Russell Westbrook hits for 41 points and the 2015 All-Star Game MVP trophy

In a frightening display that reminded of just how far NBA point guards have come, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook secured the 2015 All-Star Game MVP trophy with a near-record 41 points in the Western Conference’s 163-158 win over the East. The Thunder superstar supplied those digits by alternating both startling dunks and daggers from the outside, as the 26-year old just missed passing Wilt Chamberlain’s All-Star Game record of 42 points. The late Chamberlain’s mark was set in 1962.

In the first half Westbrook did manage to top Glen Rice and Kyrie Irving’s record for points in a half with 27, topping the 24-point second halves by Rice in 1997 and Irving last year. The OKC guard didn’t even start the contest, and yet in only 11 minutes of play he managed to nail 11 of 15 shots while helping the West secure an 83-82 halftime lead. Those 11 makes also set an All-Star Game record.

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Despite the West’s early 20-point lead, this 2015 version of the All-Star game acted as one of the closer midseason classics in recent memory, with stars like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony clearly working to win while also gunning for MVP honors. Starting West guard James Harden was the trigger man on several of Westbrook’s fabulous finishes, and the Rockets guard ended his night with 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Anthony missed 14 of 20 shots, James managed 30 points and seven assists, and sage Clippers point man Chris Paul helped steady the West’s attack in the second half while registering 15 assists.

It was Westbrook that pushed his conference over the top, though, wowing the crowd by both hitting his head on the backboard during a furious alley-oop finish before dashing out to the three-point line to knock in a series of back-breakers for the West. Russell nailed 5-9 three-pointers on the night.

Westbrook has missed 14 games this season due to injury, but he’s putting up an MVP-like 25.8 points per game mark this year, with 13.9 combined rebounds/assists and 2.2 steals. The Thunder, a team that has also been without reigning MVP Kevin Durant for 27 contests, are just a half-game out of the Western Conference playoff bracket with 29 to play.

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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KDonhoops