By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
NEW YORK (AFP) — Boston’s Jaylen Brown, New York’s Jalen Brunson and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard were among the players named on Thursday, Feb. 8, to NBA All-Star Game skills competitions.
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest and a Skills Challenge teams event are on the schedule for All-Star Saturday on February 17, on the eve of the NBA All-Star Game at Indianapolis.
The Slam Dunk showdown features Brown, New York’s Jacob Toppin, Miami’s Jaime Jaquez and defending champion Mac McClung of the Orlando Magic’s G-League developmental team.
Lillard will defend his title in the 3-Point Contest against a top field that includes Bucks teammate Malik Beasley, Brunson, Atlanta’s Trae Young, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Utah’s Lauri Markkanen.
The Skills Challenge will feature three trios — Team Pacers for the hosts, Team All-Stars from the main game and Team Top Picks, featuring three NBA Draft number one selections — Frenchman Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio, Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Anthony Edwards of Minnesota.
Team All-Stars includes Young, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes and Tyrese Maxey of Philadelphia while Team Pacers includes Haliburton, Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin of Indiana.
There will also be a Three-Point Challenge between NBA all-time 3-pointers leader Stephen Curry of Golden State and Women’s NBA single-season 3-point record holder Sabrina Ionescu.
