This year, several big names have already decided to take part in the annual 3-point contest which traditionally takes place the day before the All-Star Game. Tyrese Haliburton and Lauri Markkanen are added to this list, to prove their regular season skill in prime time.
Impossible to miss the annual meeting of the snipers. Each All-Star Game eve, between Skills Challenge and the dunks contest, eight participants compete to string pearls, in a 3-point contest that often brings together beautiful people. Last year, Karl-Anthony Towns won the competition, after a thrilling final against Luke Kennard and Trae Young, showing that pivots can be dexterous too. This year, eight other participants have been chosen, and we have known since yesterday that Tyrese Haliburton et Lauri Markkanen will be part of it. They were officially announced the day after the trade deadline by Shams Charania and Tony Jones of The Athletic.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, newly named an all-star starter, will participate in the 3-point contest on All-Star Saturday night, League Sources tell The Athletic
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) February 10, 2023
The two thieves are not there by chance. Since the start of the regular season, Tyrese Haliburton has been his team’s top scorer. At almost 20 points per game, the latter takes an average of seven shots from distance and achieves 40% of them. As for Markkanen, it’s hard to say that he has no place in such a fight, when we know that he records more than 25 units per game at 42% behind the arc. The Jazz strong winger hopes to make a good impression home the day before the all-star game. Remember that the All-Star has also been elected starter for the gala meeting the next day, following the injuries of his little comrades.
Haliburton and Markka join a list of big talents already scheduled for the program. Buddy Hieldwho will be looking to repeat their success from 2020. Damian Lillard, who will surely take “bad shots” according to Paul George”, and finally Anfernee Simons, who achieves an impressive consistency at 22 points per game and 38% from distance. In short, what certainly guarantees less than spectacle than a Dwight Howard in the Taiwan 3-point contest, but probably a little more skill. To find out who will win this year’s edition? In any case, you will have to stay awake during the night of February 18 to 19and the appointment is made at 2am!
