The NBA has announced the eight-player field for the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest, which will open All-Star Saturday on Feb. 14 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The competition will be the first event of the night, tipping off at 5 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
The field blends star power, proven champions and new faces, highlighted by Damian Lillard, who is seeking a record-tying third career title, and Devin Booker, a former winner returning to the event. Rookie Kon Knueppel adds a fresh storyline as the lone first-year player in the competition.
Adding intrigue is the fact Lillard has not played this season while recovering from a torn Achilles. It will be the first time he represents the Blazers in a NBA competition since being traded away from the franchise in 2023.
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
A Star-Heavy Field With History on the Line
Five of the eight participants are 2026 NBA All-Stars, underscoring the depth of the field. Those selections include Booker, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray, and Norman Powell.
Lillard enters with the most at stake historically. A win would give him three career 3-point titles, matching the all-time mark shared by Larry Bird and Craig Hodges. Booker, the 2018 champion, remains one of the league’s most respected high-volume shooters and a perennial threat in this format.
The contest also features Bobby Portis Jr., adding a frontcourt shooting presence to a group otherwise dominated by guards.
Newcomers, Debuts and the Rookie Angle
Four players will be making their State Farm 3-Point Contest debuts: Knueppel, Maxey, Murray and Portis. Among them, Knueppel carries a unique historical opportunity. He can become the first rookie ever to win the event, which began in 1986.
Knueppel has emerged as one of the league’s most prolific perimeter shooters this season, already ranking near the top of the NBA in total made 3-pointers while maintaining efficiency above 42 percent from deep. His inclusion adds intrigue to a competition often defined by veteran experience.
Beyond the rookie storyline, the field is stacked with efficiency. Multiple participants are shooting in the low-to-mid 40 percent range from three this season, setting the stage for a tightly contested two-round shootout.
How the Contest Works
The State Farm 3-Point Contest is contested over two rounds. Each player has 70 seconds to shoot from five locations around the arc, aiming to rack up as many points as possible. The top three scorers advance from the opening round to the championship round, where the highest score determines the winner.
Saturday night’s schedule will continue with the return of the Shooting Stars competition, followed by the slam dunk contest to close All-Star Saturday. The skills competition will not be held this year.
With elite shooters, historic stakes and a prime-time broadcast window, the 2026 State Farm 3-Point Contest is positioned as one of the marquee events of All-Star Weekend.
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