Milan, 18 February 2024 – Night of confirmations atAll Star Game Weekend. Two of the four events on Saturday (one of which was new) saw the reigning champions confirm themselves. Starting with Damian Lillardwho prevailed in the three-point shooting competition in the photo finish of Trae Young e di Karl-Anthony Towns, the other two finalists. Decisive for the success of the Milwaukee Bucks point guard was the last shot, worth two points (the so-called “Money Ball”), which hit the target, allowing the former Portland Trail Blazers player to reach 26 points and sprint past the opponents (Atlanta’s winger stopped at 24, Minnesota’s big man at 22). In the elimination round, they were also present Tyrese Haliburton, Lauri Markkanen e Jalen Brunsonwith the first being eliminated in the play-off to access the final which then crowned champion Lillard, who became the first to take the crown of 3-point shooting champion for the second consecutive year after Jason Capono, who achieved it in the two-year period 2007 -2008.
Curry beats Sabrina Ionescu
One of the most anticipated events was certainly the 3-point shooting duel Steph Curry e Sabrina Ionescu. The Golden State Warriors phenomenon needed a super performance to establish itself. The New York Liberty guard, who shot with the balls used in the WNBA, but from NBA distance, in fact scored a score of 26 (tying what Lillard, Towns, Haliburton and Young did in the 3-point shooting competition). But Curry didn’t tremble, putting his performance to rest with a 29 (-2 from the personal best set in 2021) which meant triumph and the wrestling-style championship belt. “Sabrina started very strong, putting pressure on me – said the Dubs’ number 30 – I managed to find a rhythm and in the end I won. I have to congratulate her, it was a beautiful event that I hope can be repeated in the coming years too”.
McClung still king of dunks
The other highlight of All Star Saturday was the slam dunk contest. Well, Mac McClung he won for the second year in a row, thanks to a last shot from “50”, during which he jumped Shaquille O’Neal. The point guard of the Osceola Magic (G-League team affiliated with Orlando) defeated in the final Jaylen Brownwhile the run of Jacob Toppin e Jaime Jaquez Jr. The last one to succeed in the feat of confirming himself as champion of the slam dunk competition was Zach LaVine (2015-2016). Joy for the home crowd in Indianapolis for the success in the Skills Challenge of the team made up of Pacers players, that is Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin e Myles Turner.
Now the game of the stars
On the Italian night between Sunday and Monday (two-ball scheduled for 2am), it will be the match of the stars that will put the 2024 edition of the All Star Game Weekend on the back burner. On the one hand, the team made up of the best players in the Eastern Conference, led by Giannis Antetokounmpoon the other the West, led by LeBron James. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport NBA and in streaming on Sky Go and Now.
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2024-02-18 10:53:16
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