When LeBron James plays in his 20th NBA All-Star Game, it means a lot to him.

LeBron James saw the open space in front of him and grounded. As he jumped, he cocked the ball back in his right hand and hit it hard through the hoop for a strong slam.In 2004, he did it in his first All-Star Game. It was his 20th Sunday night in Indianapolis when he did it.

Finally, the East 𝔟𝔢𝔞𝔱 the West 211–186, which was a record for both teams and the most points scored by a team.

James agreed that the NBA and players need to work on the All-Star Game, but just being there for the record-setting 20th time was amazing.

When James was younger, he loved basketball and watched the NBA All-Star weekend and the Sunday game. “I always had dreams and visions that if I could play the game at a high level and give it my all, I could be a part of that game someday,” he said before the game. “It has been an honor to represent my country on the court and play with the best basketball players in the world every single year.”

He scored eight points in 14 minutes of play in the first half before giving up his time to the rest of the West team.

The league switched back to the old East-West model in an effort to make the games more intense by cutting out some of the extraneous entertainment. At the start of Sunday night, though, it was clear that there would be more open shots than plays.

“I think we sat down with the players, listened to what they had to say, and said, you know what? We have to get back to basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Saturday. “The game is important.” That is how we will be judged in the end.”

On Sunday, Luka Doncic’s attempt at a self-alley-oop might have been blocked by the basket early in the second half. That might have been the best moment. Damian Lillard, winner of the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award, made a three-pointer from half-court after the miss. It was the perfect example of the mix of skill and carelessness that has come to define the NBA All-Star Game.

Ralph Miller, Larry Bird, and Oscar Robertson were in the middle of the court to start the game. As soon as the players were introduced, James ran over to Robertson and gave him a long hug.