All-Star Saturday night at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend delivered a mix of redemption, nostalgia and rising-star flair, headlined by a vintage performance from Damian Lillard and a breakout moment for Miami’s high-flying young forward.
Though he has yet to appear in a game this season for the Portland Trail Blazers as he continues to recover from a torn left Achilles, Lillard reminded the basketball world why he remains one of the league’s most feared shooters.
Lillard captured his third career 3-point contest title with a dazzling final-round score of 29, edging out Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and rookie Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets. It marked Lillard’s third win in the past four years and cemented his place among the event’s legends.
With the victory, Lillard joined Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time champions in the competition’s history, which began in 1986.
The nine-time All-Star’s triumph was particularly remarkable given his circumstances. The 35-year-old suffered the Achilles injury in Game 4 of the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers last April and underwent surgery in May. After being waived via the stretch provision in July, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to Portland, the franchise where he spent his first 11 seasons.
Lillard became just the second player to compete in the event while rehabbing a torn Achilles, joining Voshon Lenard, who defended his title in 2005 while recovering from a similar injury with the Denver Nuggets.
What began as a joke conversation with Michael Levine, the NBA’s senior vice president of entertainment and player marketing, turned into a memorable comeback moment. When a spot opened in the eight-man field, Lillard stepped in — and stole the show.
Booker set the tone early, posting a first-round best of 30. Lillard and Knueppel each scored 27 to advance. In the final round, Knueppel managed 17 before Lillard erupted for 29. Booker, who won the event in 2018, entered his final rack with 27 points but missed all three shots on his “money ball” rack, each worth two points, sealing Lillard’s victory.
Lillard was one of several high-profile players to suffer Achilles injuries during last spring’s playoffs, including Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana and Jayson Tatum of Boston. His win was a tangible sign of his rapid progress, coming just days after news that Tatum had returned to full-contact practice with the Celtics’ G League affiliate.
Following the 3-point contest, the Shooting Stars competition brought a family feel to the evening. The New York Knicks team, featuring All-Star Jalen Brunson, his father and Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, big man Karl-Anthony Towns, and Knicks alumnus Allan Houston, claimed the title to the delight of the crowd.
The night concluded with the slam dunk contest, which lacked household names but delivered flashes of creativity. In the end, it was Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat who rose above the field.
The 6-foot-6 second-year forward defeated Carter Bryant, a rookie with the San Antonio Spurs, in the final round.
Bryant produced the only perfect 50 of the night with a jaw-dropping sequence in which he tossed an alley-oop off the court to himself before finishing the slam through his legs. But he was unable to complete his final attempt — another ambitious alley-oop variation — opening the door for Johnson.
Johnson capitalized with a clean, powerful final dunk that secured the trophy and gave Miami its moment under the bright lights.
While the dunk contest featured lesser-known names, Lillard’s dramatic return ensured that All-Star Saturday belonged to “Dame Time,” proving that even in recovery, the veteran sharpshooter remains must-see entertainment.
