Damian Lillard, the two-time defending champion, is set to participate in the highly anticipated NBA 3-point contest at the All-Star Weekend in San Francisco. Lillard aims for an unprecedented three-peat, a feat last achieved by Craig Hodges. The competition will feature an impressive lineup, including Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Buddy Hield, Cameron Johnson, and Norman Powell.
Lillard's journey to this point has been marked by remarkable performances. In a previous game, he missed four consecutive shots from the corner but made a dramatic game-winning shot on his final attempt. Last year, he scored an impressive 26 out of 40 points in the contest's final round. His consistent excellence has made him the first back-to-back champion since Jason Kapono and placed him alongside legends like Larry Bird, who won three consecutive titles from 1986 to 1988.
The contest promises to be fiercely competitive with a talented eight-man field. While Lillard seeks his third consecutive victory, he faces strong opposition from other skilled shooters. The stakes are high as each participant vies for the coveted title.
In a previous game, Lillard demonstrated his clutch shooting ability by making four consecutive baskets on the second-to-last rack of balls. He then jogged to the final rack, needing just one more successful shot to clinch victory. Such performances underscore his reputation as a formidable competitor and raise expectations for his performance in San Francisco.
The 2022 3-point contest saw Karl-Anthony Towns take the crown, with Trae Young also competing. As Lillard eyes another victory, he stands on the brink of history. Joining the ranks of Bird, Hodges, Mark Price, and Peja Stojakovic, Lillard could become one of the few players to achieve back-to-back-to-back titles.
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