Damian Lillard Makes Surprise Return to NBA 3-Point Contest After Season-Long Injury
The NBA has officially announced a compelling storyline for the 2026 All-Star Weekend festivities. Portland Trail Blazers veteran guard Damian Lillard, who has been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 regular season due to a severe torn Achilles tendon, will participate in the State Farm 3-Point Contest on Saturday, February 14th. This development marks Lillard's first competitive shooting appearance in front of fans since sustaining the devastating injury last spring while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lillard's Journey Back to Portland and the Competitive Field
Following the injury, the Milwaukee Bucks made the significant decision to waive and stretch the remaining $113 million on Lillard's contract. This strategic move ultimately allowed the star guard to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, the franchise where he began his illustrious NBA career. Lillard now joins a formidable eight-player lineup for the highly anticipated 3-Point Contest, which will be held at the Intuit Dome, the new home arena of the LA Clippers located in Inglewood, California.
The complete list of participants includes:
- Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, the 2018 champion
- 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
- Norman Powell of the Miami Heat
Notably, five of these contestants—Booker, Maxey, Mitchell, Murray, and Powell—have also been selected as 2026 NBA All-Stars. Lillard and Booker stand as the only previous winners in this year's field. A victory for Lillard would elevate him into elite company, making him just the third player in NBA history to secure three 3-Point Contest titles, joining the legendary Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.
Schedule Changes and Historical Context
In a notable departure from recent years, the 2026 All-Star Saturday schedule has been adjusted. The 3-Point Contest will now open the evening's events at 5 PM Eastern Time, broadcast live on NBC and Peacock. This will be followed by the Shooting Stars competition and the Slam Dunk Contest, while the Skills Challenge has been omitted for this year. Placing the long-range shooting spectacle first is designed to build early excitement for the entire evening.
Lillard's participation carries extra weight as he has not attempted a single regular-season three-pointer during the current campaign. This situation presents a unique historical parallel. In 1989, the league famously invited Lithuania's Rimas Kurtinaitis to compete, a player who had no prior NBA experience at the time.
Legacy and Emotional Reunion in Portland
Damian Lillard was selected sixth overall by the Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft. He spent eleven memorable seasons in Portland before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks ahead of the 2023-24 season. His return to the Blazers this year, even if initially limited to this All-Star showcase, provides a profoundly meaningful moment for the franchise and its passionate fanbase.
At 35 years old, Lillard aims to demonstrate that his renowned shooting prowess remains intact despite the significant challenges of rehabilitation. The event offers basketball fans a welcome glimpse of the iconic "Dame Time" in a competitive setting, significantly heightening anticipation for what could potentially become a record-setting performance on a grand stage.
