Damian Lillard Wins 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest While Rehabbing Ruptured Achilles
Damian Lillard returned to the All-Star weekend stage Saturday night (ET) and claimed the State Farm 3-Point Contest crown for the third time in four years. Lillard posted a 29-point final to edge Devin Booker and finished with 56 points across two rounds while still rehabbing the ruptured Achilles tendon that has sidelined him this season.
Hot hand in the final
Lillard shot 21-for-27 in the championship round, including one of his two “From the Logo” attempts, to finish with 29 points and secure the title. He knocked down a streak of consecutive triples during the final, delivering the kind of hot shooting that energized the arena. Devin Booker pushed Lillard hard, making two perfect racks and arriving at the final right corner in a position to overtake the leader, but missed his last three shots and settled for 27 points. Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel finished third in the final with 17.
The two-round format trimmed the field from eight to three for the championship. Booker led the opening round with a 30, while Knueppel and Lillard each scored 27 to advance. Donovan Mitchell narrowly missed advancing, finishing with 24 and becoming the last player eliminated in the opening session. Norman Powell, one of only three competitors to nail a logo shot in the first round, scored 23 and did not advance. Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis were also eliminated after the opening round.
Context: injury, preparation and what the win means
Lillard has not played this season after rupturing an Achilles tendon on April 27 while recovering from surgery. Still, he made no secret of the work he has put in away from games. “I get up every day, and my mind is, like, engaged in being able to play the game, ” Lillard said, describing a daily regimen of shooting and repetition. He emphasized that his rehabilitation was progressing and that he shot hundreds of shots in multiple styles to maintain feel and accuracy.
The victory gives Lillard his third title in the event, placing him alongside two of the game’s most prolific long-range shooters in an exclusive group of three-time champions. The triumph also offered a glimpse of Lillard’s shooting form and confidence while providing a controlled competitive environment as he continues to recover. Lillard cautioned that the win would not accelerate his timeline for returning to regular-season play, calling the contest merely an opportunity to be on the stage, test himself and entertain fans.
His presence in the event drew attention because he has not seen regular-season minutes this year, but he said he was ready to shoot when a spot became available. The performance was a reminder of Lillard’s status as an elite shooter and an example of how a veteran can manage comeback work while remaining competitive in showcase formats.
Beyond the personal significance, the contest produced memorable moments from multiple players — a flawless rack or two, several logo shots and a tight final that came down to a late miss. For Lillard, the win reinforces a legacy as one of the era’s most dangerous perimeter scorers and will be counted among the highlights of All-Star Saturday.
