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Giannis, Dame emerge triumphant in their first All-Star Game as teammates

Giannis knew Dame was going to have a big night.

Jonas Panerio

© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged victorious in their All-Star Game as teammates when the East All-Stars nipped the West All-Stars, 211-186, on Sunday night at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The two Milwaukee Bucks teammates produced significant numbers in the win, with Lillard even winning the All-Star Game MVP award after finishing with 39 points, six assists, and three rebounds. Dame went 11-for-23 from three-point range.

Dame’s ties Mike record

In his first All-Star Game as a starter, Dame achieved a feat that only Michael Jordan has done before. Lillard and Jordan are the only players in league history to win an event in an All-Star Saturday Night and be named MVP in the same All-Star Weekend.

In 1988, Jordan won the dunk contest and then collared the All-Star Game MVP award after leading the East to a 138-133 win over the West. Lillard matched the feat as he also won the three-point shootout contest on Saturday—the second straight year that he won the contest.

“Anytime you're mentioned in the same category as Mike it's an honor, it's a major accomplishment, even if it's All-Star Weekend. Because if it was that simple, more people would have done it,” said Lillard.

Antetokounmpo, the team captain of the East after earning the most votes among starters, contributed 23 points, seven rebounds, and an assist in the win. It was Giannis’ second-straight win over a LeBron James-skippered All-Star team after losing in their first three meetings.

Giannis saw the ‘Dame Time’ coming

The Greek Freak disclosed that he knew that Dame was gunning for a stellar outing.

“I knew he was going for it. When he has that twitch in his eye, when he’s locked in, you gotta pass him the ball and get out of his way,” Giannis told Ernie Johnson in a post-game interview.

The East sank 42 trifectas, and Giannis joked that he was sad for not being able to join the three-point party.

“I think everybody played hard, we had fun, the ball was moving, we made a lot of three. I was unfortunate not to make one, so I kind of feel sad about that,” said Giannis.

With the East coming out on top, Giannis didn’t let the interview end without mentioning his four-word celebration phrase.

“As I always say, winner winner, chicken dinner!” Giannis exclaimed.

Damian Lillard powers East over West, wins MVP honors in 2024 All-Star Game

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO