Los Angeles, CA - NBA All-Star Saturday concluded with Damian Lillard securing his third career 3-Point Contest title and Keshad Johnson emerging victorious in the Slam Dunk Contest. Team Knicks also claimed the Kia Shooting Stars competition. The events, held at the Intuit Dome, drew enthusiastic crowds ahead of the league's 75th annual All-Star Game.
Competitions Showcase Diverse Skills
The evening featured a trifecta of fan-favorite competitions: the State Farm 3-Point Contest, the AT&T Slam Dunk, and the revived Kia Shooting Stars. Each event highlighted different aspects of players' abilities, from precise long-range shooting to athletic aerial maneuvers and team-based shooting accuracy.
State Farm 3-Point Contest: Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers defeated Devin Booker in the final round. This marks Lillard's third 3-Point Contest win, placing him in an elite group alongside Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as three-time champions. Lillard's participation and victory occurred while he was reportedly rehabbing an Achilles injury.
AT&T Slam Dunk Contest: Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the Slam Dunk Contest, his first major NBA individual accolade. He faced strong competition, notably from Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, who scored a perfect 50 on his opening dunk in the final round. Johnson's winning performance included a between-the-legs reverse dunk and a dunk from inside the free-throw line, earning a combined score of 97.4.
Kia Shooting Stars: Team Knicks, comprised of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and NBA legend Allan Houston, defeated Team Cameron in the final round. This event's return to the All-Star lineup after a ten-year absence featured teams of current and former players.
Evidence and Observations
The competition results are substantiated across multiple reports, detailing the winners and key performances.
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Damian Lillard's 3-Point Victory: Reports confirm Lillard's win, noting it was his third, a feat matched by few. His performance came as he recovers from an Achilles tear, a detail highlighted by several sources. His ability to compete and win while injured raises questions about his recovery timeline and competitive drive.
Keshad Johnson's Dunk Contest Win: The summaries consistently name Keshad Johnson as the Slam Dunk champion. Details of his final dunks, including a between-the-legs reverse and a free-throw line dunk, are cited. Carter Bryant's strong initial performance and subsequent struggles are also noted, framing his second-place finish.
Team Knicks' Shooting Stars Triumph: The composition and victory of Team Knicks are consistently reported. Their opponents, Team Cameron, featured former NBA player Corey Maggette, who reportedly carried his team in the final round.
Contextualizing the Events
The NBA All-Star Saturday events serve as a prelude to the main All-Star Game, offering a platform for players to showcase individual talents outside of team play.
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Injury and Return
Damian Lillard's participation and win in the 3-Point Contest while rehabilitating an Achilles tear is a significant narrative point. Reports indicate he underwent surgery in May after suffering the injury in April. Does this participation indicate a more advanced stage of recovery than publicly understood, or is it a testament to his mental fortitude and pre-injury skill level?
Slam Dunk Competition Dynamics
The Slam Dunk Contest saw Keshad Johnson emerge as the champion. Carter Bryant's performance, characterized by a perfect first dunk followed by difficulty with subsequent attempts, is a key element of the competition's narrative. The contrast between Bryant's early success and late-stage struggles, and Johnson's consistent high scores, offers a compelling study in competitive execution under pressure.
Team Dynamics in Shooting Stars
Team Knicks' victory in the Shooting Stars event highlights the collaborative aspect of one of the night's competitions. The participation of legends alongside current players underscores the intergenerational aspect of the All-Star weekend.
Expert Analysis and Reaction
While direct expert commentary is limited in the provided summaries, the reporting itself suggests an emphasis on the significance of the wins.
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Damian Lillard's third 3-Point Contest title is framed as a historical achievement, aligning him with basketball legends.
Keshad Johnson's victory is presented as a defining moment in his early career.
Conclusion and Implications
NBA All-Star Saturday 2026 was defined by the notable victories of Damian Lillard and Keshad Johnson, alongside Team Knicks in the Shooting Stars competition. Lillard's triumph in the 3-Point Contest, achieved while recovering from a significant injury, underscores his enduring skill and competitive spirit. Johnson's win in the Slam Dunk Contest marks a career highlight. These events not only provided entertainment but also offered a glimpse into the players' current form and historical achievements within the league's celebrated traditions.
Sources:
Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-02-14/damian-lillard-keshad-johnson-win-nba-all-star-competitions (Summary indicates winning teams and notable performances.)
NBA.com: https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-all-star-saturday-participants?lid=esivo10zep7t (Official source listing participants and winners for all three contests.)
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-all-star-live-updates-results-dunk-contest-3-point-winner/live/ (Details Lillard's win and mentions his scoring, also highlights Booker's performance.)
The New York Times (The Athletic): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nba-all-star-saturday-2026-live-updates-slam-dunk-contest-3-point/WXblRs4M2eKb/ (Provides play-by-play updates and commentary on the Slam Dunk Contest, focusing on Bryant's struggles.)
Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/all-star-game/nba-all-star-saturday-live-scores-updates-from-three-point-contest-shooting-stars-slam-dunk (Confirms winners and mentions Lillard's injury status and Johnson's performance.)
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story//id/47932930/lillard-returns-win-record-tying-third-3-point-shootout (Focuses on Lillard's historic win, detailing his injury and matching Bird/Hodges' record.)
NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/2026-nba-all-star-saturday-night-live-updates-3-point-contest-shooting-stars-dunk-contest-results-highlights (Reports on Lillard's perspective, suggesting the contest was initially a joke to him.)
TheScore: https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3476805/everything-that-happened-during-nba-all-star-saturday (Provides a summary of all Saturday winners and specific details on Johnson's score and Bryant's final dunk attempts.)
KSAT (San Antonio): https://www.ksat.com/sports/2026/02/14/damian-lillard-makes-it-rain-wins-a-record-tying-3rd-nba-3-point-contest-title/ (Focuses on Lillard's win and details Carter Bryant's performance in the Dunk Contest, including his injury suitability.)
AOL: https://www.aol.com/articles/damian-lillard-wins-3-point-233255111.html (Confirms Keshad Johnson's win and Damian Lillard's third 3-point contest victory, with details on Johnson's final dunks.)
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