Suns’ Devin Booker falls to Buddy Hield in 3-point contest championship round

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker very nearly won his second 3-point contest on Saturday, scoring 26 in the championship round.

It came down to the final shot. Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield made the last money ball to score his 27th point and take home the title.

Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans had 22 in the championship round.

Booker was aiming for his second 3-point contest title, which would have made him the seventh player to win it multiple times.

In the final round, Booker made two shots from the first corner, four from each wing, four from the top, made a Mountain Dew shot and three from the money ball rack in the corner.

He got to the championship round after scoring 27 points in the first. Hield, the next participant, tied him with 27. Bertans scored 26 in the first round.

Booker was the first player to make both Mountain Dew balls, which are worth three points apiece.

He made four shots from the first corner, three from the first wing, three from the top, four from the second wing and made three in his final corner, the money ball rack.

A last-second entry to replace injured Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard, Booker was trying to win his second 3-point contest. He won in 2018, setting a record by scoring 28 points in the championship round.

That’s what he would have needed to beat Hield this year. Instead, Booker fell by one.

He will competing in the All-Star Game with Team LeBron on Sunday night.

Behind Booker, Hield and Bertans, Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine finished with 23. Brooklyn Nets wing Joe Harris got 22 points.

Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson had 19 points. Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young had 15. Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham scored 18 and Robinson got 19.

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