Damian Lillard surprise addition to 3-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend

The Trail Blazers star will compete despite missing the entire season with an Achilles injury.

Feb. 8, 2026 at 3:15pm

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The NBA announced that 35-year-old Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard will be one of eight participants in this year's 3-point shooting contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, despite him missing the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Lillard is a two-time winner of the contest and ranks fifth in NBA history in 3-pointers made.

Why it matters

Lillard's participation in the 3-point contest is surprising given his season-ending injury, but it will allow fans to see one of the league's top long-range shooters compete even though he hasn't played in an NBA game this year. The 3-point contest is always a highlight of All-Star Weekend, and Lillard's presence will add star power to the event.

The details

Lillard last played in an NBA game in Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers last April, where he suffered a torn Achilles near the end of the game. He was waived by the Bucks over the summer and then signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Trail Blazers a few weeks later. This will be Lillard's sixth appearance in the 3-point contest, which he previously won in 2023 and 2024.

  • Lillard last appeared in an NBA game in Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers last April.
  • Lillard suffered a torn Achilles near the end of that Game 4 playoff game.
  • Lillard was waived by the Bucks over the summer.
  • A few weeks later, the Trail Blazers signed Lillard to a three-year, $45 million deal.
  • The 3-point contest will take place next Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

The players

Damian Lillard

A 35-year-old star player for the Portland Trail Blazers who has been sidelined this season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Lillard is a two-time winner of the 3-point contest and ranks fifth in NBA history in 3-pointers made.

Milwaukee Bucks

The NBA team that Lillard was playing for when he suffered his Achilles injury in the playoffs last season. The Bucks waived Lillard over the summer.

Portland Trail Blazers

The NBA team that signed Lillard to a three-year, $45 million deal a few weeks after he was waived by the Bucks.

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What’s next

The 3-point contest will take place next Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities.

The takeaway

Damian Lillard's surprise inclusion in the 3-point contest despite his season-ending Achilles injury will add star power to the event and allow fans to see one of the league's top long-range shooters compete, even though he hasn't played in an NBA game this year.