Damian Lillard Claims Third 3-Point Crown, Ties All-Time Record on All-Star Saturday Night
INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Damian Lillard isn’t suiting up this NBA season, but that didn’t stop him from lighting up the court on All-Star Saturday Night. The Milwaukee Bucks guard took home his third 3-point contest title, edging out Devin Booker in the final round and tying legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most wins in the event’s history.
Lillard, who’s recovering from a torn left Achilles and hasn’t played this season, showed once again why he’s one of the league’s deadliest shooters. He poured in 30 points in the final round, just enough to top Booker’s 27. The Suns star came out firing but cooled off late, opening the door for Lillard to take control.
“I was praying for his downfall,” Lillard joked afterward, flashing the competitive edge that’s fueled his legacy.
Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, the youngest competitor in the field, finished third with 17 points. It was a tough final round for the first-year sharpshooter, who looked visibly frustrated after coming up short.
Lillard’s path to this moment has been anything but conventional. He won his first 3-point crown in 2023 while still with the Portland Trail Blazers, then defended the title in 2024 after moving to Milwaukee. Now, even while sidelined, he’s added a third to his collection - and made it clear he was willing to suit up for the contest if needed.
“That’s all I do it for, keep adding to my legacy,” he said.
Booker led all scorers in the opening round with 30 points, while Lillard and Knueppel each tallied 27 to advance. But when the lights got brighter, Lillard dialed in. As he let it fly in the final round, fans in the “Wall” section of the Clippers’ Intuit Dome raised red umbrellas - a nod to the rain he was making from deep.
“You just got to let the ball fly, trust your instincts as a shooter, and you can’t get ruffled when someone else gets hot,” Lillard said, summing up the mindset that’s made him one of the most feared closers in the game.
Eliminated after the first round were Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Norman Powell, Jamal Murray, and Bobby Portis Jr.
Shooting Stars: Team Knicks Rallies for Trophy
Earlier in the night, Team Knicks - featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, Allan Houston, and Jalen Brunson - captured the Shooting Stars title with a 47-point performance. They edged out Team Cameron (Knueppel, Jalen Johnson, and Corey Maggette), who finished with 38.
The Knicks trio came through in the clutch, rallying in the final seconds to secure the win. Courtside, Spike Lee - decked out in his signature New York bucket hat - was all smiles.
Jalen Brunson’s father, Rick, currently an assistant coach with the Knicks, served as the team’s “celebrity” passer and helped keep the rhythm flowing.
“He did his job,” Jalen said with a grin.
Team Cameron, named in honor of the players’ shared Duke connection, had actor-comedian Anthony Anderson feeding them passes. Despite a strong showing, they couldn’t keep pace with the Knicks down the stretch.
Also competing were Team Harper - Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper, and Ron Harper - and Team All-Star, featuring Richard Hamilton, Chet Holmgren, and Scottie Barnes. Both squads were knocked out in the opening round.
The Shooting Stars event challenged teams to score from seven designated spots on the court within 70 seconds, with each player rotating through the locations in a set order. It’s a test of timing, chemistry, and accuracy - and on this night, the Knicks had all three.
Star Power in the Building
As always, All-Star Saturday Night was as much about the atmosphere as the action. The celebrity row was stacked, with Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Queen Latifah, James Worthy, Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Tucker, and Joey Fatone among those in attendance.
Before the dunk contest, Ludacris brought the energy with a pyrotechnic-filled performance of “All I Do Is Win” and other hits, setting the stage for a night where the stars - both on and off the court - showed out.
Lillard may not be playing this season, but his shot is still pure, his confidence still sky-high, and his legacy just got another boost. Three-time champ. That’s rare air - and Dame Time continues to echo through All-Star Weekend.