Kings’ Hield, Bogdanovic shine as World routs U.S. in Rising Stars game

(Field Level Media ) Sacramento Kings guard and Bahamas native Buddy Hield scored a team-high 29 points in 26 minutes, and the World team cruised to a 155-124 win over the U.S. team on Friday night in the NBA Rising Stars game at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting, including 7-for-13 from 3-point range, and was named the game’s most valuable player. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray scored 21 points for the World team, while Ben Simmons (11 points, 13 rebounds) of the Philadelphia 76ers and Domantas Sabonis (13 points, 11 rebounds) of the Indiana Pacers each recorded a double-double.

The Sixers’ Joel Embiid played just nine minutes in the contest, recording five points.Boston Celtics second-year forward Jaylen Brown led the U.S. team with 35 points on 14-for-21 shooting in 24 minutes. Brown grabbed 10 rebounds and showed off his athleticism with a between-the-legs slam dunk in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Kyle Kuzma added 20 points and seven rebounds for the U.S. team. Celtics rookie forward Jayson Tatum finished with 15 points.

The U.S. team faced a 30-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Embiid contributed to the 118-88 advantage when he dribbled the ball from the top of the key, spun past Brown at the free throw line and finished with a two-handed slam.

By halftime, the World surged to a 78-59 lead. Bogdanovic and Hield led the team with 14 points apiece in the first half as they combined to hit 8 of 11 shots from beyond the arc.