Damian Lillard is the champion of the NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest once more.
The Blazers star, despite being out for the 2025-26 season with an Achilles injury, won the competition at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Saturday for the third time in his career. He previously took home the event’s trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Three NBA legends — Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony — helped kick off the festivities by letting the venue’s sparse crowd know the schedule for the night, before Queen Latifah hopped on the mic and announced the eight competitors.
Hornets guard Kon Knueppel was introduced first, and then Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Heat forward Norman Powell, Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr., 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Suns guard Devin Booker and Lillard all followed.
Powell — a former Clipper — drew the loudest cheers. Booker was hit with a smattering of boos.
Shooters were given 70 seconds to hoist up basketballs from five racks placed behind the 3-point arc. Normal balls were worth one, while money balls scattered throughout were worth two. Two “From the Logo” money balls — worth three points — were available to shooters a few extra feet behind the 3-point line.
Knueppel, the only rookie in the event, got things started and wowed fans with a score of 27. Mitchell hit the floor next and scored 24.
Murray then logged 18, Powell tallied 23 and Portis Jr. recorded 15.
Maxey went on to net 17, before Booker got the crowd excited with a whopping 30.
Lillard, who tore his Achilles in April 2025, rounded out the first round of the competition with 27.
With the three highest scores, Booker, Knueppel and Mitchell advanced to the championship round.
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Knueppel went first again, and after scoring 17, he looked disappointed. Lillard hit 29 next and appeared pleased. Booker went up last needing 30 to take home the championship, but he couldn’t best Lillard’s mark.
Lillard was presented with a crystal trophy after the win, and he told the arena it was “a great experience” to be able to compete in spite of his injury.
He also admitted he was “praying on” Booker’s “downfall” during the last round, which elicited a chuckle from the crowd.
“This was an opportunity for me to get out and get some competition, and it was fun,” he added. “I’m glad I did it.”
Several celebrities, including Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Tucker, had courtside seats for the show.
While in commercial break, those with tickets also had the opportunity to catch T-shirts and other mementos. The Clippers’ dance team, meanwhile, entertained spectators with several performances.
