Damian Lillard might have just sparked anticipation for possibly the greatest NBA 3-Point Contest of all-time.
After Lillard won his third State Farm NBA 3-Point Contest in a stunning, edge-of-the-seat fashion during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, he caught the attention of another great NBA shooter, arguably the greatest of all-time, who seemingly wants in on next year’s competition.
Stephen Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point shots made, confirmed in an Instagram direct message to Lillard that he would compete in the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend’s 3-Point Contest in Phoenix, Arizona.
Lillard reached out to Curry first to assemble the troops.
He lobbied for himself, Curry, Klay Thompson and Devin Booker to be frontrunners in next year’s competition, adding they would need to find four more participants.
‘Next year … me, you, Klay, Book, and 4 more real shooters,’ Lillard said.
Curry responded with excitement and interest in the ultimate competition between the league’s best shooters.
‘Yessir I’m in. Know Klay will do it if I ask and Book will be at home. Perfect setup,’ Curry wrote, according to Lillard’s Instagram story.
Lillard posted the interaction to his social channel, seemingly confirming the arrangement.
‘It’s lit,’ Lillard captioned his Instagram story.
Previous 3-Point contest winners
Lillard defeated Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in the championship round of the 2026 State Farm NBA 3-Point Contest on Feb. 14. He became the third player ever to win the contest three times, joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.
Lillard scored 29 in the final round. Booker had the chance to win with 27 points and three shots remaining on his money ball rack, but he missed the final shots of his last rack, where each shot would have counted as two points instead of one.
The other competitors during the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest were Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Miami Heat guard Norman Powell, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. and Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.
Booker was crowned the 2018 NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest winner. Curry previously won the competition in 2015 and 2021. Thompson won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2016 in Toronto, defeating then-teammate Curry with a final round score of 27.
Here’s a list of previous NBA 3-Point Contest winners dating back to the first event in 1986:
Damian Lillard, 2026
Tyler Herro, 2025
Damian Lillard, 2024
Damian Lillard,2023
Karl-Anthony Towns, 2022
Stephen Curry, 2021
Buddy Hield, 2020
Joe Harris,2019
Devin Booker, 2018
Eric Gordon, 2017
Klay Thompson, 2016
Stephen Curry, 2015
Marco Belinelli, 2014
Kyrie Irving, 2013
Kevin Love,2012
James Jones, 2011
Paul Pierce, 2010
Daequan Cook, 2009
Jason Kapono, 2008
Jason Kapono, 2007
Dirk Nowitzki, 2006
Quentin Richardson, 2005
Voshon Leonard, 2004
Peja Stojakovic, 2003
Peja Stojakovic, 2002
Ray Allen, 2001
Jeff Hornacek, 2000
Jeff Hornacek, 1998
Steve Kerr, 1997
Tim Legler, 1996
Glen Rice, 1995
Mark Price,1994
Mark Price, 1993
Craig Hodges,1992
Craig Hodges, 1991
Craig Hodges, 1990
Dale Ellis, 1989
Larry Bird, 1988
Larry Bird,1987
Larry Bird, 1986
