INGLEWOOD, CA – In a stunning display of skill and determination, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has won the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest, marking his third victory in the event. Lillard, who has been sidelined all season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, defeated Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker 29-27 in a thrilling final round at the Intuit Dome on Saturday night. The win ties Lillard with Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most 3-Point Contest titles in NBA history.
The victory is particularly remarkable given Lillard’s lengthy rehabilitation process. He received special permission from the league to participate in the contest, viewing it as a crucial step in his return to competitive basketball. “In a season where I haven’t been playing, the fact that the league allowed me to participate in an event like this, to experience some competition, some pressure, and get back in front of the fans, it was a really great experience,” Lillard said, according to The Athletic.
Lillard’s journey back to the court has been arduous. He initially suffered the Achilles injury during a playoff game with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, was subsequently waived by the Bucks, and then signed with his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the challenges, Lillard maintained his rigorous training regimen, preparing for a potential return. “Every day I’m up early in the morning warming up and shooting the ball, off the dribble, catch-and-shoot, every style of shot you can shoot. I’m shooting them every day, hundreds of ’em,” Lillard stated, as reported by Bleacher Report.
Contest Highlights and Final Round Drama
The first round saw eight competitors vying for a spot in the final. Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel opened with a score of 27, setting an early benchmark. Booker, the 2018 3-Point Contest champion, delivered a strong performance with 30 points, while Lillard secured his place in the final with 27 points, punctuated by five consecutive successful shots from the left corner. Donovan Mitchell was eliminated with 24 points.
In the championship round, Knueppel started with 17 points. Lillard then raised the stakes, finishing with 27 points. Booker, however, faltered in his final rack, missing all three shots that could have tied or surpassed Lillard’s score. “I was praying on his downfall,” Lillard admitted to ClutchPoints, revealing his mindset during Booker’s final attempt. “I was praying on his downfall.”
Lillard’s Legacy and Future Outlook
This victory solidifies Lillard’s reputation as one of the NBA’s premier shooters. He now stands alongside legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win the 3-Point Contest three times. Lillard emphasized the importance of the win in building his legacy, stating, “I do it for this, to continue to build my legacy, my reputation, and stay true to myself. I was given an opportunity and I took advantage of it.”
Beyond the contest win, Lillard’s participation signals a positive step in his recovery. While he is not expected to return to game action this season, the ability to compete at a high level in the 3-Point Contest demonstrates his progress. The Trail Blazers currently hold the ninth seed in the Western Conference as of the All-Star Break, and will continue to rely on players like Deni Avdija as they push for a playoff berth.
The NBA All-Star Saturday Night too saw the New York Knicks’ team – featuring Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Allan Houston – win the Shooting Stars competition, according to NBC Sports.
As Lillard continues his rehabilitation, all eyes will be on his progress and potential return to the court for the 2026-27 season. His performance on Saturday night served as a powerful reminder of his skill and competitive spirit, leaving fans eager to observe what the future holds for the nine-time All-Star.
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