The 15th annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game took place Friday night at Verizon Up Arena at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where a packed crowd all came to see a star-studded game between Team Clippers and Team Lakers, as the event kicked off NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Former three-time MVP Kevin Hart did not play at this year’s Celebrity All-Star Game, but there was impressive play by a handful of celebrities, with Rapper Quavo scoring 19 points and Olympic Sprinter Andre DeGrasse adding 17, leading the charge to give Team Clippers a 75-66 victory over Team Lakers.
“I came off the bench, I was a little bit rusty and nervous to start the game,” said DeGrasse.
“Once I got my groove in that’s when I just started playing basketball… but it [has] been awhile, haven’t played in a couple years.”
Quavo, who is one-third of the rap group Migos, was later named the 2018 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP, while Justin Bieber played with Team Lakers and made his first return to the game since winning MVP back in 2011, where Los Angeles hosted All-Star Weekend.
“That’s my boy, J.B.,” Quavo said referring to his relationship with Justin Bieber.”He said I was ball-hogging. I said, if we was on the same team, it would’ve been the greatest 1-2 punch ever.”
Bieber scored only four points but made it a point of emphasis before the game that he wasn’t concerned about winning the most valuable award this year.
“I want him to have it,” said Bieber jokingly trash talking to Jamie Foxx.
“I’ve already got it.” [2011 All-Star Celebrity Game MVP]
Jamie Foxx went scoreless throughout the game, but won the crowd over repeatedly with his comedy, interacting with fans and other celebrities.
“It’s Black History Month so..,” added Foxx on why he wanted to get the MVP trophy, sarcastically speaking to the crowd.
“I just feel that cause its Black History you know… “Black Panther,” everything is just Black.”
Team Lakers were led by former Old Dominion division one basketball player, Rachel Demita, who is well known as the host for NBA 2K. She scored 17 points, drilling a number of long-range three-point baskets that kept her team in the game.
NBA legends Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady and “Black Panther’s” Michael B. Jordan served as coaches for Team Lakers, as players such as “Stranger Things” teen star Caleb McLaughlin; “Entourage’s”, Jerry Ferrara; Pro-Boxer, Terence Crawford; “Property Brothers” star Drew Scott; WNBA star, Candace Parker and actor Nick Cannon all played in the game.
Team Clippers, had stars such as last year’s 2017 All-Star Celebrity Game MVP actor Brandon Armstrong; “Black-ish’s” 12-year-old star Miles Brown; “Red Hot Chili Peppers” bassist Flea; “Arcade Fire” singer Win Butler; Professional Golfer Bubba Watson and “Orange Is the New Black” actress Dascha Polanco, while musician and actor Common, was one of team Clipper’s coaches, along with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols and Katie Nolan.
