Updated Feb. 14, 2026, 8:28 p.m. CT
Giannis Antetokounmpo is shooting a career-best on three-pointers this season, but it’s safe to assume the Milwaukee Bucks star won’t ever be firing up shots in the NBA All-Star 3-point contest, let alone win the event.
But on Saturday, Feb. 14, Antetokounmpo got his hands on the trophy – just for a moment.
Antetokounmpo’s former Bucks teammate, Damian Lillard, who won his record-tying third 3-point contest during the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, let him hold it in a fun moment when they met up following the event.
“The only time he ever gonna see it,” the Portland Trail Blazers‘ sharpshooter told Antetokounmpo with a smile.
Antetokounmpo then raised it over his head: “Like this?”
“I’m gonna tell my grandkids I won this,” the Bucks’ 10-time All-Star joked.
The two former teammates reconnected in the hallway at the Intuit Dome after Lillard’s win in the contest. Lillard hasn’t played this season as he recovers from the torn Achilles he suffered in the playoffs last year while still with the Bucks.
But Lillard, now in his second stint with the Trail Blazers, joined the contest for a sixth time in his career and put on a show like he typically does. He’s now tied with Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics (1986-88) and Craig Hodges of the Chicago Bulls (1990-92) as the only other players to win the contest three times.
“So you gotta do it again?” Antetokounmpo told him.
“I gotta do it again,” Lillard said. “I’m gonna do it again. Got to.”
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He then issued a challenge to Antetokounmpo:
“You wanna do it next year?” Lillard jokingly asked Antetokounmpo. “Three-point shootout. Me vs. you.”
Lillard is one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. In his career, he has shot 37.1% from three-point range, is fifth all-time in made three-pointers with 2,804 and has the third-most attempts with 7,556.
Antetokounmpo, who is shooting 39.5% from distance this season in limited attempts (15 for 38), is a career 28.6% shooter on three-pointers. He has made 557 of his 1,946 attempts in his career.
Antetokounmpo was 3 for 3 on 3-pointers in the 2021 All-Star Game when he made all 16 of his shots on his way to the MVP.
Despite battling through multiple injuries this season, Antetokounmpo earned his 10th straight All-Star nod. But for a second straight season, he’ll be on the sidelines due to an injury.
But that hasn’t stopped him from being part of All-Star festivities like always. He served as the winning coach in the celebrity game on Feb. 13 and has been a presence this weekend, including at an NBA Cares charity event with his wife, Mariah.
Damian Lillard wins 3-point contest, highlights from All-Star Weekend
Here are highlights from the 3-point contest:
NBA 3-point contest results
Damian Lillard won his third 3-point contest to go with his wins in 2023 and 2024. The Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis Jr. finished in last place with 15 points in the first round.
Wisconsin Lutheran High School grad Kon Knueppel, a rookie for the Charlotte Hornets, tied Lillard in the first round with 27 three-pointers to advance to the finals. He finished in third place behind Lillard and the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the finals.
Finals
- Damian Lillard: 29
- Devin Booker: 27
- Kon Knueppel: 17
First round
- Devin Booker: 30
- Damian Lillard: 27
- Kon Knueppel: 27
- Donovan Mitchell: 24
- Tyrese Maxey: 17
- Norman Powell: 23
- Jamal Murray: 18
- Bobby Portis Jr.: 15