02/14/26 05:22:00
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02/14 17:21 CST Damian Lillard makes it rain, wins a record-tying 3rd NBA
3-point contest title
Damian Lillard makes it rain, wins a record-tying 3rd NBA 3-point contest title
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) --- Damian Lillard isn't playing this season. He still
scored big anyway, winning the 3-point contest on NBA All-Star Saturday Night
over Devin Booker.
Lillard tied Larry Bird and Craig Hodges with his third title, most in the
contest's history.
Lillard scored 30 points in the final round, edging Booker, who got hot early
but tailed off and finished with 27. Booker was the champion in 2018.
"I was praying for his downfall," Lillard said.
Charlotte Hornets standout rookie Kon Knueppel finished third with 17 points,
wrinkling his nose at the result.
Lillard won his first title in 2023 while playing for Portland. He won it again
the following year with Milwaukee. He's not playing for the Portland Trail
Blazers while rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon. Still, he told the
NBA he'd suit up for the contest if he needed.
"That's all I do it for, keep adding to my legacy," he said.
Booker was the top scorer after the first round with 30 points. Knueppel and
Lillard were tied for second with 27.
Lillard fired away in the final, with the The Wall section of fans at the Los
Angeles Clippers' Intuit Dome holding up red umbrellas in a sign he was making
it rain.
"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.
Eliminated after the first round were Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Norman
Powell, Jamal Murray and Bobby Portis Jr.
Among the celebs watching the contest were Spike Lee, Magic Johnson, Queen
Latifah, James Worthy and comics Keegan-Michael Key and Chris Tucker.
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