Without live sports to air, ESPN has tried to muster its creative juices to keep viewers entertained.
The network’s latest endeavor is a HORSE tournament that began Sunday, with current and former NBA and WNBA stars shooting from their respective homes.
When it resumes, two Chicago players will go head-to-head — virtually.
After the Bulls’ Zach LaVine shut out former Celtics great Paul Pierce, the Sky’s Allie Quigley beat the Thunder’s Chris Paul. They’ll meet in the semifinals Thursday (8 p.m., ESPN), with the winner facing former Pistons star Chauncey Billups or Jazz guard Mike Conley Jr.
Quigley, who won back-to-back All-Star three-point contests, got to H-O-R but beat Paul on a banked free throw.
From her home in Deerfield, Quigley shot first and had Paul on his heels early, but he was equal to the task.
“I can make your shots, but I can’t make my own,” he said.
That was until Quigley imitated “Pistol” Pete Maravich, shooting from the seat of her pants to the side of the basket. She banked it in, and Paul’s shot rimmed out.
LaVine, who finished fourth in the All-Star three-point contest this season, was sharp throughout, making his first five shots to take an H-O-R lead from his home in Snohomish, Washington.
After LaVine hit a three, Pierce joked that LaVine was using technology to his advantage.
“I think you got some editing stuff going on,” Pierce said.
This tournament comes on the heels of the NBA 2K20 video-game tournament ESPN aired. The Suns’ Devin Booker won.
