Devin Booker Eyes Second 3-Point Crown in Stacked All-Star Field
LOS ANGELES - The night before the NBA All-Star Game is always electric, but this Saturday, the sparks might be flying from beyond the arc. Devin Booker is stepping into the 2026 3-Point Contest with a familiar goal: bring home his second title. But with this year’s field loaded with elite shooters, the path back to the top won’t be easy.
Booker, the face of the Phoenix Suns, isn't the odds-on favorite this time around - that title belongs to Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel, who’s been torching nets all season with 183 made threes at a blistering 43.1% clip. That kind of combination - high volume and elite efficiency - tends to translate well under the bright lights of All-Star Saturday.
But Booker’s edge isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how he’s built for this kind of moment.
Why Booker Can Win It All Again
What makes Booker dangerous in this format isn’t just his shooting stroke - it’s his composure. In a contest where rhythm is everything and one off-rack can derail a round, Booker’s consistency is gold.
His footwork is tight, his release is repeatable, and he doesn’t rely on one hot zone to carry him through. That kind of mechanical efficiency matters when fatigue sets in and the clock is ticking.
This event rewards shooters who can stay steady through pressure. Historically, scores in the mid-to-high 20s are what separate contenders from the rest of the pack. That’s where Booker thrives - not necessarily in streaky outbursts, but in a methodical, confident approach that keeps him in the mix deep into the final racks.
The Competition: Young Guns and Proven Names
Of course, this field isn’t short on firepower. Knueppel may be the statistical favorite, but he’s not the only name to watch.
Damian Lillard, despite not logging a minute of action this season, brings the kind of muscle memory that only champions carry. When the lights are bright, Dame has proven he can still rise to the occasion.
Then there’s Jamal Murray - a rhythm shooter who can get white-hot in a hurry. He’s built for moments like this, where a quick burst can flip the scoreboard.
Tyrese Maxey, Norman Powell, Bobby Portis, and Donovan Mitchell round out a lineup that punishes hesitation. This isn’t a field where you can afford to ease into your rhythm - every shot counts, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Strategy Will Be Key
For Booker, it’s about setting the tone early. Attacking the money ball rack with confidence, avoiding a slow start, and treating the final two racks like survival mode - that’s the blueprint.
He’s not the betting favorite at +550, but he doesn’t need to be. He just needs to be the most consistent shooter on the floor for one night.
For the Suns, a win here would be another feather in the cap of their franchise cornerstone. For the league, it’s a showcase of where shooting is headed - with young stars like Knueppel signaling a new era. And for fans, it’s a chance to watch some of the best marksmen in the game go shot for shot under pressure.
Booker’s already proven he can win this thing. Now, he’s looking to do it again - not just to add another trophy to the shelf, but to remind everyone that when it comes to shooting, he’s still one of the best in the business.