Lillard Makes History on All-Star Saturday Night

Damian Lillard reminded the basketball world why he remains one of the most lethal shooters in NBA history on Saturday night, winning the 2026 State Farm Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The Portland Trail Blazers guard defeated Devin Booker in the final round with a score of 29 points, completing a historic three-peat and tying the all-time record held by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for most three-point contest titles.

What made the achievement all the more remarkable was that Lillard has not played a single game during the 2025-26 NBA season, sidelined since tearing his left Achilles tendon in the playoffs last April, as reported by ESPN.

An Improbable Run Through the Field

Lillard entered the contest as something of a wild card. His inclusion sparked conversation given that he had not taken the court in a competitive game in nearly 10 months, and some questioned whether a player recovering from one of basketball’s most devastating injuries could realistically compete against active shooters at the peak of their form.

The first round answered that question emphatically. An eight-player field took to the court, with Booker setting the early pace at 30 points. Lillard scored 27 to advance to the final alongside Booker and rookie Kon Knueppel, who also posted 27. The scores were tight enough to generate real drama heading into the championship round.

A Masterclass in the Final

The final round belonged entirely to Lillard. He found his rhythm early and never lost it, connecting on 10 consecutive three-pointers during a stretch that brought the Intuit Dome crowd to its feet. By the time he reached the final rack, Lillard had built a cushion that proved insurmountable.

His final tally of 29 points came on 21-of-27 shooting, including a make from the “From the Logo” station, the deep-range shot introduced in recent years to add an extra layer of difficulty. Booker, who had looked sharp throughout the evening, finished with 27 in the final but missed his last three attempts, sealing Lillard’s victory.

The Achilles Comeback Narrative

Lillard’s path to the three-peat has become one of the most compelling stories of the NBA season, even though he has not contributed a minute of game action. The 35-year-old suffered his Achilles tear during Portland’s first-round playoff series on April 27, 2025, an injury that typically requires a full year of rehabilitation.

His decision to enter the three-point contest while still recovering was met with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. Lillard reportedly joked with league officials that while he was not ready to play five-on-five, he was more than capable of standing still and shooting. Once a spot in the field opened up, he agreed to participate.

The result silenced any skeptics. Lillard’s shooting stroke, widely regarded as one of the purest in NBA history, appeared entirely unaffected by the injury. His mechanics, release point, and range all looked identical to the form that has made him a seven-time All-Star and one of the most prolific three-point shooters of his generation.

Three-Peat Joins Elite Company

With his third title, Lillard joins Bird (1986-1988) and Hodges (1990-1992) as the only players to win three consecutive three-point contests. He is also just the fourth player overall to win the event three or more times in total, a feat that speaks to both his longevity and his singular ability from beyond the arc.

For Lillard and the Trail Blazers, the performance also served as a hopeful sign for the future. If his shooting is already at this level, his return to game action later this season or next could provide a significant boost to a Portland team in the midst of a rebuild, as reported by ESPN.