Damian Lillard Clinches a Record-Equaling 3-Point Contest Victory, Surpassing Kon Knueppel and Bobby Portis
Feb. 14, 2026, 5:40 p.m. CT
- Damian Lillard captured a record-tying third title in the 3-point contest, matching the all-time marks set by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.
- This win marks Lillard’s second straight championship in the event, following his 2024 triumph with the Milwaukee Bucks.
- In his first-ever appearance in the competition, Wisconsin native Kon Knueppel made it to the final round and delivered a strong showing.
Lillard, who is currently rehabbing a left Achilles injury suffered during last season’s playoffs with the Bucks, competed for Portland in this All-Star Weekend showcase and tied the record for the most 3-point contest titles in league history. He matched Bird and Hodges by securing the crown with a 29-point final-round performance.
The 2026 field also included Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Kon Knueppel of Wisconsin as finalists in the final round, with Knueppel scoring 27 points in the opening round to reach the finale.
Booker, who tallied 30 points in the first round, cooled off at the end, finishing with 27 points after missing his last three attempts.
Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. did not advance past the first round, posting 15 points in his first-ever 3-point contest appearance.
The defending champion entering this year’s event, Tyler Herro of Whitnall High School and the Miami Heat, was unable to participate due to an injury.
And this is where the conversation gets interesting: Lillard’s return to form in a high-pressure event while sidelined for much of the season invites questions about the potential for a late-career spike. Does this triumph signal a broader comeback arc for a veteran scorer, or is it a rare peak in a tournament that rewards precision and rhythm over lengthier runs?
What’s your take? Do you believe Lillard’s record-tying victory changes how we should view his All-Star weekend legacy, or will the injury and incomplete season temper the story? Share your thoughts in the comments.
