Jayson Tatum chosen to take part in pre-All-Star Game event

Celtics fans hoping to see plenty of Jayson Tatum during NBA All-Star weekend this weekend are going to get their wish. Not only is Tatum starting the game on Sunday, but he's also accepted an invite to participate in Saturday's three-point contest, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

This will be Tatum's second time participating in the three-point contest, which is held the night before the game along with the Slam Dunk Contest and Skills Challenge. In 2021, Tatum came in third place in the event finishing behind winner Steph Curry and Mike Conley. He's also participated in the Skills Contest twice, in 2019 and 2020.

At the time of the announcement, Tatum is shooting 35.3 percent from three this season. He's been heating up over the last month, shooting 40 percent or better in five of the last 13 games.

Tatum will be looking to become the first Celtics to win the event since Paul Pierce did so in 2010. Only two other Celtics have taken part in the history of the three point contest - Jaylen Brown was also in the 2021 event, and Larry Bird participated multiple times including winning the first three three-point contests between 1986 and 1988.

In this year's field, Tatum will be competing against Sacramento's Kevin Huerter, Miami's Tyler Herro, Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, Portland's Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons and Utah's Lauri Markkanen. Hield is the only previous winner, having done so in 2020. Lillard is the only other player besides Tatum and Hield who has appeared in the contest before - he took part in 2014 and 2019.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.