Kyrie Irving, after Team Shaq’s dominant victory in the NBA All-Star Game final, had a bold reflection on the experience. The veteran guard described the win as “almost the last run of the Mohicans, in this generation” while speaking to reporters.
Irving, who contributed seven points off the bench, also shared that he would be keeping the All-Star trophy from Team OGs’ victory. “I asked the guys if I could take it home,” Irving said. “This is going on my mantle, man. I feel like we really earned this and we had fun.”
The game, played at the Chase Center in San Francisco, was a showcase of star power and a dramatic moment for fans. Stephen Curry led Team Shaq to a 41-25 victory over Team Chuck, cementing his place as the game’s MVP. Curry, playing in front of his home crowd, finished with 12 points on four three-pointers, and captured the Kobe Bryant Award. The Golden State Warriors star celebrated with his fans and rapper Mistah Fab after draining a half-court shot early in the game.
Team Shaq’s victory was never really in question. Team Chuck’s Global Stars struggled offensively, missing their first ten field-goal attempts, including six from three-point range. The early deficit led to a quick 11-0 lead for Team Shaq. Jayson Tatum, one of the All-Star Game’s brightest stars, paced Team Shaq with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting performance. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists.
Irving, known for his flair and clutch performances, played a solid 7:58 minutes off the bench. He shot 3-of-5 from the field and added three rebounds and two assists. His well-rounded contributions helped secure Team Shaq’s runaway victory. Despite not being a starter, his leadership and poise stood out, furthering his reputation as one of the league’s most skilled players.
On the other side, Team Chuck’s offense was stifled throughout the game. Karl-Anthony Towns led his squad with eight points, but they couldn’t recover from their early shooting woes. The team finished the game shooting just 35.5% from the field and a disastrous 12.5% from three-point range.
Rising star Victor Wembanyama gave his squad a brief spark, contributing 11 points in 7:29 minutes off the bench. However, it wasn’t enough to change the course of the game. The rest of Team Chuck struggled, and key players like Nikola Jokić and Donovan Mitchell couldn’t find their rhythm, contributing to the blowout loss.
The game followed the new All-Star Game format, where traditional quarters were removed, and the race to 40 points determined the winner. Team Shaq’s victory was sealed early, but for Kyrie Irving, it was a special moment that he would cherish for years to come.
Irving’s decision to keep the trophy adds to the significance of the moment. For him, this year’s All-Star Game wasn’t just about the win—it was about appreciating the journey with longtime peers.
