BREAKING: In a stunning announcement, NBA superstar Damian Lillard will make his return to competitive play by participating in the 3-point contest during All-Star Saturday. This marks Lillard’s first appearance since suffering a torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the entire season. The contest will take place at the LA Clippers home arena in Inglewood, California on February 17, 2024.
Lillard, who previously claimed back-to-back titles in the 3-point contest in 2023 and 2024, joins an impressive lineup including Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Tyrese Maxey from Philadelphia, Donovan Mitchell of Cleveland, Jamal Murray from Denver, Bobby Portis Jr. of Milwaukee, Norman Powell from Miami, and rookie Kon Knueppel from Charlotte. If Lillard wins, he will become only the third player in history to win the contest three times, joining legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.
The 3-point contest will kick off the festivities on All-Star Saturday, followed by the Shooting Stars competition and the highly anticipated dunk contest. Notably, the skills competition will not take place this year, making Lillard’s appearance even more significant for fans eagerly awaiting his return.
Lillard’s journey back to the court is particularly poignant. After being traded from the Milwaukee Bucks just before the start of the season, he was waived and had his remaining $113 million contract stretched, allowing him to re-sign with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he first made his mark in the NBA. This contest not only represents a return to action but also a moment of redemption for the two-time champion who has faced considerable challenges this past year.
In a historical context, Lillard is not the first player to compete in the 3-point contest without having made a single 3-pointer in the current season. In 1989, the NBA invited Rimas Kurtinaitis, a Lithuanian player who had never participated in the league.
As excitement builds for All-Star Saturday, fans are eager to see if Lillard can reclaim his title and etch his name further into the annals of NBA history. Will he rise to the challenge? The basketball world is watching closely.
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach this thrilling event!
