Kevin Huerter set to face Hield, Haliburton & more in 3-Point Contest
Feb 18, 2023, 11:21 AM
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 13: Kevin Huerter #9 of the Sacramento Kings shoots over Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center on December 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Kevin Huerter wanted his chance at taking home the 3-Point crown, and he’s going to get his opportunity on Saturday night.
Huerter will go up against some of the NBA’s top sharpshooters on Saturday night during NBA All-Star Weekend’s 3-Point Contest at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
The Sacramento Kings’ starting two-guard will go up against some familiar faces, as old friends and current Indiana Pacers guards Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield will be included in a field of players that includes Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Lauri Markkanen.
@SacramentoKings @KevinHuerter getting in some work for the 3pt shooting contest AllStar Weekendš„š„The racks are kinda bootleg but you have to love the help from coaches Jay Triano and @lukeloucks ššAll In šŖš½.
Kings vs Suns 10pm et
Iām on the call with @kayte_c @NBCSKings pic.twitter.com/bDLbdbuwcv— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) February 14, 2023
Taking part in the 3-Point Contest is something that Huerter and the Kings had been pushing for over the past few months, and the 24-year-old got word just over a week ago that he would be packing his bags for Utah.
“You put in the reps behind closed doors when no one is watching to go out there and succeed when everyone is,” Huerter said on Friday morning when asked by Carmichael Dave and Kayte Christensen about his approach to the contest. “For me, it will be fun. Just another opportunity to go out there and compete against somebody.”
Huerter has been a solid addition to a Kings team that currently holds a 32-25 recordāthird in the Western Conferenceāas the 24-year-old is shooting 39 percent from three-point range while averaging 14.9 points per game (career-high) on 48 percent shooting from the field (career-high).
The Maryland product has drilled 143 three-point field goals this season, just 17 short of his tying his career-high.
If Huerter wants to take home the three-point crown, he will have to do so against former Kings guard Buddy Hield, as the one-time three-point champion enters Saturday night’s competition having sunk 230 triples (leads NBA) on 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
‘Red Velvet’ currently has the third-best odds to win the contest, trailing only Hield and Lillard, per Caesars:
- Buddy Hield (+410)
- Damian Lillard (+440)
- Kevin Huerter (+525)
- Jayson Tatum (+600)
- Tyrese Haliburton (+675)
- Lauri Markkanen (+750)
- Tyler Herro (+750)
- Julius Randle (+950)
You can watch Kevin Huerter compete in the Starry 3-Point Contest during All-Star Saturday, which takes place Saturday, February 18th at 5:00 PM PST (second event) on TNT.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
Friday, February 18th ā NBA All-Star Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sunday, February 19th ā NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Thursday, February 23rdĀ ā Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers ā 7:00 PM PST
Friday, February 24thĀ ā Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers ā 7:30 PM PST
Sunday, February 26thĀ ā Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder ā 4:00 PM PST
Tuesday, February 28thĀ ā Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder ā 5:00 PM PST
Friday, March 3rdĀ ā Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers ā 7:00 PM PST
Thank you for readingĀ SactownSports.com. Follow us onĀ TwitterĀ and be sure to subscribe to ourĀ YouTubeĀ channel. Frankie Cartoscelli is the Kingsā beat reporter for SactownSports.com. Follow Frankie onĀ Twitter.ā
