Norman Powell is having his best career year with the Los Angeles Clippers and has been rewarded to participate in the 3-point contest at All-Star weekend in San Francisco. Having been a role player off the bench for most of his career, it’s his time to shine. Unfortunately, Powell is having a phenomenal season but was not selected for this year’s All-Star game. However, he will still be able to showcase his sharpshooting abilities at the Starry 3-Point contest.
Norman Powell Selected to Participate In 3-Point Contest
In his 10th year, Powell is averaging 23.9 points per game while shooting 43.1% from beyond the arc. This is by far the best season of his career, and he is a candidate for the Most Improved Player Award. He’s started all 42 games and has stepped up for the Clippers, leading them to a 28-23 record.
Powell scored at least 20 points in 17 of his last 20 games. With 10 straight outings with over 20 points, it’s clear that the confidence in his shooting abilities is there. Not only is he performing well throughout the season, but he’s also become a reliable go-to shooter in clutch time. In the fourth quarter, Powell averages 7.4 points a game, which is top five in the league.
Powell not making his first All-Star appearance caused loud reactions from some of the most popular sports television shows. The 31-year-old received praise for his performances this season from NBA on TNT and Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take. Having Powell receive high praise from some of the biggest outlets in sports has to say how incredibly he’s performed.
Clippers guard Norman Powell was not named a 2025 NBA All-Star.
Charles Barkley and Shaq both said Norm is their biggest snub.
Chuck: “A guy like this who has been a really good player for a long time. He’s having a career-year. He’s been the 2nd best player on the Clippers.… pic.twitter.com/1jzMH1IikI
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 31, 2025
.@stephenasmith takes issue with the fact that Norman Powell and Kyrie Irving aren’t on the All-Star reserves list 😳 pic.twitter.com/pS0LsAHKWJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 31, 2025
Lack Of Clippers In Recent Years At All-Star Weekend
Over the past few years, the Clippers have lacked representation during the festivities at All-Star weekend. During the 2010s, it seemed normal for Los Angeles to send one or two All-Stars or a player participating in Saturday’s events. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul were the All-Stars playing on Sunday from 2011-2016, as well as DeAndre Jordan in 2017. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have been recent representatives, being selected three times each for the All-Star Game.
Powell is the sixth player to represent the Clippers in the 3-point contest, the first since Luke Kennard in 2022. Only Tobias Harris and JJ Redick have represented LA in the contest since 2015. Patrick Beverley (2020) and Lou Williams (2018) were the only Clipper players to participate in the skills competition, while Jordan was the last to play in the prestigious dunk contest in 2017. Lastly, only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2019) has represented the Clippers in the Rising Stars game in the last 13 years. Lately, there have been few Clippers to showcase their talents at All-Star weekend.
A week is left until the basketball world shifts its focus to San Francisco, and Powell is ready to roll. Under the bright lights and competing with the league’s best shooters, the guard/forward is looking to be the first Clipper to win the 3-point contest.
© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
