NEW ORLEANS – Kristaps Porzingis has turned into a winner at All-Star Weekend despite the Knicks’ woes.
After scoring 24 points in the World Team’s victory in the Rising Stars Game, the 7-foot-3 Porzingis captured the Skills Challenge on Saturday, knocking off Gordon Hayward in the finals, marking the second straight time a big man has won.
Porzingis beat DeMarcus Cousins in the first round and Nikola Jokic in the next round to advance to the final round against the wings/guards.
In that race, Porzingis made his first pass through the tire, beat Hayward to the 3-point line and drilled his first shot.
“This is for the kids – to show big man have the skills,’’ Porzingis said. “It’s good to win, no matter won. I tried to go as fast as I could. When he scored the layup I cheated, grabbed the ball before him because I’m taller and kept running.’’
A 7'3" #TacoBellSkills Challenge winner?
Kristaps Porzingis is a
