Lauri Markkanen missed the final round in the three-point shooting competition. The Finn started off great, but at the end the balls hit the irons.
Lauri Markkanen did not reach the finals in the All-Star Weekend 3-point shooting contest in front of their home crowd in Salt Lake City. Markkanen was tied for fourth place after the initial round of eight competitors, when the three best throwers made it to the final.
Markkanen scored 20 points when the Portland Trail Blazers won the final Damian Lillard scored a consistent 26 points both times. In the finals, he faced the Indiana Pacers Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton.
The 32-year-old Lillard has been in top form in recent weeks. He has scored more than 36 points per game in the last 15 games. For example, in threes he has succeeded with 39.3 percent certainty.
In the competition, the throwers had 70 seconds to throw 27 balls into the basket from behind the three-point line. There were five balls in each of the five throwing positions. You got two points for the last throw and one point for the others.
In addition to this, everyone chose one “Moneyball” toss, with all balls worth two points. The remaining two balls worth three points had to be thrown from further behind the arc.
Markkanen started his career with four points and got six points from the next place. After this, the Finn lost his rhythm. Although four points came off the third place, in the end the Finn’s throw mostly hit the irons.
He got only one successful performance from the last place, i.e. his chosen “Moneyball” place.
McClung impressed with his donks
Saturday’s main event was the dunk contest, which was won by the Philadelphia 76ers, who played in only two NBA games in his career Mac McClung. He performed amazing donks and made others amazed by his performances.
McClung received a full 50 points for his three performances. In his last dunk, he spun at least 360 degrees in the air and dunked the ball behind his neck into the basket.
After the last throw, one of the judges, Dominique Wilkins, even hugged McClung. The 188-centimeter American has played in the NBA farm series this season. He has also been to the camps of the Lakers and Warriors, but has not established his place.
McClung says he understands he needs to improve his ball handling. According to him, that is the only obstacle to him not playing in the NBA.
The Utah Jazz represented by Markkanen won the skills course that started the day. Utah’s team included Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler.
The story was updated on February 19, 2023: McClung has played in the NBA in two games.