Damian Lillard makes dramatic return, history with 3-point contest win
Damian Lillard was a shocking addition to the NBA’s 3-point contest during All-Star weekend, given that the 35-year-old, nine-time All-Star hasn’t played a single minute of NBA basketball this year.
His inclusion in the event was head-scratching to many fans. Still, there’s no denying that Lillard is one of the best shooters in NBA history.
Not only has he shot over 35% from 3 in nine of his last 10 seasons, but he has won the 3-point contest twice already — 2023 and 2024. He was aiming to become just the third player in NBA history to win the event three times, and the first to do so non-consecutively.
Larry Bird won the event every year from 1986 to 1988, while Craig Hodges won the event each year from 1990 to 1992.
Lillard had a chance to make history. So, did he do it? Here are the full results from the 2026 NBA 3-point contest:
2026 NBA 3-point contest results
First round
*-advanced to the final round
- Devin Booker* – 30
- Damian Lillard* – 27
- Kon Knueppel* – 27
- Donovan Mitchell – 24
- Norman Powell – 23
- Jamal Murray – 18
- Tyrese Maxey – 17
- Bobby Portis Jr. – 15
Finals
- Damian Lillard – 29
- Devin Booker – 27
- Kon Knueppel – 17
Booker missed the final three shots of his last rack, wasting three opportunities to tie and possibly win the event. Lillard’s win makes him the third three-time champion.
What did Damian Lillard score in his prior two wins?
In 2023, Lillard scored 26 points in the finals. His competitors, Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, scored 25 and 17 respectively.
In 2024, Lillard, a model of consistency in this event, scored 26 points yet again, beating Trae Young (24) and Karl-Anthony Towns (22).
Lillard’s 29 points in 2026 mark the most he’s ever scored in a 3-point contest win.