NBA All-Star Weekend grades for dunk contest, Rising Stars, more

It is NBA All-Star Weekend, however not all the celebs will shine equally. To spotlight the very best and worst performances all weekend lengthy in Indianapolis, we’re grading the contributors in each occasion from the Rising Stars on Friday by means of Sunday’s All-Star Recreation.

Abilities took middle stage on Saturday evening throughout NBA All-Star Weekend, together with a one-of-a-kind showdown between WNBA 3-point contest document holder Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and NBA all-time 3-point chief Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, a two-time NBA 3-point contest winner who shares the single-round NBA document. Curry gained with the very best spherical by any participant all evening lengthy.

Saturday’s occasions started with the talents problem. The present format has groups of three compete in an impediment course, a passing competitors and a capturing competitors. The hometown Indiana Pacers squad of All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, Rising Stars MVP Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner delighted the group by turning into the third host crew in as a few years to win.

Within the 3-point contest, defending champion Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks beat 2022 winner Karl-Anthony Cities and Trae Younger within the finals, turning into the primary participant to repeat since Jason Kapono in 2007 and 2008 and becoming a member of Curry as one in all simply eight gamers ever to win a number of instances.

The motion wraps up with the dunk contest, when Mac McClung will attempt to defend his title in opposition to a subject that includes All-Star Jaylen Brown of the NBA-best Boston Celtics and rookies Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Jacob Toppin.

ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT

Steph vs. Sabrina

Stephen Curry
Grade: A
Outcome: 29 factors

Steph vs. Sabrina It did not take lengthy for Curry to remind everyone who’s the very best shooter within the constructing. Though Curry final participated within the 3-point contest in 2021, profitable his second title, he’d be favored to beat anybody, wherever, any time. After making simply 3-of-5 photographs on the opening rack, Curry made a minimum of 4-of-5 on his remaining 4, together with excellent marks from each the left and proper wing. Needing to make 3-of-5 makes an attempt on his ultimate moneyball rack to win, Curry as an alternative hit 4 to complete two factors shy of tying his document for a single spherical beneath the present format.

Sabrina Ionescu
Grade: A
Outcome: 26 factors

Regardless of dropping the GOAT shooter belt to Steph, Ionescu acquitted herself nicely capturing from the longer NBA 3-point line (utilizing normal WNBA basketballs). Like Curry and Lillard, Ionescu is a menace nicely past the arc, as she confirmed by beginning with 13 makes in her first 15 makes an attempt. Ionescu might have drained a bit from there, making simply half of her ultimate 10 photographs, however nonetheless matched any spherical from the 3-point contest. The final word takeaway: Regardless of the league, shooters shoot.

3-POINT CONTEST

Malik Beasley, Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: C+
Outcome: Eradicated in first spherical (20)

Beneath unusual circumstances, you’d count on anyone to come back up in need of 20 factors within the opening spherical of the 3-point contest. Beasley hit greater than half his photographs, together with a deep 3, however got here in final largely as a result of he went simply 2 of 5 from his moneyball rack on the correct wing.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Grade: B
Outcome: Eradicated in first spherical (24)

After a gradual begin, Brunson was agonizingly near being a part of the tiebreaker, needing only one extra make on his cash rack to tie the highest rating of 26. Beginning within the left nook as the one southpaw within the competitors, Brunson went 1-of-5 on that rack however made all 5 of his makes an attempt from the highest of the important thing and one of many deep photographs.

Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Grade: B+
Outcome: Eradicated in first-round tie breaker (26/12)

Give the NBA’s tiebreaker format an F. Guidelines are guidelines, however in a state of affairs the place the highest 4 gamers all had the identical rating, letting all of them advance to the finals would have made much more sense than eliminating Haliburton as a result of he bought off to a comparatively gradual begin in a 30-second tiebreaker spherical. Haliburton, who tied the all-time excessive rating with a gap spherical of 31 final 12 months however didn’t win, once more misplaced in agonizing trend.

Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
Grade: A
Outcome: Champion (26/16/26)

The three-point contest stays “Dame Time.” Going final because the defending champ, Lillard edged right into a four-way tie by making all 5 of his makes an attempt from the highest and his final three moneyball photographs. He spared us drama within the tiebreaker, making a deep 3 to assist edge Haliburton, after which matched his first-round whole for a win within the finals. This time, Lillard did sweat it out a bit, lacking his first 4 tries from the correct nook after matching Younger’s whole earlier than flattening his ultimate try to repeat as champion.

