The NBA All-Star Weekend has been a cherished tradition since 1951 and has continually evolved to attract basketball enthusiasts from around the world. Among the many events of All-Star Weekend, the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest stands out as a thrilling showcase of sharpshooting prowess.
The Three-Point Contest, introduced in 1986 has become a staple of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Held on Saturday night, this competition brings together elite marksmen from the league. The contest features a timed format, with participants racing against the clock to sink as many three-pointers as possible from various spots around the arc.
A fan-favorite event, the Three-Point Contest has seen memorable performances over the years. Participants wearing their team jerseys attempt to outscore their opponents in a head-to-head format. The rules of the NBA Three-Point Contest have undergone adjustments, but it has kept its charm. Contestants accumulate one point for each shot made from different zones, but a “Moneyball” shot is worth two points. The pressure builds as the clock ticks down, creating a suspenseful spectacle for fans.
In recent years, the NBA Three-Point Contest has gained unprecedented popularity, thanks to the emergence of legendary shooters who have changed the game in the last decade with their remarkable three-point proficiency. The likes of Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Klay Thompson have revolutionized the sport with their deadly accuracy from beyond the arc. The NBA Three-Point Contest now features the best among the best, showcasing the evolution of the three-point shooting game as elite marksmen vie for the prestigious trophy.
2024 NBA Three-Point Contest
The 2024 NBA Three-Point Contest was held at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis on Saturday, February 18. This event was yet another riveting display of shooting excellence from the NBA's elite shooters. As the event unfolded, viewers witnessed renowned marksmen battling it out for the coveted Three-Point Contest trophy.
2024 NBA All-Star 3 Point Contest Participants
The 2024 NBA All-Star 3-point contest featured a star-studded lineup. Reigning champion Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks returned to defend his throne as he faced stiff competition from his Bucks teammate Malik Beasley, who held the highest 3-point shooting percentage for the 2023/24 season coming into the 2024 NBA All-Star 3-point contest.
Joining them was Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, who enjoyed the advantage of competing on his home court. Adding to the excitement was Karl-Anthony Towns, the first-ever center to clinch the 3-point contest crown back in 2022.
Completing the roster were sharpshooters Lauri Markkanen, a 7-foot Finnish sniper from the Utah Jazz, "southpaw" marksman Jalen Brunson representing the New York Knicks, Hawks' dribble machine Trae Young, and the prolific 3-point shooter Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz, who was yet to secure his first 3-point title despite his remarkable 3 point shooting abilities.
2024 NBA All-Star 3 Point Contest Winner
Damian Lillard showcased his exceptional shooting skills once again as he secured his second consecutive NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest title in a nail-biting showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Stephen vs Sabrina: 3-Point Challenge
One of the most exciting events of the night featured WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, renowned for her exceptional 3-point shooting in the WNBA, who competed against the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-point shots, Steph Curry.
NBA 3 Point Contest Winners
| Season | All-Star Host City | Player | Team | Final score/max | % Shots Made |
| 1986 | Dallas, Texas | Larry Bird | Boston Celtics | 22 / 30 | 73.33% |
| 1987 | Seattle, Washington | Larry Bird (2) | Boston Celtics (2) | 16 / 30 | 53.33% |
| 1988 | Chicago, Illinois | Larry Bird (3) | Boston Celtics (3) | 17 / 30 | 56.67% |
| 1989 | Houston, Texas | Dale Ellis | Seattle SuperSonics | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 1990 | Miami, Florida | Craig Hodges | Chicago Bulls | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 1991 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Craig Hodges (2) | Chicago Bulls (2) | 17 / 30 | 56.67% |
