Dame Time doesn’t require a regular-season clock.
Despite not appearing in a single NBA game this year due to injury, Damian Lillard returned to the spotlight and captured his third State Farm NBA Three-Point Contest title during All-Star Weekend. In a season where he hasn’t logged one minute of official game action, Lillard reminded the basketball world that shooting — pure shooting — never leaves.
Still recovering from a torn Achilles that has sidelined him the entire season, Lillard stepped onto the floor at Intuit Dome and delivered a vintage performance. After posting a strong opening-round score, he elevated in the finals, knocking down money balls with the same rhythm and confidence that have defined his career.
The victory ties him with legends Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for three career Three-Point Contest titles — the most in NBA history. It’s rare air, and fitting company for one of the greatest long-range shooters the game has ever seen.
Winning Without Playing
What makes this achievement so unique is the context. Lillard has not played a regular-season game this year. No stat lines. No minutes. No game reps. Just rehab, recovery, and shooting work behind the scenes.
Yet when the lights turned on, there was no rust.
His form was compact. His release was quick. His range — as always — felt limitless. In the final round, he edged out fellow elite shooters including Devin Booker, proving once again that rhythm and confidence matter just as much as recent game reps.
It wasn’t just about mechanics. It was about presence. Lillard carries an aura in these moments. Even without playing this season, he walked into the arena like a veteran who knew exactly how the night would end.
Legacy Beyond the Season
For Lillard, this win adds another layer to an already Hall-of-Fame résumé. His three-point shooting has always been his signature — from logo daggers in the playoffs to deep pull-ups in crunch time. The contest simply distilled that identity into a 60-second showcase.
And there’s symbolism here.
An Achilles injury is one of the most serious setbacks in basketball. It has altered careers and shortened primes. For Lillard to return to a competitive setting — even in a skills contest — and dominate speaks volumes about his preparation and mental edge.
It also sends a message about his future. If his shot looks this sharp without game action, what might it look like when he fully returns?
What Comes Next?
Lillard has already hinted at chasing a fourth title, something no player has ever achieved. That possibility alone adds intrigue to next year’s All-Star Weekend.
But more importantly, this performance serves as a reminder: elite shooters age differently. Shooting touch doesn’t rely purely on athleticism. It’s repetition, balance, confidence, and nerve — all traits Lillard still clearly possesses.
He may not have played a single game this season, but on All-Star Saturday night, none of that mattered.
Because when the rack starts spinning and the clock begins to tick, it’s always Dame Time.
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