On This Date in Sports February 21,1993: Jazzy All-Stars
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The NBA All-Stars come to Salt Lake City and put on a grand show, as the Western Conference records a 135-132 win in overtime. The first All-Star Game after the 1992 Summer Olympics features many players from the Dream Team on both rosters and players who will soon be superstars like Orlando Magic rookie Shaquille O’Neal. Much to the home crowd's delight, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz share All-Star MVP honors.
The weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City started with All-Star Saturday Night as Harold Miner of the Miami Heat won the Slam Dunk Contest, and Mark Price was right on the money in the Three-Point Contest. The coaches for the Eastern Conference were the leaders of the two top teams at the break, as New York Knicks Coach Pat Riley led the East, while Phoenix Suns bench boss Paul Westphal led the way for the Western Conference.
Among the Dream Team members at the 1993 All-Star Game were Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls, along with Patrick Ewing of the Knicks representing the Eastern Conference. While the Western Conference featured Charles Barkley in his first season with the Phoenix Suns, Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and hometown favorites John Stockton and Karl Malone of the host Utah Jazz. Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors was also chosen for the Western Conference team but missed the game due to an injury.
The game was close throughout as the West held a 27-26 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 57-52 lead at the half. The East cut the deficit to 86-84 at the end of the third quarter, as the game would go to overtime tied 119-119. It was the fifth time the NBA All-Star Game went into overtime and the first All-Star Game overtime since 1987. In overtime, after spending the game setting up his Utah compadre, John Stockton took over, scoring a pair of big baskets as the West edged the East 135-132. Stockton, who scored 16 points with 15 assists, was named Co-MVP along with his Jazz teammate Karl Malone who delivered 28 points with ten rebounds.
Michael Jordan was the game’s overall high scorer with 30 points in a losing effort, with Shaquille O’Neal scoring 14 points in his All-Star debut. Meanwhile, Mark Price of the Cavs had 19 points off the bench. Other high scorers that Sunday Afternoon in Utah included David Robinson, who had 21 points with ten rebounds, while Charles Barkley of the Suns and Tim Hardaway of the Warriors had 16 points.