The Taco Bell Skills Challenge is scheduled as the first of three events on State Farm All-Star Saturday night, which is set to air live on TNT at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific).
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The Trail Blazers might not have an All-Star this year, but they will still have a representative in the 2016 festivities in Toronto later this month.
Curry will once again have to defend his title against Thompson, as well as Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton, Phoenix’s Devin Booker, LAC’s JJ Reddick, Miami’s Chris Bosh, and Houston’s James Harden. Both have expanded their shooting range: Cousins has made 45 of his 56 career three-pointers this season, and Davis has hit 21 of his 24 career three-pointers.
Arguably the most popular event of All-Star Saturday in its history, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest will feature defending champion Zach LaVine of Minnesota, Will Barton of Denver, Andre Drummond of Detroit, and Aaron Gordon of Orlando. It will be Thomas’ second straight appearance in the skills competition.
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The skills challenge is described as a “three-round, obstacle course type” competition that will test a player’s dribbling, passing and three-point shooting skills. This marks the first time in the event for Clarkson, who is averaging 15.2 points in his second season, and McCollum, who has raised his scoring average from 6.8 points last season to 20.9 points this season (15th in the NBA). Thomas will compete in the Skills Challenge against Jordan Clarkson, C.J. McCollum, Patrick Beverley, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Draymond Green.
