The NBA Skills Challenge saw a new format, with three teams of three players competing against each other in team shooting, team passing, and a relay race, as well as a halfcourt shooting challenge. The three teams are split into three-star rookies, the Cleveland Cavs big three, and the Antetokounmpo brothers. The rookies featured Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, Detroit Pistons guard and first overall pick Cade Cunningham, and Toronto Raptors wing Scottie Barnes. The Antetokounmpo brothers feature Alex Antetokounmpo of the Raptors 405, Toronto’s G-League team, Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, and NBA Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cleveland Cavs big three saw Rookie Big man Evan Mobley join fellow big Jarrett Allen and NBA All-Star Darius Garland.
OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey falls in the NBA Skills contest while trying to carry NBA rookies
The Rookies were up first in the shooting portion, and they elected to have Josh Giddey start with the shooting pouring in 16 points nailing corner threes. Cade Cunningham was too cool for school in round one and only chipped in ten points thanks to a buzzer-beater from the corner. Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes continued an awful showing at NBA All-Star weekend going 0-for-6 to start, before only producing six points for the group. The Antetokounmpo trio finished with 16 points after Thanasis put up zero following Alex and Giannis chipping in eight points apiece. The Cleveland Cavs trio absolutely dominated the shooting portion with 44 points thanks to an unreal showing by Darius Garland.
In the passing portion, Josh Giddey absolutely dominated as expected going for 36 points, to help the Rookies reach 88 total points. The Antetokounmpo’s fell just shy at 84-points in the passing drill, and the Cavs trio posted 70. The Rookies won this category as they had to pass the ball through three slowly moving and huge targets.
In the team relay race, Josh Giddey completed it in 22 seconds after having a moment of confusion on which direction to go, which should not be a point of shame even the TNT producers struggled to figure out which camera to use during the race. The Rookies won this category as well.
In the team half-court shot the Rookies and the Cavs trio had to go shot-for-shot from halfcourt as Cade Cunningham banked one in with 9.9 seconds gone by. However, with 5.5 seconds remaining, Evan Mobley drained a half-court shot to win the skills competition on their home floor.