How many money balls are in NBA 3-Point Contest? Exploring the unique rules of All-Star Weekend event
The 2024 NBA 3-Point Contest will be sponsored by Starry for the second straight year. The rules for the 3-Point Contest are unique, especially with the introduction of the "Starry" ball and "Starry" range. So, how many balls are used in this year's edition of the event?
According to the official rules of the 2024 Starry 3-Point Contest, 27 balls will be used for the competition. There are 16 regular game balls, nine money balls and two "Starry" balls. The regular game ball is equivalent to one point; the money ball is worth two points, while the "Starry" ball is worth three points.
There will be four racks of regular game balls plus one money ball at the end, one rack of money balls and two "Starry" balls in two separate "Starry" ranges way outside the arc. Each contestant will have 70 seconds to complete one round with the three-highest players moving into the final.
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Who will participate in this year's NBA 3-Point Contest?
There will be eight participants in this year's NBA 3-Point Contest. Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks has the opportunity to defend his trophy and win it again for the second straight year.
He has been struggling with his shot this season, but it's difficult to doubt one of the greatest shooters ever. Lillard will go up against fellow East All-Stars Tyrese Haliburton, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson, as well as teammate Malik Beasley. Karl-Anthony Towns and Lauri Markkanen will represent the big men.
Towns is the only other contestant who has won the competition previously. He took home the 3-point crown in the 2022 All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. He was the second big man to win the event, along with Dirk Nowitzki, who won it back in 2006.
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Steph Curry vs. Sabrina Ionescu 3-Point Shootout
Apart from the Starry NBA 3-Point Contest, All-Star Saturday will also feature the 3-Point Challenge between Steph Curry and Sabrina Ionescu.
They are arguably the best 3-point shooters in the NBA and WNBA, respectively. Ionescu issued the challenge last year after breaking the 3-point record with 37 points in one round.
Curry accepted the challenge, and it was made possible for this year's event. The two will follow the current NBA 3-Point Contest rules under Starry, with 20 regular game balls, five money balls and two "Starry" balls.
The Warriors superstar will use standard-size NBA balls, while Ionescu will be using WNBA balls. Both will compete in the standard 3-point arc, which is 23 feet, nine inches.
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