Inglewood, California – In a surprising turn of events, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard will participate in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Three-Point Contest, despite having not played a game this season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. The announcement, made on , has generated considerable buzz, particularly given the timing alongside NBC’s coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Lillard’s inclusion in the contest, scheduled for , is particularly notable as he continues his rehabilitation from the injury sustained during a playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks last season. The Bucks subsequently waived Lillard earlier this month, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract over five years, paving the way for his return to Portland.
The 35-year-old signed a three-year deal reportedly worth $42 million to rejoin the Trail Blazers in , returning to the team that originally drafted him in 2012. He spent eleven seasons in Portland before the trade to Milwaukee.
This year’s contest field includes a mix of established stars and rising talents: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets, Bobby Portis Jr. Of the Milwaukee Bucks and Norman Powell of the Miami Heat. Lillard will be aiming for his third Three-Point Contest title, which would tie him with Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most wins in the event’s history.
Lillard previously won the contest in and , defeating a field of notable shooters including Jason Tatum, Buddy Hield, and Tyler Herro. He first participated in , losing to Marco Belinelli, and again in , falling short against Joe Harris. Last season, Herro defeated Lillard.
The NBA has made a strategic shift in scheduling All-Star Saturday, leading with the Three-Point Contest this year. This move is designed to capitalize on the overlap with NBC’s broadcast of the Winter Olympics, potentially attracting a wider audience as viewers transition from winter sports to basketball. The Saturday night schedule will also feature the return of the Shooting Stars competition, followed by the dunk contest.
Lillard’s participation is a rare instance of a player competing in the All-Star Weekend events without having played during the regular season. The NBA noted a similar, though distinct, case in , when Rimas Kurtinaitis of Lithuania was invited to participate in the contest despite never having played in the NBA.
While Lillard’s recovery from the Achilles injury remains a primary focus, his decision to participate in the Three-Point Contest signals his commitment to returning to form and re-establishing himself as one of the league’s premier shooters. He ranked 10th in the league in scoring (24.9 points per game) and 7th in assists (7.1 per game) last season, earning his ninth All-Star selection despite being limited to 58 games due to deep vein thrombosis prior to the Achilles injury.
The event will be held at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home arena in Inglewood, California. The Trail Blazers organization and Lillard himself have expressed enthusiasm for his return to Portland, with Lillard posting on social media following the signing of his contract, proclaiming “RipCityyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!”
