Damian Lillard is doing something unique in 2026. The Portland Trail Blazers star is participating in the NBA 3-Point Contest, despite not logging a single minute during the 2025-2026 season.
In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Lillard was competing in his second season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, immediately placing his 2025-2026 run in jeopardy.
The Bucks made a shocking decision to waive Lillard, which sent him into free agency much earlier than expected. The veteran guard returned to his true NBA home in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers are giving Lillard a chance to rehab without the pressure of returning in 2025-2026. However, he will compete for a night in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Can Damian Lillard Win the 3-Point Contest?
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Lillard currently carries the second-best odds to take home the trophy on Saturday. His line is set at +430 (lines are subject to change).
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel is the current favorite with a line set at +250. The 2025 lottery pick has already established himself as one of the top three-point shooters in the NBA.
Heading into the All-Star break, Knueppel has 54 games under his belt. He is shooting 48 percent from the field this season, knocking down 43 percent of his threes on 7.9 attempts per game. He has gained steam as a Rookie of the Year candidate, alongside the Dallas Mavericks rookie, Cooper Flagg, while posting averages of 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
Knueppel has shown that he is a rookie who can rise to the occasion, but Lillard is a multi-time champ. He is the player to beat on Saturday.
Damian Lillard is Eyeing History
In the history of the NBA, just two players have won the contest on three occasions. Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird and Chicago Bulls’ Craig Hodges. Both had three-peats.
Lillard just might be on his way to becoming the third three-time champ in the league’s history. He won the 3-Point Contest in 2023, when he represented the Blazers for the first time. In 2024, Lillard won it as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. When he hoisted the trophy for a second time, he joined elite company such as Peja Stojakovic, Mark Price, Jason Kapono, Jeff Hornacek, and Stephen Curry.
Who is Competing on Saturday?
Aside from Lillard and the rookie Knueppel, the 2018 winner from the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker, will be involved. Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, Miami Heat’s Norman Powell, and Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis will be in the competition as well.
Saturday night’s NBA All-Star events in Los Angeles, California, are set to begin at 5 PM ET at the Intuit Dome.
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