In a surprising twist for fans, Damian Lillard will don his Portland Trail Blazers uniform once again as he prepares to compete in the upcoming 3-point contest during All-Star Saturday. This event marks his first time participating in front of fans since returning to the Trail Blazers following a tumultuous recovery from a torn Achilles tendon.
Lillard previously showcased his sharpshooting skills when he won the 3-point contest in 2023 and 2024. This year, he joins an impressive field of competitors, including 2018 champion Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr., and Miami’s Norman Powell.
Should Lillard emerge victorious, he would join the elite company of Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as only the third player to win the event three times. The contest is set to take place at the home of the LA Clippers in Inglewood, California, and will open the night’s festivities, followed by the reintroduction of the Shooting Stars competition and the dunk contest. Notably, the skills competition will not be held this year.
This participation is particularly noteworthy as Lillard, who was originally selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers, was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks before the 2023-24 season. After struggling with injuries and the recent transaction that allowed him to re-sign with his original team, Lillard’s return to the court, even in a non-game setting, is a hopeful sign for both him and his fans.
Interestingly, Lillard isn’t the first contestant to enter a 3-point contest without having made a three-pointer that season. Rimas Kurtinaitis of Lithuania competed in 1989 despite never having played in the NBA.
As Lillard steps back into the spotlight, fans eagerly await the chance to see the skills that have defined his career, alongside an exciting lineup of competitors, enhancing the anticipation for this year’s All-Star Saturday celebrations.