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It’s officially NBA All-Star Weekend, and tonight features the always-entertaining trio of the Skills Challenge, Three-point Contest and Slam Dunk contest (ok, that one isn’t always entertaining). We also get a bonus showdown between Stephen Curry and the WNBA’s Sabrina Ionescu, which promises to create some storylines. Let’s dive into who will take the title in each of these four events.
Kia Skills Challenge
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The consistently changing Skills Challenge will pit three teams of three against one another this year. The teams are:
Team Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner
Team #1 Overall Picks: Paolo Banchero (Magic), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Team All-Stars: Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Trae Young (Hawks)
With so many different obstacle courses and elements to this event, there’s no point trying to decipher who has the advantage. Instead, this is all about which team seems poised to try the hardest. Considering the young Pacers trio is playing in front of its home crowd, it’s hard to envision anyone else taking home the title.
Prediction: Team Pacers wins
Starry 3-Point Contest
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Typically the most entertaining Saturday event of All-Star weekend, this year’s three-point contest showcases a star-studded field. With Malik Beasley (Bucks), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), defending champ Damian Lillard (Bucks), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves) and Trae Young (Hawks), it’s a strong group where anyone could come out on top.
No player has gone back-to-back in the three-point contest since Jason Kapono in 2007-2008. I don’t think Lillard will be the one to break that streak. With anyone capable of catching fire, my prediction for the three advancing to the final round are Tyrese Haliburton, Lauri Markkanen and Trae Young. The home crowd will be rooting on Haliburton, but I think Trae Young ultimately comes out on top.
Prediction: Trae Young defeats Haliburton and Markkanen
Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Challenge
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The most exciting event of the night features the greatest shooters in the NBA and WNBA competing for ultimate bragging rights. The competition will work the same as the previous event, with Curry shooting from the NBA three-point line with NBA basketballs, and Ionescu shooting from the WNBA line with WNBA basketballs.
Ionescu rose to fame after scoring 37 of a maximum 40 points in last year’s WNBA three-point contest, which ultimately led to her challenging Steph. While Curry has never posted a 37 before, it’s impossible to envision someone beating him in a head-to-head shooting competition.
Prediction: Curry defeats Ionescu 35-33
AT&T Slam Dunk Contest
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The hit-or-miss Slam Dunk Contest features a more formidable group than usual this season. Defending champ Mac McClung (G League) is electric, three-time All-Star Jaylen Brown (Celtics) provides some star power, rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Heat) will look to become a household name, and Jacob Toppin (Knicks) will try to join his brother Obi as a Slam Dunk Contest champion.
Even though McClung brings the experience, it’s so difficult to win this event back-to-back years. The high school dunk contest highlights from Jaquez that have been circulating online are impressive enough to convince me that he will come out on top.
Prediction: Jaquez Jr. defeats McClung
