Damian Lillard Wins Third 3-Point Contest, Joins Bird and Hodges in Elite Company
Damian Lillard, sidelined for the NBA season after a torn Achilles, reclaimed the spotlight on All-Star Saturday by winning the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest. Lillard scored 56 points across two rounds and edged Devin Booker 29-27 in the championship, becoming just the third player in event history to capture three titles.
Final round drama: precision from deep crowns the champion
Lillard closed out the final round with a near-flawless display, making 21 of 27 attempts and sinking one of his two high-value "From the Logo" shots. His 29-point total proved just enough to hold off Booker, who had mounted a strong challenge but missed his final three attempts while closing from the right corner. Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel finished third in the championship round with 17 points.
The championship round showcased a mix of veteran poise and rookie flair. Lillard’s steady rhythm and willingness to take the big shots under the clock separated him from the field when it mattered most. Booker’s performance included multiple perfect racks earlier in the event and a blistering first round, but the closing stretch ultimately swung the title Lillard’s way.
Road to the crown and historical significance
Booker posted the day’s highest first-round score, pouring in 30 points after making nine of his first 10 shots. Lillard and Knueppel advanced with 27-point first rounds. Donovan Mitchell, who also started hot with nine of his first 10 attempts, finished the opening round with 24 and was the final player eliminated. Norman Powell converted one of the rare logo shots and finished with 23, narrowly missing a berth in the final three. Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis fell short of advancing.
The event took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and featured an eight-player field that included five All-Stars and multiple past contest winners. The format allowed each competitor 70 seconds to shoot from several 3-point stations, with a mix of standard racks and two oversized shots worth extra points.
By lifting the trophy for a third time, Lillard joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners in the contest’s history. The victory adds another notable accomplishment to Lillard’s résumé as he continues his rehabilitation and sets the stage for his return timeline discussions this offseason.
What it means next
For Lillard, the win is a reminder of his standing as one of the league’s purest shooters despite a season-ending injury. The performance should be a confidence boost as he progresses through recovery. For the contest itself, the result reinforces a trend of star players using the showcase to highlight shooting skill and competitive temperament even when game action is limited or unavailable.
Rookies and veterans alike left the event with takeaways: young shooters saw how a breakout performance can thrust them into the national conversation, while established stars used the stage to reaffirm their range and resilience. Lillard’s third title will be a headline moment from All-Star Saturday and another memorable chapter in the 3-point contest’s long history.
