NEW YORK (AFP) – Defending champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and 2013 winner Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers head the field for the NBA All-Star three-point shooting contest announced on Thursday.
The eight-player event is part of All-Star Saturday Night in New Orleans on February 18, curtain raiser to the All-Star Game midseason exhibition on February 19.
The Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon will try to improve on his runner-up finish last year in the Slam Dunk competition.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine has already said he won’t go for a third straight dunk crown, so Gordon will be up against DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, Derrick Jones of the Phoenix Suns and Glenn Robinson of the Indiana Pacers.
Anthony Davis, star of the All-Star host New Orleans Pelicans, heads the field for the Skills Challenge in which eight players showcase their dribbling, passing, agility and three-point shooting prowess.