The Tribune

THE BIG3 had a successful launch playing its playoff rounds internationally for the first time and next week’s championship matchup is all set as the league’s fourth season is gearing up for an exciting conclusion.

Trilogy will face 3 Headed Monsters in the title game, Saturday, September 4 at the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena.

In the first semifinal, 3 Headed Monsters advanced with a 51-59 win over the defending champion Triplets, Saturday afternoon at the Imperial Arena.

Kevin Murphy’s hot shooting in the second half led 3 Headed Monsters to the upset win. He finished with 29 points on 12-17 shooting from the field and also grabbed eight rebounds.

Former NBA All-Stars Rashard Lewis also finished with 12 points while Reggie Evans finished with eight points, eight rebounds and four assists. In the second half, 3 Headed Monsters went on a 21-2 run to put the game away.

Jannero Pargo led the Triplets with 20 points. League leading scorer Joe Johnson struggled all game and sat much of the first half with early foul trouble. He finished with a season low eight points and Triplets shot just 30 percent from the field. Al Jefferson added nine points and 11 rebounds.

The only team to remain fully intact since 2017, 3 Headed Monsters have advanced to the playoffs in every season of BIG3 basketball but have yet to claim an elusive championship title. Coached by Hall of Famer Gary Payton, the roster is full of former NBA talent, including co-captain Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, former NBA-All Star Rashard Lewis, and the BIG3’s leading rebounder, Reggie Evans.

In the second semifinal, the No.4 seed Trilogy advanced to the final with a 50-42 win over No.1 seed Tri-State.

Jarrett Jack scored a BIG3 single game record 35 points en route to the win. The veteran point guard who recently played with the G-League Ignite, took an extended role as player/coach with head coach Stephen Jackson absent from the sidelines.

He shot 14-25 from the field and 5-11 from three-point range, including the game-winning three point to see the new record. James White added a double double for Trilogy with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win while Amir Johnson grabbed a game high 11 rebounds.

Earl Clark led Tri State with 18 points and nine rebounds, Justin Dentmon had 12 points off the bench and Larry Sanders scored eight points.

Triplets and Tri-State will meet in the third place game, also played on September 4.

Tri State’s roster is headlined by co-captains and a pair of former NBA Slam Dunk Contest winners - Jason Richardson and Nate Robinson.

The team is also coached by Hall of Famer Julius Erving for the fourth consecutive season. Tri-State missed the 2019 playoffs after a 4-4 record.

Triplets is Coached by Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, and the roster also includes former NBA pro Alan Anderson.

Tickets for the final week of the competition will be available at the Atlantis Box Office or visit www.atlantisbig3.com.

Spectators must adhere to Atlantis resort’s COVID-19 protocol (full vaccination or a valid negative rapid antigen test) to attend games.

“For two weekends in a row, the BIG3 will take over Atlantis Paradise Island as our teams compete for the coveted championship title,” said BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube.

“We couldn’t imagine a better location to host this year’s championship, signifying BIG3’s monumental return to in-person events. Fans that join us will have the opportunity to experience not only the incredible entertainment we’re bringing to the destination, but also the breathtaking sights, excursions, and rich culture of The Bahamas.”