Lillard returns to win record-tying third 3-point shootout

Inglewood, California– damian lillard Has not played any games this season for portland trail blazers As he recovers from an Achilles injury, however, when he took the court for Saturday’s All-Star 3-Point Shootout, it was, as usual, dame time.

Lillard won the competition with a score of 29 in the final round. phoenix sun guard Devin Booker And charlotte hornets Cheater Con Knuppel To win for the third time in the last four years.

Lillard joins Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as other three-time winners of the event, which began in 1986.

Lillard, 35, suffered a left Achilles injury in Game 4 milwaukee bucks First round series against Indiana Pacers Successful surgeries took place in April and in May. Milwaukee waived him via an extension provision in July, and he signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to Portland, the franchise that drafted him and where he played his first 11 seasons.

“That’s just what I do, keep adding to my legacy,” Lillard said about participating in the contest.

He is the second player to take part in the competition while rehabilitating a ruptured Achilles. denver nuggets Guard Voshon Leonard won the 3-point contest in 2004 and then competed in the 2005 contest to defend his crown in Denver while he was recovering from an Achilles injury suffered on opening night with the Nuggets.