Damian Lillard edges out Devin Booker, wins 3-point contest while still rehabbing torn Achilles

Damian Lillard walked to the court and pointed at his right wrist, Dame Time ready to tick on an NBA court for the first time since he ruptured his Achilles tendon on April 27.

Lillard made 10 straight 3s during the finals to propel him to his third 3-point contest championship, the hot shooting injecting some energy into the building during the first event Saturday night during All-Star weekend. Lillard is the third player to win the event three times.

Lillard’s inclusion in the contest caused some mild controversy – and plenty of intrigue – because he hasn’t played in a game this season. He watched from the sideline as Devin Booker went to the final right in the right corner with a chance to win, only for the Suns star to fall short.

Lillard out-shot Booker and Charlotte rookie Kon Knueppel in the finals.

Clippers fans packed together on “The Wall” – the signature fan section of the Intuit Dome – chanted Norman Powell’s name when he was introduced. The Clippers traded Powell to Miami this past June in a three-team deal that sent John Collins to the Clippers.

Powell scored 23 points in the first round before being eliminated along with Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell (24 points), Denver’s Jamal Murray (18) Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey (17) and Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis (15).