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Grade: B
Outcome: Eradicated first spherical (25)

Markkanen will rue his placement of the moneyball rack. Remarkably, the left wing he selected was the one rack on which Markkanen didn’t hit a minimum of 4 photographs. Markkanen bought simply two further factors by going 2-of-5 from his cash rack, which means he was eradicated regardless of making 19 of his 25 shot makes an attempt.

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: C+
Outcome: Eradicated first spherical (21)

Carrying the jersey of his teammate Sam “Cash” Merrill, who’s capturing 44% from 3-point vary this season, Mitchell began by making simply two of his 5 photographs from the primary two racks — together with his moneyball rack. Mitchell heated up by making 4-of-5 from the highest of the important thing, in addition to his second deep try, however nonetheless wasn’t near reaching the finals.

Karl-Anthony Cities, Minnesota Timberwolves
Grade: A-
Outcome: Eradicated in finals (26/16/22)

Like Lillard, Cities was bidding to win a second 3-point contest, which might have helped cement his declare as the best capturing large man in NBA historical past. After scoring 26 within the opening spherical, Cities set a robust tempo within the tiebreaker spherical by making all 5 of his moneyball photographs from the left wing and 4-of-5 from the left nook, scoring 16 factors. Cities’ tempo slowed within the finals, the place he completed final of the three opponents.

Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks
Grade: A-
Outcome: Eradicated in finals (26/15/24)

After lacking his first 4 photographs of the opening rack, Younger hardly ever missed the remainder of the evening, going 16-of-20 the remainder of his first spherical — together with 5-of-5 on his moneyball rack — to affix the four-way tie for the highest rating. Younger went 5-of-5 from a distinct moneyball rack on the left wing within the tiebreaker spherical, then put up a rating of 24 within the finals that simply might have gained the competitors.

Abilities contest

Group Pacers (Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner)
Grade: A

Outcome: Champion

Evaluation

Feeding off their followers, the Pacers began out taking issues significantly, with Turner and Haliburton posting the 2 quickest particular person instances within the relay, whereas Mathurin’s time additionally ranked within the prime 5. They labored additional time to win the tiebreaker and declare the passing competitors, assuring a tie on factors at worst. After ending final in capturing, Indiana rallied to win the half-court capturing tiebreaker with All-Star Haliburton fittingly delivering the profitable bucket.

Group All-Stars (Scottie Barnes,Tyrese Maxey, Trae Younger)
Grade: A-

Outcome: Runner-up

Evaluation
After a poor begin within the relay, when Maxey misunderstood the place he was speculated to dribble and Barnes misplaced the ball out of bounds, the trio of All-Stars redeemed themselves within the subsequent two competitions. They may have simply gained the passing competitors after strategizing the place to focus on — they misplaced the tiebreaker by simply two factors — and run away from the sphere by way of capturing with Barnes posting the very best rating of any participant. Alas, the All-Stars could not discover the vary from midcourt, needing greater than a minute to lastly make a shot and giving the Pacers an excessive amount of time.

Group No. 1 picks (Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembanyama)
Grade: D

Outcome: Third place

Evaluation
From the beginning, the crew of the previous three No. 1 picks didn’t appear to take the problem significantly significantly. Banchero went the improper path on the impediment course shortly after Maxey made the identical mistake. Then Edwards missed all three jumpers badly whereas capturing along with his non-dominant left hand — forfeiting any likelihood at profitable that spherical. The No. 1 picks completed a distant third within the passing competitors earlier than rallying considerably to complete second in capturing.

RISING STARS

Group Jalen

Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 5 PTS | 2-4 FG | 3 REB | 1 AST
Ultimate: 2 PTS | 0-0 FG | 2 REB | 1 BLK

Evaluation
The highest decide for Group Jalen did not find yourself taking part in the most important function in his crew’s victory. Holmgren had 5 turnovers within the semifinals, when he matched up with 2022 No. 1 decide Paolo Banchero and scored solely on the free throw line within the ultimate. On the plus aspect, Holmgren twice drove previous Banchero on the perimeter, as soon as for a operating layup and the opposite drawing a foul.

