Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have time for another dribble. He heaved a 3-pointer from the All-Star logo. It hit the back of the rim and bounced out.
Bucks sharpshooter Khris Middleton’s 3-point shot followed a split second behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s. Game over.
Gilgeous-Alexander lost to Middleton in the first round of the NBA Skills Challenge Saturday. It was Gilgeous-Alexander's first appearance in the showcase. He was an injury replacement for Detroit’s Derrick Rose.
“Yeah, I’m going to practice a little more passing from now on,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, eventually cracking a smile, “and then hopefully I get the same opportunity next year.