Dame Time Returns in Style: Lillard Claims Third 3-Point Crown at All-Star Weekend
Damian Lillard didn’t need a regular-season game to remind the basketball world what time it is. As he stepped onto the court and pointed to his wrist - the signature “Dame Time” gesture - the message was loud and clear: he’s still got it.
In his first public basketball appearance since rupturing his Achilles tendon back on April 27, Lillard lit up the 3-point contest, draining 10 straight shots in the final round to clinch his third title in the event. That puts him in elite company, becoming just the third player in NBA history to win the 3-point shootout three times.
And he did it with style.
Lillard’s participation came with a bit of buzz - and not just because he hasn’t suited up for a game all season. Some questioned whether he should’ve been in the contest at all.
But once the balls started flying, the conversation shifted from controversy to awe. His rhythm was undeniable, his confidence unmistakable.
Lillard wasn’t just back - he was in full control of the moment.
In the final round, he outdueled Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel. Booker, known for his smooth stroke and clutch shot-making, had a chance to steal the win with his final rack in the right corner. But the shots didn’t fall, and the crowd knew it - this was Dame’s night.
Meanwhile, the energy inside the Intuit Dome was electric, especially from Clippers fans packed into “The Wall,” the team’s signature fan section. They made their voices heard when Norman Powell was introduced - a nod to the fan favorite who was traded to Miami this past June in a three-team deal that brought John Collins to L.A.
Powell showed out in the first round, putting up 23 points before being eliminated. He joined a group of early exits that included Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (24), Denver’s Jamal Murray (18), Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey (17), and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis (15).
Still, the night belonged to Lillard. No minutes restriction, no rehab narrative - just buckets.
His return to the spotlight wasn’t about proving anything to anyone. It was a reminder of who he is: a cold-blooded shooter with a flair for the moment.
Dame Time never really left. It just took a commercial break.