Thunder guard Russell Westbrook named All-Star Game MVP

Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook was named Most Valuable Player of the 2015 All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Westbrook scored 41 points to lead the Western Conference to a 163-158 win at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Over 26 minutes, the 6-foot-3 guard finished with converted 16 of his 28 shot attempts for 41 points, one shy of the record set in 1962 by Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.

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Westbrook also recorded five rebounds, one assist and three steals, connected on five of nine three-point tries and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.

In the third quarter, Westbrook leapt so high to throw down an alley-oop dunk that he hit his head on the backboard.

Westbrook failed to match Chamberlain, but he did set a record for most points in a half of an All-Star Game with 27 in the first half. The previous record for points in a half was 24, set by Kyrie Irving in 2014 and Glen Rice in 1997.

Westbrook is making his fourth All-Star appearance this season. Over 39 games, he has averaged a career-high 25.8 points, 7.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds.

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