New York City just hits different in February. Cold. Grey. Slushy. But in 2015, the basketball world descended on the Big Apple for a weekend that felt like a changing of the guard, even if we didn't fully realize it at the time. Madison Square Garden was the stage. The all star game nba 2015 wasn't just another exhibition; it was a high-octane track meet that almost broke the record books and solidified a new era of superstars.
Think about the context. This was the year Steve Kerr was a "rookie" coach leading the West. LeBron was back in Cleveland, trying to figure out the chemistry with Kyrie Irving. The Knicks were... well, the Knicks were struggling, but for one night, the Garden was the center of the universe again.
The Russell Westbrook Show at Madison Square Garden
Honestly, if you weren't watching Russell Westbrook that night, you weren't watching the game. He came off the bench. Yeah, let that sink in. The man who would eventually average a triple-double for multiple seasons wasn't even a starter. But the second he stepped onto the hardwood, the energy shifted. He looked like he was playing Game 7 of the Finals while everyone else was just trying not to pull a hamstring.
Westbrook dropped 41 points. 41!
He was one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s long-standing record of 42 points set back in 1962. It was pure, unadulterated aggression. He was attacking the rim like it owed him money. By halftime, he already had 27 points, which actually set a record for most points in a half during an All-Star game. You could see the "Why Not?" mentality in every transition dunk and pull-up three.
People always talk about how All-Star games have no defense. Sure. That’s mostly true. But Westbrook’s 2015 performance was different because it felt personal. He was asserting dominance. He ended up taking home the MVP trophy, and honestly, nobody else was even in the conversation by the fourth quarter. It was the first time a player won the award while playing for a team that didn't have a starter in the game. That’s a weird, specific stat, but it speaks to how much he carried the load.
A Tale of Two Boros: The Logic Behind the Split
Usually, the weekend is contained in one arena. Not this time. The NBA decided to split the festivities between the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
The Rising Stars Challenge and the Saturday night events—you know, the Dunk Contest where Zach LaVine basically ascended to godhood—happened in Brooklyn. Then everyone took the subway (or, more likely, a black car) over to MSG for the main event on Sunday.
It was a logistical nightmare for some, but it gave the whole city a piece of the action. Seeing the 62nd All-Star Game return to New York for the first time since 1998 felt right. There’s a certain weight to playing at the Garden. Even the superstars get a little bit of those "Mecca" jitters.
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The Splash Brothers and the Rise of the Warriors
The all star game nba 2015 served as a massive "coming out" party for the Golden State Warriors dynasty. We forget now, but back then, the Warriors were still the exciting new kids on the block. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both started for the Western Conference.
It was the first time two teammates from the Warriors started an All-Star game since 1967. Think about that gap.
Curry was the leading vote-getter, surpassing even LeBron James. That was a huge deal. It signaled a shift in what fans wanted to see: the long-range shooting and the flashy handles over the traditional power game of the 2000s. Curry didn't have a massive scoring night in the actual game—he "only" had 15 points—but his gravity was everywhere. He was throwing no-look passes and making the crowd gasp every time he crossed half-court.
The Brotherly Matchup That Made History
One of the coolest moments that people often overlook was the Gasol brothers. Marc and Pau. They were the first pair of brothers to ever start against each other in an All-Star game.
The opening tip-off featured the two of them jumping against each other at center court. It was a beautiful, human moment in the middle of a corporate juggernaut of an event. Pau was representing the Chicago Bulls and the East, while Marc was repping the Memphis Grizzlies and the West. It was a nod to the international growth of the game and a testament to how dominant European big men had become.
Stat Nerds Rejoice: The Numbers That Defined the Night
If you like offense, this game was your fever dream. The Western Conference won 163–158.
Let's break down why those numbers are insane:
- 321 Total Points: At the time, this was the highest combined score in NBA All-Star history.
- 48 Three-Pointers: Both teams combined to launch a staggering number of shots from deep, foreshadowing the "3-point revolution" that was about to take over the league.
- Kyle Korver’s Efficiency: Korver, the legendary sharpshooter for the Hawks, made 7 three-pointers. He was part of that 2015 Atlanta Hawks team that sent four players to the All-Star game (Korver, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, and Paul Millsap).
