Gobert Shines In Cleveland At All-Star Game
Feb 20, 2022, 8:58 PM | Updated: 9:13 pm
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Though Donovan Mitchell was a late scratch from the NBA All-Star game, Rudy Gobert represented the Utah Jazz well in his third showing.
Gobert finished with six points, six rebounds, and a steal on a perfect 3-3 shooting in his 12 minutes on the floor.
The Jazz star’s best highlight came early in the second quarter when he threw down a pretty 360 dunk in traffic.
The spinning Stifle Tower 🌪👀 #TakeNote #NBAAllStar #NBA https://t.co/TUxKoIfvvn
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 21, 2022
Gobert was the only Jazz player represented at the All-Star game after Mitchell announced he was going to sit out of the game due to an upper respiratory infection.
The Jazz center said he hoped to attempt a three-point shot during the game, but never got his opportunity, finishing with three highlight-reel dunks instead.
The All-Star game is scored separately over four quarters with the team that leads after each of the first three periods earning $100,000 going towards a charity of the team captain’s choosing.
The @utahjazz were well-represented during the #NBA75 halftime ceremony at the @NBAAllStar Game. 💙💛💚#TakeNote #NBAAllStar #NBA https://t.co/hqZBGI2DcS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 21, 2022
The team that had the highest total in the four quarters of the game combined earned an additional $150,000 for their charity.
Gobert represented Team Durant and helped the roster win the second quarter en route to $100,000 which went to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
Team James, headed by LeBron James earned $100,000 for the I Promise Scholars Program at Kent State for winning the first quarter.
27 on the board 🌟#NBAAllStar | @rudygobert27 pic.twitter.com/LbXppPx7HH
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 21, 2022
The two teams tied one another at 45 in the third quarter splitting the $100,000 reward evenly.
Both charities also received $150,000 for being chosen by the team captains before the game.
In total Team James earned $450,000 for its charity, while Team Durant earned $300,000.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the target score of 163 was set to decide the winner of the game. James hit the gaming-ending jump shot to lead his team to the finishing score in front of his hometown.
Steph Curry, also an Ohio native was named All-Star MVP after scoring 50 points and knocking down an NBA record 16 threes for Team LeBron.
Gobert and Mitchell now each have three All-Star appearances for the Jazz, tying them with Hall of Famers “Pistol” Pete Maravich and Adrian Dantley.
Karl Malone made 14 All-Star appearances for the Jazz while John Stockton added 10.
Malone, Stockton, Maravich, and Jazz part-owner Dwayne Wade were honored as members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team at halftime of the game.