© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES – On a night built for fireworks, Devin Booker delivered all that, and much more, in the 2026 NBA 3-point contest, but fell just short as he finished second behind Damian Lillard.
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Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phoenix guard Booker (1) reacts in the three point contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
At the 2026 All-Star Saturday showcase, the Phoenix Suns star looked poised to etch his name into history. He opened the three-point contest with 30 points, the highest score in the first round. Booker’s rhythm was smooth, mechanics were repeatable, and it was the kind of round that travels well from exhibition to playoff pressure. In the finals, it came down to Booker, Damian Lillard, and rookie wildcard Kon Knueppel. Knueppel posted 17, Lillard surged to 29, and Booker went last.
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phoenix guard Booker (1) competes in the three point contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Devin Booker’s final round in the 2026 NBA 3-point contest:
Devin Booker knew that 30 was already proven, and all he had to do was torch the racks. This round was different, as the money balls felt heavier. The final three attempts, each one a chance to tie or take the lead, couldn’t find the bottom of the net. He finished two points short.
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phoenix guard Booker (1) competes in the three point contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
Absolute heartbreaker for Booker and for fans watching, as this also wasn’t just about a trophy. Had Booker won, he would’ve become the ninth two-time champion and owned the longest gap between titles in contest history. That matters historically; what matters more now is trajectory. For Suns fans, the takeaway isn’t the loss. It’s the moment that includes all the pressure, stakes, and execution under a clock. Booker embraced all of it.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
