2018 NBA All-Star Game score, highlights:

Team LeBron squeaks past Team Stephen

The 2018 NBA All-Star Game is in the books.

Featuring a new format, the game pitted Team LeBron against Team Stephen. The teams, as has been well documented, were picked playground style a few weeks ago by the two captains, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

The night got off to a bizarre start, with a lengthy sketch comedy routine featuring Kevin Hart and a number of other celebrities. Then, following the player introductions, it was time for the national anthems. And, well, the American rendition did not go so well. Not only was everyone on social media clowning Fergie for her ridiculous rendition, but so too were the players on the court, who could be seen laughing.

But finally, the game got underway, and it was far more competitive than the past few editions. Of course it wasn’t playoff intensity or anything, but the guys were certainly out there playing some defense — especially in the fourth quarter. Speaking of the fourth quarter, it was a fantastic finish, as Team LeBron battled back from a double-digit deficit in the final frame to tie the game at 144-144 in the final minutes.

With just over a minute remaining, there was even a refereeing controversy, when it appeared that a ball went out of bounds off of Joel Embiid, but after review, Team Stephen kept the ball. LeBron was pretty upset, but Team Stephen didn’t convert on the extra possession.

Team LeBron ended up taking the lead in the final minute on a connection between none other than Kyrie Irving and James. Irving dished it to his old teammate in the paint, and he put up a bucket to take the lead. Russell Westbrook then got a layup with 10.7 seconds remaining to put Team LeBron up by three.

On the final possession, Curry tried to play hero, but was locked up by some impressive defense from Team LeBron. Kevin Durant and LeBron James helped prevent Curry from even getting a shot off.

Team LeBron was victorious, 148-145 (box score). LeBron James had 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and was named the game’s MVP for the third time in his career.

(Relive All-Star Game commentary below)

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