Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The contestants for the 2023 NBA 3-Point Contest have reportedly been revealed, with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard leading the eight-player field.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium relayed the group of contestants at All-Star Weekend:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: NBA 3-Point Contest participants at All-Star Weekend: Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter, Miami’s Tyler Herro, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, Portland’s Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons and Utah’s Lauri Markkanen.
Lillard is making his third appearance in the shooting exhibition after previously taking part in the event in 2014 and 2019. But the 32-year-old is still chasing his first victory.
The 2014 event saw Lillard post the third-highest points total in the first round with 18, but he didn’t make the final because Bradley Beal and Marco Belinelli finished in the top two.
This has been a terrific bounce-back season for the Blazers point guard, though, after injuries limited him to 29 games in 2021-22. He is averaging a career-high 31.2 points per game on 37.5 percent three-point shooting.
Lillard’s 11.0 three-point attempts per game ranks second in the NBA, behind Stephen Curry’s 11.4. Curry (4.9) and Klay Thompson (4.2) are the only players making more three-pointers per game than the Portland player (4.1).
Buddy Hield, the 2020 3-Point champion, will be making his third career appearance in the event. He made a walk-off three on his final shot to defeat Devin Booker in the final three years ago.
NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT
BUDDY HIELD WINS IT ON THE LAST SHOT! #MtnDew3pt pic.twitter.com/P79YaVm0JO
The Indiana Pacers forward is having one of the best shooting seasons of his career. He is making 42.3 percent of his three-pointers on 9.0 attempts per game.
Hield declined an invitation to defend his title during the 2021 All-Star Weekend because he wanted to spend time with his family. This will be his first time participating in the 3-Point Contest representing the Pacers.
The 2023 3-Point Contest will be part of All-Star Saturday night on Feb. 18 from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The contestants for the 2023 NBA 3-Point Contest have reportedly been revealed, with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard leading the eight-player field.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium relayed the group of contestants at All-Star Weekend:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: NBA 3-Point Contest participants at All-Star Weekend: Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter, Miami’s Tyler Herro, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, Portland’s Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons and Utah’s Lauri Markkanen.
Lillard is making his third appearance in the shooting exhibition after previously taking part in the event in 2014 and 2019. But the 32-year-old is still chasing his first victory.
The 2014 event saw Lillard post the third-highest points total in the first round with 18, but he didn’t make the final because Bradley Beal and Marco Belinelli finished in the top two.
This has been a terrific bounce-back season for the Blazers point guard, though, after injuries limited him to 29 games in 2021-22. He is averaging a career-high 31.2 points per game on 37.5 percent three-point shooting.
Lillard’s 11.0 three-point attempts per game ranks second in the NBA, behind Stephen Curry’s 11.4. Curry (4.9) and Klay Thompson (4.2) are the only players making more three-pointers per game than the Portland player (4.1).
Buddy Hield, the 2020 3-Point champion, will be making his third career appearance in the event. He made a walk-off three on his final shot to defeat Devin Booker in the final three years ago.
NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT
BUDDY HIELD WINS IT ON THE LAST SHOT! #MtnDew3pt pic.twitter.com/P79YaVm0JO
The Indiana Pacers forward is having one of the best shooting seasons of his career. He is making 42.3 percent of his three-pointers on 9.0 attempts per game.
Hield declined an invitation to defend his title during the 2021 All-Star Weekend because he wanted to spend time with his family. This will be his first time participating in the 3-Point Contest representing the Pacers.
The 2023 3-Point Contest will be part of All-Star Saturday night on Feb. 18 from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
