NBA, NBPA announce plans for televised H-O-R-S-E game

A unique version of NBA basketball will return to American televisions on Sunday. 

As reported by Arash Markazi of the Los Angeles Times, the NBA and NBA Players Association announced the eight individuals who will participate in an informal game of H-O-R-S-E that will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12. 

Atlanta Hawks second-year pro Trae Young will face former player and ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups. Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings will go against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley. Paul Pierce will take on Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul will try to topple Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley.

The group semifinals and championship game will air on ESPN on Thursday, April 16, at 9 p.m. ET. 

Per Forbes' Tommy Beer, dunking is prohibited throughout the competition. State Farm, which is sponsoring the H-O-R-S-E tournament, will donate $200,000 on the players' behalves to charities responding to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The NBA suspended the 2019-20 season indefinitely on March 11 due to the coronavirus outbreak. It's not yet known if the campaign will finish in any form. On April 3, the WNBA postponed the start of its season originally scheduled for May 15. All other North American professional and collegiate sports competitions are likely to remain on hiatus through at least the end of April. 

Television networks that originally intended to air events such as the NBA postseason, Stanley Cup Playoffs, The Masters, MLB games, and other live contests and matches have been left scrambling for original content since leagues shut down. The 2020 NFL Draft, which will be a "virtual" player-selection process with general managers and team executives making their picks from their homes, will be televised on ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network April 23-25.