Damian Lillard outshoots Pacers' Hield, Haliburton in All-Star 3-point contest

Both Pacers players were disappointed in how they finished, but they pledged to seriously consider running it back next year — in Indianapolis.

Tyrese Haliburton scored a contest-high 31 points in Round 1.

SALT LAKE CITY — Well, they got what they wanted: two Pacers in the finals of the All-Star 3-point contest.

Tyrese Haliburton was electrifying in the first round, going third (of eight contestants) and posting a contest-high 31 points. Teammate Buddy Hield went next and the 2020 champion tallied 23, a score just good enough to be one of three finalists.

Portland’s Damian Lillard, the biggest name in the field, went last and scored 26 points to accompany them in the final round.

But then Haliburton, who was hoping to carry his momentum into the second (and final) round, went cold. He struggled with his first two racks and it was over quickly.

“After I missed the second rack, I was like, ‘Oh, this is bad. This is bad.’ I missed both my Starry shots and that messed me up,” Haliburton said afterward.

“Choked in the end, though. 31 is a high. I was expecting to get at least 25 going into the end there. I didn't get under 25 in one practice session and I just choked.”