Three-Point Contest lacked starpower without Golden State Warriors duo

Portland Trail Blazers’ superstar Damian Lillard added his name to the list of Three-Point Contest winners on Saturday night, but his work was undoubtedly made easier by the absence of Golden State Warriors’ sharpshooters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Lillard becomes the first Trail Blazer to lift the trophy, with the 32-year-old having competed in the event on two previous occasions.

A low-scoring Three-Point Contest could have been uplifted by the presence of Golden State Warriors’ stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Lillard defeated Indiana Pacers pair Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the final, but a winning score of 26 is the lowest since the event expanded to a maximum of 40 points available in 2019-20.

Haliburton’s unorthodox shot had pulverized the opposition in the opening round of the competition, recording 31 points to easily qualify first in the eight-man competition. He was unable to topple Lillard’s score in the final though, with the seven-time All-Star having just conquered Hield’s score of 25 with the last attempt of his round.

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Curry’s been unable to participate in All-Star weekend as he recovers from a lower leg injury sustained against the Dallas Mavericks at the beginning of the month. The two-time MVP last competed in the Three-Point Contest in 2021 where he won it for a second time.

The more disappointing absence may be Thompson who hasn’t participated in an All-Star event since 2019. The 34-year-old hasn’t competed in the Three-Point Contest since 2018, having won the event two years prior in 2016.

Here’s hoping we see Thompson back in an All-Star game in 2024, and that he has another crack at winning a second Three-Point Contest title. ‘The Splash Brothers’ remain the only pair of teammates to have each lifted the trophy, and it’s clear this year’s edition could have done with their outrageous shooting capacity.