NBA HORSE Challenge: LaVine sweep, CP3 loss highlight quarterfinal results
The eight-person, single-elimination NBA HORSE Challenge kicked off on Sunday with four quarterfinal matchups between NBA and WNBA stars past and present.
Here's how the action from the tournament's opening night went down:
Matchup 1: Chauncey Billups def. Trae Young
With Billups down H-O-R to nothing, the former Detroit Pistons great wound up rallying to eliminate Young, showcasing why he earned the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" during his NBA career.
Chauncey Billups calls GLASS and tops @TheTraeYoung in the Quarter Finals of the NBA H.O.R.S.E Challenge!
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) April 12, 2020
Watch it LIVE on TSN 2. pic.twitter.com/d26KTf55iy
The Atlanta Hawks star entered the event with extremely high expectations, but he wasn't able to overcome Billups' late push.
Billups became the first participant to book a spot in the semifinals, and Young is already eager to organize a rematch.
If I’m gonna lose, I’m gonna have to lose to a Legend 🤷🏽♂️ and a mentor of mine✊🏽 Good Game... but believe me, we running it back next time I come visit you in Denver @1MrBigShot Deal? 💯🤣 #ImReadyToPlayForealAgain
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 13, 2020
Matchup 2: Mike Conley def. Tamika Catchings
Conley cruised to a decisive victory over Catchings after getting out to a quick four-letter advantage against the WNBA Hall of Famer.
MIKE CONLEY'S WINNING SHOT! He advances to the semifinals 🏀
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 13, 2020
Good game, @Catchin24 ❤️
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/PQlMeoTtFw
The Utah Jazz point guard made use of his off-hand often, including on an impressive right-handed layup over top of the backboard from behind the baseline.
Conley was only handed an H in the win.
Matchup 3: Zach LaVine def. Paul Pierce
LaVine made sure to take advantage of his athleticism against the 42-year-old Pierce en route to sweeping the 2008 Finals MVP.
🏀 NBA HORSE Challenge 🏀
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2020
"Tap the backboard with the left... reverse on the right!"@ZachLaVine leads @paulpierce34 in Round 1 of the NBA Horse Challenge presented by State Farm! pic.twitter.com/shiBmGyunK
The Chicago Bulls star showed off his range for the game-clinching bucket, draining a long jumper from a dirt patch next to his court.
🏀 NBA HORSE Challenge 🏀
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2020
"I'm in the dirt. Show him I'm in the dirt." @ZachLaVine wins in a familiar way... with a deep triple.
📺: NBA Horse Challenge presented by State Farm on
ESPN pic.twitter.com/XyNZYjKO6k
Matchup 4: Allie Quigley def. Chris Paul
Undoubtedly the most competitive matchup of the quarterfinals, Quigley surged to a two-shot lead over Paul to open the game, and she didn't slow down from there.
The Chicago Sky sharpshooter even managed to channel her inner Pistol "Pete" Maravich by converting a shot off the backboard while sitting down.
🏀 NBA HORSE Challenge 🏀@alliequigley knocks down the Pistol Pete Maravich homage‼️
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2020
She leads @CP3 H-O to H in Round 1 of the NBA Horse Challenge presented by State Farm on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/TDnnPFqTRN
Paul made up some ground to nearly pull off a comeback after trailing H-O-R-S to H. But he wasn't able to complete the job in the last quarterfinal matchup of the tournament, setting up an all-Chicago semifinal between Quigley and LaVine.
What's next?
The semifinals and final will be broadcast Thursday, April 16 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
• Semifinal No. 1: Mike Conley vs. Chauncey Billups
• Semifinal No. 2: Allie Quigley vs. Zach LaVine
State Farm, which sponsors the event, is donating over $200,000 toward COVID-19 relief efforts on behalf of the eight participants involved.