Isaiah Thomas learned last week he’d be in his first NBA All-Star Game. On Thursday, he found out he’ll also be a part of All-Star Weekend’s Saturday night festivities.
The Boston Celtics point guard was one of eight players selected to participate in the 2016 Taco Bell Skills Competition, which will be held next Saturday night at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre.
Thomas’ competition will be 2015 winner Patrick Beverley, Portland guard C.J. McCollum, the Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson and, in a new wrinkle to typically guard-heavy event, the big man quartet of DeMarcus Cousins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis and Draymond Green.
To the dismay of Celtics fans, teammate Kelly Olynyk will not be joining Thomas in his hometown of Toronto despite the team’s effort to earn the center a spot in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest.
In the headlining event of the night, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine will look to defend his title in the Slam Dunk Contest. He’ll need to beat out the likes of Denver’s Will Barton, Detroit’s Andre Drummond and Orlando’s Aaron Gordon.
Rounding out the Celtics contingent at All-Star Weekend will be second-year point guard Marcus Smart, who was tabbed to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge next Friday night.
Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images
