OKC Thunder rookies Domantas Sabonis and Alex Abrines were on the winning side (World team) of the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.
Only three OKC Thunder players will see action in New Orleans including rookies Domatas Sabonis and Alex Abrines who got their first All-Star action Friday in New Orleans.
With the kick-off of the 2017 All-Star Weekend in New Orleans, the NBA’s greatest young talent is given the opportunity to display their skills and make a name for themselves in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.
As some of the league’s biggest name players like Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzingas, and D’Angelo Russell headlined the game, they were joined by two Oklahoma City Thunder rookies Domantas Sabonis and Alex Abrines.
Sabonis, who was originally given a spot on the World Team as a native of Lithuania, played alongside Thunder teammate Abrines who was given a spot on the roster after Joel Embiid was unable to play due to a knee injury. Sabonis and Abrines each had a hand in giving the World Team the win for the night with a final score of 150-141.
Key performances:
Fans probably weren’t surprised by last years MVP Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals) or Kristas Porzingis (24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists) each registering double-doubles. But, it was Canadian Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets who won Most Valuable Player. Murray scored 36 points, added 11 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and lit it up from the perimeter connecting on 10 of his 14 three point attempts.
The game’s highlights can be viewed below:
OKC Thunder Rooks display talent:
Domantas Sabonis gave the more solid performance in comparison to his OKC teammate. Sabonis scored 10 points on 5-8 shooting in only 12 minutes. On the other hand, Alex Abrines gave an adequate performance scoring 3 points on 1-5 shooting from the field. Abrines one made attempt being a 3-pointer, in his12 minutes. Both Thunder players entered the game simultaneously, which was a continuing trend throughout the match, much to the probable delight and approval of Thunder fans.
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Unfortunately, this year’s Rising Stars Challenge may not have been as exciting as NBA fans were likely expecting. With big names like Porzingas, Towns, etc., the players needed for an exciting game were present. Yet the players encapsulated the same mentality of those in the All-Star Game each year; no effort and no visual inclination to care about the game’s outcome, only individual stats.
Typical offensive All-Star showcase:
However, Sabonis and Abrines made the most with the limited minutes they were given. And, made an apparent attempt at using the game for what it was made for, which is introduce themselves to the world who may not yet know them.
As many All-Star Game events go, the Rising Stars Challenge lacked much of the effort and passion many basketball fans look for when considering a game’s quality. Regardless of this, it was nice seeing two of Oklahoma City’s future stars play in an atmosphere so different than those seen previously this season.
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While fans have only seen the two play in a Thunder uniform where each game is taken seriously (it would be difficult to not play seriously with your leader being Russell Westbrook) and the game is played to win, it was enjoyable seeing the two rookies play in a more laid back setting.
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Considering the vast majority of the previous seasons in Oklahoma City featured the same core of experienced players, such as Westbrook, Durant, and Ibaka who have all spent many seasons in the league, it is interesting to have a team with such young talent that are able to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge again.
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Up Next:
The rest of the All-Star Weekend festivities will continue tomorrow which will include the always-anticipated dunk contest and three-point challenge among other events NBA fans have come to love. While no Thunder players will participate tomorrow, Russell Westbrook will participate in the All-Star Game Sunday night. And, if the Friday pressers were any indication, no doubt continue to be the main attraction of the NBA 2017 All-Star Weekend.
OKC Thunder rookies Domantas Sabonis and Alex Abrines celebrated with their World team as they beat team USA 150-141 in BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.