Exhibition basketball game
The 22nd NBA All-Star Game was played on January 18, 1972, at The Forum.
- Coaches: Tom Heinsohn, Boston Celtics (Eastern Conference) and Bill Sharman, Los Angeles Lakers (Western Conference)
- MVP: Jerry West, Los Angeles (27 minutes, 13 points)
- Hometown favorite Jerry West hit a last second 20-foot jump shot to break the tie and win the game for the West.[1]
- Dave Cowens, a future MVP and Hall of Famer, made his All-Star debut in this game. Center Bob Lanier, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, made his debut in this All-Star Game, too. The Rockets, which relocated from San Diego to Houston before the 1971–72 season, had their first Houston-era All-Star in Elvin Hayes.[2]