Rome Flynn repeats as NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP and Team Giannis triumphs 65-58.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Rome Flynn earned MVP honors for a second consecutive year in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night, scoring 17 points to help Team Giannis secure a 65-58 win.
Anthony Anderson, coaching the squad that took the loss, led a roster anchored by former 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall, who finished with 20 points.
The event brought basketball back to the Forum, the former home of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Showtime era until 1999, when the team relocated to downtown LA. Today the venue bears a different sponsor name, courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and it’s largely used for concerts and other entertainment events.
halftime featured a K-pop debut, with the boy group CORTIS performing for the crowd.
Victor Wembanyama got the ceremonial opening tip, tossing it to Team Giannis’ Jenna Bandy and Team Anthony’s Adrien Nunez, who gained control, were fouled, and missed their first attempt.
Bandy was the sole woman in either starting five.
Team Giannis dominated the paint, thanks in large part to Fall’s rebounding; his dunk narrowed the gap to one point in the third period.
Chinese actor-singer Dylan Wang drew the loudest cheers, especially after stringing together back-to-back baskets in the opening quarter for Team Giannis.
Among the oldest participants were Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, 46, and Charlotte Hornets ownership figure Rick Schnall, in his 50s. Schnall fouled Ishbia in the first quarter, and Ishbia sank the ensuing free throws, a nod to his college hoops days at Michigan State.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen drained a long four-point shot from the U.S. flag line, helping Team Anthony surge in the second quarter. He finished with 18 points.
Mascots from the Hornets and Mavericks traded in as sixth men, briefly manning the backcourt in the third quarter amid some role-shifting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo did not participate in the All-Star Game on Sunday after being sidelined since January 23 with a calf strain. On Friday, though, he had help from his brothers Thanasis and Alex, plus Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts as an intake assistant coach.
Former NBA guard Jeremy Lin credited Betts with delivering an inspiring halftime speech, saying, “He clearly knows a lot about basketball.”
The game kicked off the All-Star weekend, setting the stage for the Rising Stars showcase nearby at the Intuit Dome.
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