This weekend, the basketball world will turn its attention to Indianapolis, Indiana. The city will play host to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game for the second time in the event’s history.
Over its 73-year history, the All-Star Game has had plenty of memorable moments.
What are the top five moments in the event’s history, though? Let’s take a look.
Magic Johnson’s Return – 1992
Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson’s announcement of his HIV-positive diagnosis shortly before the 1991-92 season stunned and shook the world to its core.
Johnson was one of the league’s most dominant and notable players of the 1980s. The former Michigan State Spartan revolutionized the game by playing all five positions. He also helped lead the Lakers to five championships and won three MVPs.
The weight of Johnson’s announcement transcended basketball. Despite his retirement and diagnosis Johnson was voted to the 1992 All-Star team and chose to play. HIV was still a fairly new disease in 1992 and while some worried about possible transmission via sweat or blood from Johnson, everything went great.
Johnson put on a masterful performance, scoring a game-high 25 points en route to the West’s 153-113 victory. After he hit a three-pointer with 14 seconds to play, the game stopped and players from both teams came out to celebrate with Johnson and embrace him.
Allen Iverson sparks comeback victory – 2001
The early 2000s marked an interesting time for the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls dynasty was officially over, and for the first time in a decade it felt wide open and that a new contender would be able to emerge.
Philadelphia 76ers point guard Allen Iverson rose up to answer (no pun intended) the call. In a stunning fourth-quarter display, Iverson scored 15 of his 25 points as he led the East back from a 19-point deficit with nine minutes to go to pull off a 111-110 win. Iverson was named MVP of the game and would go on to win NBA MVP in 2001, as the 76ers made it to the Finals where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
MJ’s Last Dance – 2003
After Michael Jordan unretired a second time and came back with the Washington Wizards, he was never quite able to recapture what he had in Chicago. Jordan did make two All-Star appearances with the Wizards, though, including his final career appearance in 2003.
Jordan wasn’t voted as a starter but fellow ex-North Carolina Tar Heel Vince Carter relinquished his spot shortly before tipoff, giving Jordan the spotlight one last time. The halftime show featured Mariah Carey singing “Hero” as a tribute to Jordan who then gave a speech.
The game itself was one of the best in All-Star Game history, as well. The West pulled out a 155-145 victory in double overtime. It looked like Jordan had yet another game-winner when he hit a jumper to put the East up 138-136 near the end of the first overtime, but the West answered and forced a second overtime. Jordan finished with 20 points and became the All-Star Game’s all-time leading scorer. He has since been passed by Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Kobe and Shaq reunite – 2009
The relationship between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal was a complicated one. Both enjoyed the tremendous successes of the Los Angeles Lakers three-peat from 2000-2002. However, tensions continued to grow between the two until O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat in July 2004. The pair would continue to have an icy relationship until the 2009 All-Star Game.
Bryant was on the team as a member of the Lakers while O’Neal made it as a member of the Phoenix Suns. Phil Jackson, who had returned to the Lakers bench, was coaching the West and put O’Neal and Bryant on the court together, leading to the duo taking over the game and leading the West to victory. Bryant finished with a game-high 27 points and O’Neal with 17, and the pair were named Co-MVPs.
Their feud was put to rest after the game. The pair remained close until Bryant’s 2020 death.
Jayson Tatum breaks the single-game scoring record – 2023
The NBA has seen offense rise at an incredible rate over the past few years. It seems like almost every night a player is threatening to score 50 or more points.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum rose to the occasion in last year’s All-Star Game, ending the night with 55 points, three more than Anthony Davis’ record of 52, set in 2017.
Tatum’s outburst led Team Giannis to an 184-175 win over Team LeBron. He was named All-Star Game MVP.
