Lillard drops 39 to win All-Star Game MVP

Damian Lillard's winning ways extended into Sunday, as the Milwaukee Bucks guard dropped 39 points and six assists to win the Kobe Bryant MVP Award at the 2024 All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

Lillard also won the Three-Point Contest on Saturday. He hit 11 threes during Sunday's exhibition contest.

The Bucks guard was booed while receiving the trophy.

"I knew I was doing the Three-Point (Contest), and I was like, 'I'm going to come to win,'" Lillard said postgame. "I'm not going to be casual and try to be cool about it, I'm gonna try and win it again. I'm gonna come into the All-Star Game, it's my first start, I know I'm going to be on the floor a lot, I'm a vet in this game at this point, so why not try and go get an MVP?"

It was the veteran's eighth All-Star appearance.

Lillard's 3-point shots came from deep, making his attempts from an average distance of 31.5 feet, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The Eastern Conference set a new scoring record in All-Star Game history, dropping 211 points on the West.

Lillard's Bucks teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown and hometown star Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers put up fierce competition for the hardware. Brown dropped 36 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Haliburton had 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Lillard received seven out of 12 votes for the award, while Haliburton received the other five.

For the West, Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 50 points, becoming just the fourth player to reach that mark in an All-Star Game.