The participants for the NBA Horse Challenge have been announced, as ESPN is set to broadcast the quarterfinals of the isolation-set event on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. The semifinals and the championship game will air on Thursday, April 16, beginning at 9 p.m. ET.
These are the list of participants, separated into two groups:
Let's break down these matchups and how these players will move up the ladder.
Game 1: Trae Young vs. Chauncey Billups
A matchup worthy of The Finals: new school vs. old school. Billups' shotmaking ability got him dubbed “Mr. Big Shot” during his playing days with the Detroit Pistons. His mid-range and 3-point abilities are unquestioned, but Young's sheer range could be rather problematic for someone who hasn't shot NBA treys — especially not today's NBA long-range shots — since retiring in 2014. The game goes to Young here.
Winner: Trae Young
Game 2: Tamika Catchings vs. Mike Conley
A soon-to-be hailed Hall of Famer against the Utah Jazz's new point guard. Conley has been known to have a feathery lefty touch from all areas of the floor, but Catchings is a legend of her own and a sniper when given the chance.
Neither of these contestants boasts enormous 3-point range, but Catchings' clutch was among the best in the WNBA and that makes a perfect tiebreaker for this even match.
Winner: Tamika Catchings
Game 3: Zach LaVine vs. Paul Pierce
A little West Coast rivalry between the Renton, WA native and the Oakland-proud Pierce. Both players are well-rounded and known for their slashing game.
The Truth was a deadly 3-point shooter in a few seasons of his career, but LaVine has been on a tear all season long and his stroke is fresher and more active than that of the retired NBA star.
Winner: Zach LaVine
Game 4: Chris Paul vs. Allie Quigley
Chris Paul has mastered the art of the mid-range and made a career of putting the ball on a string and sneaking past opponents with crafty finishes. Quigley is no slouch of her own as a career 39.9% 3-point shooter and a sniper coming off one of her best shooting seasons.
Yet Paul's wizardry with the ball and his ability to hit tough shots when they count give him an edge here.
Winner: Chris Paul
. . .
Group 1 Final: Trae Young vs. Tamika Catchings
Catchings will test Young with her sneaky but solid all-around range, but Young is bound to have some deep shots in his arsenal. Those will be quite difficult to replicate if he gets on a roll.
Winner: Trae Young (advances to tournament final)
Group 2 Final: Zach LaVine vs. Chris Paul
LaVine will come out swinging with a variety of shots, but Paul is bound to have some nifty tricks up his sleeve. The point god's experience and clutch mettle give him the edge in this close matchup.
Winner: Chris Paul (advances to tournament final)
. . .
Grand Final: Trae Young vs. Chris Paul
Young and Paul were two of the first names rumored to take part in this event, and it looks like it was for the right reasons. Both point guards have several tricks in their bag, but Young's unlimited range is once again the difference-maker.
Paul has a legitimate shot to take this one home if he gets ahead early and starts putting a few letters up on Young's chest. But if Ice Trae is as cold hitting those deep shots as he has been this season, he could walk away as the winner of this tournament.
Tournament Winner: Trae Young
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