Randle off mark in 3-Point Contest

The Knicks never have had one of their players take home the trophy at the NBA’s 3-Point Contest at All-Star weekend, and Julius Randle didn’t come close to becoming the first.

The second-time All-Star finished in seventh place among eight entrants, with 13 points, as a late addition to the shooting showcase Saturday night in Salt Lake City. The winner was Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers, who defeated Pacers teammates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the finals.

“I didn’t find out until after the Atlanta game [on Wednesday]. But they asked me, and I said why not?” Randle, who was named as a replacement for Portland guard Anfernee Simons, said earlier Saturday. “Have fun with it. I practiced once, I practiced [Friday], one time, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Randle, who ranks 123rd among qualifying players in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage at 33.8 percent this season, finished ahead of only Kevin Huerter of the Kings (eight points). Randle sported the longest odds to win the contest at 11/1, according to BetMGM earlier Saturday, with Lillard listed as the favorite at +350.

Haliburton scored 31 points in the opening round to trigger a $300,000 donation by sponsor Starry (a new lemon-lime soda from Pepsi) to the NBA Foundation.

“Not bad for a fake All-Star!” guest TNT analyst Draymond Green joked, referring to MSG announcer Wally Szczerbiak’s criticism of Haliburton earlier this season.

➤ The three-man Team Jazz, with Utah players Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler, won the Skills Competition over Team Rookies (Paulo Banchero, Jaden Ivey and Jabari Smith Jr.) and Team Antetokounmpo (Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo and Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, filling in for injured teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo).