G-League Shocks NBA Rising Stars
On Friday night, the NBA Rising Stars tournament took a surprising turn as a team of G-League players, coached by Jeremy Lin, threatened to crash Sunday’s All-Star party. The G-League team, which had been seen as the underdogs, beat Mitch Richmond’s team of young NBA stars in the semifinals. This victory set the stage for an even more dramatic final against Chris Mullin’s team of NBA players.
Mullin’s Team Triumphs
Despite an early 12-8 lead by Team G-League in the final, Mullin’s team managed to find their shooting stroke and launched a 17-2 run that sealed the game. Second-year Jazz guard Keyonte George, who had led his team in scoring during the semifinals, capped the run with a transition 3-pointer off a pass from Spurs rookie Stephon Castle. The 25-14 win advanced Team C to Sunday’s All-Star tournament, where they will face off against Team Shaq, featuring some of the best players of their era.
Sunday’s All-Star Tournament Format
Sunday’s four-team tournament will mirror Friday’s Rising Stars showcase, which saw three teams of first- and second-year NBA players and a G-League team competing in a mini-tournament. The games on Friday featured a target score of 40 points for the semifinals and 25 points for the final. Team G-League’s unexpected success in the semifinals added a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the event.
The teams were coached by iconic former Warriors players Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, collectively known as Run TMC. The G-League team, coached by Jeremy Lin, advanced to the final by beating Richmond’s team in the semifinals. The winners of the All-Star tournament on Sunday will be determined through a similar format, with teams aiming to reach a target score to secure their victory.
Team Shaq: A Star-Studded Lineup
Team C, led by Chris Mullin, will face off against Team Shaq in the semifinals of Sunday’s All-Star tournament. Team Shaq is a collection of some of the NBA’s most seasoned and celebrated players, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving. The other half of the All-Star bracket will see Charles Barkley’s Team Chuck taking on Kenny Smith’s Team Kenny. The winners of these two matchups will advance to the final.
Team Kenny: The Young Guards
Team Kenny features a roster of young stars who are making waves in the NBA. Players like Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks, and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies bring a mix of talent and energy to the court. The team also includes Darius Garland and Evan Mobley from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cade Cunningham from the Detroit Pistons, and Tyler Herro from the Miami Heat.
Team Chuck: International All-Stars
Team Chuck, led by Charles Barkley, is a diverse group of international All-Stars. The team includes Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Victor Wembanyama, the highly anticipated rookie from the San Antonio Spurs, joins Pascal Siakam from the Indiana Pacers, Alperen Şengün from the Houston Rockets, Karl-Anthony Towns from the New York Knicks, and Donovan Mitchell from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The international flavor adds a unique dynamic to the All-Star tournament.
G-League’s Game-Winning 3
In one of the most thrilling moments of the night, the G-League team’s triumph in the semifinal against Richmond’s team was sealed by a game-winning 3-pointer from Trail Blazers G-League player Bryce McGowens. Despite shooting off-balance after a pump fake, McGowens hit the shot, giving his team a 40-39 win. Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson had missed four crucial free throws, giving Team G-League their chance. Leonard Miller, another G-League standout, led the team with 14 points and seven rebounds, contributing significantly to their upset victory.
The Rising Stars tournament on Friday set the stage for an exciting All-Star weekend, with the G-League’s unexpected success adding a new level of anticipation for Sunday’s games.
