Photo: Ford, Brad (uploader)
Photo: Getty Images
Portland Trail Blazers guards Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons will participate in the 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest on Saturday, Feb. 18 during NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, the NBA announced today.
Set to appear in his seventh All-Star game on Feb. 19, Lillard will compete in the 3-point contest for the third time in his career, having previously competed in 2019 and 2014. He has recorded averages of 31.2 points (46.7% FG, 37.5% 3-PT, 91.7% FT), 4.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.82 steals and 36.1 minutes in 45 games during the 2022-23 season. Among league leaders, Lillard ranks third in the NBA for three-pointers made per game (4.1) and fourth this season in total threes made (186). He has made at least five three-pointers in 18 games this season, the third-most in the league and is tied for the most three-pointers in a half, recording eight shots from behind the arc twice this season.
This is the first 3-point contest appearance for Simons who is having a career year averaging 21.4 points (45.1% FG, 38.1% 3-PT, 91.0% FT), 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.7 steals and 35.7 minutes in 55 games. Simons ranks second in the league this season in total three-pointers made with 195. He is the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 100 shots from beyond the arc in the first 25 games of the season. Simons is also only the sixth player in NBA history to record at least five games with nine-or-more three-pointers in a season.
Joining Lillard and Simons in the 2023 Starry 3-Point Contest are Tyrese Haliburton (Indian Pacers), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), Buddy Hield (Indiana Pacers), Kevin Huerter (Sacramento Kings), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
Source: Portland Trail Blazers