The first key game of the NBA All-Star Weekend saw its fair share of highlights as Team USA edged out Team World to claim the 161-144 victory.
Kyle Kuzma burst out of the blocks on his way to 14 first-quarter points as Team USA jumped out to the early 10-point lead after the first quarter.
Kuzma continued his scoring onslaught throughout the game on his way to 35 points. The most ever by a Lakers player, surpassing Kobe Bryant who held the previous mark.
His performance saw him handed the MVP trophy, joining Eddie Jones (1995) as the only other Lakers players to win the Rising Stars MVP.
The highlight reel dunks came in thick and fast as defence once again took a backseat during the contest.
🔥 Relive all of the big highlights from the NBA's Rising Stars Game 🔥 #MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/FPXkEtzxh3
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) February 16, 2019
Jayson Tatum (30) joined in on the action for Team USA, joining Kuzma as the only players to register 30 points or more in the game.
Trae Young came off the bench but took over proceedings as he ended with 25 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists in only 24 minutes.
Ben Simmons led the charge for Team World and filled up the stat sheet as he so often does.
The Aussie ended the game with 28 points, five rebounds and six assists. He'll now prepare for his first ever appearance in the NBA All-Star Game on Monday.
🇦🇺 @BenSimmons25 put on a show for Team World. #MTNDEWICERisingStars
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) February 16, 2019
📊: 28 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST pic.twitter.com/EHFfGTKz92
After falling behind early on, Team World fought back into the contest in the third quarter, but a huge run early in the final term all but sealed the result.
In the final minute, as is often the case in these games, the teams began putting on a mini dunk contest with the crowd up and out of their seats on several occasions.
All-Star Weekend will continue tomorrow when the Three-Point Contest, Skills Challenge and Slam Dunk contest take place.