NBA – A 3-point basket from Jose Alvarado gave Team Pau Gasol victory over Team Joakim Noah in the final of the Rising Stars Challenge.
Each formation is made up of seven rookies or sophomores and, for the first time, one of the teams is only made up of young players playing in the G-League, including the Frenchman Sidy Cissoko.
In terms of regulations, the two semi-finals are played with a target score of 40 points, while the final is played with a target score of 25 points…
SEMI-FINALS N°1 : TEAM DERON / TEAM PAU
— Team Deron Williams : Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls), AJ Griffin (Hawks), Bones Hyland (Clippers), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans), Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Franz Wagner (Magic).
— Team Pau Gasol : Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jaden Ivey (Pistons), Benedict Mathurin (Pacers), Keegan Murray (Kings), Andrew Nembhard (Pacers).
The first thunderclap of this first game comes from Trey Murphy III (9 points): the participant in the Dunk Contest crushes the circle in counter-attack! But under the impetus of the 22 points of the duo Jose Alvarado (13) — Paolo Banchero (9), supported by Bennedict Mathurin (7 points), it is Team Pau that is easily in the lead (27-18). The chronic clumsiness of Team Deron (41%, including 3/16 from 3-points…) allows the Spaniard’s proteges to take off, to quietly reach the final (40-25).
Final score: 40-25 for Team Pau
DEMI-FINALE N°2 : TEAM JOAKIM / TEAM JASON
— Team Joakim Noah : Tari Eason (Rockets), Josh Giddey (Thunder), Quentin Grimes (Thunder), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), Jalen Williams (Thunder).
— Team Jason Terry : Sidy Cissoko (G-League Ignite), Scoot Henderson (G-League Ignite), Mojave King (G-League Ignite), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Memphis Hustle), Mac McClung (Delaware Blue Coats), Leonard Miller (G-League Ignite), Scotty Pippen Jr. (South Bay Lakers).
Like an intense Joakim Noah on the bench and in his conversations with the referees, his team started the match seriously, to take a 13-point lead (24-11) after a dunk ofEvan Mobley
(8 dots). Except that Mac McClung (10 points) and Scoot Henderson (4 points) then wake up Team Jason, instigating a 16-4 which revives the suspense (28-27). A dunk in traffic Jeremy Sochan (6 points), followed by two 3-pointers from Josh Giddey (3 points, 6 passes) et Quentin Grimes (13 points), however launch a run 12-5 which ends up sending Team Joakim to the final (40-32).
Final score: 40-32 for Team Joakim
FINAL : TEAM PAU / TEAM JOAKIM
— Team Pau Gasol : Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Paolo Banchero (Magic), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jaden Ivey (Pistons), Benedict Mathurin (Pacers), Keegan Murray (Kings), Andrew Nembhard (Pacers).
— Team Joakim Noah : Tari Eason (Rockets), Josh Giddey (Thunder), Quentin Grimes (Thunder), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Jabari Smith Jr. (Rockets), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), Jalen Williams (Thunder).
Thanks to 7 quick stitches of Bennedict Mathurin, Team Pau takes a short lead, in this final contested with more intensity than the two previous matches (12-9). The four winning shots of Quentin Grimes (14 points) however put the teams back to back (16-16). With Jose Alvarado (5 points) who takes care of the Knick, but also Scottie Barnes (6 points), Team Pau then takes control. Then on the first match point, the pocket leader of the Pelicans shoots a 3-pointer at 45 degrees which offers the victory and the trophy of the Rising Stars Challenge to his teammates for one evening!
Final score: 25-20 for Team Pau
