Damian Lillard Wins Third 3-Point Contest While Recovering from Torn Achilles
Damian Lillard stunned the arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 (ET), sinking his third career 3-Point Contest crown while still rehabilitating a torn Achilles. The victory makes Lillard one of only three players in event history to claim three titles.
Clutch shooting under physical limitations
Lillard entered the weekend as a question mark for live competition — he has not played an NBA game since April 27 while rehabbing the Achilles injury — yet his accuracy from distance remained elite. In the opening round he appeared headed for an early exit, tallying just 13 points before stepping up for the final rack. Lillard then drained nine of the final 10 shots to rally past the field, finishing that round with 27 points and advancing to the championship stage.
In the final, Lillard was flawless for long stretches, posting a championship-round total of 30 points. He made at least four shots on every rack except the last one, a performance that proved decisive when he faced a familiar opponent in the closing moments. Devin Booker had matched Lillard’s early scoring and entered the final sequence needing to make two of his remaining three money balls to overtake him — but missed all three, handing Lillard the title.
The comeback arc in the opening round and the composed final-round showing painted a clear picture: even while not at full health for full-contact play, Lillard’s shooting mechanics and competitive temperament remain intact.
Legacy boost and implications for the Blazers
With this win, Lillard joins two other legends as three-time winners of the 3-point event, reinforcing his standing among the game’s elite shooters. He previously won back-to-back crowns in 2023 and 2024, and Saturday’s victory cements his place atop the event’s modern leaderboard.
Beyond the trophy, the performance carries significance for his NBA team’s long-term planning. Lillard re-signed with the franchise last offseason on a three-year deal worth $42 million after being waived and stretched by his previous team. When that deal was struck, expectations were tempered about his availability this season while he completed Achilles rehabilitation. Saturday’s showing offered a glimpse of the kind of shooter the team can expect to have when he returns to full health and provides a morale boost for the roster and fanbase.
After the contest, Lillard offered a candid one-liner about the dramatic finish: "I was praying on his downfall. " The remark underscored both his competitive edge and the fine margins that define individual-shot events.
Field and fallout
The eight-player field featured a mix of marquee marksmen and rising sharpshooters, but several notable names fell short in the first round. Players who did not advance included seasoned perimeter scorers and younger threats alike, highlighting the unpredictable nature of single-night shooting competitions.
Beyond the immediate celebration, Lillard’s title raises broader questions about his timeline to return to regular-season action. While the Achilles injury typically demands a cautious ramp-up, his ability to perform under pressure from beyond the arc will be a key data point for team medical staff and coaches. For now, the franchise can take comfort that one of its most valuable offensive weapons retains elite distance shooting even while not fully cleared for game play.
Saturday’s result was also a reminder of Lillard’s competitive identity: he is at his best when the stakes are visible and the clock is running. Whether that competitiveness translates into on-court contributions this season will depend on his ongoing rehab progress, but Saturday’s performance offered a reason for optimism — and a celebration for the fans who watched him deliver when it mattered most.
