Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton will compete in All-Star 3-point contest
Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield came to the Pacers together last year in a trade from the Sacramento Kings and have helped change the culture of the organization. On Saturday night, the two close friends will battle against each other in the NBA All-Star 3-point contest at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday.
The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the names of the participants Tuesday and a league source confirmed to the IndyStar that Haliburton and Hield intend to participate. According to Charania, Boston's Jayson Tatum, Sacramento's Kevin Huerter, Miami's Tyler Herro, Portland's Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons and Utah's Lauri Markkanen will also be participating.
Haliburton was named to the All-Star Game as an Eastern Conference reserve. He's averaging 20.0 points per game and 10.1 assists and is also shooting 39.8% from 3-point range, making 137 3-pointers.
Hield is averaging 17.4 points per game this season and leading the NBA with 224 made 3-pointers. He's made 42.3% of his attempts. This will be his third 3-point contest. He previously won the event in 2020 at the All-Star Game in Chicago.
Hield said after practice Tuesday that the most important thing he learned in his first two contests is that the winner isn't always the best shooter, but the player who can handle the spotlight of all eyes watching him.
"All you can do is trust your shot," Hield said. "You can't really prepare for the stage. You can have a really good round of practice but when it comes to that stage, the crowd, the fans, it's a whole different vibe. You just can't prepare for the stage. When you get there you just gotta figure it out. We're all professionals and I say that in the humblest way. It's not about getting up shots. We all get up shots before getting up on the court. But (then it hits you) 'My turn is up next. I'm the only one shooting. Everybody's watching me.' You got 20,000 people watching you and you're on TV. The stage is different. Preparing yourself mentally for that stage is what separates you."
Hield did say, however, that he'd enjoy competing against Haliburton because they shoot against each other every day in practice.
"It's fun," Hield said. "We kind of have a 3-point contest after practice every day regardless. ... We're used to that rhythm. It should be fun. Tyrese is a guy that can win it too."
Hield said he is a tad distraught to not be going on vacation for the All-Star break. He seemed to be mostly but not entirely joking when he mused about skipping the trip.
"I'm still thinking about my vacation, I might drop out still," Hield said. "I'm really thinking about dropping out still because I need a vacation. I don't know, we'll see. ... I'm not scared of competition."
The Pacers will have participants in all three nights of All-Star festivities. Rookies Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard will take part in the Jordan Rising Stars event on Friday night.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield in 3-point competition
