1953 All-Star Game recap

WEST 79, EAST 75, at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)
ATTENDANCE: 10,322
MVP: George Mikan

For the first time in NBA history, the All-Star Game switched venues and the change in locale wasn't the only difference.

At the the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the West nabbed its first win in the All-Star Game, topping the East, 79-75.

George Mikan, a dominant big man in the NBA's early days, finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds as he won his lone All-Star Game MVP award.

While neither team shot particularly well (35.4 percent for the West; 37.9 percent for the East) and the East had more balanced scoring (four players in double-figures), the game was a back-and-forth affair.

• Box score

Eastern Conference

Bob Cousy (Boston Celtics)
Ed Macauley (Boston Celtics)
Bill Sharman (Boston Celtics)
Dolph Schayes (Syracuse Nationals)
Harry Gallatin (New York Knicks)
Neil Johnson (Philadelphia Warriors)
Bill Gabor (Syracuse Nationals)
Carl Braun (New York Knicks)
Paul Seymour (Syracuse Nationals)
Don Barksdale (Boston Celtics)
Fred Scolari (Baltimore Bullets) *

Western Conference

George Mikan (Minneapolis Lakers)
Andy Phillip (Ft. Worth Pistons)
Mel Hutchins (Milwaukee Hawks)
Bobby Wanzer (Rochester Royals)
Vern Mikkelsen (Minneapolis Lakers)
Slater Martin (Minneapolis Lakers)
Arnie Risen (Rochester Royals)
Larry Foust (Ft. Wayne Pistons)
Bob Davies (Rochester Royals)
Leo Barnhorst (Indianapolis Olympians)

Coaches

East: Joe Lapchick (Knicks)
West: John Kundla (Lakers)

NOTE: * = missed game due to injury; ** = injury replacement