| 1992 | Orlando, Florida | Craig Hodges (3) | Chicago Bulls (3) | 16 / 30 | 53.33% |
| 1993 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Mark Price | Cleveland Cavaliers | 18 / 30 | 60.00% |
| 1994 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Mark Price (2) | Cleveland Cavaliers (2) | 24 / 30 | 80.00% |
| 1995 | Phoenix, Arizona | Glen Rice | Miami Heat | 17 / 30 | 56.67% |
| 1996 | San Antonio, Texas | Tim Legler | Washington Bullets | 20 / 30 | 66.67% |
| 1997 | Cleveland, Ohio | Steve Kerr | Chicago Bulls (4) | 22 / 30 | 73.33% |
| 1998 | New York City, New York | Jeff Hornacek | Utah Jazz | 16 / 30 | 53.33% |
| 1999 | Canceled due to lockout | - | - | - | - |
| 2000 | Oakland, California | Jeff Hornacek (2) | Utah Jazz (2) | 13 / 30 | 43.33% |
| 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Ray Allen | Milwaukee Bucks | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 2002 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Peja Stojaković | Sacramento Kings | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 2003 | Atlanta, Georgia | Peja Stojaković (2) | Sacramento Kings (2) | 22 / 30 | 73.33% |
| 2004 | Los Angeles, California | Voshon Lenard | Denver Nuggets | 18 / 30 | 60.00% |
| 2005 | Denver, Colorado | Quentin Richardson | Phoenix Suns | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 2006 | Houston, Texas (2) | Dirk Nowitzki | Dallas Mavericks | 18 / 30 | 60.00% |
| 2007 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Jason Kapono | Miami Heat (2) | 24 / 30 | 80.00% |
| 2008 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Jason Kapono (2) | Toronto Raptors | 25 / 30 | 83.33% |
| 2009 | Phoenix, Arizona (2) | Daequan Cook | Miami Heat (3) | 19 / 30 | 63.33% |
| 2010 | Dallas, Texas (2) | Paul Pierce | Boston Celtics (4) | 20 / 30 | 66.67% |
| 2011 | Los Angeles, California (2) | James Jones | Miami Heat (4) | 20 / 30 | 66.67% |
| 2012 | Orlando, Florida (2) | Kevin Love | Minnesota Timberwolves | 17 / 30 | 56.67% |
| 2013 | Houston, Texas (3) | Kyrie Irving | Cleveland Cavaliers (3) | 23 / 30 | 76.67% |
| 2014 | New Orleans, Louisiana (2) | Marco Belinelli | San Antonio Spurs | 24 / 34 | 70.59% |
| 2015 | Brooklyn, New York (2) | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 27 / 34 | 79.41% |
| 2016 | Toronto, Ontario | Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors (2) | 27 / 34 | 79.41% |
| 2017 | New Orleans, Louisiana (3) | Eric Gordon | Houston Rockets | 21/ 34 | 61.76% |
| 2018 | Los Angeles, California (3) | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns (2) | 28 / 34 | 82.35% |
| 2019 | Charlotte, North Carolina (2) | Joe Harris | Brooklyn Nets | 26 / 34 | 76.47% |
| 2020 | Chicago, Illinois (2) | Buddy Hield | Sacramento Kings (3) | 27 / 40 | 67.50% |
| 2021 | Atlanta, Georgia (2) | Stephen Curry (2) | Golden State Warriors (3) | 28 / 40 | 70 |
| 2022 | Cleveland, Ohio (2) | Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves (2) | 29 / 40 | 72.50% |
| 2023 | Salt Lake City, Utah (2) | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | 26 / 40 | 65.00% |
| 2024 | Indianapolis, IN | Damian Lillard | Milwaukee Bucks (2) | 26 / 40 | 65.00% |
| 2025 | San Francisco, CA | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2026 | Los Angeles, CA | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
FAQ's
As of now, only Damina Lillard and Jalen Brunson have confirmed their participation. Besides that, Steph vs Sabrina: the NBA 3-Point Contest has been announced.
There are five racks, each containing five basketballs, placed around the three-point arc. One rack is placed in each corner, and three are along the wings.
Each made shot is worth one point, except for the final ball (often called the "money ball"), which is worth two points. Contestants have one minute to complete the shooting round.
Devin Booker set the record for the most points in a single 3-Point Contest, scoring 28 points out of a possible 34 in 2018.
Sabrina lonescu set a WNBA and NBA all-time record for a single round score in the three-point contest. The New York Liberty's point guard scored 37 out of 40 possible points – hitting 25 out of 27 possible shots – as she claimed the three-point contest crown.
