New York Knicks Kristaps Porzingis Wins All-Star Weekend Skills Competition

New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis came away with the victory in the All-Star weekend Skills Competition.

New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis had a busy All-Star break. After playing in the Rising Stars Challenge with the World Team on Friday, he participated in the Taco Bell Skills Competition on State Farm All-Star Saturday night.

Porzingis was one of four big men taking part this year along with Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, and Anthony Davis of the hosting New Orleans Pelicans.

This was the second season that the big men were included in the competition going up against the guards. Representing the guards were Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics, Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.

More from New York Knicks

• New York Knicks Fall to Eighth After NBA Draft Lottery
• New York Knicks: Players to Draft in Worst-Case Lottery Scenario
• New York Knicks: Three Players Who Should Thrive Under Tom Thibodeau
• Is Devin Booker to the New York Knicks Realistic?
• New York Knicks: Tom Thibodeau Officially Hired as Head Coach

In the first installation of this format, big man Karl-Anthony Towns won the competition. For the second time in as many tries, a big man won again, with Porzingis taking home the crown this time.

Porzingis defeated Cousins in the first round and then Jokic in the second round to represent the big men in the final. It was a slight exacting of revenge for Porzingis, who got beat badly by Jokic when they met up on the court just over a week ago. Porzingis barely beat Jokic, as his three-pointer to end the round went in right before Jokic banked in his heave from about 35-feet away.

In the final Porzingis defeated Hayward. It was another tight race with Porzingis barely beating out Hayward to win the competition for the big men once again.

Porzingis caught up with Johna Ballow after the competition for a short interview as well to discuss the victory. Porzingis was the first Knicks player to win an event on All-Star Saturday night since Landry Fields in 2012 when he was a part of the Shooting Stars victorious team.

This finishes up a successful All-Star weekend for Porzingis. He played very well in the Rising Stars Challenge for the second consecutive season and capped things off with a skills competition victory. The Skills Competition showcased all of Porzingis’ talent and reaffirms the fact that he is truly a unicorn standing 7-feet-3 inches tall yet being able to handle the ball and pass like he does.

Next: New York Knicks: 5 Likeliest Players To Be Gone By Trade Deadline

In the near future, we should see Porzingis under the bright lights Sunday night in the All-Star game. Until then, we can enjoy watching him taking part in the other aspects of All-Star weekend.