Buddy Hield Wins NBA Three-Point Shootout
Feb 15, 2020, 6:55 PM | Updated: 6:57 pm
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The 27 year-old sharpshooter defeated Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker on his final shot of the round
Buddy Buckets got his revenge.
After falling short last season, Buddy Hield got another chance at the Mountain Dew Three-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. It would come down to the very last shot, as Hield drilled a “money-ball” worth two-points to propel himself past Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker for the win.
Hield is the first Sacramento Kings player to win the contest since Peja Stojakovic took home the trophy back in 2002 and 2003.
Things started off on a good note for Hield, who put himself out in front with a 26-point first round performance. Booker and Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans would advance into the finals, with Hield getting the final chance to take home the hardware.
Bertans finished with 22 points in the final round, and Booker would match his first-round score with 26 points.
Buddy Buckets recovered from a sluggish start to put himself in a good position to win, heading into his final rack with 19 points, needing eight points to win. Each player got to choose a specific spot on the floor for their “money rack”, which means that all “money-ball” basketballs (red, white and blue) would be worth two-points instead of the one-point traditional orange basketball .
Hield hit the first three money-ball shots, bringing the score to 26-25, still in Booker’s favor with one attempt remaining.
Like he has all season long, the NBA leader in three-point field goals would deliver on the final shot, draining the attempt to claim his first Three-Point Shootout crown.
In a season with several low points for Kings fans, Buddy Hield gave everyone in Sacramento a reason to smile on Saturday night. It was much needed, and well deserved for one of the premier shooters in the NBA.
