James and Davis were limited to a total of 36 minutes on the court in the game, with James sitting out the entire second half. Following the high-scoring NBA All-Star game on Sunday night, with a final score of 211-186, concerns about the lack of competitiveness and intensity in the event resurfaced. This led Lakers’ LeBron James and Anthony Davis to discuss the game and brainstorm ideas to make it more meaningful. James emphasized the need for a “more meaningful discussion” regarding the All-Star Game.
James made his 20th appearance in the All-Star game, breaking an NBA record for the most appearances. Despite admitting that the competitive nature of the game was lacking, he highlighted the importance of the players’ safety. According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, James emphasized the need for a conversation about changing the format of the All-Star game.
“It’s something we need to address,” James stated. “As players, we enjoy the fast pace of the game, but we also crave competition. The positive takeaway is that no one got injured, and everyone left the game unharmed. It’s definitely a topic that requires further discussion.”
Dealing with a minor ankle injury, James opted not to play in the second half of the game. Representing the Lakers as the Western Conference captain, he played for 14 minutes, scoring eight points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out three assists.