Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard. He’s trying to defend his 3-point title this weekend through the NBA All-Star 2025 weekend. (AP Picture/Andy Manis)
Damian Lillard has a particularly busy weekend on each side of San Francisco Bay, on and off the courtroom.
The Oakland native is making his ninth All-Star Sport look on Sunday in San Francisco, and the that means runs deep for the Milwaukee Bucks’ veteran guard.
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Lillard will purpose to defend his 3-point shootout title Saturday whereas additionally spending time in his previous stomping grounds, together with Thursday’s go to to Oakland Excessive College, which he attended.
READ: NBA All-Star 2025: Damian Lillard shoots for 3-point title three-peat
“They knew I used to be good at basketball however none of this was anticipated,” Lillard stated on the college. “So, after I form of suppose again on it, I at all times remind myself of how essential the journey is. Everyone will take a look at the place I’m now however after I take into consideration the moments within the journey, that’s what provides me chills typically about the way it all occurred.
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“… It’s at all times an ideal expertise after I get to come back again dwelling.”
Lillard, who earned his first seven All-Star choices with the Portland Path Blazers, shall be a part of the festivities that characteristic a brand new recreation format.
Sunday’s NBA All-Star Sport will embrace a mini-tournament as an alternative of 1 48-minute recreation. There shall be two semifinal contests to resolve which two groups advance to the championship recreation. The winners then meet for the title.
In all three video games, the winner would be the first staff to attain 40 factors.
Longtime Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry stated the brand new format is value endeavor.
“It’s OK to alter and take a look at new issues, realizing the vitality across the (All-Star) Sport had form of dwindled during the last couple years,” Curry stated.
NBA All-Star 2025 Sport
Los Angeles Lakers’s pro-basketball participant LeBron James gestures through the NBA All-Star recreation between Workforce Giannis and Workforce LeBron on the Vivint area in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, February 19, 2023. (Picture by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
As for the groups, the 24 All-Stars are break up into three eight-player squads captained by former NBA gamers and present TNT studio hosts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
The fourth squad shall be decided Friday night time when first- and second-year NBA gamers and G League standouts compete in their very own event. The profitable staff of that derby shall be headed by former WNBA star Candace Parker, who additionally works for TNT.
READ: NBA All-Star 2025: LeBron James reunited with Anthony Davis on Workforce Shaq
Lillard is a member of Workforce Shaq, which incorporates 21-time All-Star LeBron James, Curry and Kevin Durant. Anthony Davis (adductor) was changed on the staff by Kyrie Irving.
Workforce Chuck options three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, NBA scoring chief Shai Gilgeous Alexander and first-time All-Star Victor Wembanyama. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) was changed by Trae Younger.
Workforce Kenny contains elite gunners Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson in addition to all-around power Jaren Jackson Jr.
READ: LeBron James picked for twenty first straight NBA All-Star Sport
Workforce Chuck and Workforce Kenny will meet within the first semifinal, whereas Workforce Shaq will oppose Workforce Candace within the second semi.
One of many gamers comfortable to be taking part in in Sunday’s recreation is 15-time All-Star Durant, who performed with Curry on the Golden State Warriors from 2016-19. The Warriors received two NBA titles in his three seasons.
“I’ve been saying this since I left right here, that is at all times going to be part of my DNA, that is in my blood,” Durant stated of the Bay Space. “Lastly someone’s listening to me but it surely at all times felt like dwelling. Since I left right here it’s at all times been that.”
Curry, an 11-time All-Star, additionally figures to benefit from the highlight as he makes an attempt to splash down some 3-pointers on the bay entrance.
“To have the ability to put the Bay Space on the stage is an enormous deal,” Curry stated. “I’ve spent 16 years on the market and the All-Star Weekend hasn’t been out right here since 2000.”
Whereas James, Durant and Curry signify the previous guard, among the best bets to turn into an All-Star staple is the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
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“I’m attempting to be the very best skilled, not take shortcuts, not take the simple route simply because it’s straightforward,” the 21-year-old Wembanyama stated. “I anticipate myself to carry the requirements, each day, week to week.” –Area Stage Media