Dame Time doesn’t require a game clock to strike; sometimes, all it takes is a rack of basketballs and a spotlight. On Saturday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Damian Lillard reminded the world why he is one of the greatest shooters in basketball history. Despite having not played a single minute of regular-season action this year, the veteran guard secured a historic Damian Lillard 3-point contest win, marking his third title in the event and cementing his place among the league's legendary marksmen.
Dame Time Returns to the All-Star Stage
The narrative surrounding Lillard’s appearance was as much about his health as it was about his shooting stroke. Lillard has been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 NBA season while recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered during the 2025 playoffs. While most players in the midst of a year-long rehab would be watching from the sidelines, Lillard accepted the invitation to compete in a controlled, non-contact environment to test his instincts.
Representing the Portland Trail Blazers once again after a high-profile return to the franchise in the offseason, Lillard looked remarkably comfortable. The "The Wall" section of the Los Angeles Clippers' new arena was filled with fans holding up red umbrellas—a nod to Lillard’s “Dame Time” and his ability to make it rain from deep. He didn't disappoint, navigating the racks with the poise of a seasoned champion.
Tying the Legends: Larry Bird and Craig Hodges
With this latest victory, Lillard has entered rarified air in the NBA record books. This Damian Lillard 3-point contest win is his third career title (2023, 2024, and 2026), moving him into a tie for the most wins in the history of the competition. He now shares the throne with two icons of the game:
- Larry Bird: Won three consecutive titles from 1986 to 1988.
- Craig Hodges: Won three consecutive titles from 1990 to 1992.
Lillard’s path to the record was slightly different, winning two with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to his roots in Portland to claim the third. "That’s all I do it for, to keep adding to my legacy," Lillard said after receiving the trophy. "To be mentioned in the same breath as Bird and Hodges is something I never take for granted."
Final Round Drama in Inglewood
The competition was far from a cakewalk. The field featured elite talent, including 2018 champion Devin Booker and standout Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel. In the opening round, Booker set the pace with a scorching 30 points, while Lillard and Knueppel both advanced with scores of 27.
In the final round, the pressure shifted. Knueppel, the first rookie with a realistic shot at the title in years, struggled to find his rhythm and finished with 17 points. Booker looked poised to reclaim his crown, but he cooled off late in his final rack, finishing with 27 points. This left the door open for Lillard, who systematically dismantled the racks to finish with a winning score of 29 points. Lillard clinched the win on his final money ball, prompting a roar from the Inglewood crowd.
“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 remarked regarding his approach to the final round. He even added a bit of competitive flair, jokingly admitting he was "praying for the downfall" of Booker as the Suns star finished his final rack.
A Remarkable Comeback from Achilles Surgery
The physical significance of this win cannot be overstated. Lillard underwent surgery on his torn Achilles in May 2025 after a devastating injury with the Bucks. His recovery has been the primary focus of the Trail Blazers' season, as the team opted to give him the maximum amount of time to heal rather than rushing him back for a mid-season return.
Lillard is only the second player to win the shootout while being inactive for the season, joining Voshon Lenard, who performed a similar feat in 2005. For Portland fans, seeing Lillard back in a Blazers jersey and holding a trophy provides a massive boost of optimism for the 2026-27 campaign. While he remains ruled out for the remainder of this season's games, his performance on Saturday night proved that while the legs are still healing, the touch remains as lethal as ever.
What’s Next for the Blazers Star?
As the All-Star festivities conclude, Lillard will head back into his rigorous rehabilitation schedule. The goal remains a 1,000 percent recovery for the start of next season. The Blazers have shown promise this year with the growth of Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, and the addition of a healthy, record-breaking Lillard could immediately vault them back into Western Conference contention.
For now, the basketball world can marvel at a player who stepped off the trainer's table and onto the court to beat the best active shooters in the world. Damian Lillard didn't just win a contest; he reminded everyone that even in a rehab year, it is always Dame Time.
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