Star Weekend: Bennedict Mathurin and his teammates win

UPDATE DAY

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin shone at the opening of the NBA All-Star Weekend. He and his Team Pau teammates won the mini-tournament of rising stars on Friday night in a festive atmosphere at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. 

The rhythmic final of the “Rising Stars” was marked by a seven-point performance from Mathurin, who led the winning team, the one that would get 25 points.

Mathurin, who first opened the scoring in the final, stood out with a three-point shot that gave his team a 12-9 lead, which ultimately won 25-20 against Team Joakim.  

and now a three by Bennedict Mathurin to give him 7 early points. pic.twitter.com/77EEHNaeLe

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 18, 2023

The athlete from Montreal North also got the crowd going by serving a bold pass, well redirected into the basket by Scottie Barnes, of the Toronto Raptors. The game ended on a three-point shot by Jose Alvarado of the New Orleans Pelicans.

JOSE ALVARADO CALLED GAME ‼️

TEAM PAU WINS #JordanRisingStars pic.twitter.com/EqyNmSdlWT

— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023

As for the atmosphere, lights, music, dancers, cheerleaders and distinguished guests in the crowd, including several current NBA stars. Remember that the skills competition and the star game will take place respectively on Saturday and Sunday at the same place.

A packed All-Star #NBACelebRow in the building for #JordanRisingStars tonight 👀#NBAAllStar | Live on TNT pic.twitter.com/6ifRLFlzmw

— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2023

Seven more points

Mathurin also opened the scoring himself in the first game of this competition bringing together the NBA's “Rising Stars”. After visiting the bench, the Pacers player got going in the second half of the game. The Montrealer totaled seven points in this initial meeting whose target score was 40 points. Team Pau, named after coach Gasol, won 40 to 25 against Team Deron to advance to the final.

Winner of the other semi-final against a club made up of players from the G-League, Team Joakim became Mathurin's opponent and his companions for the final game.