Portland Trail Blazers star returning to wear uniform for first time since injury; Lillard joins elite field chasing third title at LA Clippers’ home in Inglewood
In an unexpected twist, Damian Lillard is getting back on the court sort of. The Portland Trail Blazers guard, who has sat out the entire season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered while with the Milwaukee Bucks, will participate in the 3-point contest during All-Star Saturday, the NBA announced. The decision marks Lillard’s first time playing in front of fans since rejoining Portland going into this season, providing a remarkable comeback moment for a player who has spent months in recovery mode. While Lillard won’t be suiting up for actual game action, his participation in the shooting competition represents a significant milestone in his rehabilitation journey and offers a glimpse of what could be his eventual return to regular-season play.
The announcement adds star power to an already competitive 3-point contest field. Lillard joins 2018 champion Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, along with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis Jr., and Miami’s Norman Powell. The lineup represents some of the NBA’s most elite perimeter shooters, setting up a compelling competition for All-Star Saturday.
Lillard’s pursuit of a third title carries particular significance. If he wins the contest, he would join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners in the event’s history. Lillard won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as one of the most dominant 3-point shooters in All-Star history. A third title would cement his legacy in the competition and provide an emotional triumph after months sidelined by injury.
The journey from Milwaukee to Portland and back
Lillard’s path to this unexpected All-Star appearance tells a complicated story about his NBA journey. Originally drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012, Lillard spent 11 seasons building his legacy with the Trail Blazers before being traded to Milwaukee just before the 2023-24 season. The move to the Bucks represented his pursuit of championship contention, but it also introduced the injury that changed his season trajectory.
Lillard suffered his torn Achilles while playing for Milwaukee last spring, immediately threatening his availability for the current season. Rather than keep him on the roster while injured, the Bucks made the difficult decision to waive and stretch Lillard’s remaining $113 million contract, converting him to free agent status. That unconventional move gave Lillard the opportunity to re-sign with his original NBA organization the Trail Blazers creating a full-circle moment in his career narrative.
All-Star Saturday gets a makeover
The 3-point contest itself is getting new treatment this year. In a change from traditional All-Star Saturday format, the 3-point contest will kick off the evening, followed by the return of the Shooting Stars competition, and then the dunk contest. Notably, the skills competition has been removed from the schedule, at least for this year. The event will be held at the LA Clippers’ home arena in Inglewood, California, maintaining the All-Star Game’s Los Angeles location.
Precedent for injured participants
Lillard isn’t the first 3-point participant to compete without having made a 3-pointer in the current season. In 1989, the NBA invited Rimas Kurtinaitis of Lithuania to participate in the contest a player who never actually played in the NBA. Lillard’s situation differs significantly: he’s a proven champion in this exact competition, returning from injury rather than making his debut.
The decision to have Lillard participate despite his season-long absence suggests confidence from both the player and the NBA that his Achilles recovery is progressing well. His participation in the shooting contest, while not full game action, represents a tangible step forward in his rehabilitation. Whether this appearance accelerates his return to regular-season play remains unknown, but for now, Lillard gets his chance to step back on the court and compete for another All-Star title even if it’s in a limited capacity.
