Speed control has been one of Jaden Ivey’s main adjustments to the NBA since the Pistons drafted him last summer.
However, Ivey didn’t have to hold back his quickness on Friday night during the Rising Stars Challenge. It was on full display as he glided from one side of the court to the other in the annual showcase of the best young talent in the league.
Ivey didn’t take home MVP honors as Cade Cunningham did in last year’s event, but he helped lead Team Pau to a 25-20 victory over Team Joakim on Friday night at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Introduced as someone who “can motor up and down the court,” Ivey showed why he’s one of the fastest players in the NBA. He totaled three points and one rebound in the championship game; his lone basket was a deep 3-pointer. He scored four points in the semifinal game to help Team Pau to a 40-25 win over Team Deron.
Ivey’s first touch epitomized his speed as he grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast for an easy layup at the rim. He followed that up with another layup a couple of plays later.
With the game in its waning moments, Team Pau led 21-18 when Ivey checked back into the game while Paolo Banchero was at the free-throw line. Banchero made his second freebie to give Team Pau 22 points, three points away from the victory. On the next play, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado clinched his MVP performance with the game-winning 3-pointer.
“Yeah, Jose!” Ivey said after Alvarado nailed the game-winner.
Friday’s championship game between Team Pau and Team Joakim could’ve pitted Ivey against his Pistons teammate, Jalen Duren, but the first-year center did not participate in the event due to a right ankle injury.
The format of the Rising Stars Challenge was comprised of three games, and both semifinal games were played to a target score of 40 points. In the championship game, that score was shortened to 25 points, leading to a more competitive outcome.
The first semifinal game was highlighted by Alvarado, who wore a microphone during his time on the court that resulted in several humorous moments. He scored 13 points for Team Pau on 6-of-10 shooting from the field to lead Team Pau to victory.
mcurtis@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @MikeACurtis2