The NBA All-Star MVP Tie: When One Star Stepped Aside for Another

The NBA All-Star Game has given us iconic performances, jaw-dropping highlights, and plenty of unforgettable MVP moments — but did you know that in 1959, the league ended up with two MVPs?

Yes, there was a tie for the All-Star Game MVP between two legends: Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit. But instead of both players taking home the hardware, something remarkable happened — one of them stepped aside and gave it up to the other.

Here’s how it all went down.

1959 NBA All-Star Game: A Duel for the Ages

The 1959 NBA All-Star Game was played in Detroit, showcasing some of the biggest names of the era — Wilt Chamberlain was still in college, but the league already had dominant forces like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and the two stars of the night: Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit.

Pettit, a 6’9” scoring machine, was already an established superstar, having won an MVP and led the St. Louis Hawks to an NBA title. Baylor, meanwhile, was in just his rookie season, but he was already dazzling fans with his smooth, above-the-rim play that foreshadowed the future of basketball.

The game itself? A high-scoring, fast-paced affair (by 1959 standards). The West pulled off a 124-108 victory, and both Pettit and Baylor were sensational.

• Pettit dropped 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, dominating inside as he always did.
• Baylor countered with 24 points, dazzling the crowd with his athleticism and versatility.

When it came time to name the MVP, the decision was too close to call — so the vote ended in a tie.

Bob Pettit’s Incredible Gesture

Now, you might think the NBA would just roll with it and hand out two MVP trophies (like they eventually did in 1993 with Karl Malone and John Stockton, and in 2000 with Shaq and Tim Duncan).

But Bob Pettit wasn’t about to let that happen.

Despite putting up MVP-worthy numbers, Pettit — who had already won the award in 1956 — told the league to give the trophy to Baylor instead. He recognized Baylor’s incredible rookie season and wanted to honor him as one of the game's rising stars.

Think about that for a second. In an era where NBA salaries weren’t anywhere near what they are today and individual awards carried a lot of prestige, Pettit voluntarily stepped aside so Baylor could take home the MVP. That’s a level of sportsmanship you just don’t see every day.

Why It Mattered

Baylor went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career, becoming one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and revolutionizing the game with his above-the-rim play. Pettit, already a dominant force, continued to be a star and later became the first NBA player to score 20,000 points.

But this moment showed something even bigger — the respect that legends have for each other. Pettit’s decision to let Baylor take the MVP was a classy move that reflected the brotherhood of the NBA, even in an era of fierce competition.

Today, NBA All-Star MVP ties are officially recognized, but back in 1959, Pettit made sure the spotlight shined on a young star who was just getting started. And looking back, it’s hard to argue with that choice.

A Rare Moment in NBA History

Ties for MVP don’t happen often, but when they do, they create legendary stories. In 1959, Bob Pettit made sure that one of the game's future greats got the recognition he deserved — proving that sometimes, the best way to be remembered isn’t by taking the spotlight, but by passing it on.