Damian Lillard wins Three-Point Contest amid Achilles rehab

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates with the trophy after winning the 3-point Contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. William Liang-Imagn Images

Damian Lillard stuns with Three-Point Contest win amid Achilles rehab

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 7:25 PM ET

Damian Lillard made sure his return to the hardwood was a memorable one.

Less than a year after tearing his Achilles, Lillard, who is out for the entire 2025-26 season, won the NBA's Three-Point Contest, shooting a final-round 29 to beat Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker by two.

Lillard scored a 27 in the first round to reach the finals, where he also competed against Charlotte Hornets rookie small forward Kon Knueppel. With the victory, he joined two-time NBA champion Craig Hodges and Hall of Famer Larry Bird as the only three-time 3-point challenge winner.

Damian Lillard wows with incredible Three-Point Contest win

It was a remarkable performance from Lillard, one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. He ranks fifth on the all-time list in makes (2,804), only trailing Stephen Curry (4,233), James Harden (3,318), Ray Allen (2,973) and Klay Thompson (2,837).

Damian Lillard's full final round that gave him his 3rd career 3-point contest win!

WHAT A MOMENT FOR HIM.

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— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) February 14, 2026

Lillard tore his left Achilles during last season's playoffs on April 27, 2025 while with the Milwaukee Bucks. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers, his former NBA team from 2012-23, after being released in July.

Saturday's Three-Point Contest display shows Lillard still has something left in the tank when he returns in 2026-27. He's averaged over 20 points per game in 12 consecutive seasons and should provide an additional scoring punch next to ascending talents Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija. Lillard will also improve Portland's three-point numbers. Entering the All-Star break, the Trail Blazers are No. 29 in three-point shooting percentage (34.2 percent) while taking the third-most threes per game (42.4).

Lillard raised the expectations for his return with his 2026 3-point Contest win. He already looks to be in mid-season form.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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