The Hawks' inclusion was a bit controversial for some. They didn't have a "superstar," but they were playing the most beautiful team basketball in the league. Seeing four of them on the court at once during an exhibition game was a weird, cool experiment in "system" basketball versus "star" basketball.
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The Half-Time Show and the Glitz
It’s NYC, so the entertainment had to be big. Ariana Grande headlined the halftime show, and she even brought out Nicki Minaj. The celebrities courtside were a who's who of 2015 culture. You had Jay-Z and Beyoncé (obviously), Rihanna, Bill Clinton, and even Derek Jeter.
When the lights are that bright, some players shrink. Russell Westbrook just got louder.
There was a moment in the fourth quarter where the East actually tried to make a comeback. LeBron James was leading the charge, finishing with 30 points. He moved into second place on the all-time All-Star scoring list that night, trailing only Kobe Bryant at the time. LeBron was playing with a sense of urgency, trying to win the game for the New York crowd, but the West’s shooting was just too much.
Why We Still Care About 2015
Looking back, the all star game nba 2015 was the bridge between two eras. You still had Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki out there—the old guard. Duncan was playing in his 15th All-Star game. Dirk was a late replacement for Anthony Davis.
But you also had the "new" stars who are now the veterans we talk about today. James Harden, DeMarcus Cousins, and Kevin Durant (though KD was dealing with foot issues that year and didn't play his usual minutes).
It was the peak of the "Lob City" era too, with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin making life miserable for defenders. CP3 ended the night with 15 assists. He was the maestro, making sure Westbrook and Harden got the ball in their favorite spots. It was a masterclass in point guard play, even if it was "just" an exhibition.
Real Talk: Was the Defense Really That Bad?
Kinda. Look, nobody is going to dive for a loose ball in the first quarter of an All-Star game. These guys have millions of dollars and playoff runs on the line.
However, the final five minutes of the 2015 game were actually competitive. When the score got close, the intensity ticked up. You saw actual rim protection. You saw players fighting over screens. It wasn't the "shut down" defense of the 90s, but it wasn't a layup line either. The East really wanted that win at the Garden, and the West really wanted to hold them off.
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Misconceptions About the 2015 Game
People often forget that Carmelo Anthony was playing through a massive knee injury. He was the "host" in a way, being the face of the Knicks. He played 30 minutes and scored 14 points, but he looked a step slow. Shortly after this game, he shut it down for the season to have surgery. It was a gutsy move to play for the fans, but it probably cost him some longevity.
Another thing? People think Zach LaVine won the dunk contest at MSG. Nope. That was Brooklyn. But his performance—wearing the Space Jam jersey and doing the "behind the back" slam—is so synonymous with that weekend that the locations get blurred.
Actionable Insights for Basketball Historians and Fans
If you want to truly appreciate what happened in the all star game nba 2015, you should do a few things to put it in perspective.
First, go watch the highlights of Russell Westbrook’s first 20 points. Notice his speed. We talk about him now as an older vet, but in 2015, he was arguably the most athletic human being on the planet. His second jump was faster than most people's first.
Second, look at the roster for the Eastern Conference. It’s a snapshot of a weird time in the East. You had the Hawks dominance, LeBron's transition back to Cleveland, and the last gasps of the prime Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh era (though Wade sat out with a hamstring injury).
Third, check out the shooting splits. This game was the definitive proof that the mid-range jumper was dying. Almost every shot was at the rim or behind the arc.
What to Watch Next:
- The Zach LaVine Dunk Contest Highlights: It remains one of the top three performances in the history of the event.
- Stephen Curry’s Three-Point Contest Win: He beat Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson in the final round, scoring 27 points. It was the moment everyone realized the Three-Point Contest might actually be more exciting than the Dunk Contest.
- The Full Fourth Quarter: If you can find a replay, watch the last six minutes. It’s a great example of how elite players "turn it on" when pride is on the line.
The 2015 All-Star weekend wasn't just a break in the schedule. It was a cultural moment where the NBA's future—defined by speed, three-point shooting, and West Coast dominance—officially took over the league's spiritual home in Manhattan.
Whether you're a Westbrook fan or a hater, you have to respect the 41-point masterpiece he painted on the world's most famous stage. It was the night the "Why Not?" era truly began.