CLEVELAND — Myles Garrett started the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday night with a defensive highlight.
But while it took some time for the Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end's offense to come, once it did, it didn't stop.
After scoring just four points in the first half, Garrett put on a clinic in the third quarter, which was highlighted by a breakaway dunk that was set up by an assist from rapper Jack Harlow. Moments later, the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft threw down another monster one-handed slam after receiving a behind-the-back pass from Crissa Jackson.
Garrett's efforts, however, weren't ultimately enough for Team 'Nique, which fell to Team Walton by a score of 65-51. Peloton instructor Alex Toussaint was named the MVP of the event, which took place at Cleveland's Wolstein Center to kick off the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend.
While one could argue that Garrett's dunks stole the show on Friday night, they also didn't come as a surprise. In recent years, several of Garrett's hardwood highlights have gone viral, prompting Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to announce last June that the three-time Pro Bowl selection had retired from basketball.
"He retired," Stefanski said. "Congratulations on a great career for Myles. Really proud of him, but he's done."
Garrett, however, made it clear that the retirement was far from final.
"I feel like it's more of a 'Jordan retirement,' Garrett said, referring to NBA legend Michael Jordan's decision to play baseball before eventually returning to the Chicago Bulls "Now I've got to go back to what I'm good at, what I usually do. ... But next season, you never know. I might go back to basketball, I might go play baseball ... but there's more on the horizon right now. I've got to get back to what my main focus is."
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