History

1998 NBA All-Star recap

All-Star Game MVP Michael Jordan finishes with 23 points and eight assists to carry the East to a victory.

From NBA.com Staff

September 13, 2021 1:04 PM

EAST 135, WEST 114, at Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)

ATTENDANCE: 18,323

MVP: Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)

In his last All-Star Game before his second retirement, Chicago’s Michael Jordan scored 23 points and dished out eight assists in earning the third, and final, All-Star MVP award of his Hall of Fame career. Jordan helped new Indiana coach Larry Bird to a win in his All-Star coaching debut.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant became the youngest All-Star starter when he suited up for the West at age 19. He scored 18 points and pulled down six rebounds in the loss. His Lakers teammate, Eddie Jones, chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds. Another Laker, Shaquille O’Neal, finally made his All-Star debut for the West after missing the 1997 game with an injury.

Rookie Tim Duncan, a future All-Star Game MVP and two-time NBA MVP, made his debut as a reserve for the West and hauled in 11 rebounds.

A general lack of interest among the NBA’s major stars forced the league to postpone the slam dunk contest. Labor isued shortened the 1998-99 season and forced the cancellation of the 1999 All-Star Game, so the slam dunk compeition would not reappear on All-Star Weekend until 2000.

Jeff Hornacek of the Jazz took home the first of his two consecutive 3-Point Shootout contest trophies. Cavs big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 18 points and seven rebounds as the East beat the West 85-80 in the Rookie Game. The 1998 Rookie Game marked the final one in which rookies would be pitted against each other; at the 2000 All-Star Weekend, the format switched to the current rookies vs. sophomores format.