The NBA’s 3-Point Contest: A Thrilling Showcase
The NBA’s 3-Point Contest has evolved into the highlight of All-Star Saturday, paying homage to legends like Vince Carter, Jason Richardson, and Nate Robinson. This year, fans will witness a thrilling lineup featuring two-time champion Damian Lillard, who is poised to dominate the event. Let’s delve into the details surrounding the contest set for February 14.
Field of Contenders
The competition will showcase a variety of talent, including:
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) – Notably a two-time contest winner.
- Kon Knueppel (Charlotte Hornets) – With an impressive 43.1% shooting average this season.
- Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets) – Currently holding a 42.5% success rate.
- Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Shooting at 37.6% this season.
- Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) – At 37.9% from beyond the arc.
- Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) – Struggling at 31.1% this season.
- Norman Powell (Miami Heat) – Shooting reasonably well at 39.6%.
- Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks) – Boasting the highest percentage at 45.0% among the participants.
Contest Mechanics
Over the years, rules for the 3-Point Contest have become increasingly intricate. Contestants have 70 seconds to score from 27 balls set at five designated racks around the three-point line. Each of the four racks has four standard balls worth one point each and one special tri-colored ‘moneyball’ worth two points. Additionally, there’s a rack with only moneyballs.
One feature this year includes two “Starry Range” spots, set further back at nearly 30 feet, granting a hefty three points per successfully made shot. The performance order is determined randomly, with the previous champion shooting last in the initial round. The best three scorers will move on to the finals, and any tie will be resolved with a brief tiebreaker round.
Favorites to Watch
- Kon Knueppel (+260): This rookie has garnered attention for his 43.1% shooting rate and has excelled further recently, hitting 45.7% in February while launching nearly ten threes per game. Yet, as a 20-year-old in Los Angeles, how will he cope with the weekend’s distractions?
- Damian Lillard (+450): Coming off an Achilles injury, Lillard’s unexpected return could add drama to the competition. Though he hasn’t played in official games this season, Lillard’s rich history in the contest makes him a strong contender to watch.
- Jamal Murray (+600): Despite having a difficult patch recently, struggling to maintain his shooting efficiency post the return of teammate Nikola Jokic, Murray remains a relevant player in the lineup. But does he have what it takes to excel this weekend?
Who Will Take Home the Title?
Skeptics might ponder Lillard’s preparedness after injury, but many believe he’s ready to rise to the occasion. With unmatched experience in this contest and having mentally geared up for this particular moment, all signs point to him seizing the win once again.
Best Wager: Consider backing Damian Lillard to clinch the title at (+450, bet365).
Historical Context of the Contest
The 3-Point Contest has seen notable champions over the years, with iconic players like Larry Bird winning three in a row from 1986 to 1988, and Lillard being the only competitor to win consecutively since 2008. It’s worth noting that Dirk Nowitzki and Karl-Anthony Towns are the only seven-footers to take home the trophy in its history.
With such a rich legacy and promising talent in this year’s contest, fans have a thrilling event to anticipate.
Past Winners:
- 2025 Tyler Herro
- 2024 Damian Lillard
- 2023 Damian Lillard
- 2022 Karl-Anthony Towns
- 2021 Steph Curry
- … (and more)
This year’s contest promises another captivating chapter in a storied event that connects the modern game to its legendary past.
