On This Date in Sports January 16, 1962: Bob Pettit Stars in All-Star Game

In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com

The NBA All-Star Game in St. Louis turns into a showdown for the ages, as the Western Conference beats the Eastern Conference 150-130. Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors leads the way for the East, scoring an All-Star record 42 points and 24 rebounds. However, Bob Pettit of the host St. Louis Hawks is the game’s MVP with 25 points and 27 rebounds. It is the fourth All-Star Game MVP for Pettit establishing a record that would later be equaled by Kobe Bryant. 

It was the 12th All-Star Game in the National Basketball Association and the second one played at the St. Louis Arena. In the previous All-Star Game in 1958, the East won 130-118, with Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks winning the All-Star Game MVP in a losing effort. The East was coached by Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics, while the West was led by Fred Schaus of the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Despite the play of the Wilt Chamberlain, the West was in charge from the start, as they scored 35 points in the first quarter and held a 64-60. In the second half, the West pulled away, scoring 41 points in the third quarter and 45 points in the fourth quarter to win the game 150-130. It was the third time in four years the West won the NBA All-Star Game. Overall the East held a 7-5 lead after 12 All-Star Games. 

Wilt Chamberlain played 37 minutes, scoring an All-Star Game record with 42 points and 24 rebounds. Bob Pettit won the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1956, 1958, and 1959. Pettit scored 25 points and had 27 rebounds. Richie Guerin of the New York Knicks had 23 points for the East, joining Chamberlain as the only Eastern Players over 20 points. The West had four players over 20 points, including Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers, who had 32 points. Oscar Robertson of the Cincinnati Royals, who was averaging a triple-double on the season, had 26 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds. Rounding out the Western 20-point men was Walt Bellamy of the Chicago Packers, who had 23 points. 

It was the fourth All-Star Game MVP for Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks. A record that would stand nearly a half-century before it was matched by Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the All-Star MVP in 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011.