The NBA All-Star Game is here and it’s time to check out some the league’s best talent from the East and West. Team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo look to lead their respective teams to victory Sunday night at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden were selected by James as starters, while Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kemba Walker highlight Team Giannis.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET with all the bragging rights on the line.
Keep it right here for live updates from Team LeBron-Team Giannis.
FINAL: Team LeBron 178, Team Giannis 164
What. A. Game. Team Giannis looked like they were going to run away with the game after a dominant first half, but Team LeBron completed the comeback and really showed up in the third and fourth quarters.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led all scorers with 38 points, while Paul George and Khris Middleton each had 20 for Team Giannis. Kevin Durant paced Team LeBron with 32 points to earn All-Star Game MVP honors, with Klay Thompson adding 20 and LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard adding 19 apiece.
Fourth Quarter, :47: What a turnaround.
Team LeBron has a 16-point lead! It looks like it’s too late for Team Giannis at this point.
Fourth Quarter, 1:43: We’re in the final two minutes! Team LeBron has a 171-160 advantage. Will Team Giannis mount a comeback?
Fourth Quarter, 3:00: Team LeBron has a 10-point lead thanks in part to the Boston Celtics’ own Kyrie Irving.
Fourth Quarter, 7:30: Oh my. Team LeBron can’t stop hitting treys.
After tying it up at 153-153, a quick dunk gives Team LeBron the lead again.
Fourth Quarter, 8:10: Despite a miscue, Team Giannis finishes off a sick sequence with a 3-pointer.
The game remains tight after Team Giannis was running away with it for most of the first half.
Fourth Quarter, 9:13: Oh, OK Steph.
Fourth Quarter, 10:45: Russell Westbrook with the dunk to give Team Giannis a 136-134 lead.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Team LeBron is leading at the end of the third, 132-131.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he’s done all game, is pacing all scorers with 31 points. Paul George and Kevin Durant each have 20 of their own, while Damian Lillard has 18 points for Team LeBron.
Team LeBron also knocked down 12 (!) 3-point shots in the third.
Third Quarter, :32: Team LeBron takes a one-point lead in the closing seconds of the third!
Third Quarter, 1:00: Just as Team Giannis tries to create some separation, Bradley Beal brings Team LeBron back in it.
Third Quarter, 2:53: TIE GAME! Team LeBron sinks a trey to tie it all up at 124.
Third Quarter, 4:26: Here comes Team LeBron! We have ourselves a five-point game.
Third Quarter, 11:30: *Insert eyes emoji*
Third Quarter, 12:00: Welcome back! Team LeBron looks to erase the deficit and get back in the game to start the second half.
HALFTIME: Team Giannis, 95, Team LeBron, 82: As expected, it’s been a high-scoring affair at Spectrum Center. Team Giannis has a 13-point lead, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with 20 points. Khris Middleton is just behind his teammate with 17, while Kevin Durant continues to pace Team LeBron with 13 points.
Second Quarter, 3:00: We were wondering when LeBron James was going to show up.
Second Quarter, 4:33: Steph Curry being Steph Curry as he nails down a shot from distance to up Team Giannis’ lead to 80-62.
Second Quarter, 6:40: Oh my, Giannis.
Second Quarter, 10:00: There just aren’t enough fire emojis for Dwyane Wade.
Second Quarter, 10:12: Team Giannis had all the time in the world to hit a wide-open three … and did just that.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Believe it or not, Team Giannis is on pace for 200 (!) points. Will they get there? Team Giannis takes a 53-37 lead into the second quarter.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads all scorers with 16 points, while Khris Middleton has 12. Kevin Durant leads Team LeBron with 10 points.
First Quarter, 56.6: Dwyane Wade checks in for the first time in his last All-Star Game.
Dirk Nowitzki also checks in and drops back-to-back shots from downtown like it’s nothing.
First Quarter, 2:43: Blake Griffin just finished off a thunderous slam to up Team Giannis’ lead to 43-29.
First Quarter, 4:53: My goodness. Team Giannis is running the floor with a 14-point lead, forcing Team LeBron to call its first timeout.
First Quarter, 6:40: Giannis Antetokounmpo has 12 of his team’s 21 points highlighted by this dunk set up by Paul George. Team Giannis leads Team LeBron, 21-19.
First Quarter, 6:50: Kevin Durant making it look easy.
First Quarter, 10:19: After Team LeBron knocked down a 3-point shot, Team Giannis responded with back-to-back buckets.
First Quarter, 11:46: Team Giannis grabs the first points of the game from none other than the team captain.
8:22 p.m. ET: And now for Team LeBron:
8:20 p.m. ET: Nothing but love for D-Wade in his last All-Star Game.
8:15 p.m. ET: Team Giannis is introduced:
7:45 p.m. ET: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will take the court as teammates for the final time in their careers. Wade officially announced he will call it quits at the end of the season, and will serve as a reserve for Team LeBron.
