PHOENIX — Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie is proud of the 3-point shooting season he’s having despite the NBA’s decision to not include him in this year’s 3-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend.
“I’m not overly upset about it,“ Christie said after Monday’s practice at Grand Canyon University. ”Congrats to those guys who are in it and regardless if I’m in it or not, I’m still having a pretty good season so far shooting the ball. That’s really all that matters. The 3-point contest is cool, but hopefully I’ll have another chance.”
The NBA on Sunday announced the field for the annual showcase of the league’s best perimeter shooters. The eight-player contestant field included Devin Booker, Kon Knueppel, Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, Bobby Portis Jr. and Norman Powell.
Christie made 115 3-pointers at a 36.6% clip last season and he’s already eclipsed that amount of triples with 121 this year. He averaged 1.5 3s per game last season and is up to 2.5 per game this year, making a career-high 42.9% of his attempts.
On Jan. 19, Christie led the Mavericks to a blowout loss of the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden by drilling a career-best eight 3-pointers.
Christie is averaging a career-high 13.3 points with 3.4 rebounds per game. He had 20 points in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs and 17 in Sunday’s rematch.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd publicly pitched Christie for the 3-Point Contest last week and relayed his disappointment after Monday’s practice.
“It’s unfortunate,” Kidd said. “I think he definitely wanted to do it, but unfortunately his name didn’t get called. He will continue to keep working on that craft and hopefully next year, he can be one of the participants.”
Christie is just in his fourth NBA season, so there’s plenty of time for the 22-year-old wing to receive an invitation to All-Star Saturday Night.
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