TNT reporter Allie LaForce was prevented from landing an informative interview during Saturday night's coverage of the NBA All-Star festivities.
During the NBA Skills Challenge, Team San Antonio, comprised of veteran point guard Chris Paul and up-and-coming superstar Victor Wembanyama, breezed through the course in less than 50 seconds. They did so by finding an apparent loophole: instead of wasting time actually attempting the shooting portion of the competition, they just tossed the balls in the general direction of the basket to get it over with.
A short time after completing their controversial run through the course, TNT cameras captured an NBA official of some sort telling the pair they were disqualified. LaForce was right on the scene and attempted to get some immediate comment from the duo, but was denied by the unnamed man.
“I’m trying to get the insight here, I’m diving into the argument, but I’m getting … a Heisman,” LaForce said on the air.
Serious situation here as Team Spurs are informed they're officially disqualified. Allie LaForce's interview is immediately denied. pic.twitter.com/87iufa4zH6
— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) February 16, 2025
Kevin Harlan, who was calling the action for TNT, tried his best to convince her to push through and get the information.
"This is our last year to have the chance to do this, we need our microphones right there,” Harlan joked. “I’m not sure who that gentleman is, but he’s got lots of answers.”
Interestingly, while Harlan said the skirting of the rules "had Chris Paul's fingerprints all over it," Draymond Green said later Saturday night it was actually Wembanyama's idea.
Wemby and CP3 really cheesed the Skills Challenge by intentionally breaking the rules
— WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) February 16, 2025
They were disqualified pic.twitter.com/OnIMUwCXPi
"It was actually a Wemby decision,” Green told reporters. “The old man followed the rookie.”
We're going to guess the NBA is going to be quite explicit about the rules for next year's competition.
Team Cleveland, featuring guard Donovan Mitchell and forward Evan Mobley, actually won the NBA Skills Competition. Both will be participating in this year's four-team All-Star Game format, which will get underway momentarily on TNT.
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