Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, and Damian Lillard among NBA All-Star Skills players
Indianapolis, Indiana - Boston's Jaylen Brown, New York's Jalen Brunson, and Milwaukee's Damian Lillard were among the players named Thursday to NBA All-Star Game skills competitions.
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest and a Skills Challenge teams event are on the schedule for All-Star Saturday on February 17, on the eve of the NBA All-Star Game at Indianapolis.
The Slam Dunk showdown features Brown, New York's Jacob Toppin, Miami's Jaime Jaquez, and defending champion Mac McClung of the Orlando Magic's G-League developmental team.
Lillard will defend his title in the 3-Point Contest against a top field that includes Bucks teammate Malik Beasley, Brunson, Atlanta's Trae Young, Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell, Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns, Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, and Utah's Lauri Markkanen.
The Skills Challenge will feature three trios – Team Pacers for the hosts, Team All-Stars from the main game, and Team Top Picks, featuring three NBA Draft number one selections – Frenchman Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio, Orlando's Paolo Banchero, and Anthony Edwards of Minnesota.
Team All-Stars includes Young, Toronto's Scottie Barnes, and Tyrese Maxey of Philadelphia while Team Pacers includes Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Bennedict Mathurin of Indiana.
There will also be a Three-Point Challenge between NBA all-time 3-pointers leader Stephen Curry of Golden State and Women's NBA single-season 3-point record holder Sabrina Ionescu.
Cover photo: Collage: ANDY LYONS, Jared C. Tilton & Steph Chambers / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP