SALT LAKE CITY — Damian Lillard pulled on his Weber State uni — from where he went to college just 30 miles north of Vivint Arena — and reminded anyone who dared forget he is one of the game’s best shooters. And he is clutch.
Lillard won his first 3-Point Contest in his third attempt in dramatic fashion, knocking down his final moneyball to pass Buddy Hield and take the event.
DAME DOLLA ⌚️ #Starry3PT pic.twitter.com/wOEuaqYWCp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2023
“It made it that much more special,” Lillard said of winning it this close to Ogden, where he went to college.
As always, the 3-Point Contest was packed with talent. Jayson Tatum put up a 20 in the first round, as did hometown Jazz favorite Lauri Markkanen, but they were all eliminated (as were Julius Randle and Kevin Huerter).
Buddy Hield advanced to the final round, but. Tyrese Haliburton — underrated all season and coming into this shootout — stole the first round with a 31.
Haliburton finishes with a 31-point opening round ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZydS6ri7Iy
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2023
In the final three Haliburton faded, while Hield set the bar with a quality score of 25.
And then it was Dame Time.
“When I think of the best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these.” 🏆
Dame is the #Starry3PT champ! pic.twitter.com/P0oQ9sOkz6
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2023
Here is more from All-Star weekend
That’s who Mac McClung is — show stopper revives Dunk Contest NBA to have All-Star captains choose reserves first in attempt to avoid last… Watch Pelicans Jose Alvarado call his shot then drain Rising Stars game-winner
Lillard turns 3-point Contest into Dame Time with win originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Source: Yahoo Sports
