Day 2 of All-Star Weekend was bound to be an exciting one. With the Three-Point Contest opening the day’s competitions, a star-studded showcase was bound to be one of the most stunning moments of the night. However, what no one expected was the man who ended up taking home the prize.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard beat rookie Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker in the final round with a score of 30 to win the competition. Reminder: this is the same Damian Lillard who hasn’t played at all this year after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs.

He also beat stars Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Bobby Portis, Jamal Murray, and Norman Powell. In fact, Lillard even posted the second-highest score of any player in the first round with a stellar 27, tying Knuppel and second only to Booker, who scored 30.

With this win, Lillard ties Craig Hodges and Larry Bird as the only players to win the 3-Point Contest three times in their careers. Lillard was on fire the whole time, even knocking down nine of his final 10 points in the first round. Booker gave him a tough matchup in the final round, starting out hot but falling by two.

“That’s all I do it for, keep adding to my legacy,” Lillard said about suiting up for the competition despite rehabbing a torn Achilles. “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.”

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Fans Celebrate Damian Lillard’s Comeback Performance In 3-Point Contest

Social media was electric after Damian Lillard delivered a stunning performance in tonight’s 3-Point Contest, just eight months removed from tragically tearing his Achilles in the playoffs. Lillard’s win easily became one of the defining moments of this year’s All-Star Weekend.

“DAME vs. BOOK. ABSOLUTE CINEMA.”

Many zeroed in on the showdown between Booker and Lillard, calling it one of the most entertaining head-to-head battles the contest has seen in years. The dramatic finish between the two added a layer of competitiveness that the weekend has sorely missed.

Another section of the fans focused on the element of resilience for the Blazers guard.

“What a comeback for him, congrats.”

Coming off a major Achilles injury following immediately after a case of Deep Vein Thrombosis, expectations were tempered. Instead, Lillard delivered under pressure, reminding fans that despite his absence, he’s still one of the greatest shooters the league has ever seen.

Some reactions didn’t worry about the specifics, just the celebratory mood of the moment.

“Congrats to the 🐐, Damian Lillard. Incredible performance 🔥.”

Praise poured in, with many recognizing this as a legacy-defining moment for Lillard, and winning the contest while working back to full strength only amplified the achievement.

Another segment of fans framed this night as bigger than just one player.

“The NBA needed this moment…..Dame always been my second favorite behind LeBron.”

For these viewers, the contest provided a much needed spark to the All-Star weekend, something that has faced a lot of criticism over the last few years. Lillard’s performance shifted the narrative back to elite basketball action.

Finally, many were simply taken by the nostalgia.

“Dame in that Portland jersey is unstoppable WOW.”

Seeing Lillard thrive on court in the same jersey that he made his name in after his latest stint in Milwaukee just reminded fans of his prime years. In a weekend filled with debate, this was one moment everyone could rally behind.