The Kia Shooting Stars competition makes its much-anticipated return this Saturday after an 11-year hiatus, and the New York Knicks have a strong showing in the lineup.
This unique competition features a two-round structure where four teams compete sequentially in the first round. Each team has 70 seconds to accumulate points by shooting from seven designated locations on the court, with all three teammates taking shots in a predetermined order. The top two scoring teams will advance to the final round for a head-to-head face-off, ultimately vying for the title.
Each team consists of two current NBA players and one basketball legend. The Knicks’ legendary player in this competition is none other than Allan Houston.
The teams for this year’s event are as follows:
– Team All-Star: Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren, and Rip Hamilton
– Team Cameron: Jalen Johnson, Kon Knueppel, and Corey Maggette
– Team Harper: Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr., and Ron Harper Sr., showcasing a family connection
– Team Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Allan Houston
Jalen Brunson returns as an Eastern Conference starter for the second consecutive year, while Karl-Anthony Towns marks his sixth All-Star appearance as a reserve known for his exceptional shooting skills. Allan Houston, a former star who made the All-Star team twice during his 12-year career, has a history of success in this competition, having won in 2012 alongside Landry Fields and Cappie Pondexter. Today, he holds a significant role with the Knicks as their Vice President of Player Leadership & Development.
The Shooting Stars event initially ran from 2004 to 2015, traditionally including a WNBA player on each team during its previous iterations. For many fans, witnessing Houston take shots again will undoubtedly be a memorable highlight of the All-Star weekend.
Set to take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, coverage of the event begins at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with the action tipping off around 5:30 p.m. ET, immediately following the State Farm 3-Point Contest.
As excitement builds for this revived tradition, fans are eager to cheer on the Knicks and see if they can claim victory in this thrilling competition. Go Knicks!