Dame Time Forever: Lillard Joins Legends in Historic 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest Win

LOS ANGELES – In a night defined by clinical shooting and historic milestones, Damian Lillard reminded the world why his name is synonymous with clutch performance. On Saturday night at the Intuit Dome, the Portland Trail Blazers icon captured his third 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest title, etching his name alongside the greatest marksmen to ever play the game.

By securing the trophy, Lillard joins Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners in the contest’s 40-year history. Even more impressive? Lillard achieved this feat while currently sidelined for the regular season, proving that his shooting touch remains lethal regardless of time away from the court.


The Final Round: A 29-Point Masterclass

The championship round came down to a thrilling battle between Lillard and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. After Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel posted a 17, Lillard took the floor and put on a clinic.

  • Precision Shooting: Lillard drained 21 of his 27 shots.
  • Logo Lillard: He electrified the crowd by sinking one of his two deep-range “Starry” shots, worth three points each.
  • The Score: He finished with a massive 29 points, putting immense pressure on Booker.

Booker started strong and cleared two perfect racks, but a cold streak on his final “money-ball” rack saw him finish at 27, just two points shy of forcing a tie-breaker.

First Round Highlights

The competition was fierce from the jump, with several All-Stars falling short of the high bar set by the finalists:

  • Devin Booker: Led the opening round with a tournament-high 30 points.
  • The Cut-off: Donovan Mitchell narrowly missed the finals with a 24, while Norman Powell (23), Tyrese Maxey (17), and Jamal Murray (18) were eliminated early.

2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest: Final Standings

RankPlayerTeamFinal Round Score
1stDamian LillardTrail Blazers29
2ndDevin BookerSuns27
3rdKon KnueppelHornets17

A Legacy Cemented

Lillard’s victory marks his third title in four years (2023, 2024, and 2026). Despite his recovery from an Achilles injury, his ability to step onto the All-Star stage and perform at an elite level has further solidified his status as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.

“To be in the same category as Bird and Hodges is an honor,” Lillard said after the win. “I just wanted to come out here, have some fun, and show that the range is still there.”

2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest: Frequently Asked Questions

The 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles was headlined by an unforgettable performance from Damian Lillard. Here are the answers to the most common questions regarding the event.


Who won the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest?

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers won the title. He finished the championship round with 29 points, narrowly defeating Phoenix’s Devin Booker, who finished with 27.

How many times has Damian Lillard won the 3-point contest?

Lillard is now a three-time champion. He won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, and secured his third in 2026. This victory officially ties him with NBA legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most wins in the history of the event.

Was Lillard playing despite his injury?

Yes. Lillard has not played in a single regular-season game for the Trail Blazers this year as he recovers from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered in April 2025. The NBA granted him special approval to participate in the contest, making him the first player to win the event while being sidelined for the season.

Who were the finalists and what were their scores?

The competition started with eight players, but only the top three advanced to the final round:

  1. Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers): 29 points
  2. Devin Booker (Suns): 27 points
  3. Kon Knueppel (Hornets): 17 points

Who was the highest scorer in the first round?

Devin Booker recorded the highest score of the entire night during the opening round, putting up 30 points. He became only the fourth player in history to hit the 30-point mark in a single round.

Who else competed in the event?

The 2026 field was stacked with talent:

  • Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) – 24 points (Eliminated in Round 1)
  • Norman Powell (Heat) – 23 points (Eliminated in Round 1)
  • Jamal Murray (Nuggets) – 18 points (Eliminated in Round 1)
  • Tyrese Maxey (76ers) – 17 points (Eliminated in Round 1)
  • Bobby Portis Jr. (Bucks) – 15 points (Eliminated in Round 1)

What are the “Logo Shots” in the contest?

The contest featured two “From the Logo” pedestals positioned six feet behind the 3-point line. Each pedestal held a special blue ball worth 3 points. Lillard’s success on these deep shots proved pivotal in his narrow victory over Booker.

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