Jalen Williams, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Grade: A-

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-1 FG | 3 REB | 3 AST
Ultimate: 5 PTS | 2-3 FG | 1-2 3PT | 3 AST

Evaluation
Williams capably dealt with the function of level guard for the aptly named Group Jalen, handing out a game-high three assists in each the semifinals and the ultimate. His solely rating within the semifinals was the crew’s opening basket, beginning a comeback from a 10-0 deficit. Williams additionally capped the evening’s scoring with a pull-up 3 to succeed in — and truly surpass — the goal rating and win the match.

Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 18 PTS | 7-13 FG | 2-4 3PT | 2 REB
Ultimate: 4 PTS | 1-3 FG | 2 AST | 1 STL

Evaluation
Mathurin redeemed himself for lacking what might have been a pair of game-winning free throws by making a pull-up jumper to succeed in the goal rating within the tightly contested semifinal win. After all, Group Jalen was in that place solely due to Mathurin’s takeover, which earned him MVP honors.

Mathurin scored practically half of his crew’s factors within the semifinals, repeatedly attending to the rim and making a pair of 3-pointers. Mathurin made much less noise within the ultimate, the place his greatest play was a nifty flip cross to Kessler for a layup.

Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs
Grade: C+

Recreation 1: 0 PTS | 0-0 FG | 2 REB
Ultimate: 0 PTS | 0-2 FG

Evaluation
Taking part in on the perimeter as a part of a supersized Group Jalen beginning 5, Sochan was the crew’s solely participant to not rating, lacking each of his shot makes an attempt.

Dereck Vigorous II, Dallas Mavericks
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 6 PTS | 3-3 FG | 2 REB
Ultimate: 6 PTS | 3-3 FG | 1 AST

Evaluation
Vigorous’s above-the-rim ending and willingness to run the courtroom had been difference-makers for Group Jalen, which rallied from an early deficit quickly after he checked into the semifinals. Vigorous rapidly completed an alley-oop and was 6-of-6 from the sphere general, throughout the rim.

Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 7 PTS | 3-5 FG | 5 REB | 2 AST
Ultimate: 5 PTS | 2-2 FG | 1-1 3PT | 2 AST

Evaluation
Arguably the very best shooter on this 12 months’s rookie class, Hawkins showcased his talent with a pair of pull-up 3-pointers in transition and completed 5-of-7 through the competitors. Extra spectacular, nevertheless, was Hawkins’ playmaking. He discovered teammates Walker Kessler and Dereck Vigorous II for alley-oop finishes.

Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-1 FG | 2 REB | 1 AST
Ultimate: 4 PTS | 2-2 FG | 1 REB

Evaluation
It was a gradual begin for Kessler, who was really referred to as for an unlawful display within the semifinals — possibly the primary in All-Star Weekend historical past. Kessler did have a robust block in that recreation and a pair of finishes across the rim within the finals.

Group Detlef

Izan Almansa, G League Ignite
Grade: B+

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-2 FG | 1 REB | 1 BLK
Ultimate: 0 PTS | 1 MIN

Evaluation
The 18-year-old Almansa, No. 24 in ESPN’s draft rankings, noticed the least motion of any participant on Group Detlef. Almansa nonetheless discovered time for a memorable sequence wherein he swatted Bilal Coulibaly’s shot, then raced downcourt for a dunk on the different finish. Worse was Almansa’s choice to contest Victor Wembanyama in transition, organising a three-point play.

Matas Buzelis, G League Ignite
Grade: B+

Recreation 1: 7 PTS | 3-7 FG | 2 REB | 2 AST
Ultimate: 0 PTS | 0-3 FG | 0-1 3PT | 1 STL

Evaluation

The very best-rated prospect on G League Ignite at No. 6 in ESPN’s rankings, Buzelis despatched Group Detlef to the ultimate by flattening a troublesome turnaround jumper after an prolonged offensive drought.

He additionally showcased his shotmaking by hitting a step-back jumper with a excessive launch and a contested 3. That did not carry over to the ultimate, the place Buzelis missed all three of his photographs and dribbled the ball off his foot for a turnover.

