ESPN is broadcasting the NBA HORSE Challenge, featuring current and former NBA and WNBA stars competing for charity. Here’s what you need to know to watch.
The NBA HORSE Challenge has put a fun spin on an old classic, with NBA and WNBA stars competing remotely from their home courts and ESPN putting the whole thing on air. State Farm is sponsoring the single-elimination tournament and donating $200,000 to coronavirus relief efforts. The semifinals and finals will be shown on Thursday, Apr. 16.
The first round of the eight-player tournament was held last Sunday with Chauncey Billups beating Trae Young with an epic comeback, Mike Conley Jr. stopping Tamika Catchings, Zach LaVine blanking Paul Pierce and Allie Quigley knocking off Chris Paul.
Semifinal 1: Chauncey Billups vs. Mike Conley Jr.
Semifinal 2: Zach LaVine vs. Allie Quigley
The winners of each semifinal matchup will compete immediately in the final round.
The shot-making was not always great in the first round (looking at you, Paul) but the players were loose, riffing and having fun. It was a great counterpoint to the sometimes stale and quiet NBA2K Players Tournament that wrapped up last week. Honestly, the best part of the whole thing may have been seeing everyone’s home set-ups. Young was quarantining with his parents and shooting in their driveway in Oklahoma on a moveable hoop. Conley, on the other hand, seems to have built himself an NBA-quality indoor practice facility at home.
Here’s hoping we get plenty more creativity, a few more jokes, some goofy background scenes and another opportunity for the average American sports fan to get to know Quigley’s offensive brilliance.
How to watch the NBA HORSE Challenge:
Semifinals/Finals
Date: Thursday, Apr. 16
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: Qualified subscribers can watch on the WatchESPN app.
All games should be available on-demand after they broadcast live, through ESPN3.