Bucks Zone

Damian Lillard shrugs off boos after winning All-Star Game MVP honors

Dame got seven of the 12 votes to win the Kobe Bryant trophy.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Damian Lillard was showered with boos when he was named the MVP in the East All-Stars’ 211-186 drubbing of the West All-Stars in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dame took the boos in stride, acknowledging that the crowd was rooting for its hometown bet Tyrese Haliburton to win the All-Star Game MVP trophy named after the late Kobe Bryant.

“I expect it. We in his hometown, we in his building. He had a great game but it’s an honor. I’ve been here quite a few times so to be able to have this type of accomplishment is special,” Dame said.

Lillard edges Haliburton

Lillard won the coveted award by finishing with a game-high 39 points, built on an 11-for-23 shooting from three-point range. Dame sank a pair of three-point shots as his 11 three-pointers were a game-high.

In an equally impressive performance, Haliburton tallied 32 points on 10-of-14 shooting from three-point range, but Lillard won the MVP trophy by receiving seven out of 12 votes for the award. Haliburton got the other five votes.

The Milwaukee Bucks star guard also had six assists and three rebounds as he played a game-high 39 minutes in his eighth All-Star Game appearance.

“I'm a vet in the game at this point,” the 33-year-old veteran said. "Why not go and try to get an MVP? Since I've been here enough.”

A fruitful All-Star weekend

It was a fruitful All-Star weekend for Lillard, who pocketed his second-straight three-point shootout title on Saturday night. Lillard joined Michael Jordan as the only player to win a contest in All-Star Saturday night and be named MVP in the same All-Star Weekend.

Behind Lillard and Haliburton, the East scored the most points in an All-Star Game. Lillard admitted the lack of defense was evident.

"I think it could be more competitive. 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,” said Lillard. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo says Bucks' head coaching changes have been draining

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.