Stephen Curry sensed he was in bother as he neared the top of his spherical however all of a sudden flashed the flexibility that has helped him make a file 3,642 3-pointers in regular-season play.
It was good timing as WNBA standout Sabrina Ionescu placed on a stellar capturing efficiency of her personal. But Curry made 4 of 5 photographs from the correct nook to finish his spherical and overtake Ionescu to win 29-26 within the particular 3-point competitors between the 2 prolific shooters throughout All-Star Saturday Night in Indianapolis.
“I knew I had to get hot,” Curry stated on the TNT broadcast. “This couldn’t have gone any better in the sense of us two taking the chance on this stage, one round, with all the hype and to deliver like that. The way she set the bar was unbelievable to watch. This might be something we need to do more often.”
In different competitions, Damian Lillard gained the NBA 3-point capturing contest, G-Leaguer Mac McClung gained the dunk contest and Team Pacers gained the abilities competitors.
The genesis for the Curry-Ionescu showdown got here when Curry was speaking to Golden State Warriors teammate Brandin Podziemski in a video about Ionescu’s stellar efficiency in final yr’s WNBA All-Star 3-point competitors.
Curry contemplated a contest with Ionescu, and the latter made it clear on social media that she was up for the problem.
Ionescu, who performs for the New York Liberty, began on the left facet of the courtroom and made 9 of her first 10 photographs.
Curry did not begin as quick however made up floor by hitting all 5 photographs from the correct wing earlier than transferring previous Ionescu from the correct nook.
Ionescu additionally referred to as for extra competitions that embody each genders.
“That was amazing to have this be the first of its kind event and come out here and put on a show but understanding what this means,” Ionescu stated. “I’m excited to vary the narrative and be capable to do it alongside the best to ever do it.
“A night like tonight shows a lot of young girls and young boys that if you can shoot, you can shoot. It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a boy, I think it just matters the heart that you have and wanting to be the best you can be.”
In the common 3-point capturing contest, Lillard turned the primary repeat winner since Jason Kapono of the Toronto Raptors gained in 2007-08.
Lillard compiled 26 factors within the closing spherical, edging 2022 champion Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. Both Towns and Young had 24 factors.
The competitors went right down to the wire as Lillard had 24 factors as he went to the left nook for the rack of 5 balls. He missed the primary 4 photographs earlier than sinking the winner on his closing try.
“It’s only right that I do it with some drama,” Lillard stated. “I didn’t really know what I had. I just heard the crowd like, ‘Ooooh, ooooh.’ I knew I had to make that last shot to win.”
Lillard, Towns, Young and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers all had 26 factors within the first spherical — a four-way tie for the three finalist spots. A 30-second tiebreaker was held, and Haliburton was eradicated.
Lauri Markkanen (25 factors) of the Utah Jazz, Jalen Brunson (24) of the New York Knicks, Donovan Mitchell (21) of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Malik Beasley (20) of the Bucks have been eradicated within the first spherical.
In the Slam Dunk Contest, McClung obtained an ideal 50 on his closing dunk to win the title for the second straight yr.
All 5 judges have been impressed with McClung’s closing effort as he jumped over NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, grabbing the ball from O’Neal’s arms and ending with a reverse slam dunk.
McClung, who performs for the Osceola Magic, defeated Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown within the closing spherical.
“I wish I could have gave more to this crowd,” McClung stated. “I think I could have had a better performance but I’m very appreciative.”
McClung is the primary repeat winner since Zach LaVine — then of the Minnesota Timberwolves — in 2015-16.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat and Jacob Toppin of the New York Knicks have been eradicated within the first spherical.
In the Skills Challenge, Team Pacers gained in a half-court shot tiebreaker over Team All-Stars.
Haliburton sank a half-court shot with 20.5 seconds left within the 60-second extra time to provide Team Pacers the win. Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin have been the opposite members.
Team Pacers earned 100 factors apiece within the relay and passing occasions. Team All-Stars, consisting of Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) and Young, gained the 200-point capturing competitors to pressure the tiebreaker.
The different contributors within the Skills Challenge have been Team Top Picks, that includes No. 1 general picks Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs).
Source: www.anews.com.tr
