony Edwards was a DNP with a lingering groin injury.

Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 12 points, including the game-winning bucket. Gilgeous-Alexander beat Jaren Jackson Jr. off the dribble and put Team Chuck over 40 points with a two-handed dunk. The first team to 40 points in the semifinal round wins.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s easy path to the bucket with the game on the line won’t assuage critics tired of the lack of defense in the All-Star game. But Victor Wembanyama at least made an effort in his first All-Star game debut.

He finished with six points, four rebounds, one steal and this block of Cade Cunningham in the winning effort for Team Chuck.

How the new All-Star format works

The 74th NBA All-Star Game begins at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on TNT with a new tournament-style format but legend LeBron James will not be participating after earning his record 21st All-Star nod.

James…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/live/nba-all-star-game-live-updates-highlights-results-team-chuck-strikes-first-team-shaq-averts-disaster-000557310.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-17 00:05:00

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