2024 All-Star Celebrity Game: Team Sharpe Beats Team Stephen A in a Thriller

2024 All-Star Celebrity Game

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson leads Team Sharpe with 24 points and 8 rebounds, while A’ja Wilson shines for Team Stephen A with 22 points and 10 assists

Indianapolis, Feb 17, 2024 - The 2024 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, presented by Ruffles, kicked off the All-Star weekend with a bang, as Team Sharpe, coached by NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, edged out Team Stephen A, coached by ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, by a score of 88-86.

The game, which was the first ever basketball game to be played on an LED court with a dynamic three-point line, featured a star-studded lineup of celebrities and athletes from various fields, such as music, movies, sports, and media

Team Sharpe included rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, actor Michael B. Jordan, singer Justin Bieber, comedian Kevin Hart, NASCAR driver Lewis Hamilton, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, WNBA star Candace Parker, and NBA legends Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

Team Stephen A included rapper Lil Wayne, actress Zendaya, singer Harry Styles, comedian Tiffany Haddish, Formula One driver Max Verstappen, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, and NBA legends Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

The game was a close and competitive affair, with both teams trading leads and baskets throughout the four 10-minute quarters. The game also featured a Ruffles line, which was worth four points and moved back and forth depending on the score.

Team Sharpe started off strong, with 50 Cent and Michael B. Jordan scoring 10 points each in the first quarter, giving their team a 26-20 lead. Team Stephen A fought back in the second quarter, with Lil Wayne and Zendaya combining for 15 points, and A’ja Wilson adding 8 points and 5 assists, to tie the game at 44-44 at halftime.

The third quarter was a seesaw battle, with both teams exchanging runs and hitting big shots. Team Sharpe regained the lead, thanks to Kevin Hart’s 8 points and Ray Allen’s 6 points, but Team Stephen A stayed close, with Harry Styles scoring 7 points and Dwyane Wade adding 6 points, to make it 66-64 for Team Sharpe.

The fourth quarter was a nail-biter, with both teams playing with intensity and passion. Team Stephen A took the lead, 78-76, with 3 minutes left, after a four-point play by Bryce Young, who hit a Ruffles line shot and drew a foul from CJ Stroud. Team Sharpe responded, with 50 Cent hitting a Ruffles line shot of his own, and Candace Parker making a layup, to make it 82-78 for Team Sharpe.

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Team Stephen A did not give up, and tied the game, 86-86, with 30 seconds left, after a four-point play by A’ja Wilson, who hit a Ruffles line shot and drew a foul from Paul Pierce. Team Sharpe had the final possession, and ran a play for 50 Cent, who drove to the basket and drew a foul from Lil Wayne, with 5 seconds left. 50 Cent calmly made both free throws, to give Team Sharpe an 88-86 lead.

Team Stephen A had one last chance, and inbounded the ball to A’ja Wilson, who tried to hit a Ruffles line shot for the win, but missed, as time expired. Team Sharpe celebrated their victory, while Team Stephen A congratulated them on a hard-fought game.

50 Cent was named the MVP of the game, after leading Team Sharpe with 24 points and 8 rebounds. He also hit 3 Ruffles line shots, and made the game-winning free throws. He was followed by Michael B. Jordan, who had 16 points and 6 assists, and Kevin Hart, who had 12 points and 4 steals.

A’ja Wilson was the best player for Team Stephen A, with 22 points and 10 assists. She also hit 2 Ruffles line shots, and almost won the game for her team. She was followed by Lil Wayne, who had 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Harry Styles, who had 14 points and 4 assists.

The game was a fun and entertaining spectacle, with both teams showing off their skills and personalities. The game also raised money for charity, with Ruffles donating $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The game was followed by the Panini Rising Stars game, which featured the best rookies and sophomores in the NBA. The All-Star weekend will continue on Saturday, with the Skills Challenge, the Three-Point Contest, and the Slam Dunk Contest. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, with the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, which will feature the best players in the league.