Emoni Bates, Cleveland Cost
Grade: B-

Recreation 1: 5 PTS | 2-6 FG | 2 AST | 1 STL
Ultimate: 2 PTS | 1-3 FG | 2 REB | 1 AST

Evaluation
Bates, who’s on a two-way contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was lively all through. He had a formidable end in transition within the ultimate and a protracted rainbow 3 off the dribble within the semifinals, when he additionally laid the ball off to teammate Oscar Tshiebwe for a dunk. General, nevertheless, Bates shot simply 3-of-9 from the sphere.

Tyler Smith, G League Ignite
Grade: C+

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-5 FG | 3 REB | 1 STL
Ultimate: 0 PTS | 0-1 FG | 0-1 3PT

Evaluation
Ranked nineteenth in ESPN’s draft rankings, Smith bought his first have a look at Victor Wembanyama with combined outcomes. Wembanyama stole the ball from Smith whereas matched up one-on-one, then Smith later tried a hook shot over him and bought predictable outcomes with a wild miss.

Mac McClung, Osceola Magic
Grade: A-

Recreation 1: 12 PTS | 5-9 FG | 5 REB | 3 AST
Ultimate: 0 PTS | 0-1 3PT | 3 AST

Evaluation
It is amusing that McClung, who will defend his title in Saturday’s dunk contest regardless of not being signed to an NBA contract (he is taking part in for the G League’s Osceola Magic), scored a game-high 12 factors within the semifinals with no single dunk. As an alternative, McClung relied on powerful layup finishes. A miss after McClung was despatched to the road for a three-shot foul delayed Group Detlef reaching the goal rating, however it bought there largely due to McClung’s vitality, which produced three offensive rebounds and three assists. He once more had three assists within the ultimate.

Oscar Tshiebwe, Indiana Mad Ants
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-1 FG | 8 REB
Ultimate: 8 PTS | 4-5 FG | 2 REB | 1 AST

Evaluation
Representing the hometown crew on a two-way contract with the Pacers, Tshiebwe was within the combine all through each video games. He pulled down a game-high eight boards within the semifinals, together with 4 of them on the offensive finish. Within the ultimate, Tshiebwe discovered his footing as a scorer, making a tip-in to open the sport, dunking dwelling a pick-and-roll feed and finishing a drop step for a layup.

Alondes Williams, Sioux Falls Skyforce
Grade: A-

Recreation 1: 11 PTS | 5-10 FG | 1-6 3PT | 2 AST
Ultimate: 3 PTS | 1-1 3PT | 1 REB | 1 BLK

Evaluation
Not too long ago signed to a two-way contract by the Miami Warmth, Williams impressed along with his all-around play within the semifinals. He went at Victor Wembanyama and got here away with an and-1, then made a spotlight dunk in transition when he pulled the ball again earlier than ending. Williams additionally hit a rainbow 3 over Wembanyama and was credited for a rating when he attacked the offensive glass and bought Wembanyama to tip the ball into his personal basket, and. within the ultimate, Williams had as many turnovers as factors (three apiece).

Group Pau

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Grade: A

Recreation 1:11 PTS | 5-6 FG | 7 REB | 2 BLK

Evaluation

We will quibble with Wembanyama’s 5 turnovers, a few of them the results of careless ball dealing with, however he nonetheless showcased the breadth of his one-of-a-kind abilities.

Wembanyama made 5 of his six shot makes an attempt, most of them across the rim. That included a transition dunk wherein he waited for the protection to come back to him, drawing an and-1 within the course of.

The highest decide of the 2023 draft then threw a lob to Jaime Jaquez Jr. after operating pick-and-roll, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and had a pair of blocks — one in all them erasing a Mac McClung shot that might have ended the sport.

Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Grade: C

Recreation 1: 0 PTS | 0-4 FG | 2 REB | 2 STL

Evaluation
The No. 2 general decide from the 2023 draft has been sizzling currently, charging up our rookie rankings, however his capturing contact abandoned him Friday. Miller missed all 4 of his shot makes an attempt, together with an air ball from 3 in transition that he salvaged by hustling again to steal an outlet cross.

Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Grade: B+

Recreation 1: 3 PTS | 1-3 FG | 4 AST | 2 REB

Evaluation
Thrust into the atypical function of level guard on Group Pau, Podziemski recorded a team-high 4 assists. He arrange Victor Wembanyama with a pleasant entry cross after which had a drop cross to Bilal Coulibaly for a dunk. Podziemski’s solely basket was a step-back 3.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Warmth
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 6 PTS | 3-4 FG | 3 AST | 2 REB

Evaluation
Jaquez’s sturdy rookie marketing campaign carried over into Friday. A pump pretend that arrange a drive and dunk was the excessive level of an evening that noticed Jaquez make three of his 4 shot makes an attempt and hand out three assists.

Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
Grade: B-

Recreation 1: 4 PTS | 2-4 FG | 1 REB

Evaluation
Smith had only one board in 9 quiet minutes. He scored two of his 4 factors early, rising over his defender to knock down a jumper from the foul line.

Cason Wallace, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Grade: B-

Recreation 1: 8 PTS | 3-8 FG | 2-6 3PT | 1 AST

Evaluation
Group Pau repeatedly turned to Wallace in want of 3s down the stretch, and he went simply 2-of-6 past the arc. A kind of makes was a high-arcing shot from the nook. Wallace additionally transformed his personal steal right into a mini-windmill dunk.

Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 4 PTS | 2-3 FG | 1 AST | 1 STL

Evaluation
A affected person drive for a layup adopted by a strip for a steal in a key state of affairs was Coulibaly’s greatest sequence. Sadly, he was on the improper finish of Izan Almansa’s spotlight block.

Group Tamika

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 5 PTS | 2-7 FG | 0-4 3PT | 3 REB

Evaluation
Banchero helped Group Tamika’s dominant begin with a reverse dunk in transition and had a pleasant driving dunk, however he struggled from past the arc. Banchero missed all 4 of his 3-point makes an attempt, together with a step-back that got here up in need of the rim. Banchero could have an opportunity to search out his contact in Sunday’s All-Star Recreation.

Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 8 PTS | 4-7 FG | 4 STL | 3 REB

Evaluation
Ivey ended up on the improper finish of what was a one-on-one battle with Bennedict Mathurin, who was drafted one decide after Ivey in 2022, but nonetheless acquitted himself nicely. Ivey was aggressive attacking the basket with energy and scored eight factors on 4-of-7 capturing along with recording a game-high 4 steals.

Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
Grade: C

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-4 FG | 1 REB | 1 STL

Evaluation
Duren, who’s capturing 63% from the sphere, had his least correct outing of the complete season (1-of-4). Duren’s sole basket got here when he confirmed off his ballhandling means within the open courtroom for a dunk, and he had a pleasant cross to arrange a missed nook 3, however for probably the most half it was a quiet evening.

Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings
Grade: B+

Recreation 1: 5 PTS | 2-4 FG | 3 REB | 2 AST

Evaluation
Murray’s pull-up 3 in transition was a part of Group Tamika’s 10-0 run to start out the sport. Though he scored just one different basket, Murray tied for team-high honors with three rebounds and two assists.

Scoot Henderson, Portland Path Blazers
Grade: A

Recreation 1: 10 PTS | 4-6 FG | 1-2 3PT | 1 AST

Evaluation
Taking part in in an unprecedented third consecutive Rising Stars recreation after representing G League Ignite the previous two years, Henderson got here out with vitality, often taking part in full-court protection on opposing ball handlers. He could not end a dunk after arising with a steal, however he later accomplished an and-1 over Walker Kessler after attending to the rim with a formidable in-and-out dribble. Henderson’s 10 factors led his crew.

Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 2 PTS | 1-4 FG | 1 STL | 1 BLK

Evaluation
By scoring a reverse end over Jazz teammate Walker Kessler, George had one of many evening’s most memorable highlights. That was George’s solely subject aim, as he missed all three tries past the arc. He did impress on protection, stealing a backdoor cross and stripping Bennedict Mathurin.

Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: B

Recreation 1: 3 PTS | 1-2 3PT | 2 AST | 1 STL

Evaluation
A final-minute alternative for the injured Dyson Daniels, Williams made a pull-up 3 in transition for his solely basket of the evening.