“I’m Not Representing Achilles Nation,” Damian Lillard Reacts to Stunning 3-Point Contest Win After Injury

Damian Lillard stunned the NBA world by winning All-Star 3-Point contest after 8-month layoff.

“I’m Not Representing Achilles Nation,” Damian Lillard Reacts to Stunning 3-Point Contest Win After Injury

Damian Lillard (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Damian Lillard won the 2026 NBA Three-Point Contest despite being sidelined for the entire season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
  • Lillard expressed that he represents strength rather than the "Achilles nation," emphasizing resilience in the face of injury.
  • The Portland Trail Blazers currently hold a 27-29 record and are optimistic about improving next season despite Lillard's absence.

It has been over eight months since Damian Lillard was last seen on the court. Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.

It was a difficult two-year spell for Damian Lillard in Milwaukee. When the Milwaukee Bucks traded Jrue Holiday away to acquire Lillard via trade, many thought that they had found a perfect recipe to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo rooted to Wisconsin for the rest of his career. However, things did not go according to plan.

When the guard tore his Achilles and was ruled out for a year, the Bucks decided to cut their losses and waive Lillard in the offseason. Last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 58 appearances. After being waived off, the Portland Trail Blazers signed Lillard to a three-year, $42 million deal, marking his return to the franchise.

Having received special approval from the league to participate, the 35-year-old shocked the NBA world when he was named as one of the participants in the three-point shooting contest. And to add to everyone’s surprise, Lillard added the 2026 Three-Point crown to his 2023 and 2024 triumphs to match the event win record shared by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.

In his press conference, the nine-time All-Star spoke about winning the 2026 NBA Three-Point Contest with a torn Achilles:

I wouldn’t say I’m representing the achilles nation or nothing like that. I do think I represent strength. We are athletes so when we go through injury people act like it’s the end of the world because people are used to us being like lifted up and everything being about us but people go through way worse. For me it was more about representing strength. I didn’t choose to be weak about it.

Lillard has been ruled out for the entire 2025-26 campaign. In his absence, the Trail Blazers find themselves at ninth place in the Western Conference standings with a 27-29 record. While they are far from contenders this season, they will be optimistic about finishing in the top six next season.

Damian Lillard on watching Devin Booker in the final round

Despite not having played a game since the end of April, Lillard shocked everyone by managing to win the three-point shooting contest. There is no doubt that he is still one of the best shooters in the league, but doing it with a torn Achilles is especially impressive.

Lillard posted a first-round score of 27 to advance to the final, then narrowly beat Devin Booker with a 29-point round to win his third career Three-Point Contest. The crowd went wild, and fans across the league were happy to see Lillard back doing what he does best.

After winning the contest, Lillard was asked what he was thinking before Booker’s final round. His response brought a laugh from everyone, including Booker.

I was praying on his downfall.

Lillard’s shot clearly has not suffered during his rehab. While the three-point shooting contest is far from an NBA game, it should provide plenty of encouragement for Blazers fans who are hoping to see the 35-year-old come back strong next season.

Damian Lillard trolls Giannis Antetokounmpo over Kalshi

It is unfortunate that the NBA world did not get to see the best of the Antetokounmpo-Lillard partnership during their time with the Bucks. Injuries to both players in important moments made sure they never got past the first round of the playoffs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Image credits – EuroHoops)

However, the two shared a close bond with one another. The two ran into each other after Lillard won the contest. Lillard asked the Greek a question, which was a playful jab at the Bucks star.

Did you place a bet on Kalshi?

Antetokounmpo playfully shut it down and responded:

Stop! Stop, stop, stop.

Recently, the former Finals MVP announced he had joined the prediction market Kalshi as a shareholder. It was an investment that caught a lot of attention.

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