LOS ANGELES (AFP) – John Wall had a record 22 assists and picked up the MVP award while rising star Blake Griffin scored 14 points as the rookies rallied to beat the sophomores 148-140 in the NBA all-star Rookie Challenge.
Washington Wizards' Wall posted 22 assists while Sacramento Kings DeMarcus Cousins finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds for the first year players who were facing a star-studded group of NBA players in their second season in the league.
"We were trying to work together," Cousins said of Wall. "He wanted to break the assist record, and I wanted to be MVP."
Wall, a first-round pick of Washington, surpassed Chris Paul's previous rookie challenge record of 17 assists in 2007.
"He was the court general," Minnesota's Wesley Johnson said of Wall.
Wall's favourite target Friday at Staples Center arena was Cousins. But Wall also connected several times with Blake Griffin at the side of the basket which the Los Angeles Clipper was able to finish off with some impressive two handed dunks.
"I didn't get to go to practice today, so that was all on the fly," said Griffin. "(Wall) is a great passer, so he made it easy for me. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I'm making the best out of it. Being home for the all-star weekend is a lot of fun."
Griffin went seven-of-10 in just under 14 minutes of playing time to kick off a busy weekend. He will take part in the slam-dunk contest Saturday before playing in the main all-star game on Sunday. He is favoured to win the dunk contest and is also the early favourite to win the NBA rookie of the year award.
James Harden scored 30 points for the sophomores, and San Antonio's DeJuan Blair had 28 points and 15 rebounds.
The rookies won the annual contest for the second consecutive year after seven straight victories by the second-year players. The 288 total points was the most ever in the rookie-sophomore game.
Earlier Friday, Canadian teen singer Justin Bieber was named MVP of the All-Star Celebrity game finishing with eight points, four assists in a 54-49 loss.
