Warriors’ Paschall leads USA Rising Stars to win
Eric Paschall made sure the Warriors aren’t an AllStar Weekend afterthought. The rookie forward, shown driving against Nicolò Melli of the Pelicans, led USA to victory in the Rising Stars Challenge.
CHICAGO — Warriors rookie Eric Paschall scored a teamhigh 23 points in leading the Team USA to a 151131 victory over World Team in Friday night’s NBA AllStar Rising Stars Challenge in Chicago.
Paschall made 10 of 13 shots, and had three rebounds and two assists.
RJ Barrett of the Knicks led all scorers with 27 points.
Miles Bridges, who scored 20 points, has been a bright spot for Charlotte in a difficult season. The Hornets are 11th in the Eastern Conference at 1836. But the secondyear pro put on a show in owner Michael Jordan’s old home and was presented the MVP trophy by Hall of Famer and Chicago product Isiah Thomas.
Bridges had the fans cheering late in the third quarter when he flipped the ball off the glass and jammed it during the quarter when the U.S. took control.
“We wanted to come out and play hard in the Rising Stars and show what Charlotte is about — me, Devonte’ (Graham) and P.J. (Washington),” Bridges said. “And that’s what we did. I didn’t have any extra motivation, really, I wouldn’t say that. But MJ putting Chicago on the map, it definitely plays a big part, though.”
Cleveland’s Collin Sexton had 21 points, Atlanta AllStar Trae Young added 18 and Chicago product Kendrick Young of Miami chipped in 16. Zion Williamson scored 14 and had the baskets inside the United Center shaking whether he made or missed.
The No. 1 pick continued to dazzle after his highly anticipated debut for New Orleans got pushed back three months because of right knee surgery. Averaging 22.1 points in 10 games for the Pelicans, the rookie delighted the crowd with several thunderous dunks as well as two impressive misses in the closing minutes.
Williamson attempted a 360, only to have the basketball go flying off the rim. Given a doover as players on both teams stood and watched, he went between his legs and off the glass only to miss again.
The annual showcase of the top rookies and secondyear players helped kick off the first AllStar Weekend in the Windy City since 1988, when Jordan scored 40 points to lead the East over the West.
On Friday, Kobe Bryant’s presence loomed large.
Players wore patches featuring the numbers 2 and 24 surrounded by nine stars in honor of the Lakers great and his daughter, Gianna, who were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26. Pau Gasol, along with WNBA great Sue Bird, addressed the crowd at midcourt as part of a pregame tribute to Gasol’s former teammate and late NBA Commissioner David Stern.
As for the game, itself ? As expected, there were plenty of flashy dunks and not much in the way of defense.
Dallas AllStar Luka Doncic drew a big roar from the crowd when he banked a 3 from halfcourt just before the halftime buzzer to send the World to the locker room with an 8171 lead.
Obama visit: Williamson and Young are used to meeting fans who are typically a bit nervous during those interactions.
This was different. This time, they were nervous to meet the fan.
Former President Barack Obama — a huge basketball fan, the game’s First Fan during his eight years in office — made an unannounced appearance at an NBA Cares event during AllStar Weekend in his hometown with several of the league’s top rookies, secondyear players and coaches. The event was for volunteers to fill several backpacks with school supplies, and that work predictably stopped when Obama walked into the room.
“You’re doing fantastic,” Obama told Doncic, who was seated at a table with Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd when the 44th president made his way to their side of the room.
Celebrities: Rapper and actor Common had 10 points and four steals to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the AllStar Celebrity Game as Team Wilbon beat Team Stephen A 6247.
Rapper Famous Los scored 25 points and former NBA player Quentin Richardson had 12 points and 12 rebounds at Wintrust Arena.