Bobby Portis Makes His 3-Point Contest Debut, While Damian Lillard Steals the Spotlight Yet Again
Bobby Portis stepped into the All-Star Weekend spotlight on Saturday night, representing the Milwaukee Bucks in his first-ever 3-point contest. It was a well-earned nod for the veteran forward, who’s been quietly torching nets from deep all season long. But under the bright lights, it just wasn’t his night.
Portis finished with 15 points in the opening round - the lowest score of the evening. Tyrese Maxey came closest with 17, while Jamal Murray (18), Norman Powell (23), and Donovan Mitchell (24) also bowed out early. The trio of Damian Lillard, Kon Knueppel, and Devin Booker advanced with scores of 27, 27, and 30, respectively.
And once again, it was Dame Time.
Lillard took home the trophy for the third time in four years, matching a record with wins in 2023, 2024, and now 2026. The man has a flair for the dramatic, and when the stakes rise - even in an exhibition - he delivers. It’s become something of a tradition at this point.
As for Portis, Bucks fans know the long ball is just one part of what he brings to the floor. While the 3-point contest didn’t go his way, his selection wasn’t just a feel-good story - it was earned.
Portis is knocking down threes at a 45.1% clip this season, good for sixth-best in the league. That’s not just efficient - it’s elite.
He’s also attempting (and making) more triples per game than two of the players ranked ahead of him in percentage.
This is shaping up to be the second-best three-point shooting season of his career, trailing only his 47.1% mark back in 2020-21 - his first year in Milwaukee and a season that still holds a special place for Bucks fans.
What makes Portis’ inclusion even more notable is that he was the only non-guard in the field. That tells you a lot about the typical profile of a 3-point contest invitee. Guards and wings usually dominate this event, but Portis earned his spot by stretching the floor with consistency and confidence from the power forward spot.
And while he doesn’t fill up the scoring column like some of the other contestants, he’s been a steady force off the bench for Milwaukee. After a slow start to the season, Portis has found his rhythm. He’s now averaging 13.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, and from December through January, he was putting up over 15 a night - a stretch where the Bucks leaned on him to spark the offense when things got stagnant.
Portis has never been shy about pulling the trigger, and that confidence has long been part of his identity. Whether it’s a baseline stepback or a catch-and-shoot opportunity above the break, he’s become a trusted floor spacer for a contending team.
So, sure - the 3-point contest didn’t go as planned. But for Portis and the Bucks, the real games are where it counts. And if he keeps shooting like he has all season, Milwaukee will be just fine with him saving those makes for when the lights are even brighter.