NBA All-Star Weekend is one of the most unique times for the league, with the best of the best all taking the court at once to face off. Legends of the game have added on to decorated resumes by putting on a show at the hallmark event.
While the discourse surrounding the All-Star game has soured, the reason for such angst comes from the fact that the All-Star game has had scintillating, jaw-dropping moments in the past that cannot be replicated in the regular season. The All-Star game used to be a must-see spectacle.
Ahead of the 2026 All-Star in Los Angeles, here’s a look back at the five best All-Star games of all time:
1. 2001 in Washington, D.C.
Allen Iverson led the Eastern Conference All-Star team back from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter in 2001. Iverson, who was the 2001 regular season and All-Star Game MVP, scored 25 points that night, with 15 of them coming in the final frame. The 50th NBA All-Star game featured Hall of Fame rosters (studded) with MVPs on both sides: Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Kevin Garnett. Though the length and size of the Western Conference juggernauts initially seemed too much to overcome, Iverson turned on the jets at the end.
Stephon Marbury came up clutch, too. With 53.2 seconds left in the game, Marbury nailed a huge three-pointer to even the score at 108. After Bryant responded with a pull-up two-pointer to reclaim the lead, Marbury hit a dagger three-pointer on the next possession. Iverson and Marbury helped the East take a narrow 111-110 victory despite trailing nearly the whole game.
2. 2003 in Atlanta
Michael Jordan made his final appearance in the first and only NBA All-Star game to ever go into double overtime. This also marked the last time he and Bryant faced off in an All-Star Game. Fellow Eastern Conference All-Star Vince Carter infamously relinquished his starting spot to Jordan after MJ didn’t make the cut in the voting.
Team West was down one point with 10.1 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant then got fouled by Jordan, splitting a pair of free throws to extend the game another five minutes. In overtime, Jordan hit a tough fall-away jumper over Shawn Marion to give his squad a two-point advantage with under five seconds. But Bryant was fouled once again – this time on a three-pointer – heading back to the line with a chance at the lead.
The Laker legend went two of three, sending the game into a second overtime. The West opened up the additional period, going 5/5 en route to a 10-point win. Kevin Garnett had been on fire throughout the night, winning MVP for the game following a 37-point outing.
3. 2010 in Arlington, TX (Dallas Cowboys’ stadium)
The uniqueness of this match was highlighted in the league’s decision to play it out in a football venue. The big move led to a record 108,000 attendees for an NBA All-Star Game. Not only did the setting help create an electric atmosphere, but the East vs West clash didn’t disappoint.
Dwyane Wade put on a show, rattling off 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals. His Miami Heat counterpart, Lebron James, added 25 points and four steals. The two teams were neck-and-neck the whole way, with four lead changes in the final two minutes. One of Wade’s impressive steals came at a crucial time on Deron Williams with just over 12 seconds to play.
Carmelo Anthony led the way for the West with a 27-point double-double. The game nearly went into overtime, but the East held on after Anthony missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Wade secured the All-Star MVP after leading the East to a 141-139 victory.
4. 2016 in Toronto
This All-Star was the first time the game had gone international, as the previous ones all came in the United States. 2016 was Kobe Bryant’s final year of his career, and featured his last All-Star appearance. Bryant got to team up with Stephen Curry for the first time, excitedly awaiting his pairing with the greatest shooter ever. Western Conference coach Gregg Popovich capitalized on the final duel between Bryant and Lebron James.
Coach Pop notably put Bryant in the game to battle for a jump ball against James at center court. The two superstars battled all night long; Bryant went full throttle defensively against the former Cavalier. Though the game was within reach heading into the fourth, the West extended a nine-point lead to 23 to close it out. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook earned MVP honors for the game, scoring 31 points.
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5. 2020 in Chicago
The 2020 All-Star Game in the Windy City debuted a new format. In the wake of Bryant’s passing, the league made sure to honor him and his daughter in the contest. The first three quarters were split into their own mini-rounds; the score restarted 0-0 at the beginning of each quarter. The winner of each quarter received $100,000 towards a charity in Chicago.
The fourth quarter featured an Elam Ending, creating a final target score by adding 24 points to the leading team’s overall point total. This was an ode to one of Bryant’s jersey numbers. The new concept didn’t just pay homage to an NBA legend whose passing rocked the whole league; it reinvigorated the competitiveness of the game. Players like LeBron James and Joel Embiid raved about the intense competition level fostered by the game’s structure.
Team Giannis held the advantage heading into the fourth, but Lebron’s team finished out a thriller, reaching the target score of 157 first. This is arguably the last high-level All-Star Game the NBA has seen. Kyle Lowry took two charges in the fourth quarter, and several players argued vehemently plead their cases with referees as the game got closer. In the end, Lebron’s team edged out Giannis’ by two. Kawhi Leonard rattled off 30 points, earning the first-ever All-Star trophy named after Kobe.
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