Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points in the Rising Stars Game as the All-Star festivities kicked off inside the United Center in Chicago on Friday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 7-of-15 from the floor and was one of four starters that played 24 minutes for Team World, as they fell to Team USA 151-131.
Fellow Canadian, RJ Barrett, scored a game-high 27 points and was one the players throwing it down as the game devolved into an impromptu dunk contest in the final minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored the majority of his points in the first half, heading into the break with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Two of those came on a play where SGA showed off his crazy handles, going behind his back and between his legs to get past both Ja Morant and Trae Young, before finishing at the rim with his signature Shai scoop.
It’s was the second consecutive appearance in the Rising Stars Game for Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out six assists in Team World’s 161-144 loss to Team USA.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s All-Star Weekend isn’t over just yet.
He will represent the Thunder on Saturday night when he participates in his first Skills Challenge, taking the place of Pistons guard, Derrick Rose, who won the competition back in 2009.
Rose withdrew from the competition last week due to a reported injury.
