Jamal Murray might’ve joked about wanting his vacation days back, but he won’t be getting much downtime during All-Star weekend - and he probably doesn’t mind one bit. The Nuggets guard is headed to Los Angeles not just as a first-time All-Star, but now also as a competitor in the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest. It’s a long-overdue nod to one of the league’s most underrated sharpshooters, and he’ll get his shot - literally - on February 14 at the Intuit Dome.
Murray’s inclusion in the contest makes perfect sense. He’s been lights out from deep this season, hitting 43.2% of his threes - not just good, but elite.
That mark ranks second among all contestants, trailing only Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr., who’s knocking down 45.1% from beyond the arc. League-wide, Murray sits 12th in three-point percentage, and he’s doing it on volume, often in high-pressure moments.
The Blue Arrow has never shied away from the big stage, and now he gets a minute, five racks, and a chance to cement his place among the league’s premier shooters.
The last time a Denver Nugget won the 3-Point Contest? That would be Voshon Lenard, back in 2004. It's been a long wait for Nuggets fans, but Murray’s got the rhythm, the range, and the resume to make a serious run at the title.
He’ll have to earn it, though. This year’s field is stacked.
Two-time winner Damian Lillard is back, making his first on-court appearance since tearing his Achilles in last season’s playoffs. If he wins, he’ll tie the all-time record with three 3-Point Contest titles - a mark that would further solidify his legacy as one of the game’s greatest long-range assassins.
Devin Booker, the 2018 champ, is also returning. He’s no stranger to this stage and has the kind of effortless stroke that can rack up points in a hurry.
Then there’s Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel, who’s trying to make history as the first rookie ever to win the event. He’s the odds-on favorite heading into the contest, and with good reason - his shooting mechanics are polished well beyond his years.
Rounding out the eight-man field are Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Norman Powell, and Bobby Portis Jr. Five of the eight participants - including Murray - are 2026 All-Stars, adding even more firepower to an already loaded lineup.
Keep an eye on Powell, too. The former Clippers fan-favorite will be shooting in front of what’s expected to be a very friendly crowd at the Intuit Dome. That kind of home-floor energy can make a difference in a rhythm-based competition like this.
As for the odds, Knueppel leads the pack, but Murray isn’t far behind with the second-best odds at +400. Lillard and Powell trail closely, making this one of the most wide-open and intriguing 3-Point Contests in recent memory.
Murray’s been waiting a decade for this kind of recognition. Now, with his first All-Star selection and a shot at the 3-Point crown, he’s got the spotlight - and the green light - to show the league exactly what he’s made of.