Russell Westbrook sets scoring record in first half of All-Star Game
Russell Westbrook set a record for points in a half of an All-Star Game on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star scored 27 points in 11 first-half minutes to help the Western Conference post an 83-82 lead at the break. He finished with 41 points en route to earning MVP honors in the West's 163-158 victory against the East. Westbrook fell one point shy of Wilt Chamberlain's All-Star scoring record of 42 points in a game set in 1962.
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Westbrook connected on 11 of his 15 field goal attempts, including two of three from beyond the three-point arc, and knocked down both of his free-throw attempts. He also recorded four rebounds and one steal.
The previous record for points in a half of an All-Star game was 24, set by Kyrie Irving in 2014 and Glen Rice in 1997.
Westbrook, 26, made his fourth All-Star game appearance. Over 39 games, he has averaged a career-high 25.8 points, 7.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
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