National basketball player Franz Wagner missed defending his title in the NBA’s so-called “Rising Stars Challenge”. Wagner lost on Friday (local time) with his team coached by former NBA player Deron Williams in the semifinals of the mini-tournament as part of the All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City.
Franz Wagner missed defending his title at the “Rising Star Challenge”.
NBAE via Getty Images
“Team Deron” had to admit defeat in the semi-final, played to 40 points, by the later tournament winner “Team Pau” by 25:40. Wagner remained without points and missed each of his three attempts to throw from the field. Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans was named Most Valuable Player in Team Pau’s 25-20 win over Team Jaso in the finals.
Nowitzki, Schroder, Wagner
The Rising Stars Challenge pits the most promising talent in their first or second season in the NBA against one another. This format has been held at the NBA All-Star Weekend since 1994. Before Wagner, his brother Moritz Wagner (2020), Dennis Schröder (2015) and Dirk Nowitzki (2000) had taken part. Wagner won last season
the tournament with his team.
The highlight of the North American professional league’s annual All-Star weekend is the show game of the best basketball players on Sunday (local time).
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