Image Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY

How did Michael Jordan steal the show during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game ?

Michael Jordan was named the All-Star Game MVP for his performance in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game..

Image Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY

The NBA All-Star Games have been a very exciting affair. The star-studded extravaganza that brings together the best players across the league has seen some of the most memorable and historic moments in the past editions.

The 1998 All-Star Game remains one such popular contests that even 37 years, fans look back at it as one of the greatest in NBA history. It was the first time in 32 years that Chicago had hosted All-Star weekend. Legendary Michael Jordan displayed truly exceptional skills and dominated the game like no other.

Michael Jordan’s performance in 1988 NBA All-Star Game

The Eastern Conference team featured names like Jordan and Dominique Wilkins along with stars like Larry Bird, Isaiah Thomas, and more. They were up against the Western Conference rivals like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone and more.

During the game, Jordan unleashed his inner-superhuman and came up with a whopping 40 points, eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and had four blocks in just 30 minutes. Riding on his performance, the East recorded a 138-133 win over the West.

It was not just the number. Jordan scored 16 points in the last five minutes and snatched away the victory from the West. He was named the All-Star Game MVP for his performance.

MJ put on a SHOW in the 1988 All-Star game.

40 pts | 17-23 FG | 4 stls | 4 blks | MVP pic.twitter.com/K8q5BsYLGj
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 16, 2020

The game saw Abdul-Jabbar enter the record books for becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA All-Star Game history. He scored 10 points in 14 minutes and gave 247 career All-Star Game points.

Moreover, Patrick Ewing made his All-Star debut in the game and finished with nine points.

Michael Jordan-Dominique Wilkins’ Slam Dunk Face-Off

Jordan also squared off against Dominique Wilkins in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, and put on an entertaining show of some of the finest dunks the world had seen.

While it was a close contest between the two, the local boy prevailed in one of the most intense dunk contests and won it 147-145.

1988 NBA All-Star Game

Michael Jordan

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.