All-Star Weekend Descends on San Francisco
This year’s All-Star Weekend brings the excitement of the NBA’s top talents to San Francisco, a city deeply rooted in the legacy of some of the greatest shooters in basketball history. For over a decade, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson lit up the arena with their unparalleled three-point shooting, creating an environment of electrifying basketball that captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Although these legendary sharpshooters are not participating in this year’s three-point contest, the event promises to be just as thrilling with a lineup of some of the NBA’s finest marksmen.
The Starry 3-Point Contest: A Night of Precision
The State Farm All-Star Saturday Night festivities will kick off at 8 p.m. ET, featuring a series of high-octane competitions, including the Kia Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest, and the AT&T Dunk Contest. The 3-Point Contest, in particular, is a highlight, bringing together eight of the NBA’s best sharpshooters. Headlining the competition is Damian Lillard, the reigning champion who has won the event in each of the last two seasons. Lillard, who boasts a 38.2% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc on 9.1 attempts per game, is the betting favorite at +400. If he secures another win, he will join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to have won the three-point contest three times.
A Field of Elite Shooters
While Lillard is the clear favorite, the competition is far from a one-man show. The field is stacked with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, each bringing their own unique flair and precision to the contest. Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, known for his exceptional 43.8% shooting on 6.9 attempts per game, is also a strong contender. Tyler Herro, a sharpshooter for the Miami Heat, has been equally impressive, averaging 38.8% on 9.7 attempts per game, the highest volume in the field. Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers, shooting 42.9% on 7.9 attempts per game, and Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons, who has shown significant improvement in his shooting, round out the top contenders.
Returning Competitors and Newcomers
This year’s 3-Point Contest marks a return for several familiar faces. Lillard is making his fifth appearance, while Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors is competing in his fourth. Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Tyler Herro are both making their second appearances, bringing valuable experience to the event. Alongside these seasoned veterans are newcomers Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets and Cade Cunningham, who are eager to prove their mettle against the league’s best.
The Rules and Format of the 3-Point Contest
The 3-Point Contest is divided into two rounds, with eight shooters competing in the first round. Each shooter has 70 seconds to score as many points as possible from 27 balls. The balls are arranged in racks at five shooting locations around the 3-point line. Each rack contains four normal balls worth one point each and one multi-colored "money ball" worth two points. One of the racks features only money balls, and the shooter can choose which rack to designate as their money ball rack. Additionally, there are two deep shot locations from the "Starry Range," each worth three points. The three players with the highest scores in the first round advance to the final round, where they compete again for the championship, with the highest score winning the title.
The Schedule and Anticipation
All-Star Saturday Night will be held at Chase Center in San Francisco, starting at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 15. The night will begin with the Skills Challenge, followed by the 3-Point Contest, and will conclude with the highly anticipated Dunk Contest. As the basketball world tunes in, the stage is set for an evening of spectacular performances, intense competition, and unforgettable moments. With a field of elite shooters ready to showcase their skills, the 2025 3-Point Contest in San Francisco is sure to be a memorable event that continues the city’s rich tradition of excellence in basketball.
