Wagner and Sengun's team wins Rising Stars Challenge, Cunningham named MVP / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix Credit USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix

Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley had big impacts in both of Team Barry's victories in the NBA Rising Stars games Friday night at Cleveland.

Alperen Sengun

MIN:18.75PTS:8.74 (55.32%)REB:4.78As:2.5ST:0.76BL:0.94TO:2.04GM:50ProfileNBA2021/2022

Cunningham, a Detroit Pistons rookie, and Mobley of the hometown Cavaliers shared game-high totals in both competitions, including five points in the final when Team Barry topped Team Isaiah 25-20.

Jae'Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets also had five points for the winning side, which was coached by Rick Barry.

The first team to 25 points claimed the victory.

"I felt like we had the team to do it," said Cunningham, who was selected the night's Most Valuable Player. "We had to come out and prove ourselves and get the (championship). I'm glad we did that."

Alperen Sengun made his lone three-pointer in the final contest, also grabbing a rebound and dishing out an assist. Franz Wagner scored 3 points as well, shooting 1/3 from the field.

Sengun was a bit more noticeable in the semifinal battle, scoring 4 points on 2/4 shooting, grabbing 3 rebounds, and recording 2 blocks. Wagner scored 3 points on 1 of 2 three-pointers while also dishing out an assist.

Precious Achiuwa of the Toronto Raptors led Team Isiah -- coached by Isiah Thomas -- with 12 points in the final.

Both semifinals went down to the next-basket-wins situation, with 50 points needed to advance.

Team Isiah made it to the final round by winning 50-49 against Team Worthy -- coached by James Worthy -- on Desmond Bane's free throws.

Right before the winning points, Saddiq Bey of the Pistons blocked Jalen Green's potential game-winning 3-pointer for Team Worthy.

Otherwise, it was a big night for Green, with the Rockets rookie scoring 20 of his team's 49 points. Bey ended up with 16 points for Team Isiah.

In the second semifinal, Team Barry broke a 48-48 tie on Tate's drive for the winning points.

Cunningham and Mobley led Team Barry with 13 points apiece. Jaden McDaniels of the Minnesota Timberwolves notched 12 points while Bones Hyland of the Denver Nuggets had 10 points for Team Payton, coached by Gary Payton.

The Rising Stars action was conducted under a new format. The 28 participants were split into four teams, with two games making up the semifinals.

Prior to the final, a shooting competition was contested with Bane and the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton combining for the top mark in the event that involved two-man teams.

Saturday's events will include the skills challenge, 3-point contest, and slam-dunk competition. The NBA All-Star Game is set for Sunday night.

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