Damian Lillard once again reminded the NBA world why his nickname, “Dame Time,” is more than just a catchphrase – even if he hasn’t played a game all season.
The 35-year-old guard, sidelined throughout the 2025/26 campaign due to a torn left Achilles tendon suffered in last season’s playoffs, returned to the spotlight Saturday night at the NBA All-Star Weekend’s State Farm 3-Point Contest and emerged victorious.
Lillard knocked down a final-round total of 29 points to edge out Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, claiming the title for the third time in the last four years.
This latest win ties him with NBA legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most championships in the event’s history, a notable feat for a player not even active this season.
Lillard‘s victory adds the 2026 crown to previous titles in 2023 and 2024, placing him in rarefied company in the annals of All-Star Weekend and further cementing his reputation as one of the game’s elite shooters. It’s a testament not just to his skill, but also to his competitive fire and dedication to his craft.
Saturday’s contest featured eight sharpshooters, including Lillard, Booker, Knueppel, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Norman Powell, and Bobby Portis Jr. Booker led the first round with a hot 30-point performance, while Lillard and Knueppel each scored 27 to advance.
In the final, Lillard‘s precision and calm under pressure proved decisive, as Booker narrowly missed three key shots that would have tied the score. Fans erupted as Lillard claimed the victory, proving that even while rehabbing an injury, he could perform at the highest level.
Remarkable return to the court
Though Lillard hasn’t played in a competitive NBA game since tearing his Achilles last April with the Milwaukee Bucks, his commitment to the sport remains strong.
After successful surgery, he was waived by Milwaukee and later signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, the franchise that drafted him and where he starred for his first 11 seasons. Lillard‘s dedication to his rehabilitation and return to form underscores his relentless work ethic and passion for basketball.
His participation in the 3-Point Contest marks only the second time a player has competed while recovering from a significant Achilles injury, the first being Denver Nuggets guard Voshon Lenard in 2005.
Reflecting on his latest victory, Lillard said he competes to “keep adding to my legacy,” and few performances in All-Star Weekend history have said more about a competitor’s heart, focus, and enduring skill.
Even without a single game this season, Damian Lillard’s name is once again etched into NBA history, showing that greatness isn’t just about what happens on a regular season court.
