TORONTO — In the end, a weekend tribute to Kobe Bryant didn’t exemplify his competitiveness. The 65th NBA All-Star Game was a series of uncontested slam dunks, 3-pointers, and careless alley-oops.

The conferences simply took turns playing the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Air Canada Centre fans seemed to lose interest as the game carried on. The NBA’s celebration of itself concluded Sunday with a 196-173 Western Conference victory.

The 196 points were the most ever scored in an All-Star Game as defense was hardly a priority. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, participating in his first All-Star Game, finished with 9 points on 4-for-11 shooting in 19 minutes. He wowed the crowd with a crafty reverse layup off the backboard in the fourth quarter.

“It was all fun, that’s what this game was all about,’’ he said. “I wish I could have hit a couple of more shots but it was fun out there. You’re appreciative to be such a part of a big game. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s everything I dreamed of. Just to be out there on the court with those other guys, experience Kobe Bryant’s [final All-Star] Game. Hopefully I can have some more weekends like this.’’

Indiana’s Paul George scored 41 points in a losing effort, but Russell Westbrook scored 31 for the West, including seven 3-pointers, and was named MVP for the second consecutive year. The teams combined for 159 3-point attempts, 288 field goal attempts, but just 16 fouls.

Bryant, who was honored before the game by Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and a highlight video, finished with 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting with six rebounds and seven assists in just under 26 minutes. He was removed by West coach Gregg Popovich with just over a minute left, leaving to a standing ovation.

“It was fun,’’ Bryant said. “I had a blast playing with those guys, laughing and joking with them on the bench. And, you know, I got a chance to stop Pau [Gasol] in a post, redeem myself from what he did to me when Chicago came to town. But all those things are just fun. I had a great time. I had a great, great time.’’

Westbrook, who grew up in the Los Angeles as a Bryant fan, said he was honored to share the court with Bryant in his final All-Star Game.

“Definitely, being able to talk to him and get knowledge and just hear him talking about different things he’s done for himself, for the game, his family,’’ Westbrook said. “It’s a great moment to be able to sit back and just chat with a guy like that. You embrace all those moments.’’

Bryant said this weekend that he wouldn’t jack up shots to vie for the MVP award. He allowed players such as Westbrook, Stephen Curry (26 points), Anthony Davis (24), and Kevin Durant (23) to flourish.

Thomas said he was a little disappointed that the East didn’t make a fourth-quarter run.

“There was no defense played,’’ he said. “I mean, in the previous All-Star Games that I’ve watched it gets serious in the second half. I think guys were just being cautious and out there having fun.’’

The teams spent the first half throwing alley-oops, attacking the rim for dunks, or launching 3-pointers, and they broke the record with 182 points in the first half. Eight players scored in double figures in the first half, including George with 16.

For George, his performance was rewarding 18 months after he broke his right leg in a Team USA scrimmage. George was limited to six games last season but has regained his form in 2015-16.

“It’s really special,’’ he said. “You know, I had a hard-fought summer, hard-fought rehab year. It was just a very upward climb. It took every day and really every moment of rehab to get through it. There were a lot of days where I felt like I was down and out, but just stayed with it.’’

Of course, the Western Conference players were trying to get Bryant involved and he warmed up in the second quarter. He finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in 15 first-half minutes. The West took 31 3-pointers in the first half, most of them wide open, but only converted nine.

Golden State’s Splash Brothers, Curry and Klay Thompson, were a combined 2 for 10on 3-pointers in the first 24 minutes but finished 9 for 23.

Thomas made his All-Star debut at the 4:44 mark, entering with the Eastern Conference’s second unit. He got right to work, attacking the rim for layups, although the first two he missed. He then cashed in a layup and finished with three offensive rebounds in his first stint.