Kirk Irwin/Getty Images for BIG3
The BIG3 is back.
The three-on-three league returned Saturday with a trio of games and a number of marquee names to open the season. Below, we’ll take a look at the scores and highlights from the slate of matchups.
Triplets def. Trilogy, 51-45
Joe Johnson can still fill it up.
The former NBA All-Star, two-time BIG3 MVP and two-time BIG3 scoring leader lit up the Trilogy, scoring 30 points and eight rebounds in the 51-45 win.
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MVP doing MVP things. Welcome back, @TheJoeJohnson7. pic.twitter.com/h4kji1DmqA
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FIRST Bring the Fire of 2022 sees MVP Joe Johnson go 1v1 with Earl Clark. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/mJqrXtI6Fr
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Another season.
Another game-winner for @TheJoeJohnson7.We could watch these all day. pic.twitter.com/G7vccY1Wgj
Jeremy Pargo added 16 points and five boards, while James White (21 points, six rebounds) and Isaiah Briscoe (20 points, five boards, five assists) led the way for Trilogy.
Starting off the season with a showdown of the best two champions—the Triplets won in 2019, while the Trilogy are the defending champions (there was no 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic)—proved to be a great opening act for the BIG3.
As he’s done so many times in the past, Johnson met the moment.
3’s Company def. Bivouac, 50-47
Now that’s how you make a debut.
Michael Beasley came as advertised in his first BIG3 game ever, putting up 26 points and two blocks for 3’s Company in a tight 50-47 win over Bivouac.
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Michael Beasley in the BIG3 is as fun as we thought it’d be. @Michael8easley pic.twitter.com/ aSKesQF7Kz
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MICHAEL BEASLEY BLOCKS THE DUNK ATTEMPT @Michael8easley pic.twitter.com/wtLoXaX8ke
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You mean this one? https://t.co/oGTJICpCOE pic.twitter.com /besEhpa1A1
Mario Chalmers added 10 points, six rebounds and five assists in the victory, nailing the game-sealing shot.
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Captain @mchalmers15 nails the long-two to end a close matchup!
This game was crazy ! pic.twitter.com/NMYR8bODpV
Beasley and Chalmers helped to spoil another BIG3 debut, as Gerald Green scored a cool 26 points himself to go along with nine rebounds in his first appearance for Bivouac.
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Welcome to the BIG3, Gerald Green! pic.twitter.com/TatNxQ2hIj
Green and Beasley sure look primed for big debut campaigns.
Ghost Ballers def. 3 Headed Monsters, 53-50
Kevin Murphy tried to pull the defending runners-up to an opening win in the 2022 season. The balanced attack of Ghost Ballers had other ideas.
Despite 28 points from Murphy, the Ghost Ballers defeated the 3 Headed Monsters 53-50, with major contributions from Mike Taylor (18 points, six boards), Chris Johnson (13 points, seven rebounds), Jermaine Taylor (11 points) and Darnell Jackson (nine points, five boards).
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Watch your head! Chris Johnson soars through the air for the slam!!@BIG3_Ghost pic.twitter.com/2QrrwA8zAg
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Chris Johnson is a walking highlight reel. pic.twitter.com/rAKZXAt73e
Murphy made things very interesting late, hitting a four-pointer to send the game into overtime.
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KEVIN MURPHY TAKES THE LEAD!
2021’s ROY hits the 4-pointer to send our final game of the day into overtime. Gotta win by 2. pic.twitter.com/bmGou7xi7e
But a Johnson block and Jackson finish ended the dates.
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DEFENSE WINS GAMES! The block by Chris Johnson leads to an open layup for Darnell Jackson. @BIG3_Ghost start 2022 with a W. pic.twitter.com/XrEf4xg92b
That’s how you finish a day of BIG3 action.